Today I turn 33...
I've been married for nearly 10 years. Tom still makes me laugh, I still think he's funny, smart, talented and just downright wonderful. And he is my biggest encourager and my best friend.
I'm the mother of four amazing children. I've given birth four times. I've been either pregnant or nursing for 8 consecutive years.
I'm currently in what has probably been my hardest year as a mother. It's been physically and emotionally challenging. But it's making me a stronger, wiser woman.
My hair has gone from curly to wavy, thanks to the aforementioned pregnancies. I miss the curls. I'm 15 pounds lighter than I ever remember being, thanks to the aforementioned nursing. I don't miss those pounds.
I've discovered that I love to garden. I'm hoping that in the future I'll have more space and time for growing food. It's incredible to be a part of that process.
I wish I had the time/energy for more creative pursuits - especially sewing. But I just don't right now.
I spend most of my days taking care of the kids, cooking and cleaning. I actually do like to cook, but these days it feels more like a chore. I actually don't like to clean. At all. So sometimes my house is kind of gross.
I'm homeschooling my children, and still trying to figure out exactly what that should look like. But I'm thankful to spend my days with them.
For my birthday, I hope I get some new yoga pants because my two pairs both have holes in them. I bet I also get a vegetable peeler. And I'm planning to buy a nursing necklace so that Naomi won't get into the habit of pulling my hair.
I'm humbled by God's grace extended to me. I see it in the eyes of my children, in the plants that emerge from my garden each spring, in the kindness of friends, in the blessing of family.
Speaking of family, my sister and her crew stayed with us this weekend, so my birthday breakfast this morning was really a party. When there are 8 kids in the house, it's always a party. Blessed indeed.
