I'm 22, I'm 22...

*I spent the day with Bailey at the vet because she got stung by a bee, but I'm glad she's ok!*

*Mr. Dominic's for the annual birthday dinner!*

*Homemade Carrot Cake with pink frosting!*

There's a part in the movie Never Been Kissed where Drew Barrymore's character exclaims in her high school English class, where she is an undercover reporter, "I'm 17, I'm 17" in order to convince everyone else and herself.   I remember this line every year on my birthday because it's often difficult to believe that an entire year passed AGAIN!  

I celebrated my 22nd birthday on Wednesday and really spent a lot of time reflecting on birthday's in the past.  As I look back over my life I know I was with the people that I needed to be with on my birthday each year, but no year is exactly alike.  Last year I was in DC with wonderful roommates and friends who I had just met and eating cupcakes my family sent to the office.  This year I spent my day in Rochester with my family and actually had to take my dog to the vet unexpectedly.  It felt like any other day except that all of my favorite songs seemed to be on the radio and I ate a lot of cake.  While it may seem weird, this is exactly how I needed to spend my birthday this year.  It was a very relaxing day, nothing too crazy, but it was great.  After I took Bailey to the vet I went to my mom's school to eat Chipotle for lunch and hang out with her. Who better to spend your birthday with than the woman who gave birth to you?  The rest of the night I spent in my pajamas watching my new 8 Simple Rules DVD with my sister and eating a homemade macaroni and cheese dinner and relaxing with my family.

So many times I find myself comparing myself to other people and focusing on what I don't have, but the truth is I have so much.  This year I am going to focus on being content no matter what situation.  Whether alone or with other people, whether working or walking the dog in my sweat pants, whether cooking dinner for myself or my family, I know that as long as I'm breathing I have everything I need.  It's not about material things, but about the number of breaths we forget we take that God never misses.

Don't get me wrong...I got some beautiful gifts for my birthday and sweet cards in the mail, but even without that I am completely content to know that I am embarking on another year to grow a little more in wisdom and love.  I know I'll look back on September, 16 2010 and think "I can't believe another year has passed" and I just want to enjoy this 22nd year of my life to the fullest!