Birthday Love, Cards, and CAKE!!

Dear Diary...

My birthday is over, and it was a great day.  It never ceases to amaze me at the love and kindness reflected from the adults and children I have the honor of working with.  From the moment I walked in to work yesterday morning, I was greeted with birthday wishes, hugs, handmade cards, and even a few goodies.  The greetings continued all day long.  As I walked in to every classroom, as I walked down the halls, everywhere I went, I was met with the bells of "Happy Birthday!"  It was a very special day. 

I was also surprised at the out pour of birthday greetings I received on Facebook.  I know that everyone has that handy, dandy feature that lets them know it's my birthday.  But I was still amazed at how many people took the time to send their well wishes.  There was over 100 comments posted to my wall, yesterday.  That blows my mind.  Ten years ago, I doubt I had more than 5 people that wished me a happy birthday.

After work yesterday, I picked all the kids up and then we went to the store to get me a birthday cake.  I didn't really want a birthday cake, but the kids insisted.  I want to say that the reason I didn't want a cake is because I'm being such a good girl and eating cake is not the way to do that.  But that's bologna.  I didn't really want cake, because I'm not really a big cake fan.  I'd much rather eat pie or cheesecake or some kind of fruit flavored pastry.  The kids insisted on cake.  So, cake it was.  I picked out a German Chocolate Cake.  I figured if I'm going to eat cake, I'll eat the cake that is my favorite - and probably the worst for me.  I had a pretty good size piece after dinner.  Then Hubby and I shared a Paula Deen blueberry crumble.  Something I picked up as an alternate to a birthday cake, because it's something I really like to eat.  Did I eat way too much sweet stuff?  You can bet your right thigh I did.  I don't feel guilty about it.  It was my birthday.  I just have to now try and tell myself that if I eat like that one day a year, I'll be just fine.

Even though my birthday is over, I get to hold on to some "later date" celebrations.  I'm getting an iPad for my birthday, but we're waiting a couple of weeks to get it.  Hubby insists on waiting to see if the new iPad 3 comes out at the end of this month.  Not sure if that means he's going to buy me that one, or if he's just waiting to see if the iPad 2 drops in price.  Either way, I'm going to be super stoked!

Also, the 3rd grade team at my school want to take me out for lunch today.  Now, I don't want to play favorites because I love all of the people I work with, but there's something about those three 3rd grade teachers that melt my heart.  If someone is looking for me at a time I'm not scheduled in a different room, everyone pretty much knows that they should look in one of the 3rd grade classrooms - cause that's where I'll be.  I have a connection with those women that I've never experienced before.  I feel accepted.  I feel like part of the team.  I can go to them whenever I need them, and know that they'll do whatever they can to help me.  I'm pretty sure what I feel is the "it factor" that my professors spoke about in college.  That moment when you see yourself working right along side those people and feel completely at ease. 

Changing the subject, I felt another spark of that feeling I said I was going to have the moment I reached 30 yesterday afternoon.  You all know that the gym opens Saturday.  I'm not sure if I'll go on opening day, but I've already prepared myself to go on Sunday - once the kids go off to church.  Well, my kids' parent-teacher conferences are next week.  I could pick what days I wanted to go.  I made Peanut's for next Tuesday a couple of weeks ago, but yesterday I had to set up Butter's.  My immediate thought while looking at my options was "Which option will be the least likely to interfere with going to the gym?"  I know.  I'm just as shocked as you.  I'll wait a couple of seconds for you to compose yourself to an upright position.

I ended up picking Thursday.  Meaning I can go to the gym on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  I was so happy that my first thought was of the gym.  I know that my child's academic success should be my top priority, and this is one situation where thinking about going to the gym shouldn't really be involved... but remember, I work in the same school he's in.  I kind of try to keep a few tabs here and there on that progress every day. 

I truly do feel that things have changed in me.  While I don't feel any older, I feel a sense of urgency to shed the pounds.   I feel a calling to get fit.  I want to stand proud, and run fast.  Stressful times are coming my way again, once I start facing the blahness that is looking for a teaching job.  I want to be ahead of the game when that time comes, and be in the midst of great success with my weight loss.  I feel that, somehow, if I'm succeeding in one area of my life - the success may spill over in to the other area of my life that means even more to me.  I want to be able to sit here, a year from now, and reflect back on the amazing year I had.  I know I can do it.  I know I will do it. 

Till next time. ;)