Happy Birthday To Me...

Warning: This is a long post. Do not feel obigated to actually read it.

35 years, 12,775 days on this wonderful earth.

-This time 35 years ago, I was taking my first breath, weighing in at 8 lbs, 6 oz and meeting my mom, dad, brother and sister for the first time face to face

-This time 34 years ago I was celebrating my very first birthday. I don't recall what my cake looked like, or even if I had one, but I'm sure it was real nice.

-This time 33 years ago I'm sure I was into anything and everything.

-This time 32 years ago I was probably walking over to my favorite neighbor's house through the bushes and she was making me homeade french fries. I named my oldest daughter after her and my grandmother.

- This time 31 years ago I was 4 years old with pig tails tied up with that yarn ribbon.

-This time 30 years ago, I had a frog themed birthday party and all my friends came and celebrated. I think this is the year I got my first bike.

-This time 29 -23 years ago I was growing up, having fun, loving my family and my friends. Spending hours playing with Barbies, riding my Big Wheel, and collecting stickers.

-This time 22-21 years ago, I was embarking on my teen years complete with a bratty attitude, sleeping in until lunch on the weekends, pimples and Seabreeze, talking on the phone a bunch, and wanting as many pairs of Guess jeans as I could get. Posters of all my favorite guy celebreties adorned my walls.

-This time 20 years ago I got my learner's permit to drive. I failed it the first time, but passed it a day or too later (I'm pretty sure I had a little help from my Dad!) I remember being so nervous.

-This time 19 years ago, I turned sweet sixteen and for my birthday I got a Volkswagon Cabriolet, which was just what I wanted ever since I had seen "Can't Buy Me Love"

-This time 18 years ago I was only 10 days away from meeting the man of my dreams on a blind date (little then did I know I would marry him and have 3 children with him)

-This time 17 years ago I was graduating from high school and saying good-bye to a lot of friends, but starting a new adventure.

-This time 16-13 years ago I was drinking entirely too much beer, having entirely too much fun, staying up entirely too late....in a little town called Statesboro, GA. These were some of the best and worst years of my life.

-This time 12 years ago I had just finished my student teaching and was graduating from college (finally).

-This time 11 years ago I was planning "the big day", nervous with anticipation for the wedding day that would take place 2 months later....On that year I married T, again, "the man of my dreams" and my best friend.

-This time 10 years ago I was a newlywed and about to complete my first year as a teacher. I was really glad to see May come that year...those kids were crazy and I had no idea what I was doing!

-This time 9 years ago was the last year that I wouldn't be getting flowers and cards on Mother's Day. I got pregnant with our first only 5 months later. Looking back now, I have no idea what we did with all our spare time and with all of our money then (pre-kid years) !

-This time 8 years ago I was growing larger and getting hotter as summer approached. This was one of my best years ever...the year I became a Mom for the first time. Nothing challenged or changed my life more.

-This time 7 years ago I was when I realized how many jobs I actually had: wife, mommy, teacher, maid....etc.

-This time 6 years ago I was still in my twenties!

-This time 5 years ago I was pregnant with K and got a minivan, something I said would never happen! I couldn't think of a more depressing birthday...turning 30 and getting a minivan. However, this is the same year that God blessed us with the sweetest angel of a baby in K.

-This time 4 years ago I was a mother of two and for the first time a stay at home mom. I have never felt more blessed.

-This time 3 years ago I had less wrinkles, and no gray hair in sight. How quickly things can change.

-This time 2 years ago my first child was finishing up her Kindergarten year, I had (almost) a three year old and we would spend the next few summer months at the pool loving every minute of it.

-This time 1 year ago I was finding out that we had our first son on the way. I'll never ever forget that sweet moment.

-TODAY, I am loving being 35. Yes, I think I would like to not have the stretch marks, a scarred belly, the wrinkles, the gray hair, the extra lb's, and the dark circles.....but to find the brighter side of all these, they are what makes me who I am today..a well worn, sometimes too tired mommy, who would do anything for my children. I have been so graciously given 3 precious gifts: two beautiful, sweet girls and one absolutely adorable son, my "buddy". I am married to a wonderful man, who is dashingly handsome, who makes me laugh on a daily basis and who takes care of his family so well. What more could I ask for in 35 years? Life couldn't be more complete.

Happy Birthday Me.