37 Things I’m Grateful for On My 37th Birthday

Today is my birthday, and lemme tell ya… it’s a really weird time to have a birthday. I keep wondering to myself, “is this real life?” This is a wild time we’re living in. There is so much uncertainty and speculation, and sifting through it all can be a bit overwhelming. During this time, I’m trying to be intentional about practicing gratitude, both as a family and for myself. We’ve started keeping a Daily Gratitude Jar, where we each write down one thing we are grateful for that day and share it with one another. It’s in this vein that I wanted to share 37 things I’m grateful for on my 37th birthday.

1. God’s Redeeming Grace!
2. I’m grateful for my good health and that of my family. This is something I cannot take for granted!
3. My husband — the provider for our family, my confidant, my daily source of encouragement, my partner, my love.
4. The gifts of marriage and motherhood.
5. My son, Benjamin. My greatest gift and biggest responsibility. His life is a blessing to me. He teaches, challenges, and changes me constantly.
6. My sister, Aimee, who is also my best friend. She’s the epitome of selfless and I want to be more like her. I value her dedication to prayer over my life.
7. I’m so grateful for the time I had recently to hang out with my two youngest sisters, Sarah and Jaydean, who are out there living their beautiful, unique, and special lives.
8. I’m grateful for a newer connection with one of my brothers, Nick. It makes me smile every time I hear from him or see what he’s up to.
9. My close family. Grandparents who dote on me still and a mother that I can always turn to. Incredible siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles — I don’t take for granted that I have such a strong support system in them.
10. Living close to my grandparents. Having T.V. dates on the sofa with my grandma or getting our nails done together. My grandma sending me texts when they’re driving past my house or when she’s completed a puzzle.
11. Good friends. As I get older, I realize how special it is to have other women in my corner. I am truly blessed with the best of friends.
12. My friends who “hype” me up big time! I need their Enneagram 7 energies!!
13. The friends we’ve made since moving to Georgia. Absolute lifelines.
14. I’m grateful for friends and family who have lended a helping hand when we’ve been in need.
15. God’s provision over me and my family.
16. Our church, our pastor, and church family.
17. My creativity. There have been times in my life where I have floundered, but what has never changed is that I am creatively gifted. I thank God for giving me this passion and the skill to pick up creative endeavors fairly easily.
18. The blogger community — the friends I’ve made, the opportunities I’ve had to learn and grow, the inspiration and motivation from seeing my friends shine.
19. Being able to contribute financially to my family, doing what I love.
20. My sense of humor.
21. I’m grateful for emotion and my ability to express it really, really well. (Pisces + Enneagram 4, anyone?)
22. Dance parties in the living room.
23. Long walks by myself.
24. Everything about the ocean.
25. When Benjamin’s face is filled with joy.
26. Photography — specifically the ability to look back and “remember when”.
27. My recent travels and the time I got to spend with loved ones and new friends.
28. Fresh flowers.
29. Dark chocolate with sea salted caramel or milk chocolate with peanut butter.
30. NATURE! I get teased about this but I just think everything is so beautiful (it makes me cry) and I love being out in nature. I dream about long-distance hiking and backpacking and basically living outdoors. I’m so grateful to live in such a beautiful state.
31. Binge-worthy T.V.
32. Good books! (I wish I could clone myself… just so that one of me could read all day.)
33. My son’s first grade teacher (and the support teachers). She’s truly special and my son loves her. Benjamin has learned so much this year and I am filled with gratitude for all that she does.
34. My eyesight. Thank you, Jesus, for the ability to see. I am so grateful.
35. My body, which I have grown to mostly love. I’m grateful for all it’s done and is able to do.
36. The internet. The friends I’ve made online. Communities. Memes. The freedom to learn and research and connect.
37. Love, Joleen — Being able to share my heart in this space for the past 15 years. The longtime connections I’ve made. The brands I’ve had the opportunity to work with. The ability to express myself and have people care about it. I’m so grateful for YOU.