Life's Adventure

My oldest child celebrates her 30 birthday today.

It is hard to believe 30 years have passed, especially when my memories of her being a toddler are still so vivid!

She is 1,534 miles away  -  Only 1 day (with traffic) according to the maps app on my iPhone.

I wish I would have left yesterday. 
If I had, I could be there now to give her a hug, take her to lunch, and wish her all the best as she ventures into this next decade of her life.

My oldest daughter is the most energetic, engaging, caring, wise, & talented high school history teacher any student could ever have.  I know this because I have been to her school and seen her in action!

At the same time she is an understanding, compassionate, 
patient, fun-loving, 
mother of two onery little boys.
 
She wears the role of working mother well. 
And she is a delight to be around.
 
I miss being near her.


Amazingly, I miss having all my kids under the same roof.  
At the same time I recognize, if that were the case, we would all be crazy!

Just days ago my teenage daughters were chatting about favorite baby names they hoped to use when they have children. 

(interesting topics seem to come up on car rides).

They asked me, "mom, when you were our age, what names did you think you would give us?"
 

Wow!
I wondered, "How do I answer this question?"
I didn't set out to be a mom at age 20.
In fact, I didn't plan to be a mom at all.
I answered honestly thinking my kids already know this about me.

"Well, if you remember, I didn't think along those lines when I was your age".
#7 remembered, "oh that's right, you were going to work for National Geographic and then you met dad."
And I smiled.

Life has a funny way of taking me down paths I never would have dreamed of going on my own.
In high school, I never dreamed of starting a family at age 20.
I never dreamed of having any kids, let alone 8.
Today, I can't imagine my life without them!  

This afternoon I head north 50 miles for a girls sleepover with my sister and child #4.
We will all be thinking of my oldest, 
celebrating, 
reminiscing, 
and doing 'girl stuff' in honor of her.
Mine may not be the life of adventure I imagined as a teenager, but
It's a wonderful adventure just the same!

What did you dream about being in high school?
And where has life's adventure taken you?