30, flirty and thriving

I have so much knowledge about being 30 years old -- a whole 11 hours worth of knowledge so far, only four of which have been while awake. :) So far, however, it's been fabulous! I've got the best loved ones for whom anyone could ask, and I've been blessed way more than I deserve. Here's to this year and all the years following, please God, being the best yet. I'm so thankful I have a loving, generous and kind husband with whom to share them.

Recapping the 20 most memorable experiences of my 20s (not necessarily in order, except for No. 1!):

20. Graduating from the University of Texas at Austin Journalism School.
19. Founding the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry.
18. Owning my first house.
17. Buying and paying off my first car -- my fabulous Toyota 4Runner.
16. Going through the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat experience.
15. Kidnapping my best friend, Angela, from her husband and galavanting around France together.
14. Experiencing heartburn for the first time and going to the doctor, aka Rico Suave, in Monaco.
13. Traveling to Europe with the hubby -- Italy, France and England.
12. Developing a love affair with wine.
11. Becoming a godmother to the three most precious children -- Austin, Reagan and Anderson.
10. Becoming an aunt to the three most beautiful nieces -- Violet, Kenna and Olivia.
9. Living with the best sister for whom anyone could ask, Allie.
8. Working for the Catholic Church.
7. Working for a country music magazine that provided me the opportunity to meet countless famous music artists.
6. Getting certified to scuba dive and diving in Cozumel, Cancun, Destin and the Barrier Reef in Belize.
5. Raising my adorable, little, tired pomeranian, Blondie.
4. Being within 30 feet of and blessed by Pope Benedict XVI.
3. Going on a mission trip to Monterrey, Mexico.
2. Seeing, with my dad, U2 in concert.
1. Marrying the love of my life, Mark.

 June 13, 2009

30-day birthday for my 30th!

Wow, my hubby loves me. My family has always had a tradition of having a "birthday week" where we get to celebrate our birthdays for a week-ish. Otherwise, it passes so quickly! It's not like we make a big deal out of every day; it's really just a way of saying it's my birthday week, you should be nice to me. :-p

Well, this has been a foreign concept to Mark since we've been together, as he doesn't take birthdays as seriously as I do. For my 30th birthday, though, the man has lived up to par and beyond.

On March 15, 2011, 31 days before my birthday, which also happened to be our weekly Date Night, Mark gifted me a journal he made himself -- "30 Presents in 30 Days: Jen Crowley's 30th Birthday!" Mark invited many of my friends to participate in this 30-day birthday celebration of mine that entails my being showered with love by someone different on a daily basis, 30 days leading up to my 30th birthday. I get a whole birthday month! I love it! This guy knows me well. :)

He gave me a sweet card (he doesn't do cards and knows how much I love them), reading that he hopes that in the next 30 days I realize how special I am every day. In the journal is a page for every day where I'm supposed to record what I received that day. He's so creative.

For his 30th birthday a few years ago, I gave him 30 small gifts, so he certainly stepped it up a notch for me.

It's been so fun being surprised every day by someone new with some kind of affirmation letter, gift or prayer. I've been humbled by the incredible love shown to me by those in my life.

Words can't describe how much I love this birthday gift from my wonderful hubby. I love this man.

July 4, 2008

Happy birthday to my hubby!

Happy birthday to my fabulous husband!  He's witty, funny, charming, handsome, faithful, faith-filled, loving, strong, handy, smart, a leader and even romantic when he wants to be.

I, of course, can't leave out his twin brother, Paul, as it's his birthday, too. ;-)

 

They are two great guys whose lives my sister Katie (Paul's wife) and I celebrate today!  

Thanks for making me your wife, honey, so that today, of all days, I can thank God for bringing you into this world -- most especially, at the same time that I'm here.