{thirty-1}

Yesterday I turned 31.....and I cannot believe it.  Sometimes I forget my age when people ask and I say I'm 25.  Still.  Six years later.  I can't help it.  :)  You can't help but feel blessed on your birthday, can you?  And now with facebook, people you haven't spoken to in years are wishing you a Happy Birthday, too.  You know I love lists, so here's and update/things I love/things I'm thankful for list. :)

Pinterest inspired! :) 

1.  Mark.  I just love him.  For about one million reasons.  If you're a 20 something girl out there reading this and you're still searching for Mr. Perfect.  Do. Not. Settle.  And don't listen to people when they say your standards are too high.  The smile on my face on our wedding day was a smile of hope and excitement for the future, but a little bit of an "I TOLD YOU SO!"  My sister Kelsie was right {aren't sisters always right?}....He has exceeded my every wish and dream.  We went on a date last night and left the kids with a babysitter.  It was nice to enjoy each other's company without a rush to get home for baths and bedtime.  

Mark's promotion ceremony.  January 2013.
We're proud of our Staff Sergeant!

2.  Kolbe is 2!  Holy cow!  Time sure flies......... He's pretty independent and just finished screaming for about 45 minutes because he didn't want to take a nap.  Yep, we've definitely hit the "twos"!  Even though he's a little bit ornery, we have so much fun with him.  He's talking so much more and has quite the personality.  He isn't sure about sharing and playing with his sister, but once in awhile we catch him being really sweet to her. :) 

3.  This little girl is 7 months and has 1 tooth!  She's so close to crawling but can roll her way just about anywhere.

Jameson gives really good kisses!

4.  Our parents.  My parents and Margaret all have iPhones.  Wooohooo!  We text and we face time.  And we send oodles of videos and pictures of the kids to them.  One of my favorite uses of technology. :)  We try to see them every chance we get.  Another reason we're so glad to be back in the Midwest.

{December 15, 2012}
Kolbe's Birthday Party

4.  Mark's dad {Jim} had a scan earlier this month and we didn't get the news we had been praying for. The cancer is back at the original site and radiation isn't an option.  He had a port put in last week and has started the stronger chemo treatments once every two weeks.  Two treatments in and he's doing good.  He has taught us so much about life and we are blessed to be able to spend most weekends in Sioux Falls.  Because of your prayers, Jim continues to feel at peace with the journey he is on.  What a blessing!

For more updates, you can following them on Caring Bridge {http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jimjarding} or on Jim's blog {jimjarding.blogspot.com}



 5.  My sister, Jen, came to visit on Thursday night.  Friday morning, she got up and worked out with me at 5 am....then cleaned ALL.DAY.LONG!  My house has never been this clean.  Carpets included. You know you're in your 30's when someone else cleaning your house makes this your best birthday yet. :)  It doesn't hurt that we went and got pedicures and ate at Joe's Crab Shack to complete the night.  Thanks Jenny!








6.  On Friday, my co-workers gave me this "Care Package" for our trips to Sioux Falls.  Nothing like starting a Friday with tears of gratitude.  So blessed to work with the people I do!

7.  I'm thankful for early morning workouts at Farrell's.  I started about 15 weeks ago and I love it!  I've met a lot of great people, gotten back into shape and lots some of that baby fat {that was left over from Kolbe and then doubled when I got pregnant with Jameson....geesh!}.  I appreciate that the workouts are hard every.single.day. and I don't have to think up a workout.  I just show up {still half asleep} and the instructor tells me exactly what to do and by the time I leave I'm energized for the day.  That's my kind of workout plan. :)

That's about it....I'll stop at lucky number 7 for a lucky 31st year.....just kidding....I don't believe in luck.  God's got this whole year planned out.  Thanks for your prayers and thoughts this past year.  We'd love to see all of you....come visit!  If you can't, just keep in touch. :)

much love,
sara