I recently celebrated my 40th birthday.  40 YEARS…I mean, WHY does that feel and sounds so old?

40 years is

A LOT of days

A lot of smiles

A lot of blessings

and A LOT of things to be thankful for! 

So I decided to make a list of 40 things I’m thankful for in no particular order. Maybe it will make you smile as much as so many people have made me smile during my 40 years!

Without further ado, my 40 things I’m thankful for on my 40th birthday!

1. God.  Without Him… well, none of the rest of this would be a thing anyway, right? ❤️ But I must say, He has blessed me more than I deserve and loved me through the good, the bad, and the ugly! He has given me strength when I was weak, hope when things felt hopeless, peace when my little world felt shaken.  He has been a constant in my life and I am so thankful for the love He showers on me every single day. I look forward to the day I will get to see Him face to face! 
2. Sunrises.  They just leave me in awe!  Especially the ones on the beach! It’s just an amazing masterpiece that God performs EVERY SINGLE DAY without fail and yet it’s so often overlooked. 
4. My parents.  They have loved me unconditionally, stuck with me through the hard times, been my biggest cheerleaders, walked beside me through my entire life and taught me to love, value and appreciate others. I also must say it’s really fun to watch them be grandparents. 
5. Growing up on a farm. Even though I wanted to live in the “city” with neighbors that could come over and play, I wouldn’t trade those days of playing by myself in the creek and singing “The Hills are Alive” while running through the field (yes, I actually did that! 😂) for anything. It’s a life I now realize was a total privilege! 
6. Teachers who believed in me.  One of the first ones that comes to mind is Mr. Sircy, my high school biology teacher.  He was a good one! He had a way of making everyone feel like they were special to him, and was somehow able to motivate people to work harder and do better than they even thought they could do. He’s not alone though.  There were many teachers over the years who taught me way more lessons than what I learned from the textbook.  
7. My grandparents.  I realize that there are so many people who were never able to know their grandparents, but I was blessed with 3 sets for a majority of my life.  2 biological and 1 that adopted our family!  I’m thankful for the memories I have of the ones who are gone and I’m thankful that I still have two in relatively good health. I’m thankful we were able to see them after a REALLY long time this past weekend! It was good for the soul!
8. High school friends. Yep, the Fab 5.  We were best friends from early elementary throughout high school.  We were “sisters” and I’m so thankful for all the memories we shared throughout the years. I’m thankful for the many slumber parties, late nights talking on the phone, riding around town together, and even after all these years, knowing without a shadow of doubt that if I ever needed them, they would be here in an instant.  
9. Giggles. I mean, ALL kinds of giggles… the chuckles, the ‘he he’’s, and the belly laughs, but I’m especially thankful for the ones that make you hold your side (and sometimes change your pants)… ahhh… those are just the best! I’m thankful for the sound of little kids giggling, even the giggles that let me know that things are about to get out of control with my own girls! And I am thankful for those people who make you laugh and just make the world lighter and happier by being in it! Yep, laughing is just the best!
10. Family -Immediate and extended! I’m thankful for the unconditional love that my family exhibits. I’m thankful for my brother and for my cousins who grew up with me and were my first best friends!  I know in my heart of hearts that there is nothing that would make my family stop loving me and I hope and pray that I am able to show that same love to others! 
11. Friends who become family! They say it takes a village, well my parents had a great one when I was growing up!  I never doubted that I was loved. They weren’t blood relatives but they were family just the same!  I’m thankful for the friends we have now who love us and our girls!  They have become our village!  They may not be blood relatives but they are family just the same!
12. College friends– Those were some very fun years!  That was when we first started learning about who we REALLY are and were pushed outside of our comfort zones of home.  I’m thankful for the memories of singing Janis Joplin and the Dixie Chicks to the top of our lungs, McCormick Hall then moving to Stonehenge, the farm, life before cell phones and social media, the ID center, dental hygiene school, dancing to “Dixieland Delight” and then “Get Low.” I’m especially thankful for those who made memories with me along the way! 
