The Other Side

Today is my birthday. I was born on (Friday) the 13th. Scary - huh? Even scarier - my brother's name is Jason. But don't worry - he's not scary! Last year on this day I remember saying, "I'm a quarter of a century!" My Grandmother answered back and said, "Just wait till you have to say you're a half a century old and see how that makes you feel!" Ha Ha! So I'm 26 today. I'm on the "other" side of 25. The back side. I have never felt older or different on any of my birthdays. Until today. 30 is nipping at my buns!! My brother Cameron and I were talking and we decided that when you are between the ages of 20-23 you are in your early twenties. 24-26 is your mid-twenties. And 27-29 is your late twenties. These ages aren't official record or anything, just our observations :) So this is the last year I will get to spend in my mid-twenties. Next year I will have to say "I'm in my late twenties." Yep. . . . . . 30 is definitely nipping at my rear! Don't get me wrong - I don't have ANYTHING against getting older. Instead of older maybe I should say "chronologically mature". Getting older does have it's perks. You get smarter the older you get. I'm definitely smarter today than I was 10 years ago. I think we all are. As you get older you learn more things than just "book" smarts. You learn how people work, how they think, and why they act the way they do. You learn about what makes a relationship - with anyone - work. You learn that life is full of opportunities, but also disappointment and heartache. You learn that God has more of a hand in our lives than sometimes we realize. In honor of my 26th birthday, I figured I would list 26 things that I have accomplished in my life or learned about myself. Some of them are just dumb little things that I have come to realize make me the person that I am. Some of them are things that I have learned about life in general. This is more for me than for any of you to read. Birthdays are very important to me. For me - it's not about the presents or the cake. . . . . ok maybe the cake. :) But I like to evaluate and reflect on life on my birthdays. On how I've grown and on all the growing I have left to do!

So here are my 26 things (in no particular order):
1. I believe Arizona has the most beautiful sunsets. It's God's way of rewarding us for making it through another hot day!
2. Since having children I have learned that sleep is a luxury. Even though they sleep through the night, I lay awake worrying about them and their future.
3. It's ok to dribble on yourself when biting into a ripe, juicy peach!
4. Achievement: I can read music. Singing it is a different story :)
5. Money isn't everything. It can't buy you happiness. So many things in life are far more important than the number in my savings account.
6. Achievement: I was the fastest female long-distance runner in my elementary school.
7. Achievement: I beat the time for President's Challenge in distance running as a freshman in high school and never had to run the mile again.
8. Sewing makes me angry. I don't like it and I don't do it. I have NO desire. To me - it's not worth the anger.
9. There is no greater thrill than riding an awesome roller coaster. I will still ride the Tower of Terror at Disneyland when I'm 80!
10. Achievement: Surviving 3 very difficult pregnancies. Craig's Achievement: Sticking with me after those pregnancies!
11. Minced garlic cannot replace minced onions in a recipe! (Craig-remember that one time. . . . I still laugh about it!)
12. Heavenly Father always hears our prayers. I don't always get the answer I want, but I always get the answer I need.
13. My parents are one of my greatest blessings.
14. Achievement: In high school I made the Varsity tennis team the first time I ever picked up a tennis racket.
15. There are worse things in life than having a bad hair day.
16. Achievement: I am smaller after birthing 3 children.
17. I have come to accept that I always burn a batch of cookies before I get to the bottom of the batter bowl!
18. Sometimes a baby cries just because they need a few moments to snuggle.
19. Achievement: I have hiked the Grand Canyon - South Rim to North Rim - in one day (5 weeks after having abdominal surgery) It was 21 miles. I didn't think I'd survive :)
20. Sometimes it is our family members that hurt us the most.
21. It doesn't matter whether or not I'm "right" in an argument. What matters most is that Craig still knows that I love him and that I'm sorry when the arguing is through.
22. Achievement: Realizing that the dirty clothes don't wash themselves. :)
23. Being happy is a decision.
24. My heart melts when my children say, "I love you."
25. I exercise because I have a sweet tooth.
26. I am a child of God and He knows what's best for me!

I am grateful for yet another year that God has given me to laugh and learn and make things right in my life. And of course to eat a cupcake piled with frosting for my birthday treat :)