It's My Birthday! How I'm celebrating my 31 years on this Earth...

Happy birthday to me!!!

I am 31! I never ever thought that by the time I was 31, I'd be married, own a house and a new car, and have a preschooler and a toddler. I thought I'd have a PhD in meteorology/atmospheric science and be well on my way in my career. 

Priorities change. People change. 

I had a meeting earlier this week where our leader asked all of us to think about what makes our hearts beat faster and to use our gifts in those areas. 

What makes my heart beat faster? Honey Graham. My husband changed my life from the moment I met him. He made me think about life in a new way. He made me actually enjoy life again. I didn't think I wanted to have kids until I met and fell in love with him. He has been so supportive of every crazy idea I've come up with and he is the best dad and husband I could ever ask for. I am so lucky to have him. I'm a terrible house wife and he still puts up with me. 

What makes my heart beat faster? My kids. My boys are my life. They amaze me every day. They are so creative and smart and amazing. I never ever thought I could love someone so small so much. Sure, they are a handful sometimes, but they are the cutest, sweetest, awesomest little guys. I am so blessed to be their mama. Froot Loop is so funny. He's so intelligent and so curious about everything. He loves to help me and take walks with me. He's actually learning how to read now. And my little Cocoa Puff is learning new things every day and he's just such a smiley and happy baby. He loves to figure out how everything works and he loves music and art! It amazes me that both of them just love to sit on the floor surrounded by books, looking at them for 20 minutes or more at a time!

What makes my heart beat faster? My family. I'm lucky that my Dad has moved here recently and my Mom is on her way. My amazing mother-in-law also lives in our town. I was fortunate enough to know all four of my grandparents and even 3 of my great-grandparents growing up. I lost my Grandpa when I was in college, but the other three are still alive. They live wayyy up north though so I don't get to see them very much. I also had the blessing of knowing Honey Graham's Nana before she died a couple years ago and his Grandma is still hanging in there! My sister and I weren't super close growing up, but we get along pretty well now as adults. I also enjoy spending time with my sister-in-law! I have some awesome aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides of the family too. And of course, I have two of the best dogs who are so sweet and gentle with the boys and make me laugh all the time. 

What makes my heart beat faster? Music. Art. Creating. I love music. I started piano lessons when I turned 5 years old. I don't play much piano anymore (but I started again when we bought an old church piano last year!), but I do play guitar, bass, or drums in our church praise team. I also sing in the choir and in our local community choir. As far as art, I love to draw and color and paint. I love to make things. I love to sew and create things. I started writing a book years ago. I never finished it but I plan to once I have more time.

What makes my heart beat faster? Learning new things. Although I'm still in "baby land" where everything is still fuzzy, I try very hard to keep learning things. I love to read. I still study the weather. I still study math and science, although not nearly as much as I used to. I am learning more about programming and developing too. 

So, happy birthday to me! I hope year 31 is my best one yet. 

When is your birthday?