Turning 40- gasp!

Turning 40 for some reason seems very old and scary. I have had lots of friends turn 40 before me and I never thought it was a big deal, but it is when it is you :). Maybe it's that my back hurts after dancing sometimes, or I didn't get to audition for the lead in the play because she wanted the younger women, or maybe because I was called to a Family History Specialist :). Instead of focusing on the bad things I keep hearing about how your body falls apart after 40, I wanted to write 40 reasons I am grateful to be 40 years old! Here goes:

1. Ryan still thinks I'm hot.

2. Amber the Thoughtful.

3. Justin the Protector.

4. Marin the Fashion Plate.

5. Ben the Energizer Bunny.

6. Grace the Curious.

7. I am teaching 7 dance classes this year.

8. I still get to choreograph at 3 schools.

9. I have tons of wonderful friends.

10. I'm still making new friends.

11. I'm happily married and don't have to date!

12. I don't have to take finals or write papers (although I would love to just go to class).

13. I live in a beautiful, sunny place.

14. My siblings and their families are all nearby.

15. I have great parents.

16. I have super In-laws who come to So. Cal all the time.

17. I have an iPod and iTunes- not around when I was 20!

18. Facebook has connected me to lots of great old friends.

19. I've lived in lots of places (Serbia, Croatia, England, Utah, Calif.).

20. I've visited tons of places (Scotland, Holland, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Russia, Israel, Canada, Mexico, and about 20 states.

21. I've learned a lot about people, cultures and history.

22. I can still remember all that stuff I saw and learned!

23. There are still lots of places in the world to explore!

24. There are still thousands of books to read.

25. My family and I are healthy (that is not meant to "jinx" us!)

26. I know the purpose of life.

27. I know God loves me.

28. My faith continues to grow.

29. I think I am a much nicer person that I was 25 years ago.

30. I am definitely a much calmer person than I was 25 years ago.

31. I am still as busy as I was then! Maybe more?

32. Did I tell you my husband thinks I'm beautiful? :)

33. My children are amazing and I love seeing them learn and develop their talents.

34. I have great memories.

35. I live by the beach.

36. I live by Disneyland.

37. The temple is nearby- in fact many are nearby- there was only one in So. Cal when I was young.

38. We have dvds, the internet and DVR.

39. I can buy hair dye.

40. I get to snuggle up next to the man I love every night at bedtime.

I'm sure I could go on and on, so I guess I'll have to live at least another 40 years so I can keep adding to my list. I truly am grateful for my blessed life. It it humbling to by loved by so many and have so many people I love!

Nana's friend, Leslie, from Canada told me she was celebrating her 50th by doing something fun each month of the whole year. I think that sounds awesome! Happy Birthday year to me!

*January's fun thing- seeing "Traces" with Laura, Kevin and Ryan in Hollywood and then going to Pink's for hot dogs and onion rings at 11 pm. Thanks Redfords!