The One with My 26th Year

Today, on my 26th birthday, I want to share 

{twenty six} things that bring me JOY. 

1}a sweet little girl birthday card from my Grams.

2}watching my facebook wall fill up with birthday greetings and feeling the love.

3} having my living room overflowing with beautiful teen girls for a night of laughter, sharing, and indulging in ice cream sundaes.

4} candles that fill the room with warmth and glow. 

5} November walks through the picturesque park, holding hands with my Love.

6} a tiny cat we named Sphinx who purrs with joy every time she sees me. 

7} girls date night with Sheryl.

8} skype calls with a group of teenagers who still love us, even from hundreds of miles away. 

9} a freezer full of ice cream. 

10} free Ruby Tuesday birthday burgers. 

11} God's abundant financial provision for us. 

12} Mom & Dad making it home safe and sound from their Holy Land excursion. 

13} crocheting a special gift for a special friend. 

14} brand new nailpolish called honeymoon red. ooh, la, la. 

15} opening my first pair of YakTrax. so excited about winter runs now!

16} witnessing the progression of pregnancy in so many of my beautiful friends. 

17} having a husband who loves me even though I don't often put meat in our chili. 

18} the scrapbooked memories to share.

19} a surprise birthday cake with candles, song, and gifts from the girls last night. 

20} receiving the wedding invitation of another beautiful college girlfriend. She's getting her winter wedding!

21} a relaxed movie afternoon with Kevin. 

22} getting to help my sister with her resume and catching up on our lives. 

23} hearing great feedback from so many who have seen my piano studio room.

24} drinking hot cocoa. 

25} hearing the crunch of the dried leaves under my feet. 

26} walking in the door from Bible story to a husband with open arms, who had gotten home from class early to surprise me.