This month is such a special one...

I love August. I always have. And there are a few reasons why {I can hardly stand it, I'm so excited!}

When I was growing up I was always the girl {usually one of the very few} who looked forward to school starting. I loved summer, don't get me wrong, but I always got anxious for school to start. It meant that fall was on the way--and that's my absolute favorite time of year. I love back-to-school shopping, and getting back to some structure, and in high-school it meant that volleyball was starting again. In college, Shane thought I was such a nerd because I actually starting reading my textbooks before classes started {it never hurts to get ahead, right?} So, while I'm sad in a way that summer with my girls is coming to a close, I'm super excited for both of them to have a new chapter to start. Ashlyn is excited to be in 2nd grade, and she got a great teacher with lots of little friends in her class. Carly is going to pre-school and she could not be more excited to be a "big kid". It's going to be a great year. And I'm going to have lots of peace and quiet around here. And my house just might stay picked up during the day.

This is also the month I will be turning 30 years old. 30! I'm not sure how I feel about it, either. While I have always quite liked my birthdays {and am still looking forward to a fun day}, they just aren't the same anymore. Now they are starting to age me. I swear it feels like yesterday that I was looking forward to the milestone years of 16, 18, and 21. The mark of 30 just seems like I'm getting old. I'm not a hip, trendy, young mom {stop laughing, there was a time, I swear} who can relate to the youth anymore. Now I'm actually a MOM. Who's kind of old. When I'm out about the town and run into the neighbor kids they call me "Sister Belliston". And I hate it. But, the day is coming quickly. My twenties will be behind me. Anything I should do while I'm still in my youth?

And, of course, college football. One of the highlights of the year for me. And my Utes are setting up to thrill me {knock on wood}. I'm counting down to August 30 at 1:30. It's the kick-off of the season, and we're at Michigan and it's going to be awesome. I love football Saturdays, whether they are spent at the stadium or in front of the tv with a yummy fall football spread {I always get the urge to start making things like apple pie a few weeks into the season when it starts cooling down}. GO UTES!

So, everybody, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for the ride. It's going to be an eventful couple of weeks. Happy August!