13. Past jobs.  I’m thankful for all the people I’ve had the privilege to work with and for over the years and for the opportunities I was given. I have no regrets!  I absolutely love what I do now and am thankful to do something else but I’m so thankful for the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met and grown to love through those jobs!
14. John.  I’m thankful that even on my worst days, even when he may not like me, he loves me. I’m thankful that he works hard for our family and still doesn’t hesitate to help out around the house. I’m thankful for the good times and am learning to be thankful for the bad. I never knew that the two things I wanted more than anything else in life (marriage and motherhood) would be two of the hardest things to do really well. I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to experience both though and am thankful for our life! ❤️ 
15. Living in Tennessee. I really do think Tennessee is the best place in the world. I love the seasons (even when we get all 4 seasons in 1 day)! I love the beautiful scenery it offers, but more than anything I love the people!  Tennesseans are just different than a lot of other places and I’m thankful for the southern hospitality and kindness!
16. Grace!  Man, oh, man!  I no doubt I am the LUCKIEST step mom in the whole world! This girl is amazing in so many ways and I’m so thankful that I have gotten to be a part of her life! She has a heart of gold and is beautiful inside and out!  I’m thankful for the lessons she has taught me about love and selflessness and for her being the person that she is!  
17. The beach– What is it about the ocean that creates such awe in my heart? To know that God created that… the view of water as far as the eye can see, to watch the movement and hear the sounds of the waves. I can’t explain it but it still leaves me in awe and I’m just thankful for every chance I get to see that!
18. Bella Kate! The first person to ever call me mommy! I’m so thankful for the opportunity to get to hold that title. I’m thankful for the year that we had together just the two of us. Even though it was hard, I’m so thankful she was with me. I’m thankful for her crooked smile and HUGE heart. I’m thankful for the lessons she teaches me on a daily basis, and for the love and concern she shows for others.  I’m thankful that I get to hear her sing and make up songs, even when sometimes I am wanting it to just be quiet! She is my mini-me in SO many ways and I’m thankful for everyday I get to watch her grow up and become who she is meant to be!
19. Great neighbors!  We have been blessed with some really great neighbors over the years.  When John was deployed I’m not sure what I would have done without our next door neighbors and now we are blessed with more amazing neighbors who watch out for our girls and care for our family. I’m so thankful for just knowing that they are there!
20. Carly! I’m so thankful for her big hugs and cuddly nature, for the ways she makes me laugh without ever really meaning to, for her facial expressions and sense of humor, for her confidence and strong will (even when that strong will pushes my buttons!) I’m thankful for the way she snuggles up even when she’s still asleep just so she can get a little bit closer to me. I’m thankful that I get to have the experience of being a mom to all of my girls!
21. People who remember birthdays! Sometimes I totally forget the value of a simple “happy birthday” message!  Nothing fancy, nothing earth shattering… but it feels so good to be remembered! Every single year I tell myself I will do better about this…. maybe this year will be the year! 😉 
22. Norwex.  Y’all, who knew that a direct sales company would come along and completely change the entire trajectory of my life? Who knew that I would meet some of the best friends I’ve ever had through that very company? I’m just so so thankful!  I’m thankful for the guidance, the leadership, the growth both with my business and personally and for getting to experience something I never dreamed I would get to experience! I’m thankful for the generosity of Norwex as a company and for the generosity of it’s leaders who simply want to see you succeed! I don’t know if this is the road I’ll be on forever but I’ve learned so many valuable things through this experience and will forever be grateful!
23. My chiropractor!  I mean, not everyone gets to get an adjustment and personal development/life coaching in the same appointment, but I do! ❤️ I’m thankful for Dr. Matt and his entire staff! They are truly amazing! 
24. My mother in law.  I’m thankful that my girls get to have her as a Gran, for the trips she has been able to take over the years, for the ways she teaches me about generosity, and for all the ways she has loved our family.  
25. Detours! Both figuratively and physically.  Today, on my way home from the chiropractor, I was lost in thought (actually I was thinking about all the things I’m thankful for) and totally got lost…  Seriously, I thought I was on one road but out of habit went another way and couldn’t find the exit that I was expecting.… So maybe I should be concerned, but I actually got to see some very beautiful farmland on some roads I have never taken before.  Sometimes my life detours have given me that same experience… beautiful scenery and some experiences I would never have experienced otherwise! 
