This is what

27 looks like (please excuse our matri d's photography skills hehehe):



Yep, that's 27 in the ruby dress, second from the right. ;-)
Yesterday was my birthday and as you all know, I love birthdays (everyone's really, but especially mine). I love getting more grown. I love that God has given me a chance to add another year to my name. I'm Roz and I'm 27. Has a wonderful ring don't you think? hehehe

Work was great (yep, you read right). I just like pep to know it's my birthday, it's not about presents or anything, I think that on this one day out the year, pep actually will give you less grief, just because hey "It's your birthday", and I take full advantage of that. I was telling Liz that I wasn't going to really mention it to anyone, but on Wed nite my bible class of teenagers were acting all funny (like teenagers I guess, too cool to answer questions, too inconsiderate in general) and I stomped my foot down and said "Come on you guys! You know these answers and if for no other reason, you have to atleast try because tomorrow's my birthday and this would be the best gift you all could give!" Yep, they instantly straightened up. As mentioned: I'm not above using my birthday for leverage. ;-)

So anywho here's a brief list of things I pondered on the eve of my bday that made me so grateful to be 27
1) I'm married to a wonderful man and I love the story of how we got to where we are. It's unique, it's quirky, it's sooo very much KJ and Roz.
2) My family comes second to none. They are the best. I'm very blessed to have been born into my home and to have married into another one that is just full of good hearted people.
3) My friends are my family. Plain and simple. Along the 27 year path I've met amazing people and you all just won't let me go and I'm so grateful for that.
4) I have the body of a 27 year old. Lumpy in some places, firm in others, but it's in great working condition and that's a blessing (especially if you remember that I had a "car wreck" phase of life where seriously, me and cars didn't go well together...)
5) I have a career that I enjoy, a job that on more days than not I'm creating something, and coworkers who make me laugh daily. I've been in worse situations (ummm, does "Panty Prison" ring a bell), and I can appreciate where I am now.
6) In general I believe people consider me to be a good person and that makes my heart feel good.
7) My faith in God has grown tremendously as I've gotten older and that makes "Life Decisions" less scary. You can't put a value on that.
8) My opinion matters, my advice does not go unheard.
9) At 16 I was allowed to drive and date. At 18 I went to college and established my being on the foundation I started under my parents guidance. At 21 I partied, studied, and loved in a way that I can look back and be proud of and tell great stories of. At 23 I moved to a city of my own and made it home. At 25 I was engaged and married. And well, 27... so far it's falling right in suit with being phenomenal.
10) That by the time I hit 30, my life will be even more intricate than it is now and that process is exciting.

Hope you all had a wonderful May 3rd. Thanks for thinking of me. Like I said, I love my bday and I love that you all not only let me keep my childish giddy, but play along. ;-)

Oh yeah and before we went to dinner, I learned this lesson:
NEVER try ripping off the tag of your dress (little plastic piece) while talking. That's just too much in your mouth and you may very well accidently inhale the little end of the plastic piece. (KJ's pretty sure it's going to just "pass" I'm hoping it's not scratching up my intestines.) In the future, I'll just use scissors, or pause and finish my sentence after the tag is removed. ;-)

Lots of lovin!

Happy Friday!