My last 30 years

Yesterday I turned 31!!! WOW where did the years go? Obviously I can't remember all of the great things (or even the bad things) that have happened in the last 30 but I can remember a few things and realize my blessings far more this year than I ever have in years passed.

In the last 5 years, I've lost friends, lost love, lost family, gained love, gained family...I guess really I'm no different than anyone else in the world.

I lost my Dad after a battle with Cancer, I'm still thankful how quickly he passed. I know it sounds weird but he was always the big tough man, and I'm glad for the mercy of a quick battle with Cancer for him. For me, I'd still be taking care of him just to have one more hug or one more talk. I wish still with a deep heart that he could meet my husband and know that I will be taken care of b/c of him For him to see his namesake Aubrey, and see the light in his eyes when she laughed at him.

I met my husband and joined the Air Force where our love bloomed. He wrote me letters literally everyday and without that intimate communication and being forced to communicate to keep our relationship alive I'm not sure we would be as close as we are. Since, I hurt my knee, got honorably discharged from the military and came home and got engaged. Now we've been married almost 2 1/2 years and have a baby!! WOW! For those of you that have known me for more than 5 years probably still are in shock that I'm married with a family. As my cousin, Jenny Stout said "I'll believe you are getting married when I see it happen". Well its happened and I get be more thankful....most days!! HAHAH (love you Honey!)

This last year has been the most rewarding, most trying time I've ever experienced. My 30th year brought me motherhood and showed me just a little glimpse of the love that God has for me by me feeling the love for Aubrey. We've experienced circumstances in our family in the last year or so that ripped at our livelihood and at our hearts and at our relationships. But looking back....we've made it through yet another year intact and still extremely happy and blessed. Our children (all 3) are healthy, loved and very much well rounded. Our marriage is full of love and even though just like other marriages we experience challenges its still completely fulfilling and I can't be more thankful that I get to share my life with Patrick. I can't imagine raising our children without him or doing it alone. You're still my best friend honey, thank you for being the one that I want to turn to regardless of what it is.

Yesterday was probably harder for me than my 30th. Maybe b/c I had a newborn then. I'm now the age my Mom was when she had me! I got to have lunch with my friend/coworker (who regardless of the situation tells me what I need to hear and I love that) Julie Moore and then I had dinner with my husband, Aubrey and my Mom last night at home with a carrot cake Patrick made. Can I just say it was a great day/night? I got wished by over 170 FB friends Happy Birthday (must be popular huh lol).

Last night as I held my child and rocked her to sleep, I've never felt more content and more happy. I'm right where I'm supposed to be. I searched for so many years as an adult for where I was supposed to be and this is it. One more thing, last night my mom brought me a dozen white roses...the card read "for the daughter that already has everything". I chuckled and said "not hardly". But really as I thought about it...don't I have it all? I have everything I need....plus some.

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