Yep, it's my birthday and I am now officially into my 30's...not sure how I feel about that just yet! I turned 31 today and I layed awake all night thinking about all the wonderful things that I have accomplished in my 1st 30 years of life (and hopefully many more will follow) lol
I thought that I would share some of my experiences with you and how I came to be who I am today :)
1. I have lived to have fallen madly in love with someone and had the joy of feeling the love returned 10 fold and with that said, was lucky enough to marry and vow to spend the rest of my life with that love :)
2. I have lived to have my heart broken which has made me appreciate all the more the love that I receive everyday from my husband and longtime love.
3. I have lived to have the opportunity to experience 2 little lives growing inside of me and now growing up around me filling my days with laughter, tears of frustration, the endless need to clean my house, and be proud to have been a part of every part of it.
4. I have lived to have had the opportunity to appreciate that my parents have valuable insights into what my lay ahead for me and my family because of their life experiences or their 20/20 hindsight.
5. I have lived to have made many friendships in my life, some that have gone their separate ways, some that flutter in and out of your life at various points in time, and some that through thick and thin, will always stay true to you and be the ones that you can count on - in return make you a better friend because of it :)
6. I have lived to work hard for the things that I want and not have to rely on others to make my future the way I dream it to be.
7. I have lived to experience the heart sorrow of losing a loved one and feel the emptiness left around you because no one can fill the places that were theirs in you memories.
8. I have lived to feel compassion, tolerance, bliss, depression, envy, guilt, patience, anger, pride, self indulgence, love, and all of the other feelings humanly possible to make up every molecule of who I am.
9. I have lived to know that I have touched other's lives and will continue to do so as long as they allow me to be a part of them.
10. I have lived to know that I respect who I am, and that I have no regrets for any feelings, things that I have done or had happen to me. I live to experience all that life has in store for myself and my family whether it be good, bad or ugly and will always have the opportunity to learn from my decisions.
11. I have lived to know that I would like to have many more life experiences ahead of me and that I am prepared for anything!
Thank you for letting me share a little piece of me, with you :)
I made these using the Peace on Earth set to create this beautiful card and coordinating 2-5-7 gift box. You can find Beate's tutorial for the gift box here. I love the details in this set and I thought that since it is my birthday...that I can't be the only one getting presents!!! (Blog candy is coming...)
Box Recipe:
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs - Peace on Earth, SU Linen
Paper: Papertrey White, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Watercolour, SU Haiku DP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, SU Markers, Versa Mark
Accessories: Sewing Machine, Sponges, Cross Charm, Hodgepodge Hardware, Twine, Organdy Ribbon, Embossing Powder, Dimensionals
Card Recipe:
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs - Peace on Earth
Paper: Papertrey White, Chocolate Chip, Watercolour, Haiku DP
Ink: Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, SU Markers, Versa MarkAccessories: Sewing Machine, Hodgepodge Hardware, Twine, Organdy Ribbon, Aqua Painter, Embossing Powder, Mat Pack, Piercing Tool, Dimensionals, Sponges, Cloud Stencil
Blog Candy
And now after kindly listening to all of my babble I am offering a gift to you! I have another Our Daily Bread Designs, Peace on Earth Set give away to share some of my birthday with you!
All you have to do is:
1. Leave me a comment sharing something about yourself that you have lived to experience .
2. Post a link to this blog candy on your blog if you have one because I would like to share the opportunity to win this beautiful set with everyone :)
I will use the random comment generator to draw a winner on Sept. 6th (my baby girl Ashlynn's 3rd birthday:) Please leave you comment for the blog candy on this post only to make it easy to draw a winner!
PS. Cindy, I still need you to contact me so that I can mail off your Peace on Earth set from my very first Blog Candy :)
Good luck everyone!
37 comments:
I'm the first? Well, in my nearly 44 years, I've experienced almost 40 years of singleness and soon-to-be 4 years of wedded bliss. I think being single for so long has given me a special appreciation for the wonderful hubby God blessed me with!
Happy Birthday Kim!!! I loved reading your post today. Our life experiences all mold us into who we are and thankfully we have a omniscient God.
I've learned to love being my age, no matter what age it is. I have lost babies, a brother and am now dealing with my elderly parents, one of whom has Alzheimers. I know how precious each birthday is, each memory, and I celebrate it all with enthusiasm.
A very happy birthday to you! I love ALL of your cards...this one is no exception! Thank you so much for your inspiration, glad I found your site :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kim .Hope you had a great day.
Well I have experience how hard life can be as a single parent,since my husband is a US Marine and is now deployed again.I have to answer my 3 years old question all day long "When is Daddy coming home".And let my six year old know that Daddy will be ok.
All of your work is great.
Thanks for sharing.
