29 {gasp}

So, today I'm another year older, which causes me to pause and think. What have I learned this past year?

Well, this may be a short list for 365 days worth of lessons, but off the top of my head (and in no particular order), I've learned that:

~ My children matter more to me than ANYTHING else. And I should certainly treat them as such.
~ I have the most incredible husband I could ever have hoped for. He is truly wonderful.
~ I am starting to get wrinkles. I don't like it.
~ My testimony is strengthened through trials. I wish it didn't take trials for it to grow stronger, but I am grateful for any opportunity to strengthen my testimony, so "come what may"...
~ I don't care nearly as much about what other people think as I used to (but I still probably care more than I should!)
~ My children are SO MUCH FUN! I seriously LOVE spending time with them!
~ I think I should put more into relationships with friends, because they really enrich my life in so many ways!
~ I need to be more sensitive to the needs of those around me. (In the words of Thomas Jefferson, "May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion." )
~ I should back up my computer. MUCH more often!
~ I actually like living in Utah. I never thought I would, but now it feels like home!!
~ I need to get better at letting go of objects - decluttering, etc. Why am I such a packrat? I guess moving is good for something!
~ I have actually really enjoyed our medical school life! I can honestly say I'm going to miss it! (parts of it, at least)
~ I need to exercise more. I'm getting better at it...but still have much room for improvement.
~ I still want to run a marathon. c'mon, woman, get going already!!!!
~ I am completely at peace with my life right now.
~ I am not a perfect mother, and that's ok. I really am doing my best (most days....)!
~ My mother is amazing. I don't have any idea how she has pulled off everything she has, and how she is still going so strong! I respect her more than almost anyone else I know. ("All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my Angel Mother." ~Abraham Lincoln)
~ I love reading.
~ I love sewing.
~ I love cooking.
~ I love having babies and raising children. It is SO hard sometimes, but more fulfilling and rewarding than anything I've ever done or could ever hope to do. Truly!
~ I wish I had more patience, especially with my children. I am REALLY working on that.
~ There is SO much beauty and goodness in the world.
~ I have so many ideas of things I want to create, and so little time to work on them.
~ I love where I live right now - surrounded by wives of students who really understand what I'm going through! In some ways I want to stay here forever!
~ I want my kids to have so many opportunities in life....but still grow up humble, appreciating the simple things and being grateful for every thing they have!
~ I want to be involved in revolutionizing Health Care Reform but I don't have any great ideas about how to go about it!
~ I want to be more politically active.
~ I really love my life. I am SO blessed and have SO much to be grateful for!

Anyway, a special thanks to the Mr. for making my birthday so special! He always knows just what I need!!!