Another birthday.

If I close my eyes and count to thirty, I can do it in an instant. Like snapping photos, or watching the years tick by at warp speed.

0-18 was reserved for my parents, raising three kids couldn't have been easy. There were tough years and really good years -- the good ones definitely outnumbered the tough ones. What did we know (Dave and Rich included), we were just these silly kids with a roof over our heads and all the toys we could ever want or need. I'm an American girl from Plymouth, MA who never dreamt of even visiting Australia, let alone live there.

18-25 was for me. A college education, random jobs in retail, a new car, love that would fizzle after the pops and burns (I just didn't know or see it at the time).

25-30 was filled with new opportunities, new love, weddings, babies (not my own, of course), new places and new experiences. Plus, Bagful was born during these years, it's also when my career in construction took off and when I married my best friend.

30 and beyond? That's for Scott and I decide, just as long as he continues to hold my hand for all the years to come.

Here's a little throwback for you.