There, I said it. Out loud. Today is my 40th birthday.
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And I’ll admit I’ve been struggling with it, as an impending doom. Like it was some kind of label that changed who I am, or stuck me in a different category. That somehow the new decade meant I could no longer wear my hair long, my nails navy blue, or shop in the Juniors department (okay, maybe I should give that one up…but it’s the upside for having no boobs!). “Forty is too old for that stuff,” I was telling myself. “Maybe I’m supposed to wear a one-piece at the beach?”
But last night as I sat down to write this post, after an amazing weekend full of family and friends, love and celebrations, I had no feelings of dread or doom…only gratefulness for all the love and support I have, the amazing life I’ve lived, and the joy that still lies ahead.
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Maybe I have more lines on my face, but that’s from all the laughing…hard, snorting, pee your pants laughs. Yes I’ve discovered some dark spots, but that’s because I love being outdoors and have been lucky enough to explore the world. The loose skin on my stomach? I have two beautiful kids who I was blessed to carry. Now the loose skin on my neck, well, that’s just rude.
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I hit the husband jackpot, there’s no question about it. It’s cliche to say you want to grow old with someone, but when faced with the reality of what that actually looks like, some people run turn away. But his unconditional blind love gives me so much confidence and security, and makes me excited for the future, no matter how wrinkled.
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I no longer think of 40 as a label, but rather a badge. A blue ribbon of sorts that I’ve made it through puberty, high school, the uncertainty of my 20s, early years of marriage, and my kid’s preschool years. And while (God-willing) I’m not in the twilight of my life, I have nothing but excitement for what lies ahead. Life just keeps getting better, and I think I’m getting better right along with it!
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But you can bet your boots I’ll never give in to gray hair, my nails will be all the colors of the rainbow, and as long as my backside fits a Juniors size….I’ll be squeezed in it! And I have a whole gaggle of lifetime friends who will be right there with me!
And the frosting on this cupcake? Look who I share a birthday with….
happy birthday!!!! you have nothing to fret about- you look amazing!
Happy birthday!!! I have my big 4-0 in three years!! Have a great day!!
Happy Birthday friend!!!!!! Can't wait to see pics from your awesome birthday weekend!
Happy 40th, Cassie! Sounds like you are exactly where anyone would want to be on any birthday – happy with where your life is now and where it's been up until now. Hope you and gorgeous Ryan have a super time celebrating 🙂
Well, happy birthday to you, you little, petite, life loving, bright nail polish wearing, girl! Love your outlook on growing older. Since we have no control over aging, I love that you are embracing it and welcoming it.
Happy Birthday Cassie!!! You're attitude is spot on. Doesn't hurt that you're one smoking hot birthday girl!
Happy Birthday! You certainly don't look 40. I'm 70 & age is a state of mind. I chose not to think about it & keep very low lights over the mirror!! Actually, I keep very bright lights over the mirror – the 70 yr old eyes need it. Have a wonderful day!
Happy Birthday, Cassie! You are only as old as you feel, so if you feel junior size then that means you have amazing energy and spirit! My sister said that she is so much more confident, self assured, and in better shape when she turned 40 and she said she has the wisdom to match. Take care.
I share my birthday with Sally Jessy Raphael. So I'm a bit jealous, haha.
Happy 40th!
Happy birthday! Welcome to the 40+ Club! We're thrilled to have you! 🙂
Happy Birthday Cassie! You look like a 30 year old fo sho. And you're totally cool 🙂 40 isn't old!! It's like the new 20.
xxxxoooo
Happy Birthday! You are one gorgeous lady.
Happy Birthday! You don't look 40, but don't worry, the 40's are nice. Have a great, blessed day!
I stumbled across your blog today, and what a great day to do it. Happy Birthday! Judging by your pic, there's NO WAY I would've guessed you were 40!! Have a fabulous day!
Happy Birthday lovely! Okay no way do you look 40. Loved this post!
Rachie xo
Happy birthday! I agree with Chassity – you don't look a day over 30 sista. I hope you have a beautiful day!
Hooray! Happy Birthday Cassie! You've got the right attitude – welcome to the club.
Have a very happy birthday!!! I've been hanging out at 40 for almost a year now and it's not bad at all :). I hope you and Ryan have a awesome day !!!
Happy Birthday! I've never posted, but I've been secretly stalking your fabulousness! Love your style and most of all, your humor. Go girl!