Your post has moved me to respond because you have touched my heart with your thoughts. Happy Birthday to you and may you have many more Happy ones.
I have lived to experience the fear of possibly losing a child to cancer, being calmed by my faith and realizing the grace of our savior in times of trouble.
Thanks for the blog candy offer, I'll be sharing your post with my blogging friends. Birthday blessings!
Happy Birthday Kim!!
What a great post and just love your card and sack. This is beautiful. I've been married for 33 years this month to my Jr High Sweetheart and still going strong. I thank God everyday for family, friends and my health. Three years ago I had brain surgery and it has effect my eyesight, but I refuse to let it get me down. I love stamping and now it just takes me longer to create, but I thank God I still can do it.
Thanks for a chance at this beautiful candy.
Happy Birthday! Wow...my life experience. Don't sweat the small stuff. Really...God tells us not to worry...He takes care of everything big and small. I wish I would have listened to Him more on this one :) Live and Love each day to it's fullest.
Oh that's a lovely post Kim! Happy Birthday.. with lots of showers of Blessings to you and your wonderful family( the way you talk about it makes me feel that it's that way)
I'd LOVE that set of stamps.. but with the random generator I know that it is difficult to win.. (not very raised hopes), but I can always try :)
All the best dear :) God bless you
Ooops sorry forgot to share :) ...
I lived to experience a lot of loss in my life.. the 1st one being my daddy.. who left us when I was only 7.. But of all the loss I've experienced, I also have lived to know for a 100 fold the wonderful grace and Peace that God gives us in our life when we leave our dreams behind to follow Him, and whatever He may have in Store for us. In other words I opted to trust Him with my life.. and I'm happy I did. I've been working for 20 years with Children who because of social problems or abuses have to be taken out of their natural families and spend some months/years with us in a Children's Home. And the Blessings I received from their love is more than worthwhile having laid my dreams for my fuuture aside :)
Happy Birthday Kim!!! Enjoy reading you blog. Love your list of life experiences and your perspective on your life thus far. I will soon celebrate 54 years in October. God is Good and Faithful and continues to guide me through this journey. May your days be blessed and joyful
Surprise! I celebrated my birthday also on 9/2, and I turned 40 - woohoo!! I have learned that God is gracious above all, more than my mind can comprehend. I have been blessed with godly parents, a brother and sister who love me, my husband and son who love me, and enough health to keep me going. I have sweet friends to encourage me along the way also, so I am ever thankful and quite content in my life. I have really enjoyed reading your blog and watching your card designs. Thanks for the beautiful inspiration, and Happy Birthday to you :) Elizabeth S. in mid-Michigan
Well, first of all - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! hope you have a wonderful day.
I enjoy viewing your post and your wonderful cards that you make. You are a very talented lady.
I guess one of the most traumatic things in my life was the sudden death of my mother - she has been deceased for several years now and I hate that she never knew her grandchildren and never was able to experience being a grandmother. I still have my father which I am very thankful for, he is my very best friend and can't stand the thought of losing him.
Sorry so lengthy. I must of needed to vent.
Have a Great day!
I am glad I have lived to experience the saving grace of Jesus Christ and hope to continue to live for Him in everything I do. It makes life worth living no matter what life has in store for you.
I have had a day that has made me realize how blessed I am. So often we feel sorry for ourselves because we ache etc. Today I visited a friend who is in pallative care with Cancer. My husband and I were having a disagreement over a petty thing and you know all I can think of now is live each day like it is your last. Enjoy your birthday and have many more of them. God Bless
p.s. I just started my blog but I am not sure how to put a link like you said. Peggy Finney, gatchell@mts.net
Happy Birthday Kim. Your post was very thought-provoking - thank you for sharing. I'm 49 and I've lived to experience truly and deeply God's perfect peace in times of great need, and during the same crcumstances, to understand the truth of Romans 8:28 which says that God causes all things to work togther for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose
Anne dinkuminkum at yahoo dot co dot nz
First of all happy birthday :)
And now something about me ..
Well I have experience how hard life can be .. Some years ago I didn't thought that this horible things witch we cen see in TV can be a truth or can take part in our lives .. but unfortunately it happend. 3 years ago one men had rape me .. it was horible, after 2 years I feel better and for me the most imortant thing is that I'm still alive.
Happy Birthday! Love your artwork! I've lived long enough to experience the grace of an Almighty God!!
Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing your insightful thoughts on your life experiences! How wonderful to be so open and fearless! I am not so fearless, but I will offer this; life is not easy, but it can be so beautiful if we allow ourselves to be touched by the love that offers itself in so many different ways, through many different people, throughout our lives. Thanks again for sharing! Hope you had a fabulous birthday!
smiles,Deena
Love your blog and all of your cards inspire me to create!
