24

Today is my 24th birthday, and it started at 3:30 am with Gwendolyn waking for a bottle. Exciting huh?? I know you're jealous, don't try to deny it! and as silly as it sounds, taking care of her has been the best part of today. This morning around 7:45 she woke to eat again and afterward, she spent her time talking, smiling and dare I say giggling with me in my room. Love this girl!
I received a bunch of texts to my phone and messages on facebook wishing me the best. I'm so grateful for all my friends and family :) They're all so amazing!

Today is exactly 6 weeks from when Gwendolyn was born, and other than a blood clot in my right leg, the doctor says I'm all healed up (even if I don't feel it yet) So that is all good news :)
Today I've been thinking about all my childhood memories, and how fast growing up happened... even though when I was little, this age seemed like forever away.

I'm the oldest of 3 girls, my parents are both the youngest in their families so my arrival was a big deal to both sides. I'm named for my maternal grandmother Joy (and my mom's middle name is Lynn) she was so excited that I was coming that she wanted to be in the room when I was born (but my grandpa made her late ha ha! If you knew him, you'd realize it's not a huge surprise LOL) I was a month away from turning 3 when my sister Andrea was born. The doctor had told my mom all along that Annie was going to be a boy. I had my heart set on a little brother and even picked out a name! Andrew. But as her due date got closer, my mom had a feeling it was a girl. They could not, however, get me to change my mind. A little brother named Andrew was what I wanted and what I was determined to get. Finally my grandma Bills reasoned with me... "Honey, how about if it's a girl, we can name her Andrea... AND you can get your ears pierced?" Who can argue with THAT arrangement??? :D

Annie and I were very close to each other and spent most of our time outside bug huntin' (sad but true) We had Barbies also, but when I left Annie home and went to my first sleepover... there was an unfortunate incident involving Andrea, jealousy, scissors, and my skipper dolls hair.
Bugs were safer.When our Dad would come back from computer conferences, he'd bring us some things. And, yes, we thought we WERE hot stuff in those LOL!

WE also took dance lessons in our neighborhood together, this was Annie's first year and I'm not sure how long I'd been doing it...

When I was 7 our little sister Kori was born and Annie and I didn't think we needed another sister. We were happy the way we were. But after she came home... and after her screaming stage was over... we came to love her. In fact she was downright funny sometimes. I'm so proud of both my sisters! Annie is so well read, she loves spending her time reading books and she's definitely read more than Kori and I combined! She's so clever and such a good listener and is ready to stand up for anyone in her family, and is a great big sister for Kori. She is so smart she could do anything she puts her mind to. (and she's the only one of us 3 who isn't terrified of needles) Annie is a tough girl and can handle anything thrown at her. Kori loves to read also, but I'm so proud of her for how hard she works at school, she's kept her grades up all without the normal coaxing from parents. She does it because that's who she is, and I think that's awesome!
She also doesn't have a problem standing up to her friends when she thinks they're doing something stupid. She's a really good friend and has such a soft heart and loves giving hugs to her family. I have the best 2 sisters :) and I love our family!

I hope I can get a couple more girls in our family someday. And I now realize thinking about birthdays, that each year we get older, our mom's must shed a tear of happiness, and thank the Lord in their prayers, for another year we've spent together. I know I do each day!

I am also very grateful for Jeff. He is so sweet to Gwendolyn and takes good care of us. Every so often when we're falling asleep, he'll whisper "I love you" in my ear as I'm drifting off. I think it's moments like that, when I can really feel his love the strongest. I love him so much and love spending every second we can together. I love his smile, and try my hardest to get him laughing, because when he does, this little twinkle comes out, and it's so sweet! We've been married 2 and a half years (getting closer to 3 years) and I love all the memories we've made together.


Having said all this. 24 feels old. Sorry. It just needed to be said.