Why I am happy turing 33 rather than 23! :)

Well folks, the day is here. Yes it is my birthday! :) I have been 33 for about 2 1/2 hours now. My mom was in labor for 24+ hours and I like to think I was worth it! :)

Anyhow I decided for the big 33 I would make a list why I am happy being 33, rather than 23. Random I know, but just go with it, after all, ITS MY BIRTHDAY! :) Which should be a national holiday however, nothing REALLY cool happened today, it was 99 years yesterday that the titanic sank.....that's cool, but today this is what happened in history: What happened on April 16 I am not 100% impressed by everything listed. Here is who I share my birthday with: Famous April 16 Birthdays. So anyhow, I also found that today is: National Stress Awareness Day and National Egg Benedict Day. Well that's all great, because I can sometimes be stressed (even on my birthday) so I am happy to be aware of it today. But the eggs day.....hmmmm... I don't eat eggs, unless they come in the form of cookies or cakes so I will not be celebrating Egg Benedict Day! :) Anyhow whatever happened or happens today, I will continue to enjoy it! :)

I decided on a list (I know you are shocked!) of 11 reasons why I am happy to be 33 and not 23! :) ENJOY!

1. GRAY HAIR. Now I do not usually celebrate this, NOT at all. However today I was looking at myself and realizing that my gray hair isn't caused from stress (although it could have been!) but it is genetic. I come from a long line of beautiful gray haired people, I am embracing it this year! :)

2. ID. I am happy that I am 33 and am not getting carded. Not that I am buying anything to get carded for, besides cold medicine, but its still nice to know, I look old enough to purchase whatever I want. :)

3. 10 YEARS. Now 10 years ago I was turning 23 (yes, I am good at math!) and I was not up at this hour 10 years ago, unless it was still from the night before. I look at all that has gone on in the past 10 years and anyone who celebrated my 23rd with me knows it was a big day. You see my mom only lived to be 23, so making it to that age was huge for me. Here I am 10 years later and proud of where I have come from.

4. JOB. Well 33 years in the making, I am finally at my dream job. As a little girl I always said I wanted to be a teacher or a mom. Well I have done both and now I am doing what I was meant to do, be a mom. I love staying home with Kynlee, however we don't stay home much, we are busy! :) I have had some wonderful jobs in my day, but this is the best one yet! :)

5. FAMILY. well 10 years ago I wasn't nearly this close to my family. Not at all. I knew I loved them and they loved me, but we are a lot closer now. Unfortunately we had to go through some tough times to get there, but here we are.

6. KNOWLEDGE. You know 10 years ago most of you probably never thought I would ever graduate from college, trust me I was concerned also! :) LOL! But I look at the knowledge gained not from college but from life in 10 years. Kids don't interpret this as a "don't go to college speech" because that is not what it is......however, I have gained great knowledge from life also.

7. HEARTBREAK. 10 years ago I didn't really know what "real" heartbreak was, I am talking about love here, not just heartbreak in life. Over the past 10 years I have had my heart chewed up and spit out a  couple times. I am happy to be out of the dating ring, that place is vicious! :) However as I reflect back on some of them (I got to last weekend with Leslie-thanks hun!) I know I would not be as thankful for what I have today with out that past! :)

8. UNANSWERED PRAYERS. I look back over 10 years and am thinking of some of my "dreams" that I prayed would come true and I realized that I am sooooooooooo thankful for those unanswered prayers. So this morning I am breaking out into song with a little Garth Brooks number, (sing along I know you know the words!) "Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers......"

9. DRIVING. One thing is for sure, I have become a better driver in 10 years. I mean I recall times of painting my toe nails, putting in my contacts and my famous putting on my makeup ALL while driving. Yes I was a road hazard. 10 years has changed a lot, I keep mirrors ON cars, I don't do crazy things while driving, and I drive safe. After all its not usually just me, I have Kynlee too! :)

10. HEALTHIER. Its crazy how much healthier I am now than I was at 23. I am not just healthier physically but also mentally. I am better at eating foods that are good for me (pretend I didn't eat some dirt cake for breakfast today---give me a break, its my birthday!) I also know that a little physical activity each day does a body good. :) And as far as mentally I have mentioned before about seeing my crazy doctor, she keeps me grounded. Its one of the BEST decisions I ever made.

11. HAPPIER. This probably has a lot to do with #10, but I know I am a happier person. I look at all that has happened in the last 10 years.....I have lost some WONDERFUL people in my life, however I know each death lead to building character. However I feel I have enough character for a lifetime now! :) I have also made some amazing friends who have stood by me in my darkest moments. I should mention some of those amazing friends where there prior to 10 years ago too! :) Anyhow, if I have learned one things, its life is to short not to be HAPPY! :)

Okay that is my 11 for today, the start of the 33rd year of my life. Now for the next two weeks Kameron will call me a cougar because I am 2 weeks older than him. Its fine, I can handle it.

I should put a disclaimer in here that 23 was a wonderful year, but I am happy and PROUD to be here at 33! :) And its funny how life doesn't turn out the way you "planned" it. Which is a good thing, my life is way better than I ever dreamed it could be! :)

Have a wonderful Saturday, thanks for the love.

Cassie :)