Thankful Thursday - Birthday Style

So I'm not 30 and JUST out of my 20's anymore.  Being 31 means I'm definitely into the 30's now.  Yuck.  I really struggled with turning 30 and I'm still wrestling with turning 31.  My number hasn't bothered me at all until the 3 appeared.  Not sure why.  I definitely don't want to be 20 again, or even 25 for that matter.  The 30's have just been hard for me to swallow for some reason.  I started reflecting on the last 31 years.  Where has the time gone?  It's crazy to think about what life will look like in another 31 years.  More wrinkles and body aches, retirement talk and hopefully grand kids.  Craziness.  Anyway, here are the things I'm most thankful for in my 31 years of life. 

1.  The Holy Spirit lives in my heart.  I "Stand in Awe" when I think about how things have changed since I started living my life for Him rather than myself.

2.  my husband - He was the puzzle pieces I was missing.  Even after a hard day at work, he still has plenty of love and patience for me and our kids.  I can't imagine what I would do without him. 

3.  my babies - Healthy, happy and full of life.  True blessings.  A birthday nap was my plan, but instead I rocked one to sleep and am now cuddling another who woke up early.  I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

4.  my parents - Thank you so much for everything you've ever done for me. It's so true that you have a much deeper appreciation for your parents after you have your own children.  Thanks Mom for the birthday party visit this morning. 

5.  staying at home - I have the best job in the world.  I appreciate that my husband makes this possible.  He earns the bucks during the day and gives me a break when he gets home.  I know it's not always easy for him, but he pretends to love every minute of it!

6.  my education -  I am thankful I had the opportunity to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in elementary education.  Although honestly, I have learned more about life in my last 2 years of parenting than I did in my 6 years of university education!

7.  friends - childhood, high school, college and mommy friends.  They have all played a special part in my life.

8.  sports - loved playing them in high school and still enjoy playing volleyball

9.  farm life - Oh how I wish we could raise our kiddos on the farm.  Maybe someday our grand kids will be able to visit Grandpa Lance and Grandma Nicole on the farm!

10.  technology - Email, texting and online shopping make a mommy's busy life a little easier!  I just looked over at Mara playing on the iPad, and she's watching Bert and Ernie videos on YouTube.  She's two!  I definitely didn't download the YouTube ap for her, so I am going to have to blame Lance for this one.  Lance's sense of humor appreciates the old school Bert and Ernie episodes.  Guess Mara may have inherited his sense of humor.  Her favorite episode is "Here fishy fishy fishy!"  I don't necessarily enjoy the episode but love to hear and watch her recite it.  Hilarious.