Four Years, Three Wishes

So I’ve started to write this post about ten different times and ways this morning. It’s a big day around here. Using Our Words turns four, and I turn…well, a whole lot more than four.

I wanted to say something profound (that’s what you’re supposed to do on momentous occasions). I wanted to get a pedicure for my high school reunion tomorrow night (though I still don’t even know what I’m wearing). I wanted to run by the grocery story (we got back from an amazing week-long vacation in Maui last night). But the truth of the matter is, I’ve fumbled my words for far too long and I’m out of time.

So, in honor of my four-year blogiversary, I figured I’d share the post I wrote for my three-year blogiversary. Because it was a good one. And my wishes are still the same, it seems.

I know, I know, if you tell people your birthday wishes, they won’t come true. But these are my blogiversary wishes — which is pretty much the opposite. Without your help, they won’t come true. So, here goes…

Wish #1: I’d love for each of you to find a mom who looks exhausted and tell her how wonderful she is. Even if you don’t know her. Heck, especially if you don’t know her. Find something to admire — the way she smiles at her kids, the way she buys more green leafy stuff than red grape-y stuff, the way she gracefully removes her screaming toddler from the top shelf of the toy aisle. Anything.

Wish #2: Remind yourself that you — yes, you — are the best mom your kids will ever have. They adore you. And they learn from you. So show them that you adore yourself too…in spite of your faults. Then pray that they continue to feel that they’re truly spectacular far beyond their toddler-cheering-for-themselves-all-day-long phase. And they will, because you taught them to love themselves almost as much as you love them. (Yikes, I have work to do on this one…)

Wish #3: Ok, here’s where I go getting all greedy. (It is my birthday, you know.) My last wish is that you’ll tell one friend (or 12) about Using Our Words. Share a post that made you laugh, cry, or feel a bit more like it’s normal to have your kid shouting inappropriate things in the middle of classy stores. Encourage a friend to like my Facebook page. Subscribe to get emails of each post (over there in the right column). Or to simply read something I’ve shared that they might to relate to. I adore this community, and I’d love to see it keep growing as I head into year five.

Plus, Lenny claims he wants to be my 1000th Facebook like, so let’s make that happen, people. (We’re a lot closer than we were last year!)

Thank you! For seeing me through 4 years. From day one. To year one. To year two. To year three. To today. Now, let’s celebrate!