I've been told this will be the last birthday I ever have. 29. Next year I will probably not have a birthday anymore according to some. Turning 29 or 30 or whatever doesn't really bother me too much because the fact of the matter is that there are news articles touting "50 is the new 30". That means 30 is the new 10. One great thing about following the Baby Boomers - they refuse to get "old" and that means I will forever be young. I will also tell you from first hand eye witness account that 50 seems like a whole lot more fun than anything I've experienced since leaving college. My mom and her friends make 50seem like the place to be. 50 is better than being the new 30 because you don't have any young children at home, keeping you up all night with an ear infection or nightmares of King Kong...

Wilson came through and bought his dear mum a movie. He is very excited. He bought me "the best movie EVER" - Curious George. Chris bought me a ring set that has both kids' names engraved on it. Of course, it won't make it here today, but as soon as it arrives we will have to show pictures. Reagan woke up at 1am. I'm sure this was her way of making sure she was the very first person in the world to wish Mommy a happy birthday.

My inbox was full of singing birthday e-cards, which was a great way to start off the day. I had a delicious birthday praline, courtesy of my boss. Karen and Summer took me out for lunch and I had my favorite meal - spaghetti. I have spaghetti every year for my birthday - plain spaghetti, nothing fancy - because it is my favorite meal. Tonight Chris is cooking his special bow tie pasta dish. Yum. And we have cake, which I baked Sunday in order to avoid not having one and going through Wilson's "You can't have a birthday without a cake" lecture.

Tomorrow, before the sun wakes up, we are off to St. Louis. I haven't had a birthday at home since my 23rd birthday when my job required me to be there. Before that, my last birthday at home was when I turned 17. Since then each birthday has been spent in the heat here in Texas. I am so anxious for Chris, Wilson, and Reagan to experience what September should feel like - cool, leaves flirting with changing colors... It will be wonderful.

This is my first birthday since Kenneth, Lesley, Brandon, and Kerry-Lea went back to South Africa. The last several birthdays have included yummy South African food and trips to the ER. While I won't miss the ER this year (God willing) I do miss my friends and the yummy South African food.