Turning the big 4-0!

It was a whirlwind of a birthday yesterday or so it seemed with my surprise party at work and the "pre" celebration with my family (we are doing the big thing tonight) so I didn't really have much time to be depressed and the more I think about it anyway--why should I be? I have a WONDERFUL life! I am very blessed and don't think for one minute that I don't know that.

Has life turned out the way I thought it would? Well, in many ways yes and in some ways no. Do I have any regrets? I don't know that I would say "regret"...there are some things I wish I'd have handled differently or that wouldn't have happened at all but each has been used by God to teach me something and make me the person I am today and I like who I am. You might not, but I do! LOL

So let me take a minute to reflect on the things I'm thankful for and state out loud some goals for the next 40 years!

I am thankful that I married my best friend. We married young (19 & 20) and I KNOW everyone was thinking, "It'll never last." And it hasn't always been easy--still isn't sometimes. We've been through some pretty unimaginable things that often do and have split a lot of couples up. We still fight, get on each others' nerves and there are times when I think--"we are SO completely different." But our differences have served us well and there is love and a mutual committment. I am thankful that my husband supports me no matter what--spiritually, emotionally and financially. He's a hard worker and a good provider for our family. He's always in my corner and I am very proud of our marriage.

I am thankful to call three of the best kids in the world my own. They are happy, healthy, well-adjusted and continually amaze me. I am thankful for so many experiences with them--nursing, teaching them to read, homeschooling, cheering them on, even the up-all-nights and ER visits. Have I always been the perfect parent? No way, who is? But I can honestly say that my kids have always been my top priority, no matter what. Every decision that I made (good or bad) was done with their best interests at heart and though I'm not done yet, they are old enough for me to see that my efforts have been worth it. They are growing up to be awesome people and I am truly proud to be their mom.

I am thankful for my family. My mom is one of my best friends and I love the relationship we have. She is my confidant, my mentor, my buddy, and at times, she even lets herself be my venting ear and punching bag! Wow! My dad is one heck of a man. Not many men will give their all to raise someone else's child like their own. He has sacrificed SO much and continues to that it brings tears to my eyes. The sun truly rises and sets in him. I have three sisters that are wonderful women. One I'm not as close to as I'd like to be but that's no fault of hers or mine and we are working on it. Two of them are amazing mothers and all three are my "sister mafia"! LOL All my aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. --they are a fun bunch of people and I love them dearly!

I have some amazing friends. I used to get upset that God never gave me a life-long "best friend" (except for the one I married) but the older I get the more I realize that the way my friendships developed over time has been an even greater blessing. Those that I "hang out" with have changed as my environment has changed (employment, moving, etc.) but they've never been broken. I'm thankful for technology allowing all of us to reconnect in a way that we otherwise wouldn't have and I know that almost ALL of them would go out of their way if I needed them as would I for them. Those that I'm close to at the moment are some awesome people, mostly parents of my kids' friends and I'm grateful for that as well. The Bible says "bad company corrupts good character" and I think the opposite must also be true as I am definitely a better person for the great people God has brought into my life.

I am thankful to be attending an awesome church as a family. If God reveals that it is the right place for us, then I can't wait to become more involved. I am thankful for the relationship I have with my Lord & Savior. He is my friend as well as my master and His grace and mercy is overwhelming.

I am thankful to finally know my calling. It's been a fabulous seven years as a teacher and my life has been richly blessed by some precious kids and their families.

I am thankful to have graduated college and though I have a student loan that doesn't look like it's every going to go away, nor am I actually employed for my major, I regret not a thing! I learned SO much, not just from my professors and classes but from people I met and about myself having to dredge through some of the rough spots. I had a great time as well and some of my fondest memories are from the hilltop!

I am thankful that I've been able to travel to places many people only dream of. I once "dreamed" of it as well and still do! I guess my spirit takes the Lord at His literal Word when He said, "Go!" I love to go! Anywhere, anytime. And I'm glad I got the chance.

I am thankful to be healthy. Yes, I have a few (okay several) pounds to lose and I'm not as young as I used to be (obviously). But I have seen chronic illness up close and personal and it ain't pretty! I don't take for granted one minute being able to do the things I do.

I know that there is SO much more that I have to be thankful for but they are mostly just "things". And while I appreciate having them, it's the above that I value most--really!

As for my goals for the "next 40 years"--number one is to keep valuing and nurturing all the relationships I mentioned, first and foremost.

The rest--in no particular order:

Make healthy living a priority.
Get out of debt!
See all three kids off to college.
Adopt/foster more children. (yes, I WILL do this!)
Put others needs first through giving and missions.
Travel more
Open up my own preschool
Live greener

(just to name a few! lol)

Thanks again for all the birthday wishes! It was a blessed day yesterday and will be another one today! As for all my friends who have yet to turn 40 and are dreading it, look at it this way--(except for the fact that you would get to see Jesus) it's better than the alternative!

Have a blessed day (week, month, year, life!)