The Big 3-0

I'm going to be 30 in a few weeks! Crazy.

I'm actually looking forward to it. I know most of you old farts, who turned 30 already, were kind of freaking out about it but I'm excited. It's a milestone. I'm aging and I don't care.

I'm hoping that as I get older, less and less people will think I'm a teenager. Many of you can relate to that. Some of you don't care. Some of you probably get annoyed at times, as I do. It doesn't always bother me but, mostly, it does because I don't like when people just assume I'm a "kid". (No offense to any of you teenagers who are reading this because you should enjoy these years - it's a fun time.)

But when you are an adult, it would be nice to be seen as an adult, for a change. I know this won't happen overnight. I realize that I'm not going to wake up on May 12 and everyone will suddenly respect me. But as the years go by, I can only hope that it will start to happen. So I'm excited to turn 30.

I've got to admit that's a big change for me. (Looking forward to getting older). I never wanted to grow up when I was in my teens/early twenties. Life becomes too "real" as you get older. More responsibilities, more challenges, more stress. Not to mention the fact that you notice more of what goes on in the world, and what awful things happen out there. You find yourself repeating over and over, "How can it get any worse?!" Yet, it does. And I know people were saying that same thing years and years ago. So, how can it possibly get worse? You don't even want to think about it.

Back on a positive note and a change of subject, Stephanie & Kevin brought Ian home from the hospital a couple of days ago. Very exciting. She said it feels kind of crazy to be taking such a small baby home with her. I can't imagine! I'm so excited to see him tonight. (I'm bringing them supper.)

I'm making Philly Steak Sandwiches for us tonight. Everything's in the crockpot and it's starting to smell so good! Cindy (Brian H.) made them for us when Nikayda was born. I had to have the recipe because it was so awesome. If you're looking for something easy & delicious, give it a try.

Philly Steak Sandwiches

• 2-3 lb. boneless chuck roast
• 1 beef bouillon cube
• 1 can (10 1/2 oz.) beef consomme
• 1 can (10 1/2 oz.) beef broth (I use Swanson and use most of the can because it's bigger).
• 1 can (10 1/2 oz.) french onion soup
• Hoagie buns (I like any kind of 'crusty' rolls/buns.)
• Provolone cheese slices

In a crockpot, mix the soups, consomme and bouillon cube. Add the roast. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Remove meat and shred apart. Put shredded meat back into crockpot to blend with the soup mixture. Then place meat on buns with the cheese and place in a warm oven or toaster oven until cheese is melted and buns are lightly toasted.

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I had to go to Wal-Mart, yesterday, and it was such a treat to be able to go with only Carter. Mark had stopped home just as we were getting ready to go. And I was telling him that I wasn't looking forward to taking all three of the kids. And he said I didn't have to. So, he took Nikayda and Abo to the property and they had a ball. They've been waiting to go there but it's been too muddy and Mark kept telling them they had to wait until it dried up a little.

I feel like I really enjoyed Carter too. He was so sweet while we were shopping. If I stopped to look for something on a shelf, he'd lean into me and hug me with his little arms wrapped around me. And he'd want me to just keep holding him. I think he was eating up the attention and I was enjoying the time with him too. That was probably the easiest grocery-shopping that I've had in who-knows-when.

I usually have all the kids with me. Mark is always gone. Last week, he worked until midnight or later every night. He'd go from his job (John & Becc T.'s) straight to our house. It's so nice when he's working around here though because he usually makes it home for lunch and supper. At least the kids get to see him during the day.