Happy Birthday to ME!!

I was dreading my birthday until I realized it was on 09-09-09. That's kind of awesome. Okay, now I can have a cool day today.

Seems like just yesterday that I had a birthday on 9-9-99. I distinctly remember my mom and dad coming to visit me in K.C. I had just started dental school. Mom brought a sign that said, "Happy Birthday Jodie 9-9-99" and took a picture of me with it for posterity. I still have that picture somewhere.

I suppose I'll have to take one of me today holding a sign that says, "Happy Birthday Jodie 09-09-09" and put it in the album next to the one from 10 years ago.

Oh. My. God. 10 YEARS? Has it all gone that quickly? Not sure I want to compare photos of myself at my 22nd birthday with my 32nd one. There are *ahem* a few more pounds, a lot more wrinkles, and much more gray hair (expertly covered by my incredible stylist, thankyouverymuch).

But on the better hand, I've never been in a happier place. I've finally found and married the man of my dreams, have four incredible kids, a great career, and ten years of amazing experiences to look back on. In addition to marrying the greatest man alive and establishing the world's most awesome family(which, by the way, is the greatest thing I've EVER done. EVER!), in the past ten years, I've finished dental school and residency, gotten my board certification, lived in Japan for 3 years, gotten promoted to LCDR, ran a marathon (and a few half-marathons too!) while raising a bunch of money for the American Stroke Association in honor and memory of my Grandma Stickley, gained some great in-laws, nieces, and nephews, watched my best friends get married and have kids, and seen my dad retire. I've seen some amazing things, taken some incredible vacations, gone through the miracle of childbirth, and experienced love like I never thought possible. I've also lost one of the most important people in my life, my dear grandmother, the matriarch of our family. I held her hand and talked to her, prayed for her, read to her during the last days of her life. I was fortunate enough to be able to say goodbye, and I still miss her terribly, I think I always will.


All in all, a pretty eventful last 10 years.


Considering that it will be a LOOOOOONG time until 09-09-09 comes around again, perhaps we'd better make the best of this day. It's shaping up to be a good one. My cutie pie husband sang to me this morning, my best friend called me on the way to work, and when I got in this morning I found my office decorated with balloons, signs,banners, and confetti, with cupcakes and all! I'm lucky to have people that love me! (no matter how old, wrinkly, and fat I may be!)

AND I found out last night that not only are Grandma and Grandpa coming up for Maddie's birthday next weekend, but Uncle Ken is making the trip as well!!! I am so excited, and Maddie will just lose her little mind. She LOVES her Uncle Ken so much, and she will just go crazy when she finds out he came to visit her on her birthday.

Looking forward to a great day. Thanks everyone for the great day.

It's amazing how many people remember your 29th birthday! (shut up, I can have it as many times as I WANT).

Happy Birthday, me. 09-09-09. Cool.

And early Happy Birthday to Dad. 09-10-09. He's just as cool.