As a b-day present, I've nominated your for the versatile blogger award. You can check it out in my blog post today (no judgement, I have a very new blog and it's not quite as posh as yours…yet!)
http://www.nestyourbest.blogspot.com/2012/11/an-awardfor-me.html
XO! 🙂
I know everyone else has been saying it, but you definitely do not look like you've just turned 40. But happy birthday nonetheless no matter how old you are you are just beautiful and so is your blog.
Happy day, cute girl! I'm betting you'll be rocking 40 like no other…see you in the Junior Dept! 🙂
Girl you make 40 look gooooooood! Have a great day!
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays! And sometimes the juniors department has some really cute stuff! No hatin' here! 😉
Happy Birthday! I think when you are 40 you get to do whatever you want. Shop in the juniors department, wear your hair as long as you want to and wear any color nail polish you want. You've earned it!
So happy to share a birthday with you. I greatly enjoy your outlook on life- have a wonderful day. Wishing you many more!
Happy Happy Birthday beautiful girl!!! I will be celebrating my 42nd in Feb-and just typing that makes me want to crawl into a hole and cry…
Happy Birthday Casssie! New follower here. I struggled with 40 not too long ago myself but once that dreaded day had passed, I embraced it. Besides, I had always heard that your 40s were some the best.We are now living in times (and I thank God for this daily) where women in their forties are equally beautiful and stylish as those younger than us. Keep rocking the navy nails and sassy couture. You look great doing it 🙂
Happy Birthday to you, Cassie!! Great attitude! I've survived being 40 for a few months now, it's not too bad! 🙂 Hope you enjoy your day!
Bwahahaha! Only you can turn this into a Ryan Gosling "Hey girl" (c; LOVE IT! And that is what makes me think of you as a rowdy teenager…I think that might have come out wrong…either way, love and hugs to you on your special day and hoping that this year tops them *all*! xoxo!
Happy Birthday! If I could be half as awesome as you at 40 then I'll be a happy girl! I have 4 1/2 years to work on it. I love reading your blog! (And being a sponsor of it!) 🙂
awww…love this post ! Happy birthday ! xo
Ahhhhh! LOVED this. You are such a hot mama rock star with an amazing life you have carved out for yourself. So happy you have embraced celebrating. And as far as I am concerned that tight bod of yours can bust out the skittles look and fancy pants for as long as you like! 😉 Love you girl. Happy birthday.
Happy birthday! I love the quote about how getting older is a privilege and not something to fret about! Love that you're counting your blessings rather than complaining about another candle on the cake!
Happiest of birthdays!! Love your positivity and your approach to your birthday! Such an inspiration!
Happy Birthday Lady!!
Happy 40th birthday to you! I just turned for this year as well…. Ok, maybe not JUST turned 40. It was 6 months ago so I guess that makes me close to 41 (ugh!). Anyway, enjoy your special day! You look fantastic!!
Jen
athomeinthenorthwestblog.com
NO WAY…I don't believe it! I would have pegged you for early 30's for sure! Well, happy 40th, you seriously look amazing…hope you enjoyed all of your fun celebrations. xo
Happy birthday to you, Cassie!! I love this post, my nana always taught me to be proud and rock your age no matter what. You, my friend, are one hot and sassy woman! I hope your 40's are very good to you!! Enjoy!
Happy happy birthday Cassie! Haven't you heard, 40 is the new 30 🙂 haha, you look AMAZING and are as young as you feel! Have a great day 🙂
Happy happy birthday! Hope today is a special day 🙂
Happy Birthday!!!! You look amazing, and it's probably because on the inside you will amazing and that number means nothing!!! Wishing you an amazing day, filled with love, laughter and happiness.
Happy Happy Birthday! 40's not too bad and you look amazing. I turned 50 this year and that was a little hard though.
Happy Birthday! Forty is fabulous!
I think, you, Ryan, and me are going to have a great time! Nice to meet another birthday twin, and I am 41 today 😀
Happy birthday!!!
Happy birthday hot mama!!
Happy birthday!!!! xoxo
Love this post Cassie! Love your postive attitude and all the quotes made me smile! You look amazing! Wishing you a fabulous birthday!! And many more 🙂
happy birthday "girl"! oh yeah, i'm still calling you that even with your age because age is just a number and we will be forever be girls – fun, happy, and have a crush on ryan gosling!!
huggies***
rea
Happy Birthday Cassie !!! Beautifully written. Enjoy your day.
Happy Birthday Cassie! Well said! You are so full of life, I just love it. Have a wonderful birthday! cheers!!
