Am I seriously 39? I'm like the Cryptkeeper!

As I prepare to age one year tomorrow, I have been reflecting on my life so far and all the experiences I have had....some great and some not so great. But, I don't want to think about the "not so greats" and prefer instead to concentrate on the "greats." I have had the privilege of living in many different places and meeting new and fun people. I have lived in 8 states and 2 foreign countries. Moving at times was difficult, but I wouldn't be who I am today without those experiences. It sure made it a lot easier to make friends when I had to get over myself and be extroverted. I am very grateful for my membership in the LDS church and for my testimony!! I don't think I have changed too much over the years - the only time I really feel older is when I try to straighten up after vacuuming the stairs. I still love to laugh and have fun. I still love to read young adult fiction (especially the Twilight series). I still love to laugh at immature jokes. In some ways I am wiser, but some people associate older and wiser with more serious and I will NEVER be one of those people!!

I am grateful to my parents, who although they must've been disappointed in not having more kids after me, never made me feel anything other than loved and cherished! I remember many fun outings to parks, libraries, camping, games and much more. My dad always said "We may not have gotten a quantity of children, but we sure got quality." Of course, I would "act" embarrassed, but I loved it! He spent many nights playing catch with me and chasing after my errant throws of the softball. My mom and I share a special love of all things Jane Austen and Anne of Green Gables. Even as a 13 year old, my mom would read aloud Pride and Prejudice to me. She has a way with words that made the story come alive. I didn't want to read P&P by myself until I was in my 30s because it just wasn't the same without my mom reading aloud. Thank you both for being great examples! I love you both very much!

I am incredibly thankful to have spent the last 18 or so birthdays with a great guy Jay and my kids too. I so appreciate the gifts of love that I recieve daily! I feel very lucky to be a wife and mom! My most favorite gifts are the ones that Jay and the kids have made for me over the years. Jay...thanks for loving me all the time and putting up with my goofy sense of humor over the years! Katie, Tyler, Anna and Rachel - thanks for loving me in spite of my occasional "mom" outbursts! I love you all!

I am also so grateful for my friends!! You guys are great and I love ya! I absolutely LOVE laughing and having fun with you all! Oh...and in case you guys were wondering, the pic is to prove that I was at one point, a natural blonde...so the silly things I say and things that I forget are excusable!

The scary thing is that I thought my parents were "old" when they were 39. I definitely don't feel old....I just feel like me. So all in all, turning 39 isn't so bad.....I think. I'll let you know next year on the BIG 40....yikes!