So, do I look any older yet?  I feel older.  I really feel, like, 28 because our lifestyle is so different than a typical person our age, but the number 22 will do for now I suppose. I know, I know. One day I will wish the numbers were going backwards instead of forwards, but like I said last year, every new birthday brings another number that hopefully brings a little more respect as I get further  from the teenage years and gains new experiences and knowledge.

We’re celebrating today by baking lots of goodies (birthdays do get less exciting as you get older, so making the best with what I got!).  I’m experimenting with a peanut butter cookie recipe that uses agave rather than sugar. We’ll see how those turn out.  We’re also making strawberry cupcakes for Mark. Why am making HIM cake on MY birthday, you ask?  Well, because I like to bake, I love him, and it’s something fun to do with Savannah (by the way, Savannah is becoming a quite an expert stirrer). Plus, he’s scared of my healthy alternative foods so I feel like I should compensate for that.

I’m convinced this 22nd year of mine will be one of the best yet and I’m looking forward to it. For starters, I will finally get a new car this year, I will graduate college, and then move into our own house! And that’s just 3 big things, I’m sure other blessings are bound to pop up as God is always good :-)

I’m also pretty stoked that it looks like I’ll have enough birthday money (thank you, dear family!) to cover a plane ticket to see my wonderfully missed best friend Breanna especially since my BIG birthday present (remember, back in July?) has been paid off with some major book sales (thank you half.com!) and ad revenue. Bre and I became pregnant about the same time and while my pregnancy didn’t continue, I still live vicariously through her so this will be a treat to not only see her, but get to “meet” her baby boy in a way.

So, here’s to a good year full of blessings and moving forward in life as a family. Thank you, God, for another year. And thank you, Mom, for your hard work 22 years ago, too :-)