I have lived to learn to appreciate the small gestures and daily babbling of my little ones. They grow up so fast and all too soon these things will be gone. It is in these day to day conversations that memories are made.
Happy Birthday Kim! I'm soon to be 56 years and have had many life experiences. My life verse is also Rom. 8:28 and I truly believe that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. I've experienced my daughter being a single mom in high school and then becoming addicted to drugs. Today she is drug free with a beautiful family of 3 children and a loving husband.
Keep on living Kim! Happy Birthday!!
I have lived to learn that being a mother is the most wonderful, humbling, scary, delightful roller coaster ride of my life and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Thanks for sharing your cards and your story.
Happy Belated Birthday Kim . enjoy your day- this gift of yet another day
Oh what a beautiful set. I would love to win this. Happy Birthday. Something about my life experience. 2years ago I was given a wonderful gift. My sister donated one of her kidneys to me. I will forever be greatful for her selfless act. Thanks for the chanc to win.
kim3timemom@yahoo dot com
wow, I was almost speechless and close to tears reading your post. It certainly made me stop and think that all our experiences whether good or bad have and are shaping the person we are and will become. Happy 31st Birthday. I hope it is a wonderful year for you.
I am 45 years old but some days feel like that 90 year old woman who said, "I have had many problems in my life, and most of them never happened." I have experienced the crushing heartache of dealing with a drug addicted child. But through the daily pain, the fear and the worry God has revealed himself more to me than during any times of peace, joy and harmony in my life. It has been during those hard times that I have felt His presence the most!
Happy Birthday, Kim! What a fabulous time of life. Your card is just gorgeous. I just purchased 3 sets from ODBD but this one is at the top of my wish list now! You've done a wonderful job in designing with it. What a great inspiration.
I'm old enough to be your mother, so I could write a book about my experiences...which no one would read! :) I'll just summarize by saying that I've experienced God's amazing grace...He has lavished it upon me. I don't deserve His great salvation nor the daily blessings He heaps upon me. Still He gives. His grace does indeed amaze me.
Happy Birthday ! I've lived through some rough times and come out stronger because of them. I've learned to stand up for myself too.
Claudia
scfranson@charter.net
www.claudiafranson.blogspot.com
Happy Birthday Kim!! Hope you have a great day and weekend!
Happy Birthday! The life experience I learned a lot from is my trip to Uganda. Since I came back I know my problems are only small. Here's my link: http://scrapannelies.blogspot.com/2008/09/kims-blog-candy.html
Greetings from Belgium, Annelies
#30
Happy birthday to you. We share the same birthday month. As for something that I've learned in life...live for today. tomorrow may never come. This doesn't mean that you don't have to think and plan for tomorrow, but life is happening today. Embrace it.
Kim, I read your blog often and am always inspired by you.
I have lived to have discovered that no amount of wishing will keep my children from learning some hard life lessons on their own. I also know they are better for them.
Happy Belated Birthday Kim and thank you for sharing your wonderful life experience - I'm planning to frame it if that's okay with you.
I found myself saying amen sister as I realized how much I shared similar discoveries or thoughts with those you so wonderfully expressed.
I turned 50 a few months ago and have been reflecting on so many things. In particular that I am grateful to have lived to a point that forgiveness is part of my daily journey. And to discover that all the good, bad and ugly that contibuted to my life hasn't cost me the gift of trust. My trusting others or their trusting me.
Also after 11 years as a widow I think I have more insight on how to be a better wife. Don't know that I'll ever get to test that one but it has been good for my soul to experience the recognition.
Thanks again for sharing and Happy New Year of life!
Jean from jlfstudio@charter.com
First, happy birthday to your baby girl :) Babies are a true gift and God's answer that there is still goodness no matter what strife life throws our way. I have suffered loss of a parent, my husband is in the throws of Hodkins-Lymphoma at 44 and we have 4 small children, and life is topsy turvy, but through it all, I have never lost my faith in Him. I know my Savior will bring me through to each new day. And when that gets too tough, I take it one hour at a time, or one stamp, one card at a time to help get me through! Because, as a friend told me once, cancer is not bigger than God!
Blessings abundant,
Kelly in Miami
Happy Birthday, Ashlynn!
Great inspirational challenge! I have lived to know that it's sometimes easier to be a supportive friend and to let them know they are never alone & to never give up hope, than to remember that in the darkness God is always near & I, too, can never give up hope.
(I don't have my own blog, but shall pass along your site to my friends!)
A very happy birtday to you.
May your days be bledded and joyful!
The card is beautiful. I love how your did the ribbon and want to remember that!
I've lived long enough to learn to live like you were dying (double lung transplantee) and to appreciate even the smallest act of kindness and to pay it forward.
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