twenty nine years

is how long i have inhabited this earth!

time for a little flashback...how about to my fifth birthday in 1982? (topless? me? it was no secret that i didn't like wearing clothes. so at my fifth birthday, i had only enough on to cover my bum.) and yup, that's my mom with a custom cake and some fabulous hi-c to celebrate...we were stylin' in the early eighties. no one could touch us. :)

in honor of my birthday, i thought i would share 29 things that bless my life. in no particular order...

1. my birth mom - for bringing me into this world. katherine davidson, if you ever read this, know that i love you and am so very grateful to you for giving me life. thank you.
2. my mom - thanks for putting up with my best highs and my worst lows over the past 29 years. you are my best friend.
3. my papa - who awakes every morning with joy at the thought of spending the day with me at the office. :)
4. my faith - it rocks my socks.
5. the funny things people say after they start a sentence with, "so i was reading your blog..."
6. when viper gets excited about playing outside and she has to go #1, she lifts up both back legs and pile drives her face into the ground.
7. kris - who is so many things to me - a friend, confidant, teammate, editor, funny story teller, inside joke keeper, and (with me) secret blog author.
8. kristine - my future sister-in-law. you amaze me each day with how well you treat mikey, and i am excited to welcome you into the fam. you sure you want us all? :)
9. fountain diet cokes from anywhere. i think that today, on my birthday, john evans should buy me one. (i'd like a soda from the 50s, please!)
10. forgiveness. god knows i need a lot of it, and i am really grateful for it.
11. the estrogen militia. you know who you are. i love you.
12. the british chippie - words cannot express what you bring to my life. and someday, i will hook you up with the real delta charlie.
13. lindsay milasich - of the short list of things i thank zoltan for, you're at the top of the list.
14. stella mo bella and vickie - of the short list of things i thank maryelyn for, you're at #1 and #1 on the list.
15. karl - you always keep me on my toes. so glad you're in my life.
16. jonathan - my second brother. thank you for the surprise in the mail. you're the best.
17. mikey - you've put up with a lot from me over the years (thinking of junior high and high school). i'm glad you still talk to me. see #10. ♥
18. all the peeps from st. andrew's. you rock my socks.
19. relay for life - something i cannot imagine my life without. to barbara patterson and brian marlow, thank you for kicking me in the bum and getting me involved. i cannot thank you enough.
20. jennifer heaps. heaps and heaps of sheeps and peeps. you amaze me each day with your love for your faith and your life. i love you!
21. andrea and vanessa - the two gals who i looked up to most in college, trained me in the fine art of sales, and shared their creative expertise with me. thank you.
22. g-pity - thank you for always lending an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. thanks.
23. the fabulous foursome - thank you for loving me like you do. you queens of key are a treasure in my life.
24. michael g - wow. seven years flies by. from the days of binders and overnighters to late nights and strong, faith filled friendships. i love you.
25. jo anne - from the years at bellarmine and on, thank you for your friendship and patience with me. :) may it continue longer than the fries in the plant at kfc.
26. my extended family - from minnesota to iowa. incredible love and devotion to our family.
27. joanie - for happy signs and birthday treats. you always know what to say.
28. cindy - for believing in me more than i believe in myself. ;)
29. for all the struggles i have had in my 29 years, for the lessons i've learned from them. see #10. they make me who i am today. i love my life.

happy birthday to me! ♥