Disclosure: Many of the links on the site are affiliate URLs which means I get a small commission if you buy through the link. There is no extra cost to you.

Over the weekend, I turned 40. It's hard to believe that I've reached this milestone. When you're young, you think 30 is old, but when you get there, you realise it's not as old as it seemed. And then suddenly, you're 40.

I remember my mum's 30th birthday, and now, I find myself reflecting on what she accomplished in her 40s. It's a peculiar place to be, especially because I don't feel 40. Sure, my body doesn't bounce back as quickly, and there's a bit more daily discomfort, but overall, I don't feel that many years old. It's funny how our perspective on age changes as we grow up.

This weekend, my husband, Aaron and I celebrated our joint 40th birthday. He won't turn 40 until the end of November, but it made sense to combine our celebrations. We decided on a dress-up party with the theme of your favourite musical artist, band, or song. We were eager to see how people interpreted it, and they didn't disappoint.

Aaron, Oscar, and I dressed up as Bono, The Edge, and Adele, which was a blast. It was especially cute that Aaron's favourite band is U2, so he and Oscar could represent that. We had a diverse array of costumes, from the Mamas and the Papas, to Dancing Queen, from All That Jazz to Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant, and even a few Disney princesses. It was a delightful mix, and I loved every bit of it. Many of our friends really embraced the theme, and some even stayed in character the whole time, which added to the fun.

The party was a throwback to the days when Aaron's house was always the go-to spot for gatherings. It was spacious, and there was room for everything. We held it at his parents' house, and we set up outdoor games like giant Jenga and cornhole toss. We had table tennis, karaoke, a photo booth and Footy posts for a kick. It was a lot of fun. The kids had a blast, singing to everyone, “Let It Go” being a favourite, and playing all over the place. And the adults enjoyed watching them.

Of course, we had plenty of food, and I even made the cake myself. It was an all-around fantastic time, and surprisingly, it wrapped up a bit early. Starting at 5pm, it's just the way it goes when there are so many kids involved, but it was wonderful nonetheless.

Planning a party with an almost 10-month-old is a bit of a whirlwind, especially since I'm still breastfeeding. There were moments of juggling his needs along with all the other preparations, but he was a trooper. He enjoyed the company, but of course, there were times when he just wanted his mom. It's a juggle and an interesting phase to be in.

Looking back, I recall making lists of things I wanted to achieve in life when I was young. Goal-setting, in a way. But those goal posts shifted many times. I thought I'd be married with kids when I was younger, but that didn't happen. However, I managed to experience it all before turning 40. It's been a whirlwind few years, but it's incredible to reflect on the amazing things accomplished in those 40 years.

I loved my 30s. They were absolutely fantastic. My 20s were great too, but my 30s were a time of self-discovery, a deeper understanding of what I want, and the realisation that I'm still evolving and questioning. Becoming a wife and a Mum transformed me once again. These last 10 years have shaped me into the person I'm meant to be, and I'm truly grateful for that. I thank God every day for his constant presence in my life and how he has blessed it and I can't wait to see what the 40s and beyond have in store.

I've had conversations with friends about entering a new age bracket and feeling the physical changes that come with it. Adding kids to the mix brings a whole new set of experiences and challenges. Each year, each decade, can bring so much joy and newness if we're open to it. It's easy to get caught up in the numbers, but age doesn't define what we can or can't do. Life has its own timeline, and sometimes, it surprises us in the best ways.

There's a quote from Oprah Winfrey that resonates with me: "Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment." That's the approach I want to take in life. I aim to be grateful and give my best in each moment, so I'm prepared for whatever comes next. It might not always be perfect, but we keep trying. I'm looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead, and I'm thankful for the people who've been a part of my journey. Here's to embracing the 40s as a mum, a wife, a business owner, and everything in between. I'm excited for what's to come.