Happy Birthday to ME!

Today is my 36th Birthday. 

I am looking forward to another year and for more glowing and growing along the way. 

I finally am settling into the woman I *think* I am supposed to be. I feel more confident each day and I feel more and more content with life each day. Do I have some growing and learning still, HECK YES I DO but here I am on my 36th birthday, happy with who I am. 

I love that I am happy by purpose and  try to look for the bright side of everything. 

Life has been a rollercoaster BUT I wouldn't be who I am if it wasn't for that rollercoaster. 

Today I am celebrating the accomplishments and looking forward to how bright my future is.

Take a peek back on other birthday reflections: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2016 | 

[[Radiate Joy from the Inside Out- Jenny Blake]]

Happy 5th Birthday Eleanor

Eleanor is FIVE years old!

Eleanor has been with me through so much in these last five years- Love, loss, sickness, happiness, Pennsylvania, the beach, the coast, and everything in between. She has been a great confident and a great adventurer. I cannot wait to see what the next five years holds for us. 

2018 was a big year!

When I went to go meet Eleanor for the first time

Seriously considering buying her (2nd visit!)

Ring the Bell! Eleanor is mine!

AH! She's a beaut!

All Mine!

First time parking at home

Eleanor has had some pretty memorable adventures over the years.

She's had some pink friends as passengers. 

She saw a full rainbow. 

We went to get our nails done many times. 

Eleanor finally understands what Starbucks is. She thinks its a human gas station. She isn't completely wrong.

We see our Dino friend almost daily. 

She even got to meet the Queen! 

There were many meals eaten together. 

We saw pretty sunrises.

We celebrated Christmas and saw pretty lights.

She experienced many snow storms.

SO MANY selfies taken. 

So many sunsets seen.

After 5 years, we hit 50,000 miles. 

Which averages about 10,000 Miles a year. 

One neat thing I stated doing when I got Eleanor in 2018, was picking up any penny I found and keep it in my door pocket. 

Over the years and over the adventures, I've amassed ALOT of pennies. I finally took them out and counted them. I have collected over 60 pennies in 5 years. 

I am a firm believer that pennies are sent from heaven and these were all God winks from loved ones. 

 Lastly, I think this every single time I leave Eleanor.

Eleanor, I hope you have a fantastic day and I can't wait to see what the next 50,000 Miles holds for us.

To get the full story of Eleanor, Check out her story.

[[Life's simple. You make choices and you don't look back- Han]]

Thoughts on Thirty Five

Celebrating 35 in my favorite place- the beach

Earlier this week, I turned 35. WHAT?! 

It feels kind of unreal to even type that out, and really weird to say "Oh, I'm 35" because no one believes me that I actually am 35. I've heard from friends and co-workers that I sure don't look like it. I am not sure what a 35 year old should look like but it's not what I look like. 

The month leading up to my birthday, I have been thinking about my birthday, my age and everything that I have gone through in my life; it all has made me, me. I wouldn't be the bright and silly woman who is kind and careful and smart if those things didn't happen to me. 

I wrote a few posts about my birthday in 2016, 2021 and 2022. I think the most interesting thing is that the post in 2016 I wrote is still true even after 7 years. I am proud that I have found myself; I joke that I JUST got out of my awkward stage a few years ago. HA!

I feel like my life has finally started, for real. I am becoming the woman who I want to be and I am figuring out exactly what I want to do with my life.  WGJ has become a big part of my life in the last few years and I am finding a rhythm that is fulfilling me in many ways. 

I am forever grateful that I am feeling better both mentally and physically. It was a rough few years trying to figure out what works best for me- medicine wise- for my Crohn's Disease. Going to therapy has helped me obtain different tools to allow me to work my way through life. It truly has been life changing and I highly recommend therapy. 

The friendships and relationships that have come into my over the years have also taught me numerous lessons that I have kept with me. Communication is the key to ANYTHING in life and you have to make your needs and wants known. No one is a mind reader, you have to speak up for yourself. Sometimes relationships and friendships are long and stick with you through it all; sometimes they are short and sweet or short and sour. Each one can teach you something. 

Life has been a rollercoaster but I wouldn't have tried this life for anything. Maybe when I was in the trenches of the hard times, I would have traded it but looking back, those hard times made me who I am today. 

To wrap this up, I want to share some randomness:

- Nature in the past few years has become something I crave, especially the beach

- I still have my stuffed animals around. (Hi Bear, Luca, Hugo, Two, Penelope, Georgie's & Mr. Moose!)

- Romanticizing my life has been the thing I've done ( taking myself out, enjoying every moment, savoring all the good I can find, things are exciting and fun, etc) 

-Enjoy the moment, without technology

-The small things in life take up the most space in your heart

-You truly never know what you are going to get in life

-Celebrate everything (especially with confetti!)

-Mindset is everything- its not "I Have to", its "I GET to"

I am SO looking forward to this year. I cannot wait to see what life has in store for me and what happens next. Life has become something I want to sit back, with snack and see how it unfolds and  actively participate in it.

Do you think you act your actual age?

[[The world needs you, just the way you are.]]

Happy Birthday Kyle

 

Happy Birthday Kyle!

Thank you for making this past year full of adventures, laughter and lots of really special memories. Dancing in the kitchen while we make dinner and eating chips and salsa in bed are my everyday favorites. You are so smart and full of adventure; You don't back down from a (fun) challenge and you love to make me giggle. Your strength, determination and duty to Penelope to show her the world is commendable. I am so glad to have you in my life and I am so glad last weekend's surprise party really surprised you. Thank you for being a great partner in all adventures  big and small.  I hope this next trip around the sun is your best one yet. ❤

I love you always! Gabby

PS. I am SO glad I am not a cougar anymore.... for at least a few months.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Yes, last week was Mom's birthday. Yes, I know how convenient this is to have both of their birthdays so close!  They are 5 years and 2 weeks apart.  You wouldn't believe how old he actually is, considering he does not act his age!  I interviewed Dad back in 2020 for his birthday, you can read that interview here.

I am sharing all of my favorite photos to celebrate Dad today! 

 

Dad, I love our adventures, our silly talks and the time we spend together building things. You have always taught me to do things on my own and you were always there to help when I needed it. I love our jokes and the inevitable trouble we get into because we are just so excited to complete the project. You showed me that I can do anything I set my mind to. Thank you! Always and forever. 

[[Some people don't believe in heroes but they haven't met my dad yet.]]