32 Reasons to Be Grateful

Today is my birthday! When I was younger it was always the running joke that June was my birthday month, complete with a crown and I think even once a sash. I’m not sure what age it is, but at some point when you become an adult, birthday’s become something we stop celebrating and start criticizing. Maybe its around the age that we start trading in our acne cream for anti-wrinkle, but this year I’ve decided to embrace my birthday and celebrate the fact that I get to celebrate being around for 32 years. To do so, and keeping on theme with this month’s Happiness Project of expressing gratitude and being mindful I’ve decided to come up with 32 reasons to be grateful, in no specific order (and really the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things I’m grateful for):

1. I am grateful for my health and ability to be active.
2. I am grateful for my husband, who works hard every single day to provide us with the life we lead. He is loving and supportive and words can literally not describe the level of gratitude I have for everything we have built together.
3. I am grateful for my two little girls, who are rambunctious and full or life and love.
4. I am grateful for my parents. I literally hit the jackpot when it comes to parents.
5. I am grateful for my sisters and brother (technically in-law). Each of us have our own unique personality and dynamic that we bring to our family which makes us insanely complete.
6. I am grateful for my beautiful, messy home, which keeps us safe and provides comfort.
7. I am grateful for my amazing niece and nephew who I love to infinity and beyond.
8. I am grateful for my entire extended family.
9. I am grateful for my husband’s time in the military. We had some of the most incredible experiences and met some of our closest friends.
10. I am grateful for my friends, who are always there for me, whether to support me, or call me out on my shenanigans.
11. I am grateful for living in New Mexico. Being out-of-state for 10+ years makes me appreciate everything the Land of Enchantment has to offer, especially being close to home.
12. I am grateful for my minivan. I hate how much I love my minivan.
13. I am grateful for the Upholders around me who help keep me accountable.
14. I am grateful for having the choice to stay home with my girls during this season of life; although some days are difficult I genuinely love being able to be home with them each day.
15. I am grateful for my education; Although I am not currently working I am grateful that I was able to go to college and eventually I will use that education beyond this blog again.
16. I am grateful for Tim Ferris. Reading Tools of Titans reignited my love of reading.
17. I am grateful for waking up early. Although it is really difficult to get out of bed early sometimes, starting my day on my own terms sets the tone for my entire day.
18. I am grateful for caffeine. One day I will find the balance between exhausted and drinking so much I have the shakes.
19. I am grateful for being able to take family vacations, make amazing memories, and go on adventures.
20. I am grateful for living in America. Despite many of the problems we face as a country, I’m proud and grateful to live here.
21. I am grateful for early diagnosis and screening, and advances in modern medicine.
22. I am grateful for sunsets in New Mexico; I genuinely believe they are some of the best in the world.
23. I am grateful for enjoying great (average) wine and great food with great company.
24. I am grateful for Lysol Wipes; because I’m potty training my two-year old.
25. I am grateful for our little backyard garden. I love watching the girls get excited about helping plants grow.
26. I am grateful for Amazon Prime, it’s wildly convenient, I probably have an addiction, and if my husband is reading this, he will say I definitely have a problem.
27. I am grateful for having a TV in my bedroom. I used to be wildly opposed and now crawling into bed and binging on a show with Kevin is one of my favorite things to do. Yes I realize that makes me old.
28. I am grateful for being able to prepare healthy food for my family, even though my kids generally don’t eat it, and by generally don’t, I mean they don’t unless they are tricked or bribed.
29. I am grateful for my hearing aids. It has been an adjustment these past few months while getting used to them, but they really have been life changing.
30. I am grateful for FaceTime and getting to see and speak to my family every day.
31. I am grateful for my faith.
32. I am grateful for all the good and bad in my life, the lessons I have learned the easy way and the hard way, and being able to celebrate 32 birthdays.