26. Audiobooks and podcasts.  What can I say? I love them!  
27. Yoga! It’s very much my workout of choice!  Followed closely by Zumba! It all depends on my mood!
28. Family vacations.  There is just something about being able to get away from home and day-to-day life for a bit that makes you appreciate your home and day-to-day life more.  Not exactly sure how that works but it’s pretty amazing. I am thankful for the trips we have been able to take recently with some really amazing friends and for the trips we have taken with just our family! I’m thankful for the experiences and memories made!
29. My tribe. You know who you are! I don’t know what I would do without them! They are the people who truly “get” me! They know my story!  They know my past and present, but most importantly they know my heart! 
30. My children’s school– never in a million years did I EVER think we would send our girls to a private school but I am so very thankful that God led us to this one! I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing the teachers, staff, volunteers, and students have been to Bella Kate! I’m especially thankful for her teacher and for her loving Bella Kate. I’m thankful for the Bible lessons and life lessons they are given on a daily basis. It’s just a whole new world and I’m thankful we have had the opportunity to go there!
31. My church family.  I’m thankful for the church family we have now but also the church families I’ve had throughout the years!  I’ve been welcomed and loved in each one and am thankful for the many hours of instruction and learning that each one had to offer! 
32. The gift of stories!  I love stories! I’m so thankful for each person who has shared their personal stories with me throughout the years.  I’m thankful for the ones who have taken the time to listen to mine as well. Some of those stories were funny, some inspirational, and some were absolutely heartbreaking, but I truly believe that stories are special and something I don’t take for granted! 
33. Experiences– along the same line as stories… I’m thankful for personal experiences.  The good ones AND the bad ones.  They have helped to mold me into who I am today.  Every wisdom has it’s price. I’m just thankful I have been able to have as many experiences as I have had over the last 40 years of life! 
34. Energy.  Somedays this feels like it’s in lower or higher supply than others, but I’m thankful for the days when I am full of energy and ready to conquer the world!
35. Which leads me to …. (caffeine) ahem I mean, Coffee shop work days!  I’m so thankful for the flexibility I never thought I would have to work wherever I want to work. Today, it was at the coffee shop. I enjoyed my chocolate banana muffin and caramel macchiato birthday gift to myself very much! (I also enjoyed my own company!)
36. People who cheer me on in life!  Actually, I’m thankful for people who cheer others on in general!  This world has enough critics!  I am thankful for the ones who are genuinely happy for other people and want to see others succeed in life!  The older I get the less time I have to be around people who will make me the topic of conversation as soon as I leave.  I’m thankful for the people who really love me and want good things for me!  I can promise you, I want the same for them!
37. My health!  I’m thankful for being able to breathe, for being able to walk and run (even if motherhood has made that a little more difficult) I’m thankful for my eye sight, for being able to hear, for my sense of touch and sense of smell, and for the ability to speak. 
38. Early mornings!  Sometimes I think I would love to sleep in, but there is just something about the morning time! The quiet stillness of the morning before everyone wakes up and it’s just me and God and my thoughts and prayers.  I’m thankful for every single morning I am able to enjoy that time. 
39. People who love my girls!  I’m thankful for all the people who love me… but when you see people love your children, encourage your children, cheer on your children, and want good things for your children… wow! It’s just a whole new level of appreciation!
40. Godwinks!  You know those things that happen and you KNOW that God did it JUST for you!  I love those! A few Godwinks for me have been patients who maybe weren’t supposed to be with me but somehow made it to my chair, chance encounters at the airport or restaurants, people thrown into my dorm room on the first day of college, a card or call from someone on JUST the right day, songs or smells that take you back to some long forgotten memory…Man! Good times!  Good times! 
41. You… yep! If you are reading this… it means that you are in my life in some capacity and my life is different (maybe even better) in some way because of you.  Thank you for being you!