Blessed 39th Birthday!

Wednesday was my birthday.....I turned 39. I don't know how this is possible! I seriously don't feel 39 years old. And, when I think about how young my parents seem, I wonder how it's possible for them to have a 39 year old?! Mentally, I feel about 25. So, I guess that's a good thing. But, the calendar says that I'm 39?! This just can't be right!

I had a wonderful and busy birthday! Our family had a lot to do that day.....piano lessons, cadets, taking an easy and fast meal over to Joel's uncle's house, who's wife recently passed away.....plus all the other daily duties that our busy family always seems to have! So, it was a fast-paced day, but a day that filled my heart up tremendously!

I received many loved-filled phone calls from friends and family. I was taken to lunch by my loving Mother, who surprised me with a table full of friendly faces, once I arrived to the restaurant! I was able to celebrate my day with my Mom, a favorite aunt, a favorite cousin, and her precious daughters, a wonderful friend and my sister (who drove in to see me on my day!) and the best surprise of all.....

.....this little man! (My nephew Tate!)



Yep, he was the highlight of my day! I mean, just look at that face! He is such a delight and so snuggable!

Oh, and a wonderful friend of ours stopped by our house to say Hi, and to give me a card and gift!

I seriously felt loved that day!

Of course, I was also able to spend it with Joel and my boys! I really don't think that my day could have been better....well, time to breathe and really savor the people in my life would have been nice, but really.....it was almost the perfect day!

Here are a few more pictures of all the love that surrounded me!











I'm pretty sure that it doesn't get much better than this! :)

Although.....when I woke up the morning of my 39th birthday, I did think about my life thus far. I wondered, "Have I accomplished much? Have I done enough in my 39 years?" Unfortunately, I felt the answer to my question was, "No". I know that I've had a full life so far, and I know that I've done a lot and accomplished a lot, but it just doesn't feel like enough!

So, I decided to sign up to be on the bone marrow registry list, so I filled out the online registration that day. I will receieve a kit in the mail soon. Having done just this one simple thing has helped me to feel like I'm doing a little something for this world and others.

In my 39 years I've been a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife, a mother. I've graduted from several schools, and I've earned a nurse's degree. (Sometimes I think that I should be using this degree...but then I remember that I actually am, Thanks to Gavin!) I've been a Sunday school teacher., I've tried to share my faith and love with others., And I've made tons of mistakes that I've been able to grow from. I guess I've had a fairly full 39 years.....I just feel like there is so much more that I should be doing.

I guess I will have to do some soul searching and figure out what else I am supposed to do with the next 39 years.

One thing that I do know, right now I have the best job on this earth....that of being a Mom! Being a Mom is the most rewarding, yet unrewarding job that there is! It's the hardest job, yet the easiest job that there is! It's one of the most responsibilty-laden jobs that one could possibly have....especially when one of your children is as dependent on you, as Gavin is on me! It's a low paying job, but it's also the highest paid job! (Receiving hugs, kisses, smiles and laughs is the best pay out there!) And, feeling a sense of pride that comes from being a Mother, can't be compared to any other feeling of proudness out there!

When I look at my life in these terms.....I realize that I've done quite a bit in my 39 years! And, I pray that my next 39 years are filled with the same blessings as the first 39 years! Life is, and has been, VERY GOOD to me!

Thank you to all of you who have filled my years with so much! Love and Hugs to all of you! :)


"I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You." Job 42:2