Today is my 32nd birthday. I love my 30's. My 20's sucked so much. Especially the tail end. Just awful. Never was there a happier woman than me when I turned 30. And it's only gotten better. I got engaged when I was 30. Married when I was 31 and celebrated my first married birthday today. My husband was quite wonderful and took me to eat sushi and see a movie (Dark Knight, which by the way is WAY cool.) He even bought me an appropriately mushy card and gave me a gift card to Barnes & Noble (what can I say? The man knows the way to my heart!). All day long I've been thinking about my life and my loves and all that makes me happy. There are so many things that I have to be grateful for and so for my birthday here is my list of my favorite 32 things. In no particular order. Just how I thought of them throughout the day.

1. My hubby. And not just because he's my hubby and I should say that. He is handsome and kind and my superhero. (I know, I know. It's disgusting isn't it?)
2. My nieces. There isn't a day that those little faces don't bring a smile to my face. They are so funny and so smart.
3. My family. We are a weird bunch. We drive each other crazy. We are loud. We can be obnoxious. Sometimes we put each other down. But most of the time we hold each other up.
4. Being put in my place when I need it. You know when you get to that place where you are feeling pretty darn good about how freaking smart you are? And then BAM. Right upside the head to show that no, you are not as cool as you think. Sometimes I need that.
5. Change. It's not always fun. It's not always perfect timing. But sometimes it just is. And without it life gets rather stagnant.
6. Photographs. I always have a camera with me. I love capturing that moment that I want to hold forever and knowing that I will have it there always.
7. My sister. There was a time we were barely friends and now we are the best of them. You are my confidant, my sounding board, my partner in crime.
8. Silvia. My oldest friend and my most loyal one. You are beautiful inside and out and the joy and love that comes from you amazes me at times. You are gem and I would be lost without you.
9. The pooch. Ah, Georgia. You drive me crazy sometimes but there were times when you were the only one curled up with my while I cried. I love your furry little face.
10. Good wine. Seriously. Need I say more?
11. Books, books, books. Yes, I know I'm a little crazy with the books. But I'm getting better. My books were my closest friends and my hiding place for so long. I am rediscovering my relationship with my books. I still love them but maybe not quite so obsessively.
12. Sewing. I am learning to be creative in a way I NEVER thought I would! And I'm loving it!
13. Carol. I love our shopping, our fashion critiques and our shared love for all things make up and accessories. I have so enjoyed getting to know you better over the last couple of years. I'll miss you.
14. SCP. I learned a lot there. I didn't know I would be leaving there so soon. But I'm grateful for the time I had there and the people I met and the things I learned.
15. Sushi. Or in the words of Sami "SHUSHI!" Yum, yum, yum.
16. Sherrie. I know it hasn't always been easy letting go of your brother. And making room for me. But you have done it with lots of love and I love you for that.
17. Shari. SHUT UP. Thank you for loving books as much as I do. Thank you for making me laugh when I need to and being brutally honest when I need that. Thanks for being Ferrita.
18. Leigh. It always surprises me and warms my heart when I see your number on my phone any day but especially on your birthday. You are always one of the first one's to call and I don't think you have forgotten since you first got a cell phone! Love you Stinky.
19. Cupcakes. Is it ridiculous that I have food on this list? I don't think so. I heart cupcakes.
20. Law & Order. I can watch every single version of this show. It drives my dad crazy but I just love it.
21. Dad. You came along, you took us on. You never even blinked. You have been there for me always. You always treated me like an adult and made feel as if the WORLD wasn't big enough ME, not the other way around. I would not be who I am if it wasn't for you.
22. Mom. The rock. But not in that cold way. You sacrificed so much for us. You gave to us and most of the time barely remembered yourself. You made every birthday a big deal and every holiday an event. You pushed me to be better, stronger, more independent. And I am all of those things because I always knew (and still do know) that fail or succeed, you were always there.
23. Health. We have some scares in my family in the last 5 years. Some close calls. Some that resulted in losing those we loved. I am grateful for everyday we have and every moment we can treasure.
24. I love to nap. It's a skill that I have learned from my hubby. He is the king of nappers and I was such a novice until we got married. But he learned me real good.
25. The wind. Windchimes. The way it knots up my hair. Makes my house smell so fresh.
26. A good pedicure. Nothing like sitting there in a massage chair thumps at my back and somebody scrubs at my feet. Ah, bliss.
27. Roomie. I'm glad we are back to being friends the way we are NOW. I'm glad we will be closer. You were there during some dark moments and I will always be grateful for that.
28. Learning to cook. I never thought I would domesticated. But I find I love it. There is something about making food with your hands and watching your hubby chow down on it like it is his last meal. Makes me feel good.
29. Music. I can hear a song and it will bring me right back to the moment, who I was with and what I was feeling. There is truly a soundtrack to my life and wouldn't want to live my life any other way.
30. Grace. I'm not always deserving. Quite often I'm not in fact. But somehow I am always offered it. I know I'm not worthy but I am grateful for it.
31. Faith. It's always there when I need it. And sometimes even when I don't know I need it.
32. God. I always feel you there. I always know you there. Even when I ignore you.