Yeah! I made it to THIRTY! =) I had lofty goals this morning of waking up with the kids and traveling around town doing 30 Random Acts of Kindness for other people. What better way to celebrate my birthday than giving fun things to folks who make my life so much better! (the lady at the bank who always is so nice and gives the kids suckers, Robert at Panera who might be the happiest drive thru guy in town, a nice waitress at lunch, and fruit rollups for the guy who cleans our car - he always has them to give to the kids, etc.) I realized very quickly this morning that my ideal was not going to happen...after Hudson consumed 1/2 bottle of vitamin gummies, spilled my coffee, sprayed cleaning product all over himself and repeated disobeyed...I knew it wasn't going to be the "ideal" birthday =) Three kids, no naps, lots to do and mounting frustration...let's just say the kids did their part in adding a few years to my life today!!
So, instead I thought I would share 30 memories of my 30 years...some big, some small, some happy, some sad - all shaping me into the person I am today!
1. Of course my birth day! I was born on a Sunday morning (1 week early) and right on time. I share a birthday with my Grandpa - he turned 78 today! Happy, Happy Birthday Grandpa! I love getting that phone call from him each year, usually bright and early - hearing his jolly, happy voice on the other end loudly singing!
2. Playing school with Meghan. We LOVED visiting the local teacher supply store to stock up on grade books to record our "students" grades. Somehow we acquired an actual teachers manual (remember those HUGE spiral bound books that the teachers used - including the red "answers".) I LOVED using that book and still remember several of the lessons that I "taught" using it.
3. Reciting the Old and New Testament books of the Bible in front of the church when I was 2. Maybe one of my first memories. I remember getting to pick out a doll at the store for doing it. (I also remember asking to go to Sonic on the way home from church on a weekly basis.)
4. My cousin, sister and I all got chicken pox at the same time one summer while at my Grandma's house. We were covered in calamine lotion, itched ourselves crazy and dressed in Grandma's gowns. It was fun being quarantined together.
5. Playing barbies in my cousins fort with my sister and Laurie. Making their clothes and watching the boys (my cousins) trap lizards and cut off their tails.
6. Being spanked for bragging to my sister that Grandma let me wear her lipstick. Not sure why this sticks out to me - but its one spanking I'll never forget!
7. We typically spent every summer from early childhood through high school in Indiana. We played baseball in the field, were not allowed to go in the grass until it was dry, fought over swings, played LOTS of Monopoly, watched Bob Ross, the OJ Simpson trial, were NOT allowed to run the in house, shared one small bathroom (and the occasional out house!), ate lots of good food and were not allowed in the kitchen when Grandma was making a wedding cake.
8. Once I brought $100 to school and bought everyone in my class pom poms from the school store. Needless to say I had to return the items. So much for my generosity (and popularity!)
9. Riding home on the bus from my elementary school, the driver pulled over on the side of the road and shared the gospel message to everyone on the bus, after seeing a little boy throw away a Gideon Bible. I wish I knew her name and where I could find her to say thanks.... I will never forget her real and personal story of God's love.
10. Mom and Dad were always so busy working Meghan and I frequently did the grocery shopping for our family! Mom would drop us off with a list and we (at 8 and 10) would shop! We'd call her from the front desk when we were done. We probably did this every week until my sister could drive.
11. Youth Group. It was huge part of my teen years. I was involved in leadership, loved working with my friends and our youth pastor to plan fun events throughout the year. Memorable events: summer camp in Atlanta, Willow Run, snow skiing, and Basic Blowout...some of the best years!
12. Working at my parents store. Whenever I wanted cash. And probably own them more than I ever made - used that work "cash box" as my own personal piggy bank! (Confession time, Mom! Can't get in trouble at 30 =)
13. I watched my best friend experience unthinkable pain as she battled cancer in high school. I saw God work in a mighty way - answering my biggest prayer and completely healing her!
14. Dealing with brides, bridezillas, those crazy mother of brides and prom girls working at a local Bridal Store. A LOT of fun. A LOT of work. Intense but fun boss who brought me along to Atlanta one year for the Bridal Market. Really cool experience!
15. Moving to Boone, NC my senior year of high school. Being sent home on the first day because they were "too busy" to enroll me. Saw fights over belt buckles and was thought to be a foreign exchange student because of my unusual name. Weird.
