April 24

On Sunday, April 24, 1977 at 12:22, I came into this world. 33 years ago. I used to love my birthday. I would have a countdown starting February 24. I made everyone pay attention to the fact that my birthday was just around the corner. This year I didn't remind everyone I came into contact with that it was time to celebrate. I only made sure Kevin was ready to provide me with a fun day. And he did.

We kept the day pretty simple. We aren't really party animals. We started the day at the temple thanks to Tracy watching Brynnlee for us. It was nice and peaceful and beautiful. Then we went to a movie. This is something we haven't done together since before Brynnlee was born. Thanks to Jenn Pohm, we went and watched Date Night....loved it! We ended the evening with a delicious dinner at the Olive Garden. (Thanks Mom and Dad Ball!) Kevin spoiled me with gifts that cost too much, but I think I will keep them. He spoiled me that day and it was nice!

When I was younger I thought my life would be very different than it is. I am not saying my life is bad at all--just different! I didn't think at 33 I would be living in Colorado in a stupid little apartment. I thought I would have children flirting with their teenage years. I look at what I have and wonder....have I done anything? I don't have a nice house or beautiful things. We don't go on crazy vacations in tropical places. I can't buy everything I want when I want to. But then I think are those things the definition of success? Probably to some people. And that's when I realize I have been one of those people and maybe it's time to change my definition.

So here is my new definition: having a good husband, working on a strong eternal marriage, giving birth to a beautiful, healthy child, earning an English teaching degree, teaching at a middle school and being pretty good, having a good relationship with my family, holding a temple recommend, knowing how to cook and bake and doing it well, learning to be a good mom, being a good example to my siblings, learning to be nice. And as I learn and grow and work my definition will expand. We don't live in a nice house. We will one day. We don't go on vacations. We can. We don't buy everything we want we we want to. We all ready have a lot of stuff filling up our home. Do we need more? I am hopeful that as I keep working my definition will include being humble because that's what I really want to be!