Thirty-Eight Reasons…

38. Finally, I think I’ve found a skin-care regimen that keeps me not yet looking forty. Yet. Let me know if you want the product list. If you’re looking at my skin and thinking I look fifty, forget I mentioned anything.
37. Nate is in the most fun stage ever. Seriously. We’re BFF. We spend our days together chatting and laughing and building Legos and trains (Nate) and putting away laundry (me). Oh, and cuddling a bunch. And loving it all.
36. I can cook! Or at least I’ve finally progressed past my casserole and lots of butter and cheese phase  to using real ingredients that don’t come from a can or the freezer or make my family suspicious.
35. After reading decades of health and fitness advice I’m come to the conclusions I need meat and protein and vegetables. I do not need gluten, dairy, or many carbs. There. Now doesn’t that feel better?
34. M and I are going to Disneyland with Amy and Nick in March. If our kids our nice, we might invite them along.
33.  Shane and Mat invited us to Vegas in January to celebrate her 40th. Our kids are nice, but I’m guessing that when Shane said she wanted a relaxing trip to see some shows, she wasn’t thinking of the Hergenrader Fab Four.
32. Speaking of the Hergenrader kids, SIX Hergenrader kids (and their parents and grandparents) are hoping for a super awesome trip to the San Antonio area during Thanksgiving. Swimming, Sea World and Outlet Shopping with my sister-in-law!
31. It’s looking like 2012 might be the Year of the New Dog for the Hergenraders.
30. God-willing 2012 will also be the year of finally settling in at a church. That will be nice. Although we’ll miss the visitor parking we’ve been enjoying.
29. I can run! After nearly three years of not jogging, I’m back at it. Of course I look CRAZY (sweaty, red-faced, and awkward), but I AM RUNNING!
28. Catie is so far (fingers-crossed) rocking Third Grade. Let’s hope the frustrations with Second Grade weren’t an even-grade phenomenon (since Fourth Grade is technically before I’m thirty-nine).
27. My true love is taking pictures. I’m giddy about the photos I get to snap this year.
26. Sam is taking Tae-Kwon-Do and is so cute in the white robe uniform thing.
25. Bike riding! Who knew how fun this is? Maybe my passion is because my new bike happened to coincide with the first few beautiful days of fall here in Texas. Or maybe bike riding is just as fun as it was when I was a kid.
24. Our neighborhood is getting a Zoe’s Kitchen.
23. And a Whole Foods!
22. God keeps opening all these fun doors for M in his career. So exciting to watch.
21. I have a book coming in March!
20. This year Elisabeth will have two super stressful but super fun ballet recitals. Something about dressing up like a princess and wearing lipstick make it all worth it for her.
19. I get to pray with a fun and spiritual group of moms every Friday. One big blessing of this is sharing it all with my mentor, Aunt Kay Kay.
18. After three years, I FINALLY think I might have a clue about how Catie’s school operates. That’s gotta be a relief for all of us.
17. My website launches on October 15, and I love it already.
16. Even at 38 I’m learning new things. Like Twitter. Actually, I don’t understand Twitter. I’m ChristinaHergenrader there. Will you be my friend of follow me or tutor me?
15. After expensive rental houses for years, surely this is the year M agrees it’s time to break down and BUY a house on Galveston Island. Can we all pray now it’s not also the year of a huge hurricane? Thanks.
14. Nate will start school at Westlake in the fall. I’m already picturing him in the uniform and pinching his cheeks.
13. If this is true, I will so happily turn in my iPhone 4 for an upgrade.
12. I don’t know how it’s possible, but every year our family enjoys the Family Cabin in Nebraska more than the last. Here’s looking forward to July!
11. And here’s hoping my folks will stay in Katy for longer than a visit this winter.
10. The miles on my minivan are approaching six figures. Is it time for a sweet new ride? Or at least a new minivan?
9. M and I will celebrate 15 years of marriage in August. I can’t imagine any better celebration than fifteen more years together. Let’s just go ahead and plan on another fifty.
8. After lifting weights for a year, I can bench press almost 40 pounds now. This is tremendous progress for someone who has never bench pressed anything but giggling toddlers. But I know, lots of room for improvement!
7. Sam and Elisabeth are so teed up for a perfect Kindergarten year. Seriously. I’m looking into cloning the teacher for every school year for the rest of our kids’ lives. Except this teacher would totally not be into cloning because she’s so spiritual and moralistic. Part of the reason we love her.
6. My love language is Christmas Cards. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I’ve already started thinking about ours. But really, maybe 8% embarrassed and 92% excited.
5. I’m really hoping this is in my near future. Imagine the creamy gluten-free, sugar-free pancakes our family will eat!
4. YOU! For reading this blog (the WHOLE thing) and caring about such a random list. Thanks for being in my life.
3. The Father…who knows that plans He has for me.
2. The Son…who will walk by my side as they’re revealed.
1. The Holy Spirit…who will inspire another thirty-eight years of fun!