Happy Birthday to me

On the eve of my 29th birthday, I take a look back at what my 20's have given me. After turning 20 I was newly married to the love of my life, many skeptical people said it wouldnt last, who really finds love when they are 19? Well we did! We are going on 9 years of marriage and still happily in our honeymoon stage =) At 21 my husband and I became home owners, yes it was very exciting for us! During the next 2 years we travelled, went on a cruise, adopted a couple dogs, and worked on our home. I finished 3 years of school and became a licensed massage therapist for the state of Washington and ran my own private practice. At the ripe age of 23 our daughter was born and yes she was planned! Something happend when I turned 22 and I wanted a baby in the worst way. Good thing Mike was right on board and well, 9 months later welcome to the world Sydney Selah Larsen! After Syd came I gave up my massage career and became stay at home Mama, a title I am still proud to wear! We watched her grow and learn, went on some more vacations, worked some more on our house and decided to add on to our family. I found myself at the age of 25: 9 months pregnant, just sold our house with 3 weeks to pack up and move out, with a 2 year old in the process of potty training and completely at peace with it all =) What a joy when our son arrived! We decided not to find out the sex of the baby with both pregnancies. After Sydney was born I REALLY wanted a boy. Don't get me wrong,I would have been very happy with a Happy healthy baby girl but my hearts wish was for a boy. I cried tears of joy when our Doctor announced "you have a son". I will never forget that moment as long as I live! How awesome of God to grant me my hearts desire!! So at 26 I found myself with a 2 and 1/2 year old, a 3 month old and living in my in laws spare bed room! Good thing I adore my in laws and they adore me! It was a great birthday. I remember Karen (my mother in law) putting a little candle in my bowl of peppermint ice cream =) and Dave (my father in law) giving me the most beautiful pair of princess cut diamond earrings I had ever seen! at 27 I fully committed to getting rid of the 50 lbs I had gained while pregnant with my son, during this mission I discovered I had a congenital heart defect. One episode of tachycardia left me on the floor gasping for air and my daughter asking my husband "is mama having a heart attack?". 2 months later I had heart surgery and have had a clean bill of health ever since. Turning 28 I was happy, healthy and 45lbs lighter, yes I still have 5 lbs to go! They seems to be lingering. I also became a group fitness instructor and have found great passion for health and fitness. But this would prove to be the most difficult year yet. My father in law was diagnosed with cancer in feb and again in june. He has had 2 major surgeries and other minor ones as well. It has been very hard for us as he is such a dynamic part of our family. We also had some good times during my 28th year and I will not forget those moments =) So on the eve of my 29th birthday I think my 20's have given me some much, I don't really know that my 30's could even compete? But I am ready to embrace 30 with arms wide open, even though it is still a year away =) Happy Birthday to me!