Happy Birthday. It's just a number. It's all how you feel and you look gorgeous!!! I turned 42 just a few weeks ago and I remember what I thought about 40 and thought "I don't feel or look it, so who cares". Enjoy your day and enjoy your life!!! 🙂
Happy Birthday Cassie! And well said! 🙂 xo, Heather
happy birthday cassie!
Happy Birthday Cassie! I hope I'm as beautiful and confident as you when I turn 40 🙂
Happy Birthday Girlfriend!!! And, take it from someone whose already walked the 40s (4 years now)…it rocks compared to the 20s and 30s. And yes, you can still have long hair, paint your nails crazy colors, and girlfriend if you can still fit in a junior's size…go for it!!! (I however cannot!!!) LOL And your kiddos are still young enough to appreciate a hip mom…mine just roll their eyes, and say, "really mom"?
Happy happy birthday!! You are a beautiful 40.
Happy birthday Cassie!!!
Happy bday 🙂
Happy birthday! I know the feeling…tomorrow's my birthday and I will be30! It feels so old, but you are right…we should be happy about growing older! 🙂
Smile on my face while nodding in agreement to knowing exactly what you mean…no boobs and all! I'll celebrate my 45th on January 1st and I'm still fighting the, "am I too old for this" syndrome. Oh and the wrinkles, well we've earned them, so wear them proudly! Happy 40th! Girl, you look great!
Happy Birthday! I was fine with 40 and had a great time celebrating. I turned 46 last June and that was rough. It felt like just a step away from 50. You are right….celebrate and enjoy having the chance to turn a year older.
Say WHAT?! You don't look a day over 30…serious. Love this post and wishing you a beautiful day! You really gave me perspective, which I could definitely use right now! Happy Birthday Pretty Lady!! xo
Happy happy day to you my friend! You make 40 look GOOD!! I think the 40s are where we REALLY get to know ourselves and care even LESS about what other people think. 🙂
Happy birthday, Cassie! You look amazing for 40! I would give my left arm to look like you in 10 years!
Happy Birthday Cassie! A wonderful post. You are a gorgeous woman with an amazing outlook and attitude on life. I admire you.
Happy Birthday! I hope today was the best. You are gorgeous! You DO NOT look 40!
Happy Birthday Cassie! Hope it was wonderful 🙂
Happy Birthday, beautiful! Welcome to the club of 40 something hotties!
Happy Birthday my pretty blogging friend!!!
Welcome to the 40's club!! I promise 41 is alot easier than turning 40. Happy Birthday! You look fabulous- work it girl!!
Happy birthday! You are fabulous as always!
WAHOOO HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🙂
Happy Happy Birthday!! Hope your day is as fabulous as you!
Happy birthday to you! When I turned 40 I celebrated for weeks before because I was not looking forward to that number!
Ch
Sister – 40 is the Universe's little way of telling you yellow skinny jeans are not your friend. Everything else goes though so you're good. 🙂 Welcome to my decade!
Happy bday! Ya know, I don't fear getting old because I think I was always meant to be a certain age. I think you find your own in this new age and might really like what you find. Have fun with it!
happy birthday!!!!! you are beautiful. 🙂
Beautifully written. I'm crying. You are AMAZING! Wish I could be there to celebrate with you my dear friend! Love you SO MUCH!!!!!! And P.freakin.S.
YOU ARE SMOKIN HOT AT 40!!!!!!!!!!! for real.
Having recently also turned the big four-oh, I'm right there with you in the hatred of each newfound wrinkle and gray hair but on the flip side, it's a great time in life, isn't it? The kids are at fun ages, you care so much less about what other people think, and yes, us petite boobless girls can still shop in Juniors 🙂
Belated happy birthday! I just discovered your blog through iHeartOrganizing. I love your creativity and eye for design, and I especially love this post! Seeing turning 40 as a badge of honor is inspiring. I need to bookmark this for my 40th!
I'm m turning 40 in a couple of weeks (5/8/15) and my main issue is not really being where I feel I should be in life–of course no one sees that but me. I have a wonderful hubby and 4 fantastic kids–21,18,16, and 14. I'm just really coming into my own and stepping out of the moomy/wife box, as great as it is…I started a blog and I love it and I love this community!! Your blog is one of my favorites and I look at it for inspiration. Thanks so much and enjoy your weekend!!
Thank you so very much, Chantale….happy almost birthday to you! xo