16. After moving mom preferred that I stay home to hang out with her, rather than treking down the mountain for the few classes that I needed to graduate. Loved our days in that beautiful mountain home.
17. Met this really, really cute guy that wanted to hang out with me! He was a "college boy" and on his first trip down to meet my family - mom had to leave the room when she saw him to hide her expression! She knew immediately that HE was the ONE --- spiky dyed hair, earrings and all!
18. Watching some of the cutest and coolest little kids around while I was in college and saving money. Those kids and their parents have been great examples to me now that I am raising my own. Their children were smart, sweet, kind and fun to be around. And now their driving, in college or married! Now, if
that doesn't make me feel old?!
19. Working at my parents store in Blowing Rock...basically the cool hang out spot after school. =) The kids would all come in and buy candy and snow cones on their parents account. I would hang out and listen to their "little kid" problems. And they loved me, ha! Even the local "Barney Fife" police officer stopped in daily to try and impress the kids (and score a date). Good thing I was taken!!
20. Saying "I Do" - Marrying my best friend --- my Love. So thankful that God perfectly placed Justin in my life. He is the perfect compliment to me. He's smart. Honest. Funny. Hard working. And a GREAT Dad. I can not imagine living one single day without this man by my side.
21. Really fun adventures! Traveling up the East Coast and down the West. Mediterranean Cruises. Beach vacations. Big Cities and Small Towns. Cozy little cottages and sky scraper hotels. Plays. Movies. Extravagant dinners and hole-in-the-wall diners. Love all the time away relaxing and exploring with my family.
22. We had the best years with our newlywed friends! I think some weeks we would spend every.single.night together - sharing dinner, watching tv, playing games, chatting, and just enjoying life
together. We watched babies be born (excitedly waiting outside their hospital room!), our walks with the Lord were strengthened and true, real deep friendships were established. Some friends just can't be topped!
23. Work, work, work! Justin and I worked long and hard to get our business up and running! It's been a blessing (huge blessing) to see it thrive and every night we thank God for His continued Hand in bringing people our way. Its not always been easy, or fun, but its been very rewarding!
24. Baby #1! I had sweet Lillianne at 25. She made me a Momma - a very proud one at that! I have loved every single minute with this little girl. She is special and I am so honored that the Lord entrusted me with her care.
25. Precious Baby in the arms of Jesus. Looking forward to meeting and holding that little one. Our hearts ached so greatly over losing him.
26. The last several years I have really treasured and loved the time that I've been able to spend with my Grandma. She takes such great interest in our family. She is wise, always available for advice and prayer, and offers love in every conversation. I've loved hearing stories from her childhood, memories of life for her as a little girl, and also hearing about all the crazy stuff Dad did as a kid. She's one great Grandma!
27. I am so glad that at 30 years old I can say that Mom and Meghan are my two closest friends. Having Mom just up the road from me is priceless.
She is the very best Mom. She is so good to us - will drop anything, any time to help. She's a lot of fun to be around and we've been able to take some really great trips together. And Meghan. We could not be any more different. I admire her independence and confidence. I appreciate her honesty with me and the fact that she's not afraid to be straight forward. I love even though we are very different I can still call her my best friend.
28. Baby #2! Sweet baby brother Hudson born into our family when I was 28. What a challenge its been adding a boy to the mix! Ha! He is so funny - that CUTE little face, funny dance moves, and silly personality just brings me to life every time I see him. Love that baby!
29. Baby #3! Little baby doll Nolan. Newest to the family. Had him at 29. SO super cute. SO happy and jolly and round. I love every square inch! Love his smiles and coo's. And already, 4 months in, can't imagine life without our baby!
30. Brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces! The best part about marrying into another family is --- the other family! Now
my family! Add 5 brothers, 5 sisters and all the little ones. There is never a dull moment, never a lack of
something going on, and never a time together when we leave not feeling super blessed! Thankful they welcomed me in!
Whew! It's fun to look back on just a few of the things that make me so very thankful for my THIRTY years. Maybe at 40 I'll get around to doing those random acts of kindness. But this year it was nice to reflex on how kind God has been to me. =)
