*23* Candles on my Cake

Happy birthday, dear, Julie, happy birthday to ME!!!!! Look at my cute button that Ashley made for me! Thank you, ma'am!

Yes, the twenty-third year of my life is here. How am I feeling about that, you ask? Just dandy. I slept in a little this morning, I plan to clean the house (just like I do every Friday) and go out for a little bit later. Pretty exciting, right?

Ok, so today really isn't going to be that exciting because the real celebration is happening tomorrow. My parents are coming tomorrow, because HELLO I'm their only child! I can't wait for them to be here!

And tomorrow night we are going to a gala and auction to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the school where I work. I can't wait to get dressed up! And I can't wait to show you my outfit :) It's going to be fabulous.

Ok, so back to the birthday talk. I have been thinking about this post for about two weeks. And while I was talking to this sweet girl last night I realized how much pressure I have been putting on myself with this post. Is it because it's my birthday? That shouldn't matter. Is it because I'm another year older, and I feel like I should say something wise? I have no words of wisdom today.

And then it hit me. Birthdays are kind of like New Year's. It's a new day dawning, a change, we feel the need to make resolutions, we want to do this year better than the last, we reflect on the last year of our life, and we think about what this year will hold. Well, it's no different for me.

As you know, last year was an interesting one for me. Lots of exciting things happened, but some not-so-exciting things happened too. I don't want this year to be like that. While some of the events of my twenty second year were out of my hands, I believe I could have made last year a little better. And I hate the thoughts of knowing that I didn't give last year one hundred percent. I just settled. And I am not a settler.

I want this year to be different. It already feels different, actually. I know that this year will be happier than the last and wonderful things will happen for me. I really believe that. But I also know that my happiness is in my hands. There are things that I must do to make this a great year. I have to make an effort, for myself, if for no one else. So, this is my twenty-three at twenty-three....

 Have a wonderful day, everyone! And Happy Birthday to me!

{Photos via ABC and weheartit}