Amsterdam

When I studied in The Netherlands 18 (18!!) years ago, I made it to Amsterdam once. I remember vague pieces of it. My friend Renee and I stayed in Amsterdam with two guys we knew (sorry mom!). We went to the zoo, and something called a Birdie Market. It seems like I would remember more. But this weekend, I got the chance to revisit it. On my way from Union City, TN, to Gloucester, UK, for work, I made a stopover in Amsterdam. I considered heading to Maastricht, where I studied during school, but decided instead to explore Amsterdam. I'm glad I did. I walked nearly 14 miles in one day, saw so many things, and just really fell in love with it. It's such a historical, busy, beautiful city. 

Schipol Airport... it was good to be back. 

The view from my hotel room. They did a lot of crew training. It was raining at night and in the morning, but beautiful during the day.  

 More from my hotel window.

The canals are amazing.  

So picturesque!

I stopped at a cafe and had a Brand Bier. I missed Brand! That's all I drank when I was here!

Pretty certain this was the Birdie Market I saw when I was here 18 years ago. Flowers, produce, fish, flea market, crepes, you name it, they have it!

There was a big art show going on called I amsterdam. It was very cool, and all over the place.

The flower shop.

This was for Max. Nutella, everywhere. He loves Nutella.

 FRITES!!! Met Mayo!!!

My beer. It was actually Brand, but in a Heineken glass.

Heineken Brouwery.

When I came back to my room at night, there were three little sailboats out, with three little boys manning them. So picture perfect.

It's a busy two weeks, but I'm so glad I came here. I hope it's not another 18 years before I see it again!

Added after I finished writing... things I forgot. The BIKES! They bike everywhere. I know that's obvious, but seriously. Bikers have the right away to everyone, including cars and pedestrians. In fact, I saw a girl get hit by a bike. It wasn't pretty! The AIRPORT! They have security down to a science. It was really pretty cool. Also cool? I actually understand how to navigate an airport, unlike 18 years ago when I was really quite confused and just followed everyone around. The PHONES! Actually, the lack of them. If  you have them out while you're walking, you'll definitely get hit. And I sat in a cafe, with people, none of whom had their phones out. If I saw a phone it was definitely the exception and not the rule. Very, very nice.

The end of an era. Or two. Or three.

40 years ago I'm sure my mom had no idea that near my 40th birthday, two other major events would occur. Besides me getting old, my oldest child would become a teenager and I would also be married for 15 years. Just luck that they all happened within two weeks of each other, I guess. I wasn't sure how I would feel... old, blessed, the same? And I still don't really know how I feel. All three maybe?

First up, Abby's birthday. A teenager! Similar to me, she's the youngest in her class. So, all of her friends turned 13 already, some up to a year ago. It kind of seems anti-climatic. But, she'll also appreciate it when she's 40. I should know! Abby has never been an easy one to shop for. When she was little she would never open anything. She'd just pile everything up and then want to play with everyone else's stuff. Now, she doesn't play with anything. And I can't pick out clothes she'll wear. And she has more gift cards than any single person should ever have.

On Abby's birthday, Abby and Ava were matchy matchy. I think they look adorable. And, as luck would have it, Ava got Abby a frame. I think this is the frame-worthy photo!

Dave and Nolan were heading to a Brewer game for the day, so Abby got to open presents bright and early. First up... Starbucks gift cards from Auntie Lisa. Great choice!

We also had cake for breakfast. Rainbow cake. With really, really sweet frosting.

After Dave and Nolan left, the girls plus my mom and I headed to Applebees for lunch. Happy Birthday to you!

From there, it was off to my mom's. Fortunately, Max was at a birthday party, so we dropped Ava off with my mom, and I told Abby it was just a day for me and her. First stop? Starbucks! I didn't even make her use her new gift cards.

Oh, see that scarf? That was from Max. He told me he wanted to get her a yellow dress. When I asked why, he told me her favorite color was yellow, and he thinks she would really like a yellow dress. Um... I told him I couldn't find one, and got a scarf with yellow in it. Fortunately, he was ok with that, especially when Abby wore it! Ava and Max were both very excited about Abby's birthday, and got her gifts. Mostly they spent a lot of time on cards for her. They really love her and see everything she does for them.

As Abby and I left my mom and dad's, I handed her little bags one at a time. She would read the clue and try to figure out where we were going.

First was Dick's Sporting Goods for running shoes!

But really, those are quite boring, so we headed to DSW for a nicer pair of shoes too.

Hmmm, heels maybe? Or maybe not!

Onto Best Buy. She didn't know it yet, but I ordered her an iPad for school, so we stopped here to pick out a cover.

There were actually lots of places I missed... We ended up at the mall after this, and picked out clothes for her. I figured if she picked them out herself maybe she would actually wear them!

We finally ended up at Pizza Man. YUM!!!

Cheers to my 13 year old!!

I celebrated with pizza and very, very good escargot. Abby nearly gagged when she found out what it was.

An example of one of the notes.. this is the one that led us to Starbucks.

When we got back to Gram and Grumpy's place, Ava had made a cake (with help of course!). It was a yummy cake!

Super proud!

Let the modeling session begin! New shoes! and pants.

More new shoes... and a sweater. And jeans.

There was more, but I didn't take every picture she modeled in. I had a great time, and I think Abby did too. THIRTEEN. I'm actually ok with that, as long as I don't have to drop her off at high school next year!

Just more than a week after Abby, I turned 40. It was a low key celebration, it was on Labor Day, and it was HOT that weekend. So, we headed to Dave's parent's house to relax in the pool. It was perfect.

My cake...

Nolan looking relaxed. Or just a dork.

Cheers to 40!

When the song "Watch me Whip" came on, these three got out and danced.

Birthday selfies!

Someday he really may be this much taller than me.

Wow. Nolan needs to start shaving already!

And this is me. At 40. I think I'm ok with this. At 40, you can stop worrying what other people think. You can be ok in your own skin. You can be successful, but by your own definition of success and not someone else's. You can feel ok that you like yourself. You can say things that you couldn't before. You know more at 40, but you also know that you don't know everything and never will. You have amazing friends both new and old. You have a life. Happy birthday, me!

And finally, the trifecta. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, DAVE! I would post pictures, but I wasn't home. Lame, I know. I was in Union City, TN, for work. And from there I flew to Amsterdam. And then to London and Gloucester. And then Minnesota. And then home a week and a half after our anniversary. But we're clearly made for each other because neither of us minds. We're both low maintenance. We both know it's not about the day, but about the week, the month, the year, the moments. We certainly have ups and downs, but through it all I love you, Dave, and I love the life we made!

And, I said I wouldn't post pictures, but the co-workers I was with in Union City got me an anniversary cake, which was super nice. The first guy posed as my husband. And then we got Dave too...

Happy birthday, birthday anniversary!