35

Yesterday I turned 35. Not sure why it is so hard for me to believe? Not sure why I feel like it is SUCH A BIG DEAL? Not sure why I think it is SO old when in reality I really know it is not. I'll especially think the age 35 is still a child when I am in my 70's. I think it's a big birthday - after this I am closer to forty. How is this possible when I only feel 23 most days? On the other hand I am a lot more tired than I was at 23, and I make a lot more noise when getting out of the car! Grunting in fact. On the other hand - what a beautiful life I have and have had at (really) such a young age. God has blessed me with not only His presence in my life, but has given me an abundant amount of blessings and gifts that are truly countless. To name the top FIVE - PATRICK, JACK, STENN, MY HALL/GUERRINI/WOODS FAMILY & FRIENDS. I have been to many countries, traveled to exotic places, volunteered in tiny Mexican villages, lived in fun towns, own a home (that's completely upside down but that's beside the point!), went to a great high school, a fantastic university, I've been zip lining in Puerto Vallarta, I've laughed so hard so many times I've wet my pants (especially AFTER giving birth to the two bowling ball heads known as Jack & Stenn), I've danced so hard I've become drenched in sweat, I've never broken a bone (knock on wood), I have a precious relationship with my Aunties, I have lost a best friend to death, have lost a best friend to differences, but have gained intimate-loving friends along the way, I've experienced unconditional love as well as two divorces as a daughter, but daily experience a beautiful marriage and precious children as a wife and mother, I have been to countless birthday parties of my loved ones cherishing their lives, I have been honored to attend many funerals celebrating lives that I have loved. I had four wonderful grandparents and an awesome grandmother-in-law. I was honored to be a teacher to amazing children (and some not so amazing), I am serving on the preschool board this year and TONIGHT MY FOUR YEAR OLD STARTS HIS FIRST OFFICIAL SOCCER PRACTICE!!! How is that happening?

I still have a lot more to learn and a lot more to experience. Don't know much about politics, don't really care and probably should. Hardly know enough about world history - I only wish I paid more attention in those high school and college history classes. Would like to have a more consistent exercise routine that really takes care of my body so when I am forty I can say I feel SO YOUNG, FIT, and FANTASTIC! And patience. I need more patience. My family (mom, aunts, etc.) think I am patient. But I see some of my friends mother and it BLOWS my MIND! Their patience is something to admire, treasure and strive toward.

All done with my 35 year old soap box. Jack has been interrupting me the entire time I have been writing this as well as accidentally gotten a sticker stuck to his penis- and I have shown a bit of patience.

Today - my first official day of being 35, I will embrace it, appreciate it, be proud of it, be thankful for it, be grateful for it and look forward to the next 35 PLUS years of my life!