how am i?

Yesterday was a busy day! It was my birthday. I am one year older and wiser, too. (Well, whatever, maybe.)

In my personal journal, I tend to outline how I am doing all the various aspects of my life. I like putting everything in categories since it makes me feel organized. Since I haven't written in my personal journal since, um, July or something (blame it on the blog!), I guess a birthday is a good time to blog about how I'm doing. Maybe I'll print it out and stick it in my journal:

• Family. I have a very supportive husband and a crazy adorable toddler. I love my son! I love being a momma. I love teaching (try to teach) him animal noises and body parts and letters. I love making him laugh and watching him experience things. I love the things we do as a family -- me and Shane and Wesley -- whether it's going to Sam's Club or the museum or even just on a walk. I love cooking dinner for my husband and hearing him say sweet things about how he appreciates me. That always means a lot. Our relationship isn't perfect -- who woulda thought it would be so hard for a communications major to communicate!? -- but we're working on it. We're being very patient, and that is what matters.

• Professional. My job is great! I work really hard and I love it. Working full time in October was fun, but I missed being home with Wesley. I'm back to part time now. There is always something to do so as many hours as I can squeeze in from home are appreciated. I just love that the little dude takes killer naps. (Usually.) I may even go in for a few days in December if I can con my mother-in-law to nannying for me! Yeah, I definitely feel appreciated at work.

• Spiritual. I'm doing my best to be a good person, to look for opportunities to serve and be better. I was really inspired during General Conference a couple weeks ago. Wow. It was great. I had written down three questions I really wanted answered, questions that pertained to my life, and they were all answered during the first two-hour session. There were three more sessions to go! I was greatly inspired. I've been reading my scriptures more regularly and praying more earnestly. It makes such a difference in how I feel about myself and my life. And I find that if I make time for the Lord, there is always time to get the other things done. It's amazing.

• Church Service. I love serving in the Young Women's organization. The girls are so sweet and it's been great getting to know them. I actually received a new calling in Church, and the powers-that-be said they would release me from Young Women's and let me focus solely on my new job. I said, "no! I'll do them both! Please don't!" Since there aren't a ton of people in our ward, they can use the manpower and said OK. I'm now the "multi-media specialist," which means I'm in charge of the Bishop's picture board (pics of all the members), the ward Newsletter, and the ward Web site. Easy cheesy! It should be a super fun calling.

• Physical. I'm trying hard to be more healthy! Lots of birthday treats don't help much, but whatever, birthdays are only once a year! I'm exercising regularly and eating better. I'm on a whole foods kick ever since reading In Defense of Food, which was fascinating. Maybe I'll blog more about that later. It's a struggle though; I've gotta work at this "physical" healthiness. Probably for my whole life. I'm loving the new blog and the support there; thanks friends.
  
  
• Relaxation. I don't really relax. I like scrapbooking and making cards and stuff. But for the most part I just fold the laundry while enjoying my silly TV shows, like Desperate Housewives and Dancing with the Stars and America's Next Top Model (go Nicole!!) and the Office and Saturday Night Live. We're silly in this house. I have been reading, which is awesome, and of course I'm excited to see the new Twilight movie this weekend. Me and some young women from Church (how did you guess?) are going on Saturday. It should be neck-bitingly awesome.

• Upcoming Events. In other upcoming events, I'm excited about our trip to Utah in a couple weeks. Shane's sister just had a baby and my sister-in-law is dying to see Wesley. It'll be fun to visit BYU campus and let him toddle around; I'm excited to see all the new buildings and how things have changed. Ahh, college days. My mom always says it's best to have a trip in the plans, since it gives you something to look forward to. That mom of mine is sharp! I'm also planning a trip to Maui in Hawaii for sometime this winter; we need a vacation badly. It was a busy 2009, so we're going. Feel free to pass on suggestions! At the moment, the plan is to take Wesley along!

• Big Purchases. Shane and I feel fortunate enough to be in a place to mildly "stimulate the economy," if you will, so we're trying to decide what big things to buy. We need a new vacuum, a new mattress, maybe even a new car. Definitely a new house. THAT would be nice. If/when the dang 787 flies, I think we'll try to sell our condo and move up in the world. At the moment we're staying in Seattle. I do love it here. I also got for my birthday -- drumroll!! -- a new fancy cell phone! Wowsers!! It's a Samsung Moment through Sprint; dude, it rocks. I feel so hip. It's an Android phone. And I have no idea how to use it yet. But I'm so excited I got it on my birthday!! I think I'll blog more about the phone later, too. I was afraid my birthday would be devoid of presents, but I had to take a trip to the mall and buy earrings and Bath and Body Works stuff and oh, a sweet cell phone.

I should also say it was an AWESOME birthday. My so-very-cool moms & babies playgroup friends planned a "surprise" party for me. There musta been 10 people there with their toddlers. We destroyed my friend Vicki's house. She invited me over for hot cocoa and playdough time for the babies and instead everyone was there! It was so fun. I felt so special. Shane bought me a cake and some flowers (and an iTunes gift card), and lots of family members and friends called with well wishes. The aforementioned awesome Young Women came over and sang on my doorstep with a huge cupcake. It was a wonderful day. Thanks to everyone, too, for all the Facebook comments and birthday cards. I just finished opening my cards and I haven't even read all the Facebook messages. I'm so blessed.

I guess that's enough about my life. When people say, "oh nothing is going on," I think, "whatever! Look at all the stuff going on in my life!" I feel busy and fulfilled. It's wonderful. I truly enjoy every experience. And I guess I've got another year of experiences ahead of me. Happy November 18 to you!