At 38 years old....

At 38 years old....

....I have: 3 kids ages 10, 8 and 4.

....I work: stay at home full-time.

....My home: 2-story, nice yard, in Waukee.

....My car: a 2007 Tahoe bought used with almost 110,000 miles on it. I am in my car more than I am in my home.

....My close friends are: my sisters, sister in laws, cousins, and Georgia, Leslie, Amber, and Joe's cousins Julie and Lisa.

....Time: I spend a lot of time doing laundry and picking up the house. Over and over and over and over.

....I stress about: our parents' and grandparents' health; youth sports; raising good kids; making good financial decisions; eating healthy and exercising enough; finding time to "do it all"; being a good wife; priorities; understanding technology.

...I miss: my grandpa; nights when we have nothing going on; spontaneous date nights; laying on the couch watching mindless tv; being able to eat whatever I wanted to and not gaining a pound; healthy grandparents

...I read: anything! I rarely meet a book I don't like -- I like mysteries, mom books, Christian books, spiritual books; sad books; happy books; financial books; business books; leadership books....

....If I had all the money in the world - I would buy more books and build a huge gym. And buy lots of fancy cheeses.

...I'm good at: decorating, organizing, scheduling things, reading, editing, laughing, remembering things.

...I'm bad at: staying up past 9:30 p.m.; eating just one basket of chips at Mexican restaurants; taking risks; baking; driving with directions and not landmarks; being patient; technology.

...I wish: I had a hobby. Like playing the piano, running, singing, knitting, sewing, painting....anything, quite honestly.

....What I know about God: He loves me and His grace is a very real thing. That is all I know for sure, but I feel good I know that.

....I like to eat: Mike and Ikes, cheese, mexican, white cake made by a real bakery, cheese, bread, dips, and cheese.

....What I never knew about parenting: that any one task could be so exhausting yet so fulfilling. I don't think there's anything else in this world that I could say could be both things at the same time (well, possibly like finishing an IronMan or something....but I'm not into that).

...I relax by...reading, watching Young and the Restless, cooking, walking.

So, when my kids read this at 38 years old, we will see how alike (or how different we are). At 38 years old, I would call life "a good busy" or " a good kind of hard" or "a good tired."  I often marvel at the fact that I have three healthy kids- who are smart and talented and kind - and who can run and play and reason and laugh.  I continue to be amazed at this -- and honestly, I never take it for granted. There are so many times when I watch the boys play basketball that I silently thank God for giving me kids who can run up and down a court! What some boys wouldn't give to be able to do just that! If I am nothing else to God, I am a grateful servant.

Here's to many more good years.....happy birthday to 38 year old me.