Sweet Stuff

I want to wish my niece a very happy 21st birthday! It's so hard to believe that 21 years ago tonight I was holding her for the first time and whispering to my sister, "you made this"! That was the first of many times I would watch her in amazement as she grew into the wonderful young woman she is today. I know everyone was hoping she would wait just a couple of more hours so she would be the most perfect Valentine's Baby, but she was destined to be a Thirteen Baby and I'm so happy she is a part of that club!

By far, the most rewarding and fun thing in my life is being an auntie. I've been blessed with 12 of the most awesome kids (many of them not really kids anymore) in the universe. 

I don't want to embarrass her by telling all the cute and funny stories from the past 21 years so instead I will post a few of my favorite pictures of her from over the years. 

[I love you, Emmalia! Happy birthday!]

I hope your day was as wonderful and awesome as you are!

Giving Thanks

Most of my friends have been participating in 30 Days of Thanks by posting something each day for which they are thankful. I guess I'm not that dedicated because I always resort to one blog the week of Thanksgiving, or ON Thanksgiving, as is the case this year.


I have so many things for which I am thankful, I know I would never be able to remember and list them all, but this is my best effort to cover the highlights.


- I am thankful 2011 was better than 2010. I expect 2012 to follow the same pattern.
- I am thankful for a job I enjoy more than I ever could have imagined.
- I am thankful I am still able to live life simply.
- I am thankful for unconditional love.
- I am thankful for music which touches my soul and for the artists who create such beauty and choose to share it with the world.
- I am thankful for libraries and books which always transport me.
- I am thankful for my siblings and their love for me.
- I am thankful I have been allowed to be an auntie to the BEST nieces and nephews in the universe!
- I am thankful for my friends; old and new.
- I am thankful for the boring which balances out the crazy in my life.
- I am thankful for my seemingly eternal optimism.
- I am thankful for my sweet dog, Hildy Mae.
- I am thankful for tolerance which has been given and received.
- I am thankful for having options.

- I am thankful for YOU!