Bittersweet....

My 35th birthday is tomorrow. I really can't believe that I am already 35 years old. Where did the last 10 years of my life go? I love celebrating my birthday...I really do. But, my birthdays are a little bittersweet. The two people that gave me life and created me and the two people who really should be honored are no longer on this earth. It makes me a little sad to think about that and to think how much I miss them and how much I wish that on my birthday I could just hug them. If only. I know that someday I will. But, I remember, a few years back, reflecting on this exact thing, that my birthday could be a really sad day. Not only am I getting closer to menopause, but the ones that I love most are not here. But, then the thought came to me that even though, my parents aren't here, I have been extremely blessed by so many that I love dearly. I really have. I can't even say how lucky I feel to have such great people in my life that let me know I am loved and that I matter. It really means so much.

One of my past posts, I mentioned wanting to open my mailbox and have tons of cards come fluttering out. I got that. One of my best friends sent me about 5 cards. I opened each one up and I laughed at them and then I cried. I am blessed. How can I complain when I have friends and family like this? God truly has been good to me in this department. And, all I can do is say THANKS! I hope it's enough.

p.s one of my students gave me a card and an earring/necklace set. It was probably one of the cutest things ever.

I am participating in the Walk Now for Autism walk on May 1, 2010. My cute niece and two of my nephews have also decided to join. We will be walking on the team, "I like Ike!"

If you are interested in donating to this fantastic cause, please contact me or go directly to the blog highfiveforike.blogspot.com and you can donate that way.

I love Ike and all the other kids with Autism that I have had the privilege of either teaching or just being around. They have certainly changed my life and I would love to help change theirs.

Member when I was out on the playground with my students and one of them decided to pull down his pants, yank off his pull up, and then run around laughing like a crazy person? And member when he ran out of the playground and I chased after him and right before I got to him, he tripped in front of a big window where another class was working and it looked like I pushed him down, but didn't really?

Member that? Yep, it was that kind of a day.

Handsome?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyGJXLxtVEo

I found this little gem on someone else's blog. It made me laugh, so I had to share!

enjoy

With my wonderful birthday just around the corner, I thought that I would throw out some ideas of what I would be super duper excited to receive on my day of birth

1. a food processor. Does this sound like an odd gift? Well....I do love to do some cooking and I think this would make chopping thigs a little bit faster, neater, and let's face it, a lot more fun..funner!

2. Veronica Mars or My So-Called Life on DVD

3. Dwayne Johnson

4. A kiss

5. breakfast in bed

6. "Forgiveness" by Greg Olsen. It's a gorgeous picture

7. a big piece of cake

8. Jennifer Aniston's body

9. A day where I only laugh and enjoy the moments with friends and loved ones.

10. opening up the mailbox to have tons of bday cards spilling out.

5 years ago.....

I was given this....




3 days later I gave it back.




Today I have this.....

It wasn't because the guy who gave it to me was horrible, it was just not right. We both agreed to that. I hope that he is doing well. I still anxiously look forward to that day when not only will a ring be on my finger, but a wonderful man will be at my side. Until then....I am enjoying my life and finding true joy in the journey! (is it me or do my hands look horrible?)

I finally did it!

I have been thinking about joining Weight Watchers for some time now and I finally did it! Hooray!! Now, I can lose the 20+ lbs. that have crept up and taken residence on my behind and thighs.

And........right after I signed up I went to Olympus Burger and got a mushroom swiss burger (total yum!), but my uterus was screaming for it! Seriously.