thirty something

So, I've been plotting this post for several weeks now. Boy let me tell you I've been dreading becoming thirty-one. This one's freaked me out more than turning thirty! There's something about becoming a thirty-something that seems big. It means you've really left your twenties behind. The twenties seem to mean fun to me. A lot of the teen angst has fallen away, you have your new found adult freedoms and still a youthful appreciation for play. The thirties seem to me to be more about settling in to being an adult. Getting serious about being an adult; getting down to business so to speak. You already have to start living with the consequences to decisions you've made. You're married with kids, no turning back now, heh heh. (Not that I would ever think that! ;) You didn't decide to go with medicine (dang it, it might have started to pay off right about now ;) I really shouldn't have used that credit card way back when . . . See what I mean?

All in all though, I know my life is pretty great. So maybe being a "real" adult isn't so bad. In honor of turning thirty something, here are thirty something things I am thankful for in my life. Cheers! ;)

1. him (he makes my world go round, really. he's my sunshine.)

2. that kid (he's amazing, such a little knock-out, hilarious and so bright. i love Luke so much!)

3. that girl of mine (Julianne is something else, she makes my heart beam everyday. I love spending time with her. Waiting to hear what new crazy thing she's going to say today. I'm already so proud of the girl she's becoming!)

4. my friends, the ones that I can't live without! (Suzy, you're amazing! Tim, you're not so bad yourself ;) My dear old ones, like Kimmy, Jenn, Carrie, Emily, Julie, Robin, Stacy and Bethany, and my new ones like Sarah, Ivan & Kara - to name a few)

5. unbelievably awesome family (Newtons - I love you!!! And Vernons too!!!)

6. I got really lucky in the in-law department (the Tudors rock! really, they do.)

7. the animals in my life (i love animals, they make me heart happy - our sweet-most-of-the-time old dog, my sweet kitty, and our 12 fish, and the sweet amazing danes that grace our home from time to time)

8. my garden (the pretty flowers and plants i love)

9. my church family (I couldn't ask for a better one. I love these people!)

10. our home (there's so much I want to do, but I love our peaceful place)

11. my job (it's nice to feel good at something, besides being a mom, and getting to know new people, the free coffee doesn't hurt either :)

12. good health

13. zoloft (I'm feeling really good)

14. good music (OTR forever, new love - Blue October, and Jars of Clay all in between)

15. good coffee (new favorites - Nirvana and African RED, old ones - Komodo and Casi Cielo)

16. Great Danes (getting a new one after next week, yay me!)

17. facebook (i like being in touch with people that I might not otherwise get to keep in touch with, and it makes my GA family seem like they're not so far away)

18. sewing projects (the next one on the horizon - dog beds :)

19. air-conditioning (it really helps my life to go right, what can I say? the a/c works again in the minivan. yay!)

20. Fuquay (i love this town)

21. North Carolina (we have the beach and the mountains, who could ask for more? the state is BEAUTIFUL!)

22. a nice charcoal grill (my mom gave it to us last month as an early birthday present, we've missed grilling out for the past few years, it makes summer cooking so much more fun)

23. comedy (i've discovered that i need it in my life, thanks Jeremy and Jess! the Office and Seinfeld reruns end my night right)

24. idealism and romance (I'm still both an idealist and a romantic. I love that I can dream, what is life without dreams? And the ability to see the world as it should be so that I can work to help make it so. Thanks mom and dad, the original dreamers ;)

25. great books and fun reads (love Audrey Niffenegger, and Stephenie Meyer!)

26. the color green!

27. Sesame Street, really. (what is my day without Sesame Street? and they stay surprisingly current. i love their musical numbers!)

28. costumes (i love, love, love making costumes, whether it be for Halloween or a school event)

29. horses, I love seeing them (and still dreaming of riding them)

30. grace (where would I be without it?)

31. faith, hope and love (i would be nothing without them. I can't imagine my life without God. I thank him for all these things. For life, for love and for the true hope I have in him.)