27 Blessings

Today is my birthday. Rather than focus on getting older (3 years away from being 30?!!) and the many reasons why I'd like to stay stuck at 26 forever (wrinkles, cellulite, inevitable sleepless nights for years, and so on and so forth), I thought I'd make a list of 27 things I'm thankful for and reasons why I'm blessed.
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1. Tom. He makes me laugh, encourages me, keeps me accountable, works hard to support our family and overall is an attentive and faithful husband. I love sharing life with him each and every day.
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2. Our families. We're both blessed with amazing siblings and parents. Not to mention cousins, 2nd cousins, cousin's kids, aunts, and uncles. I love family.
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3. Friends. I think I may just have the best friends in the world. Each unique in her own way; all bringing much joy to my life.
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4. Jobs! Who doesn't love a paycheck in "these times."
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5. Nieces & Nephews. I love being an aunt and watching them grow up. They are so fun!
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6. Health. Of course I could always stand to be more toned and more fit but I am thankful for a body capable of doing this.
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7. Our house. I love our first home! Who knows how long we'll be here but for this time in our lives, it suits us well.
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8. Seasons. My favorite season is fall - shocking, I know. *smile
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9. Reliable cars. Safety first. Go Honda!
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10. Family vacations. Fishing, games, food, relaxation...ahhhh...........
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11. My camera. Some people may find me annoying with how many pictures I take/moments I like to capture and to them I say, "Shhhhhh." (You know who you are.)
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12. Becca. She deserves her own number. My sister is my best friend. We always have something to talk about and tell each other. She has taught me more than I can write about and had more of an influence on me than she probably realizes. I so treasure our relationship.
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13. Life lessons. They can be hard and difficult to understand sometimes (most of the time.) But I have faith that there is meaning in each one.
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14. Eyes that see (with contacts in) and ears that hear.
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15. Games. Oh the good times we've had with board and card games.
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16. My Education. "Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere." ~Chinese Proverb
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17. The small things in life. Harvest, sunsets, baby noises, falling leaves, budding flowers, laughter, good wine, heartfelt talks, good naps, relaxing Sundays, beautiful weather, a nice walk, etc.
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18. Ann Taylor Loft. Sometimes my entire outfit is made by Ann. Her sales are often too good to pass up.
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19. Trader Joes. I love not having to check for partially hydrogenated oil and other foreign ingredients in my food.
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20. A clean house. And a husband who helps keep it that way. (Most of the time.)
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21. Tom. I know I already mentioned him but I still can't believe how blessed I am to be his wife.
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22. Quiet time. I often have lots of thoughts to sort through.
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23. Forgiveness. Because I'm a sinner.
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24. Faith. "Is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen."
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25. Hope. Because without it, some things would seem just too daunting.
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26. Love. It's good to give and receive.
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27. Life. Psalms 73:26 "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."

Thank you for the many wonderful birthday wishes today - voicemails, text messages, facebook wall posts, hugs, songs and blog videos. I am indeed blessed! Here's to being 27! *smile

Love,