HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! - 31 -40

NUMBER 31 - HEALTH I know that I take my health for granted. Having said that, as I age, I appreciate it more and more. For the most part, I feel good and enjoy doing stuff. I like being active and doing stuff. I'm going to keep "doing" stuff as long as I can. I hate the idea of a spectator mom. Thanks, God for my excellent health!

NUMBER 32 - FRIENDS- I am going to go back to the subject of friends. I am so lucky to have such great friends. Life is busy and I wish I had more time to be with my friends, but they are patient with me and it seems that when we get together, we just pick up where we left off! I have a couple of friends that frequently go out of their way to check up on me. They allow me to share my heart and they accept me just the way I am. I would name names, but they know who they are. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to my friends.

NUMBER 33 - It is easy to write about LINDSAY- I know that you will read this so I will just write this directly to you! You have grown to be a beautiful young woman and I am so proud of you. You have blazed the way for your siblings and taught us what being a parent is all about. I love your excitement for life. It's contagious. Spending time with you is so much fun. I always feel better when I have been with you! I love you.

NUMBER 34 - BJORK! You are an extra-ordinary young man. I don't know how you do it, but you have a genuine way of making EVERYONE feel good about who they are. You are one of the kindest and most accepting people I have ever met. Family gatherings are always more fun when you are around! There couldn't be a better role model for my two young sons. Thanks for loving our family. You rock!! :)

NUMBER 35 - MOST FOLKS ARE ABOUT AS HAPPY AS THEY MAKE UP THEIR MINDS TO BE -Abraham Lincoln. Another quote that I love! I think that our world has become very cynical and negative. We have become selfish and self-absorbed in our fast-paced lives. Don't get me wrong. I certainly do my share of whining and complaining. But really, the positive people in my life help me to keep a healthy perspective. Living a gracious and content life is something I am working on. I hope to be a person who helps others decide to be happy.

NUMBER 36 - SNOW - Ok. Most people are not very excited about all the snow we have had this month, but I love it! It is SO beautiful and clean. I love when it snows at night. It is the best time to go out for a walk. The crunch you feel under your feet and the quiet you hear is indescribable! It's awesome. One of God's most creative gifts!

NUMBER 37 - ADOPTION has changed my life! If you would have asked me about adoption 5 years ago, I would have said..."Nope. Maybe for someone else, but not for me." It has been a difficult transition for me but it has caused me to grow in ways I could never explain. However, I have absolutely NO regrets and feel so blessed to have adopted such great kids!

NUMBER 38 - WORK - I work seven days a week. But when people ask where I work, I say..."I am an administrative assistant at the high school in the Main Office". Doesn't really matter that I am only there for one day a week. It is simply the easiest answer to a question that I don't particularly like. The important part of this answer is that I LOVE where I work. I get to see lots of people that I wouldn't normally see and for the most part, they are REALLY, REALLY nice. I like my place of work!

NUMBER 39 - ROMEO- is such a delight! I remember meeting him for the first time in the Philippines. He had a big smile and was so excited about life. He volunteered to help me with something that no one else wanted to do. I liked him from the start! One of the first stories I heard about Romeo was about his compassion. It was Christmas and he decided to give all of his money to a family that was struggling. Very impressive for a young man who didn't have much himself. Romeo embraces life with gusto. I love watching him play sports and interacting with people. He gives it 100% and he is very real. Some days I am very sad when I think that I missed most of his childhood. My time with him will be all too short. Romeo is my oldest son! He is very easy to love.

NUMBER 40 - FOOD - For good or bad, I love all kinds of food. Need I say more?