48 is not so bad!

Birthday flowers

It's a scary number, and of course I don't feel I am this age!

I love where I am in life now, and I am contented with who I am!
(Maybe that's why the extra weight is not shifting?)

This is a great age to be!
No more hang-ups, and wannabe's! 

I love where I am, and if I don't like it, I know that I can make a change!
It's all up to me!

I love my family. I have a great husband, and great daughters. They make living so much fun!

We are still dreaming about adventures together!

And in the meantime we are juggling the rat race (mostly the traffic) here in suburbia, and looking forward to each weekend with braais and family and friends! (And wine!)

--------------------

And as soon as I am beginning to feel a bit of blue, I remind myself that a 50-year old is playing the next Bond girl... (Is that not super fantastic??)


Thanks to all for my birthday wishes, and all the lovely presents.
(I would have definitely missed out if I skipped my birthday this year!)

Card from Little Miss (she spent a huge amount of time curling the ribbons
last night)

Cotton Road handbag.

And I got two vintage Cotton Road handbags which I had been eyeing for quite a while! They are super lovely! Thanks Hubby!

For the Over 40 Mothers - a free tribute e-card

Celebrate Motherhood over 40 Mothers' Day e-card

I did have a child over 40 years of age, but you tend to forget it in the normal rat-race that we are in....

There is nothing like having a little kid in your life that makes you forget your own age!
Until you get reminded of it again! :-) (Thanks, Angel!)

A Child After 40 has launched a beautiful tribute album for Mothers' Day 2013 to reveal the true faces of the rising number of over-40 moms.

MOTHER'S DAY 2013: 

True Faces of Rising Number of Over-40 Moms Revealed 

In a bid to dispel unfounded, negative stereotypes regarding maternal age—and uncover the real benefits to children of the dramatically rising population of women having children after 40—AChildAfter40.com is launching the "The Over-40 Mother's Day Album", via social media. 

A leading advocacy website for later mothers, AChildAfter40.com says the free online gallery is set to reveal the true faces and authentic voices of the growing ranks of women creating “a mother of an evolution” at the very heart of the Western nuclear family. MORE

Web:  http://www.achildafter40.com 

Email:  angel@achildafter40.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AChildAfter40

Twitter: https://twitter.com/achildafter40  

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/AChildAfter40 

.

It's my birthday, and I can ignore it...

or I can embrace it!

Some years I try to ignore it, but this year I am trying to enjoy it!

I just have to get myself wrapped around the number 46.

forty-six

The better part of 40. ;-)

I enjoyed Melinda's blog post today: I'm not rude. I'm 40!
Cheers to that!!

I had a weekend of get-togethers with friends and family.

Hubby had to make a favourite Portuguese Trinchado for my birthday on Saturday.

"Master Chef"

And tomorrow Hubby and me and the Little Missy is taking a day on my birthday!
We decided not to take her to school, so that we all could sleep in, and take it easy!

We are going to make it special!
Signing off for a day...

Bad poetry

It was National Bad Poetry Day in the US on the 18th August last week. I saw a mention of it last Friday on a blog, and submitted my own attempt at a bad poem. And now I can't find the link or blog again...

So here it is, also with regards my Happier older mom post of last week:


Old Mom

I am an older mom
I have lots of fun
wiping a bum
playing in the sun
with my little one



Do you want to try?

Why are older mothers happier than younger mothers?

I saw the link about happier older moms on Twitter through Flower Power Moms this week.


I totally agree when I compare it with my younger self, and I hear the complaints of younger mothers around me...

I though of a few reasons why I am happier now being an older mother:

• I am now happier with my personal life than in my twenties! I had to make a few changes (divorce etc.), but I am now contented with my life!
• I have a partner who helps and does his share!
• I enjoy my career!
• I have gotten rid of a lot of negativity, and I do not entertain toxic people!
• I haven’t completed my bucket list, but it does not bother me!
• I take responsibility for my life as it is now.
• I see the little one as a blessing in our lives!
• I see parenting now as the ultimate goal of my life! I know it is not going to last, and before long she will also leave the nest! (My teen is leaving the nest next year)
• I am enjoying parenting as much as possible!
• We are more able to provide financially for the little one than we were young!

What do you think about the statement?
Older moms are happier than younger moms?

Older mom

Yeah! I think Tati is doing its job. Mieka only woke up once during the night. I feel great today.
It feels very strange to do the mom-thing again. I’ve been there, got the t-shirt, and I moved on. I was enjoying the teenager phase, and also me and my new husband’s independence of doing/going where and whenever we wanted. We were enjoying going to the movies on a Sunday night, going for a hike in the Berg or dancing at 10 to 12 pm on a weekend.
But we do not want to change a thing! Now we are in awe of the new being within our midst. I have a feeling of immense gratitude for being given the opportunity to do it again. Thank you, Mieka, for choosing us to be your parents, and to walk with us as part of your journey.
Now we have to make sure that we are able to “walk” with her as long as possible. I find it a bit daunting for not only having to make sure that we stay healthy mentally and physically, but also to make sure that we do not become “techno dinosaurs” in this 21st century. I need to learn how to operate the remote, and not to depend on somebody else to put on my favourite show. Mieka is already very keen to play with the remotes, and I made a joke tonight while she was sitting with a remote in each hand that she is definitely a kid of this century.
There are a few things with regards to being an older mom that count in my favour. I know that they grow up so quickly, and that you have to enjoy it in the moment. I have shared my life with a now 16-year old, and she is spreading her wings already. I am much more relaxed. I do not get upset about every sniffle, and I spend more time just playing with her. The best way to describe the way I feel is one of contentment.
I would have loved to have stayed home with her, but economically it’s impossible in these times. She is already smiling at everyone, and I think she will be very flexible with regards to different situations as well as being socially more skilled. Arnia, her sister, also had to stay with a day mother and crèche, and she is very good at handling herself in new and social situations.
Me, Dries and Arnia misses Mieka during the day, and we can’t wait to be with her at night. I have missed three belly dancing classes in the past three weeks, because I couldn’t bear to leave her, but tonight I have to go again.