43 Things About Me

1. It's my birthday today.
2. I am now 43 - eek!
3. I was born in Michigan.
4. I am adopted. 
5. I have an older and younger sister.
6. My older sister is adopted.
7. No, we are not blood related.
8. My younger sister is not adopted.
9. I wanted a brother and I wanted to name him Nicholas.
10. Obviously I got a sister. Her name is Nicole.
11. My dad named me.
12. My Grandma wasn't certain she liked the name Erica due to the Erica in that silly soap opera.
13. I love my name.
14. My dad died of leukemia on March 31, 2010. 
15. His battle was way too short as we all wished we had more time with him.
16. Sometimes my heart still breaks that darling daughter missed out on LOTS of time with him.
17. Sometimes I really don't like living in the middle of the Pacific.
18. I cried yesterday morning because I was in the middle of the Pacific and just wanted my mom.
19. I love visiting her in Texas and LOVE the community she lives in.
20. I could run there every day.
21. I do run every day.
22. My running streak started on December 30, 2011.
23. I was inspired to start my running streak by another running mom and yes, she is still running every day. 
24. My daughter is 7. 
25. I had an emergency c-section.
26. It really hurts when your placenta rips away from your uterus. I screamed.
27. I was literally shoved back on the table after I heard the doctor saying they didn't have time to give me an injection.
28. I didn't like to hear the urgency in her voice.
29. I suffered from postpartum depression that went undiagnosed.  
30. I have learned to speak up and take a more active role in my health care.
31. I was diagnosed as clinically depressed shortly before my dad died.
32. I have learned that running is what I need to do especially when I don't want to -- which rarely happens -- but if I start getting that mindset, I know I need to run to keep depression at bay.
33. I am in contact with my birth mom.
34. That makes me very happy.
35. I married dear hubby on September 9, 2009 and we got our marriage validated on July 11, 2015. 
36. I was raised Catholic, wandered away from my faith, made some HUGE mistakes, and felt God calling me back. 
37. I am proud to say I love Jesus and can't make it through one single day without Him in my heart and by my side leading the way.
38. I still suffer from many insecurities.
39. I believe my past self esteem issues causes problems in relationships.
40. I want a better relationship with dear hubby.
41. I pray every single day. 
42. I want the world to be a better place.
43. I dream of moving back to the mainland. 

Daily Gratitude: I am thankful for my friends and family.Daily Bible Verse: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:24