BIrthday reflection

I am sitting here in relative quiet, which is rare in my household, thinking about how this is the last day of being ?? years old. Tomorrow is my birthday, and although I won't be hitting the next decade, it is now so close that I can feel it's breath on the back of my neck. Twenty, ten or even 5 years ago I would not have pictured my life the way it truly turned out. That's not a bad thing and actually it is better than I could have imagined.
In my teens I just wanted to be in my 20s, in my early 30s I felt like I was in my 20s and now, I just feel pretty content. I always had looked forward to 40s. I had my first two boys when I was too young, but that also meant they'd be grown or close to it when I was 40. I used to be a career ladder climber, knowing I would oh so be the big kahoona by 40. Top of my game, money, time.........but as chance had it, I met the love of my life and re-thought and re-planned. Trust me, I don't take to change all so well and didn't transistion so well in the beginning. Now, here I am; career on hold, stay-at-home mom with two more boys who I have had to unique opportunity to learn from all my previous parenting mistakes in addition to staying at home with them. When I was the "career gal" and my first two were babies, I really thought stay-at-home moms didn't have a real life.....had it soooo easy. Boy, have I learned my lesson by walking (even running now) in those shoes.
What is that old saying? Life is what happens when you are busy planning it. No, I am certainly not where I thought I'd be but, boy have I been pleased with how it all turned out anyways. I am looking forward to all the suprises life throws at me during my last year of this decade. I've even registered for a 1/2 marathon this year when the farthest I've ever run is 7 miles....wish me luck (they do let you walk some don't they?? ;) ).