So, I'm thirty. An amarreto sour seemed appropriate.

And here's a shot of us on the town. Looks wild, doesn't it? Okay, so I used the "party" feature on my camera to spice it up a little. Sue me.

We went out to eat, and to Barnes & Nobles before the movie. I love that our nightlife includes a humongous book store! Ha! Times, they have a-changed.

Anyway- we had fun! It was the first time in ages that we've been out without any little tagalongs. We saw Skeleton Key, which was a good movie but would have been better if we weren't surrounded by ten thousand hoolagins. Honestly. They nearly ruined it running in and out of the theatre, talking on cell phones, and making out right next to me! Seriously- the two next to me were in a hot and heavy lip lock the entire two hours of the movie. I was impressed, actually. That kind of kissin' takes real commitment, and extrordinary lung capacity.

So thirty feels pretty dang awesome. I've spent a lot of time this last week reflecting on the first thirty years of my life. And my conclusion? Life rocks. I have three amazing kids, a devoted and loving husband, my health, my creative juices, good friends, a special family, a solid church, walls painted my favorite colors, hopes and dreams for the future, and way too many blessings to count.

You know, the twenties were good. I'm not knocking 'em. But thirty feels incredible. I finally get it. I am comfortable being me, I'm happy with all the parts of Shannon. I know who I am, and what I want, and what's important. It's so awesome.

I'm glad this birthday wasn't hard. I am glad that it wasn't about a new wrinkle, or a gray hair, or a saggy rear. It was just a pause on the journey - standing on a cliff ledge of life. I look down at the path I've trod, and up at the miles that still stretch before me, and I'm happy. I've come a long way. And there's plenty more to go. More heights to reach, more views to be had.

This life, it's a good thing.