40 Years Old

I have been waiting for this birthday for quite some time. I'm not sure if I think something great and wonderful will happen or what, but I'm really excited for this one. So, I've decided to do a post listing 40 things which you may or may not know about me. Feel free to ask me about any of them if you'd like!

1. I am the oldest of four kids in my family.
2. Princess Stephanie of Monaco shares my birthday. Odd little fact but I've known it for years.
3. I met, dated and married my first boyfriend. He's a pretty awesome guy!
4. I do not eat eggs, nuts or onions. I do eat peanut butter and french toast.
5. I am the mom to four kids on earth and three in Heaven.
6. Even though I am the oldest, I am also the shortest of my siblings. Why or how I received no "tall" genetics is beyond me.
7. I love yellow roses. Or white roses.
8. Summer is my preferred season- I barely put up with winter.
9. I have been alcohol and caffeine free for 16 months.
10. The above is because I have a few heart issues that I'm keeping an eye on.
11. I have never lived outside of Spruce Grove and I have moved five times in my life.
12. Up until 2.5 years ago, I had attended the same church since I was 2.
13. I had no idea I would love a little country church as much as I do. The family-type community spirit that I feel there makes Sunday a very important day of the week for me.
14. I didn't know how much God could change me once I was really ready.
15. My oldest two kids are 16 months apart and the girls are all four years apart.
16. I am the wife of an amazing, hard working man, which allows me to live my dream of being a stay at home mom and homemaker.
17. My mom died when I was 23 and my newborn baby was only 9 weeks old. Her passing was an event that changed my life in many different ways.
18. I love to eat chicken. Plain, in a sauce, on pizza, in salad... any way. I don't really like ice cream but if you offer me chocolate cheesecake, I won't say no.
19. My name is Stephanie. NOT Steph or any other form of it. I will respond to a shortened form but I don't like it. At all. Doug, my sister and my dad all have another nickname that they use. But that's just for them.
20. I can't jump. Please don't ask me to show you, just trust me.
21. Other than Sarah, I am also the shortest in my family.
22. I am the mom of a special needs daughter.
23. I have always been a fan of the Royal family.
24. Doug's parents have made wonderful in-laws. I am blessed.
25. In the winter, our bed has fleece sheets. I'm so thankful my wonderful husband puts up with them for a few months of the year.
26. I love to walk outside but I'm a fair-weathered walker- winter isn't for me.
27. My hands and feet are almost always cold. (see #26)
28. Since was young, there's always been a dog in our house. After our last one got sick with a brain tumor and we had to put her down a few years ago, I have no real desire to have another one for a very long time.
29. I'm not very adventurous- I like things to be predictable.
30. I love to spend time in the kitchen baking for my family or for others.
31. The past six months have stretched and challenged my faith in ways I couldn't have imagined and I believe I am a stronger woman for it.
32. I have a degree in Early Childhood but didn't really have a lot of time to use it since I became a mom fairly soon after we were married.
33. I have home schooled our kids since 2005. I think that makes me a veteran now.
34. I love books. Bookstores and libraries are my happy place. I need more bookshelves.
35. I never drank coffee until I was pregnant with my second. Now, coffee is my favorite thing to drink. Decaffeinated of course with cream and sugar.
36. I have read the Bible cover to cover once. I'm working on my second time through it now.
37. Our family has gone to Alabama twice. In a motor home. I keep saying when we go back, I'd rather fly.
38. I love people very deeply. This isn't always an easy thing but it is rewarding. I make close friendships and value and treasure them. I hurt when they hurt and rejoice when they do.
39. Purple has always been one of my favorite colors. I don't wear it or anything like that- I just like the color of it. 
40. I love my family with all my heart- I am doing it to the best of my ability and to glorify God in all I do!

I hope this next year (and beyond) is one that I can look back on and see how God has worked in my life. I want to strengthen and deepen my relationship with Jesus and I am excited to see what some of His plans for my life are.

 Psalm 139: 13-16

 ¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

So, this is just a small list of things and people that make me who I am- wonderfully created by my Heavenly Father!