Mrs. Buttsie: Happy 31st Birthday To Me!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Happy 31st Birthday To Me!

Today is my 31st birthday. Last year I had built up the birthday in my mind and this year I didn't really think about it beforehand so it wasn't as big of a deal. I took today and tomorrow off from work and a 5 day vacation was a nice birthday present to myself. I have no plans except for putzing around the house and probably taking a nap or two (or three).

Just like I have no plans for my vacation, I have no plans for 31st year of life. What I said last year about my 20s still holds true. I spent my 20s wanting and I'm going to spend my 30s enjoying what I have.

I am grateful for what I have. I bought a calendar last fall while shopping for school supplies and my intention was to write down things that happened throughout the day. Its evolved into a gratitude journal in addition to capturing our family history. At the end of a long day, its nice to go to sleep thinking about the positives instead of only dwelling about the negatives. I plan to continue this daily (okay, not always daily) practice.

I've started the Couch to 5K running program. (Pick yourselves up off the floor if you fallen over at the shock of what you've just read.) I was thinking about starting the program for a while and when my mom was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in April 2012 running was the stress relief I needed. With the heat we've had lately and my inability to get out of bed early in the morning, I have fallen behind. But I ran over a mile today and the last time I could say that was in 2005 when I ran the Mini-Marathon. I have a love/hate relationship with running. I don't always like it while I'm doing it but I love how I feel afterwards. (One of the things I am grateful for are my strong legs and lungs that are getting stronger with each run.)

Source: someecards.com via Abby on Pinterest

I enjoy writing and I'm learning to see myself as a writer. Writers write and I write, therefore I am a writer. If you aren't following Beyond The Defaults, the technology blog for the average user I write with my friend Sam Bridegroom, then you can sign up for free email alerts and follow us on Facebook or Twitter as a birthday present to me. If you like what you read, share it with others who might benefit from it.

I have an amazing husband and stepson who make me feel the luckiest woman alive. I have good parents, a great sister, and I hit the in-law lottery with my in-laws (they spoil me rotten and I love every minute of it!). My friends are the perfect blend of smart, sassy, funny, and fiercely loyal. As I get older, the friendships and relationships get better with time.

With age comes certainty. I'm more certain of who I am and what I believe in. I'm 100% positive I made the right choice when I decided to spend the rest of my life with Matt. I know that I am a positive influence in Daulton's life and while we don't share DNA, I love him like he is my own and he knows that. I feel comfortable in my own skin and speaking my mind. I like who I am which is a gift no one can give me but me.