It's my birthday! And I'm turning 40! Spending the day packing and trying not to panic, we have less than two weeks left in Norway before we move to England and start over again. June is an interesting time to have a birthday because this is not the first time I have been in the middle of a significant life change on my birthday. Since I was young I have often moved around this time as my parents were international teachers and so we would often move at this time of year. So there is something very familiar in the unfamiliar for me.
Also it's such a relief to get old! On one hand it's weird to be "old" but then on the other hand when I look around at younger people, like Jordan's university students, it becomes clear that I do have a lot of experience in life, been around the block as they say. You could not pay me any amount of money to go be 20 years old again. 
Have a special treat today in honor of my big birthday, and enjoy your day 
In Norway the flag is a big deal on birthdays. Houses will fly a flag if it's someones birthday. At school the kids will get to have the flag on their desk for their birthday. At Iona's preschool they fly the flag on everyone's birthday. It's a very jolly tradition. And helpful because you know a birthday is happening.
Happy birthday to you, Marisa ! Enjoy your day !😄😍🎈🎉🎁
(40, so young! I'm 58...)
Happy Birthday! You are a wonderful person and may everything in your life continue to be good, interesting, creative - and with great love!
Happy Birthday and in Holland we say" live begins at 40" Enjoy your day.
Happy Birthday! Enjoy the day
Wishing you a very happy 40th birthday Marisa!
Nice looking family.
Best wishes on your move.
You have a wonderful birthday!
happy birthday, Marisa! Have an enjoyable day! 🎉🎁🎈
Happy Birthday, Marisa. Have a very wonderful day.
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Marisa, Haaaappppy Biiiirrrthday to you.....and many more! You are not old.
Happy birthday!
Wishing you a very happy birthday Marisa!
Happy 40th birthday. Hope you have a wonderful day... happy packing and wishing you all the best for your move too.
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday, thanks for everything you do and the amazing glimpse into other cultures and their traditions. God bless you and your family.
Happy birthday, Marisa! Have a great day
Ah yes! Happy Birthday! or as they say in Norsk - 🎉🥳🎊 Gratulerer med dagen!! 🎉🥳🎊
We have a flagpole on our garage for just such occasions - birthdays, 17.May, Fathers Day, Mothers Day, etc. 17.May (Constitution Day) is big for Norwegians around the world, so we have our share of little Norwegian flags.
Good luck on your move and don’t forget to ENJOY your day! Think I heard that 40 is the new 30? hahaha
Um feliz aniversário com muitas alegrias, amor, saúde e bolo!
A happy birthday with lots of joy, love, health and cake!
Also agree you're still YOUNG!
Enjoy your day, Marisa!
Happy Birthday, Marisa! Enjoy your special day and may all of your wishes come true
40 years old is the best age for a woman! Happy birthday, my dear!
Happy Birthday, 40 is the official age you can start saying whatever comes into your head, lol.
Happy birthday Marisa. Hope you have a wonderful day and all the best for your move.
Happy birthday, Marisa! (Also, I'm 4 years older than you and not claiming "old" yet -- my kids are all still in elementary school so I have to think young!
)
Happy Birthday!
Hope you've had a great day so far. I love the flag info.
Happy Birthday to You!
Thank You for all You do in this community!
🎉 Happy 40th Birthday! 🎉
Welcome to the big 4-0 — where your back goes out more than you do, and your idea of a wild night is staying up past 9!
You’re not old… you’re chronologically gifted, vintage fabulous, and just hitting your prime — with extra wisdom, character, and probably a few mystery aches.
Here’s to 40 years of excellence, and at least 40 more of naps, snacks, and forgetting why you walked into the room.
Have a laugh-filled, cake-loaded, totally awesome birthday! 🥳🎂
Thanks everyone for the lovely birthday wishes!
Happy birthday to you, Marisa ! Enjoy your day !
.)
(Yes,..40, so young! I'm 71..
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