28 July 2011

Another year under my metaphorical belt, because it's been months since I've actually worn one

We've been celebrating around here.  I have both feet firmly in my 30's now, no longer just dipping a toe in.  I remember my mom being my age, which is a strange feeling.  I don't think anyone ever feels as old as they are, but I am glad to be here, and not just entering my 20's.
It's a comfortable spot, this 3rd decade, with hindsight of the swiftness of time, but not too late to commit even more to enjoying the present instead of wishing it away with thoughts of bigger, better, and more beautiful.  Surely we can squeeze another one in this house of ours.  They're little bodies, after all.
Ryan took us all on a day trip.  He doesn't like to drive, so this was a gift itself.  But we took back roads and scenic routes of bright green pastures, deep brown wood fences and lazy horses.  There was even a stretch of unpaved road.  A rather long, and drawn out stretch, unexpected, but fun.

We were in no hurry ourselves, which made it even more pleasant.  It seemed not many were that day, like cats on restaurant tables.
I got to work on projects in the car (why did I choose to crochet a blanket in my last weeks of pregnancy in this hot weather?)  
I love to go out as a family, as most strangers are excited to see we are expecting another one and die when we tell them we don't know if we will top it off with an even half dozen girls or if this will be THE one.
At the very least, we're entertaining to watch.
We had a restaurant owner, an older woman with a thick Italian accent, predict a girl for us.  Her accuracy rate is 99%.  She made us promise to come back and tell her if she is right.
We laughed and assured her the food was delicious enough to warrant many visits in the future.
We browsed several antique stores,
visited the restroom, several times too many, but at least we traveled without diapers or accidents. 


I treated myself to a biannual pedicure the day before.  
Divine asked if they were my real nails.  Were they that bad?  Guess so.
We browsed the local real estate brochures as we waited for lunch.  They (as in the collective Dill children) each chose a farm they wanted to buy, reading the description with enthusiasm, telling of the features of each property, as if they were trying to convince us to buy a new toy.
They were very convincing, those girls of ours.  












I'd like to go back and take my time at this spread of...mostly junk, but you just never know, right?  We don't need a thing, really.  We are blessed.  Even our wants are few.
But I love the challenge of a re-do.  
When we stopped for lunch Ryan treated us to an array of exotic beverage.  The man knows me.  I loved the ginger ale with ginger bits at the bottom.  Okay, let's be frank.  I loved them all.  I didn't really need lunch after that, with my limited stomach space.  I must choose wisely, you know.




I did have a bit of room for some macaroni and cheese.  I MADE room when it came out.


On our way home, Clover and Azure decided they needed one more go at using the bathroom....in the middle of nowhere.  Ryan did the boy scout thing and pulled over.  In the middle of Clover's relief came a Sheriff's car, lights ablazing.  Yes, please do draw more attention to our plight.
Thank you, love.  It's been a great celebration.

34 comments:

  1. You can't leave a story like that - what did the cop have to say??? Glad you enjoyed a scenic, lazy, beverage-full birthday!

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  2. happy birthday to you! looks like a great day :) blessings, alicia.

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  3. Happy Birthday! Such a beautiful day. I love all of your pictures.

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  4. I just adore your site...your beautiful family...and a wonderful mummy..it is a joy to visit you!!

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  5. Yes please do tell.... what did the sheriff have to say????
    Happy Birthday!

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  6. Yes, how very rude of me. She just wanted to make sure we didn't have an emergency of any sort. We assured her several times we were fine, just a little potty break. She finally and rather reluctantly left. I think maybe she was bored ;)

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  7. happy birthday! i have three girls but you are making me want more! i love having my girls.

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  8. A great day to celebrate your birth. It was so fun to be included. We day dreamed and became thankful as we saw all the wonders of this trip.

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  10. Your site is such a delight to read each and every time :)

    I would have loved to dig around at that place for hours and find a few treasures. :)

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  11. I am glad to hear to end of the police story! That is so funny. Glad you had a good birthday celebration! Kisses to you.

