Happy Birthday to Me!! (March 3rd)

(Sing this to the Happy Birthday song)

Happy Birthday to Me
I'm now thirty three
I have such a blessed life
And here's why, you'll see!

33 Reasons I LOVE my life!!

1. Paul - he is so supportive and encourages me in all my crazy pursuits (marathons, school, etc.).

2. Ella - my "sunshine girl." She is SO GOOD! Her smile and personality are a joy.

3. Jack - my tender hearted boy. I am amazed daily by this kid. I don't deserve him.

4. Max - my tornado. He has so much energy and interest. I love seeing the world through his eyes.

5. Nora - my baby girl. I am determined to keep her from growing up. She's so girlie, fun and sassy.

6. My parents and siblings - words can't even describe how much I love them. My childhood was a gift.

7. My in-laws - marriage has brought so many wonderful people into my life and the life of my siblings. I'm so glad we don't have to be born into the same families to be related.

8. Great friends - I've always been blessed with great friends who inspire me and make me want to be better. That is no exception here. I had such wonderful, thoughtful gifts, calls, notes, and events from friends that made my day!

9. Good books - I love "experiencing" things through others eyes. I hope it has made me a more aware and compassionate person.

10. Our hot tub - there is nothing like heat, ice-water, and good conversation to make me happy!

11. Good health - I am in better shape now than I ever was in High school.

12. The older I get the less I care about what people think about me. That's scary since I think I've always been pretty good about that. At this rate, I'm going to be like those sassy grandma's who just say it like it is when I'm in my 40's.

13. I have a Mac, and thanks to Paul I now have an iphone (for my b-day). YEA!!!

14. Freedom - As I get older I realize more and more how grateful I am for the blessing of living in America. I love the constitution and truly believe it was an inspired document written by inspired men.

15. It was 78 degrees today, the trees are blossoming, and I've taken my kids to the park 3 times a week for the last month.

16. DVR - It actually has made me watch way LESS T.V., and I don't have to endure commercials.

17. Primary - Have I mentioned this before? :) I am SO in love with my calling at church I can hardly stand it! Children are SO MUCH closer to God than we are. I am so grateful to work with these precious little spirits. And to think that I went up to my room and BAWLED after I received the calling...I was so ignorant!

18. Internet - I love that I can Google anything and usually get an answer. My life is SO much easier because of computers.

19. Blogging - it has allowed me to journal, scrapbook, keep a family history, and keep in touch with friends and family all in one fail swoop! Hooray for less guilt over not doing those things!

20. All my kids sleep through the night in their own beds! All you Moms of young kids know how wonderful this is. Of course a part of me wishes I was as nice as my SIL who truly enjoys having her kids safe and snuggly beside her. If I liked it then that would be great, but I can't sleep a wink with them in bed with me. Am I selfish or what?!

21. I can stay home with my kids. I love being able to be there for the little everyday things. I like that my kids expect me to be there for them and that I'm the first one they look to for answers.

22. I live so close to my brother. Dave and Natalie are the best and it has been so nice to live by at least one member of our family after 8 years far away from anyone!

23. I live in a place where people might actually want to come and visit. TRANSLATION - please come and visit.

24. I've been able to travel to France, Italy, England, Israel, Jordan, and Egypt! And I'm just getting started!

25. That each new day is like a new chance...to do better...to be better...to live better.

26. That I don't have to do my taxes anymore. I did them for the first 11 years of our marriage.

27. I truly love to see other people succeed. I am genuinely happy for others and am NOT a jealous person at all.

28. That I have different thumbs. One looks just like my mom's, and one just like my dads. (I'll add the picture later) It freaks some people out, but I LOVE it.

29. Convenience. I live in such a great area and so many things are conveniently located. I know that sounds like a weird thing to love about my life, but as a SAHM of small children it makes all the difference in the world. I'm not a spender by any means, but the things that do see my money are the things that make my life easier, not necessarily prettier!

30. Finally realizing that it's all about the journey...not the destination. Keeping that in mind is a struggle many days, but I think I am really starting to "get it."

31. Amazing examples in my life. The list could go from prophets, neighbors, family members, friends, etc. There are so many good people on earth that it gives me a lot of hope.

32. 33 years of experience that has taught me more and more of who I am and what I want to be. I'm still in search of how to be the best me, but I'm so grateful for all the things I've gone through in my life that have brought me here.

33. My Faith. I don't at all mean to be preachy, or force my religion, but I have to be honest and say that it is the cornerstone of my life. I get so much inspiration, motivation, support, love, education, and fulfillment from my church. I am so grateful for forgiveness and the example and atonement of Jesus Christ.

Let's hope I'm just getting started on adding to this list. I love getting older...or should I say wiser!