#Extraordinary

   So, tomorrow is my birthday and it got me thinking...in my 33 years of life I haven't really done anything extraordinary. I mean I haven't found the answer to world peace or solved any major crisis. I'm not famous, I don't do anything all that important and I have no future plans of doing those things either. I got a little sad about this. I know life isn't over now because I will be 33 years old. I know I have a lot of things left that I will accomplish in life and who knows maybe I WILL do something really awesome. Then I thought some more and I realized I kind of already have done something extraordinary. I grew three people in my belly, even two at the same time! Now if that isn't extraordinary I don't know what is! I managed to keep them all alive thus far with little to no training and they are actually pretty decent people. I cook, clean, work, shower, run errands, maintain friendships, and just survive simultaneously with raising these people. I think parents (especially moms) forget sometimes how amazing it is that all those things happened to us and we are still standing. I think it's remarkable that every night when my kids go to bed they are clean, full, clothed, and happy to hug me and tell me they love me. It's something I take for granted and don't always view as extraordinary but I should. I HAVE done something important in my life so far and if it ends up being the only thing I do, it was good enough.

   Now, for my birthday I'm asking for something from all my friends who read this. It's coming up on the one year anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy. I've thought about those kids and parents everyday. In honor of those extraordinary parents who somehow continue to live each day without their babies, please do something special with your kids or for a stranger tomorrow or any day this week. Read them an extra book at bedtime, make a special dessert, draw them a picture, anything! If you get a chance take a picture or just post a status with #extraordinary so we can see what you did and maybe use your idea too! I know I will! Let's remember not to take anything for granted, even the little things you do may not seem like much to you, but to someone else they might be extraordinary!