Quarter Century Golden Birthday!

Yes folks, you heard right. Today I'm 25 on the 25th. It's my GOLDEN BIRTHDAY! Not only is it my golden birthday but I'm also turning a quarter century old. (Whoa!) I've always been kind of a downer on my birthday...I don't know if its unmet expectations, or loneliness or worry over my age but for whatever reason I always get a little melancholy. BUT NOT THIS YEAR! This day is too epic to get the blues. So to really drive this home I've compiled a list that is a representation of the good things I've accumulated in my 25 years. On it you will find reasons I am happy, things that make me happy and things that I am grateful for.

So without further ado and in no particular order...

1. My Family (you know who you are.)

2. Friends. Seriously, I've always had really great friends. You guys mean a lot to me and have helped shape the person that I am.

3. A job. I hate you but I'm glad I have you. I'd be very sad, and poor(er), without you.

4. The fifth of the condo I occupy. You're nice. I'm positive I couldn't get better for the price I'm paying.

5. Cable television. Sad but true.(although I know I'd be more grateful for satellite)

6. The restored gospel. If this list was in order this would be at the top. Nothing in my life is more responsible for my health, happiness, sanity, peace etc. It is everything to me. (am I a totally terrible person that I listed this AFTER cable tv? I said it was in no particular order...)

7. Frozen yogurt. Really, you are all I need..

8. Muddy Buddies. If I can't have fro yo, I'll take you.

9. My Subaru. You ride smooth, you go fast, you get good gas mileage, and you look like a sporty, grown-up lady car.

10. hot showers

11. red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. Only for special times.

12. to know what I'm worth and what I deserve (this I am continually learning is a rare thing. Thus making it very valuable.)

13. Peonies. They remind me of spring time, my birthday, and my Grandpa Don.

14. I'm grateful that I'm debt free. I don't think I even realize how great a blessing this is.

15. My dad, although I've been a reluctant learner and at times have doubted your credibility because you say damn and drink beer you've taught me so many practical things.

16. My mom, nobody in my life delivers a quicker dose of reality than you. Nobody loves me fiercer than you (like Tyra).

17. Sturdy bras ("it may be where God put them, but its not where he want them")

18. I'm grateful for Sarah telling me she loves me every time we get off the phone.

19. I'm grateful for Michael choosing to serve a mission.

20. Skin that tans well.

21. My skills in the kitchen that are growing and growing. I really find so much joy in taking beautiful wholesome raw materials and creating something that is so good and so good for you.

22. I'm grateful for the endurance to keep trying after I keep getting my nose pushed in the dirt by boys (men?) who won't give me a chance. I don't know how or why I'm able to brush it off but I'm so grateful I can.

23. Scrabble. Even though the only person that plays with me beats me every time. Its worth losing to still play with him.

24. My education. To some degree I am the sum of all the things I've learned.

25. To be 25. I'm so grateful to be young, single (yes, you heard me right) and to have the world at my feet. To go and do whatever I want, whenever I want with my past behind me, my future in front of me and enjoying the present as often as I can.