Thirty thanksgivings as I turn 30

1. I am thankful I was raised by two strong, God-fearing parents. I was pretty sure they were the strictest people around growing up, but yes, now I understand. Now they are my biggest cheerleaders and I have yet to meet anyone with a more generous spirit than my mom and dad.
2. My precious husband, who respects my opinions, accepts my quirks, above all loves me, and whose company I still enjoy more than anyone else.
3. Good health. I know that life can be turned upside down in a second with a bad diagnosis. Today, I am thankful for my good health and that of my family.
4. Laughter and the sound of it frequently echoing off our walls
5. Jesus, my Lord. And his forgiveness of all my shortcomings.
6. My bright, lovely daughter, who wears funny mismatched clothes, twirls around the living room, and asks, “Mommy, am I beautiful?” Yes, sweet Ella, you are.
7. My gorgeous baby boy, who finds delight in everything and whose sweet smile brings so much joy to my heart.
8. I am thankful that both my and Chris’ parents have met our children. Both my mom and dad lost a parent when they were teenagers. Many times through the years, my dad has commented that he wishes we had been able to meet his mom and she us. I realize being able to share your children with your parents is a gift not everyone is given. I’m so very grateful I have been given that gift.
9. The big, loving family I inherited when I got married and the fact that they love and treat me as one of their own.
10. My brothers. There are few people in life who just accept you, no questions asked. They are three of those people to me. Plus, they can make me laugh harder than anyone.
11. Books. I love them. Ella is following in my footsteps. Cade, on the other hand, prefers ripping them to pieces to reading them.
12. The sweet smell of my baby as he falls asleep with his face tucked snug into my neck.
13. A handful of good and true friends, who listen without judging and who know all about me and manage to love me anyways.
14. A strong body that has carried, nurtured, and delivered two spectacular, little people into the world, and being able to experience the miracle in that.
15. Comfy pajamas
16. The beauty in nature. My mom taught me to look for it, always calling for me to come see a pretty sunset or little squirrel or hummingbird. She still does this and I laugh. I appreciate it though, and always think of her when the sky’s lit up with ten beautiful colors.
17. I’m so thankful that, after many months of looking, we finally found a great church that we love and is so close to home.
18. Piano music
19. A good job that allows me to help provide a comfortable life for my children.
20. A nice house that is rarely clean, but always full of hugs, kisses, and the pitter-patter of little feet.
21. Strong black coffee
22. I am thankful I was born in America and thankful for the freedoms we have that so many others across the globe do not. Sure, there are things I would like to see different in our country, but there is no other place in the world I would rather live and raise my children.
23. Others who take the time to say thank you.
24. Dry humor
25. Lots and lots of old photographs that allow me to remember and relive many precious moments of my thirty years
26. Red velvet cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory
27. Growing up on a country road where everybody knows everybody. I love the convenience of living in the suburbs, but I hope that someday my children can experience what it’s like to ride bikes all day and only come home when they hear me calling them for dinner.
28. I am so thankful that my kids get to spend their days at home with me instead of in daycare, and that my husband and I agree on sacrificing other things to make that happen.
29. The many lessons I have learned from being a nurse and spending time with people when they are at their most vulnerable.
30. I am thankful that every weekend at work, someone asks me, “How old are you? Are you old enough to be a nurse? You don’t look a day over twenty.” When I was a new nurse and fairly insecure in my role, it kind of bothered me. Now, I just smile and say (in the kind words of my coworker, Jason), “Don’t worry. I may look young, but it’s not my first dance! I know what I’m doing.” Here’s to hoping that in another ten years, I won’t look a day over thirty!