Happy Birthday to ME!!

Today is my birthday!

I know I'm not 2, but I LOVE this cake that my friend Rachel made!

When my kids have a birthday I like to write a mushy post and tell them how much I love them and how proud I am of them.  I was reading someone else's birthday post - they were having the birthday blahs and I thought to myself, "Self, why don't you write something to yourself, about what you like about you!"  Weird, thought I, but why not...it might be interesting.  So today I am attempting to write about why I love myself and am proud to be who I am...

Deep breath, this is harder than it looks!

It would be the easiest thing in the world to complain and whine about all the things I don't like!  But when it comes right down to it...I think I like being me, and here are 44 reasons why I love to be myself, one for every year that has passed.

1.  I was blessed from the beginning with a set of parents who love me and love God and have sought the best for me my whole life...they even moved close by to help us out with out RAD son!
2.  I have some great sibs who are very different from me but I love them.
3.  I know how to pack!  Seriously, I've moved a ridiculous amount of times and I am GOOD at it.
4.  While I am no brainiac, I'm pretty smart and don't need to worry about my intelligence levels.
5.  I'm blonde (my hair that is, not my brains).
6.  I know how to work hard...thank you Mennonite heritage!
7.  I love that I'm a Menno, even though I can't speak German, being a Mennonite is a rich part of my heritage.
8.  I can cook (cause Mennonite girls CAN cook) even though it's not my fave thing to do.
9.  Lots of people say they don't have a creative bone in their body.. (totally not true, but I won't go into that right now)  My whole skeleton is made up of creative bones!!
10.  I love to sew...and I'm good at it.
11.  I like to design quilts and I'm good at that, too!
12.  I like to design and make purses.
13.  I'm a good writer.
14.  I love, love, love to teach...and I've been told I'm a good teacher, which is why I love to homeschool!
15.  We have produced 6 amazing children - they are part of who I am and I like them!
16.  While my house may not be clean and organized to the naked eye, I AM a good organizer.
17.  I can clean really fast if I need, too.
18.  I make the best chocolate cake in the world..REALLY, I do (don't ask me to make a pie, though :)
19.  I'm funny.
20.  I have great legs (that's from my husband)
21. I know how to have a good laugh.
22.  I can still learn new things...
23.  I play piano
24.  I play flute (not so much anymore, but it's still part of my repetoire)
25.  I sing!
26  I'm an introvert...yes I like that about myself, most days.
27. I am a really good actress.
28.  I like my hair.
29.  I love to laugh
30.  I'm pretty dependable.
31.  I'm way too responsible
32.  I remember details and I like that I can!
33.  I can type pretty fast.
34.  I make excellent bread.
35.  I am a ministry minded person and I like that about me, too.
36.  I love it that I am married to a pastor.
37.  I can be spontaneous and that is a lot of fun.
38.  I love to read and get totally caught up in whatever book I'm reading.
39.  I can find a 'flower' in most situations.
40.  I am learning to be a much more thankful person.
41.  I'm a great driver and I love to drive!
42.  I'm friends with some really great people.
43.  I'm married to the best guy on earth...still find it hard to believe he picked me.
44.  I'm the daughter of the king and that really is the best part of me!

There it is, a list of 44 things that I like about myself.  I truly would not want to be anyone else even though there are some things about me I'd like to change.  I haven't thought through any goals I might have for this next year but perhaps I'll post them if I come up with some.  I really am enjoying (for the most part) the place I am in in my life.  My kids are getting older and more self-sufficient.  I can enjoy a day out with my youngest (she's 6) without any diaper bags and all that stuff.  I enjoy excellent conversations with my older kids regularly.  Yup, life is good and tonite my husband is leaving the farm behind and taking me out to dinner and a concert...looking forward to seeing Leland live!!

Happy Birthday to me!
and a gift for you...

I decided after I posted this to do a give-away!  I'd like to give one of you something on my birthday, not sure what it will be yet but that's okay, it should be a surprise right!! So, to enter the give-away, comment and tell me something you love about yourself!! 
I'll leave it open for the weekend...

Blessings, have a wonderful day!!