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  12. I'm also glad to hear your police story had a happy ending. Happy birthday!! Love the greenery and girls pictures.

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  13. Loved this post!! But I have to ask....what kind of car fits your entire brood??

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  14. Sounds & looks like it was a lovely day. I feel refreshed just reading about it. Your pictures are superb. Happy birthday.

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  15. What a lovely daytrip, looks like sleepy little Micanopy! Such a pleasure to see things I have seen many times before in a new light! Thanks for sharing

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  16. Beautiful day!
    That mac and cheese looked awesome!

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  17. Happy Birthday Katy! lovely post - I especially love the photos of the toadstools! Best wishes and I hope you continue to feel well.

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  18. Happy Birthday! Is it today or was it yesterday (the 27th)...I only ask because my husband's birthday was yesterday, his brother's the day before and our oldest boy the day before that...then tomorrow is an aunt's birthday, my sister's is on Saturday but we don't know anyone with a birthday on the 28th...so if it is yours well then know I 'know' someone at least :)

    Many happy returns on the day!

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  19. Happy Birthday Katy!!! You and the girls looked so pretty all dressed up for the outing. The photos are brilliant; I love the moss hanging from the trees. I love the close up of the beautiful Dill girls. I love your story telling. Happy 30s to you!

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  20. Happy birthday. You share your brithday with my favorite N.C. boy. But he turned 49 not 30. But I think I will keep him around. I really enjoy your stories about the girls. We have 4 children 2 of each. Some much fun while the were growing up.

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  21. Happy Birthday ~ it jusy sounds lovely and your girls all look sweet and happy. I was just searching for something and came across your sweet sister and neice on a clip from the Today show. You all just have so much to be thankful for!!!

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  22. Happy Birthday! It looks like a lovely day, thanks for sharing it. Your pictures are beautiful, can I ask what camera/lens you are using?

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  23. This was the most fun post I've read in awhile. I really felt like I was traveling along with you.
    I'm very interested to see if your pregnancy prediction is right - I just had an ultrasound this weekend and found out that I'm having a second girl - even though I was convinced it was a boy! But we're super happy - I'd love my own little half dozen girls one day :)

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  24. Thanks for taking us along on that lovely day trip! your pictures are amazing and you've got such a way to tell stories...
    Joyeux anniversaire!

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  25. Happy B'day to you.

    So you are a LEO as well, my b'day is coming up this 31st and i am far more relaxed this year than last year when i hit 30s for the first time. Now i guess i have got used to it!

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  26. Happy Birthday! :o)
    What a lovely day it seems and that enchanted place you visited...

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  27. What a lovely day. The beauty is in the detail. I wish you a very long and happy life surrounded by your beautiful children and their children x

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  28. First: Happy Birthday!!

    I am always sure the cop is going to pull up right when my son is peeing on the tire in the middle of no where.
    I am much farther north than you and I really enjoyed your tour of the swampy fun. I would love to go back for a year or too.
    Thank you! love your photos!

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  29. Happy Birthday! This looks like a wonderful adventure. I love all your photos!

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  30. yay, for another birthday! I had my birthday on the 26th and I'm 29. I hope I am like you when I grow up! (meaning both feet in my 30's - I loved that part.)

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  31. happy (belated) birthday:)))) hope you had a great day.

    Oh and where did you go... I'm rather curious after seeing all of those pictures?

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  32. Judging from the places you visited and the deputy's car, I think you weren't too far from me...we're much more old-Florida, rural than your normal pictures of sunny beaches. And sometimes I am very jealous of that. :)
    Happy Birthday and thank you for sharing so much of your life with us. I always smile reading your descriptions and relate to things with your daughters. Your blog is a joy to read.

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  33. loved this post. :)
    and that picture of the flea market made my heart skip a beat. fabulous!! treasures waiting to be found!

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