32 life lessons

In honor of my 32nd birthday...here are 32 life lessons that I have learned:

1. Get over it... not everything is worth fighting over. Choose your battles carefully. Stressing over little things that aren't worth it only takes up time and energy in your life that are better spent on happier things.
2. Stand up and be heard... some things ARE worth fighting for! Never give up on those things you believe most in.
3. A child is God's way of trying to show us just how much He loves us; how much He sacrificed for us when he gave his only son.
4. Having a daughter that is a total Daddy's girl is paybacks for being a total Daddy's girl.
5. Choosing to make no decision is still making a decision to have others decide for you.
6. Only you have control over you and your actions. No one else controls you or can make your choices for you.
7. Traveling is the best way to learn/teach tolerance of others. The further from "home" the better!
8. Guardian angles DO exist... but that doesn't mean you have to take unnecessary risks. Help them out a little, their job is hard enough as it is!
9. No matter how big a mistake, family is still family. Love the person, hate the choices that have been made...but always love the person.
10. ALWAYS pack more in the diaper/race/overnight bag than you think you will ever need.
11. A good book and a bubble bath is the best way to relax after a long day.
12. Having blessings in your life is the biggest blessing of all.
13. Family is important, but sometimes having friends that are like family is even more important.
14. Always have a camera handy!
15. He who dies with the most stuff...is still dead. It isn't as important to leave 'things' behind for those you love, but instead leave memories behind that they will fondly remember and characteristics they will aspire to live up to. Kindness. Generosity. Love. Integrity.
16. Practice what you preach. "Do as I say, not as I do" just doesn't cut it. Be the example for others to live by.
17. The laundry will be there tomorrow, but you will never get this moment with your child back.
18. It's never to late to go back to church.
19. Laugh as often as you can...even if no one else is laughing with you!
20. Never lie to the doctor.
21. Tell your grandmother you love her every day.
22. Never let them see you get upset. Don't let them know where your buttons are!
23. Everyone has a strength, even if it is hard to find - Genghis Khan was an incredible horseman and Hitler was a great speaker.
24. Everyone also has weaknesses. Einstein failed 3rd grade math. No one is perfect no matter how much they may pretend to be.
25. Hit the save button often.
26. Experience is the best way to learn.
27. Learn to laugh at yourself.
28. Sounds are always louder when you are by yourself in the dark.
29. Finishing a marathong (or something you never thought you could) is an increadible rush.
30. Never pass up the chance to watch The Princess Bride (or your favorite movie).
31. Helping others is the greatest gift you could ever give to yourself.
32. 32 is not nearly as old as I used to think it was!

Happy Thanksgiving

First and foremost, I am so very thankful that I have so much to be thankful for this year!!

• I am thankful for my beautiful daughter. :)
• I am thankful for my wonderful husband who is helping me to raise our beautiful daughter (and who realizes that I need some out-of-the-house-me-time once in a while!). I am thankful that he is home for the holidays again this year and not deployed to some far-away country.
• I am thankful that my husband was able to keep his job when so many of his co-workers were being laid off a few weeks before our daughter was born.
• I am thankful that we are financially able for me to take a little while extra off work to take care of my daughter even though it means about a month without pay.
• I am thankful that all of my family is healthy this holiday season. No one is on chemo or radiation.
• I am thankful that I have amazing friends who help to pick me up when I'm sad/frustrated/overwhelmed.
• I am thankful that my doctor finally cleared me to run again!!! :)
• I am thankful for the great news that my cousins were able to adopt a second child and that a co-worker of mine is also approved to adopt a daughter. Both are very wanted children and will be blessed to have such awesome parents.
• I am thankful for a church family where I feel comfortable and like I have been there my whole life, even though it's been less than half a year that I've been going.
• I am thankful to have a nice home and comfortable furnishings.

Last year's list