Saturday, December 20, 2008

A different kind of birthday.

Today I turned 36 years old. I awoke and showered, finished packing everything I could manage {with Chip's help} to pack for a family of 7 into a Honda Odyssey and headed out for our trip to Minnesota. I am blogging for the first time ever in a vehicle. We're on Int. 90 headed toward Wisconsin. The roads are nice and clear (we just passed a sign for Belvedere/Sycamore, IL) for the midwest this time of year. Especially since we had a snow day yesterday and the storms have been all around this route and are possibly swirling for us to drive into as well.
I am sandwiched (tightly!!) in the back row between Bella and Ava. All the kids are watching individual dvd's and I'm on the laptop. Crew is snoozing nicely in his carseat and the driving is left for Chip to maneuver, and hopefully make good time too.
So far, I can't complain about the trip. Besides the stress leading up to it, and the last minute hassles of packing and loading everyone inside, I really can't complain all that much. I was treated to a quick stop at Starbuck's for a nonfat, half-caf, Hazlenut latte as we took to the road and as I sipped my birthday latte I thought to myself how lucky I am right now. Things could be much worse.
Lots of people have taken this route with family in tow- only in a covered wagon with no comforts of heat or wireless internet. My birthday wish this whole year long is that I count my blessings and look at the many things/reasons I have to be grateful before I utter complaints or criticism in the midst of any given situation.
I'm thankful today for my health, my family, clear,dry roads and new window wipers, cigarette lighters that provide power to dvd players and gameboy systems and so many other things too.
Yes, it's a bit of a different birthday, but I still there are lots of reasons to celebrate. Now, as long as we don't end up in a blizzard for the second leg of the trip I think being 36 is going to be a pretty good thing! =)

25 comments:

Rebecca.Alburn said...

Happy happy birthday!

Shawnna Samples said...

Hope your Birthday is SUPER FAB!!!

Jennifer said...

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays ever! I'll be 36 in April and as we were celebrating my big day this year, my 7 year old, thinking he was SO clever, told me that I was "half-way done". Nice huh?!?

asnipofgoodness said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Jody - I had no idea we shared the same birthday.

Happy Birthday!!

asnipofgoodness said...

Happy birthday to one of my favorite bloggers!!! Have a safe trip, a wonderful birthday, and a Jesus filled Christmas!

Anonymous said...

sweetie happy happy birthday!!!! see you soon!yeah!

corinnexxx

Anonymous said...

Jody - Hate to tell you, but if you haven't already hit it, you are driving into a blizzard . . . I'm saying a prayer for safe travel right now.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! May you experience nothing but joy and happiness this Christmas!
Katie in MI

me said...

A very Happy Birthday! You are very good at expressing your blessings and I enjoying reading and seeing them! Many blessing this year to ya!

Anonymous said...

Have a very happy birthday and a wonderful, safe Holiday visit with your family!!

Kim B.

KatieButler said...

Happy birthday, Jody! Have a safe trip!

Hall Family in MD said...

Happy Birthday!!

Anonymous said...

Hope the last "leg" of your trip wasn't too awful! I live a bit north of that Belvidere/etc. sign by about an hour or so. We began to have snow here "maybe" about that time. I know the Twin Cities was getting some too, today!

I wished you a HB on your FB but will again here too as you are one of my favorite bloggers too. :-)

Hope your time with your family and friends will be a blessing! Merry Christmas!!!!
WSL

We've Got Scents said...

Pray you've had a wonderfully blessed day! Travel safe and blessings to your family this holiday season.
Matthew 21:22

Belinda said...

Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, and I hope you have a wonderful time with your family during the holidays.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! Today is my sweet husband's birthday, too.
Hope your trip has been completely uneventful(I'm a mom of 3, and I pray for uneventful car trips). I hope you are all happy and healthy and you hear "are we there yet?" less than 20 times!
Merry Christmas!
Leigh Ann

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, Jody! Thank you for sharing your life with us.

Taylorr said...

Happy Birthday Mrs. Jodi!!! I hope ya'll have a safe trip.

Bills Family said...

Happy Birthday!!! Hope you all have a safe and Happy Christmas!!

Anonymous said...

Hope the rest of your special day was AWESOME, and that you arrived at your destination safe, sound and contented. Wishing you and your entire family a wonderful and merry Christmas Jodi.

carriex3 said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! We are 6 months a part in age (I am 35)............ You are a wonderful christian role model to so many including me. May God cover and bless you and those you love.
Merry christmas too,
Carriex3

www.creativeandblessed.com

Anonymous said...

Happy BELATED Birthday Jody!!!

Hope you had a special day!!!
Amy-in Indiana

Anonymous said...

Very happy birthday to you! Hope you had a wonderful day and safe trip. Wishing you and your beautiful, beautiful family much love and happiness this Christmas.

3 Peas in a Pod said...

Happy belated birthday Jody! Hope you had a safe trip traveling. Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!

Much love from NJ,
Suz