In the year I was 34, I...started to run, started working a part time job, moved to Rhode Island, quit all my design teams, saw Baltimore for the first time, made a new group of friends and several best friends, threw a last minute party with a good friend, said goodbye to my best friend and then welcomed him home from Afghanistan, became a mother of four WALKING children, got together with a group of friends and rode a huge bicycle with a bar down the middle, met my favorite author, participated in my first charity race, saw Roman Holiday on the big screen, took all four children to the beach by myself, saw a beautiful and young friend say goodbye to her beautiful and young husband, realized who I was and was not creatively, celebrated 9 years of marriage, saw my very first Savannah St. Patrick's Day parade, got the shortest haircut I've ever had, dyed my hair red, dyed it back to brunette, visited Charleston for the first time, started Project Life, quit Project Life, visited St. Augustine, visited Hilton Head, visited Jacksonville, visited Sea World and Orlando, planned and threw a rainbow themed party for Sadie, perfected the art of saying no thank you, had my feelings hurt by someone and realized the power of words, said goodybe to the best group of friends i've ever had, really fell in love with Savannah, planned and threw my very first cookie exchange, watched a Baylor Bear win the Heisman, attended the Ranger Ball with Jimmy, spent my first 2 nights away from my children, sent my first child off to kindergarten, watched my babies turn one, my eldest turn six, and my second born turn four,got better at getting in the photos and not just taking them, saw a Savannah Philharmonic Sept. 11 concert, saw a coin in an x-ray of Sadie's stomach,started taking care of myself agin.
In the year I am 35,I will...run a 5k, teach myself to sew (yes,this was on last year's list),attend CHA, teach a scrapbooking class at a LSS, visit NYC at least 5 times, celebrate my 10 year anniversary, try a yoga class, finally teach that BPC scrapbooking class, eat more lobster, visit Boston, visit Maine, visit Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, continue feeling creatively free and only say yes to things that are authentic and that are me, exercise regularly with my family, go to a concert, have online friends come to visit, NOT SEND MY HUSBAND TO AFGHANISTAN AT ALL, learn too cook some new meals, have lots of date nights, make time for one-on-one time with the girls, put myself out there and not be scared to ask for my heart's desires, visit the MME headquarters in Utah, do CrossFit with J, take lots of classes at the YMCA, meet Leigh and Kelly in person for the first time, potty train two babies, embrace imperfection, read more, have a big family Thanksgiving, have FUN!
I am blessed to be given another year. I am grateful for the gift of each day. Bring it on, 35!
xoxo
Happy Birthday I know it will be a fabulous one. Enjoy
Posted by: Becky | 08/31/2012 at 06:00 AM
Happy birthday!!
Posted by: Nicole @ I am a honey bee | 08/31/2012 at 06:02 AM
I look forward to seeing you sew, laugh, read your stories, your hopes, progress and silly girls! Thank you for sharing all this love with you
Posted by: Stephanie | 08/31/2012 at 06:05 AM
Have a very happy birthday and a very fruitful year ahead!
Posted by: Eugenia | 08/31/2012 at 06:07 AM
Happy Birthday!!!! There are many great things on your 35 list but I think the best of all is that you won't have to send J to Afghanistan. Or anywhere else in the world to fight a war this year. Thank you both for your incredible service and I know you will enjoy this year together!!!!
Posted by: Emily B | 08/31/2012 at 06:17 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! what a wonderful list!!!!
Posted by: Jenni Hufford | 08/31/2012 at 06:17 AM
Happy Birthday Steph!! I hope 35 is everything you wish and more!!
P.S. since visiting Maine is on your list for next year, September is a great time to visit and the Maine Marathon (Portland) would be a great place to run your 1st half marathon. I promise if you come I will drive down and run every step with you :) Get that first 5k out of the way and think about it!!
P.P.S. cannot tell you how much I love the photos of the babies hugging and kissing!!
Posted by: Beth | 08/31/2012 at 06:25 AM
I know you'll have a fabulous year!! Happy Birthday twinsie! ;) xo
Posted by: Jen Kinkade | 08/31/2012 at 06:37 AM
Sounds great! Happy birthday!
Posted by: SparklinD | 08/31/2012 at 06:44 AM
Happy birthday, Stephanie! May you have a truly blessed year.
Posted by: Jan | 08/31/2012 at 06:45 AM
Happy Birthday! Thanks for all the love and inspiration we see and receive from your blog. If 35 is half as amazing as 34 was, you will have a spectacular year ahead. Can't wait to hear about your adventures.
Posted by: JillT | 08/31/2012 at 06:48 AM
Happy birthday! Wishing you an amazing year!
Posted by: Maranda | 08/31/2012 at 06:49 AM
Happy birthday Stephanie.... I truly wish you the best. God bless you and your family. Love from OKC
Posted by: Kathy | 08/31/2012 at 06:58 AM
You are right, you are truly blessed, and you're the busiest woman I 'know'!!! Have a wonderful birthday, and I know you'll accomplish everything you want to, cuz that's YOU!! I still love reading your blog everyday. You amaze me and your family is AWESOME!!! Enjoy your day and your year!!! love ya's!!!
Posted by: Ret Cudmore | 08/31/2012 at 07:01 AM
Wishing you a wonderful & Awesome Birthday! ((HUGS))
Posted by: Ellie A. | 08/31/2012 at 07:03 AM
Happy birthday, Stephanie. Every year you are getting better and better at more and more things. Wisdom, love and a good heart. You give. You wear your heart on your sleeve, and those of us that have had the pleasure to actually kind of KNOW you find your honestly and openness refreshing and heartwarming. Never change the REAL you, because the world needs YOU.
Posted by: pambennett | 08/31/2012 at 07:06 AM
Happy birthday Stephanie. Hope that all your plans and wishes for the next year will come true!
Posted by: Danielle Van Ekris | 08/31/2012 at 07:08 AM
happy Birthday!
Posted by: dori | 08/31/2012 at 07:15 AM
Love this list.
I'm going to do one for my upcoming birthday!
Posted by: Diana C. aka the Lonely Scrapbooker | 08/31/2012 at 07:17 AM
Happy Birhday!!!
Have the BEST Birthday year!!!!!
Posted by: jennifer Camplin | 08/31/2012 at 07:24 AM
Happy birthday!! I'll bet you can guess which item on your list is my favorite for year 35! Here's to husbands at home! ;) Much love and best wishes for the best year ever. xoxo
Posted by: Sara Berry | 08/31/2012 at 07:26 AM
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sweet Girl!!!! I love your accomplishments and I love your wish list...HAVE FUN AND EMBRACE LIFE!!!! BTW you share your birthday with my wonderful hubby <3 Two very special people on one special day!!!!
Posted by: Alissa | 08/31/2012 at 07:27 AM
Awesome list! Happy Birthday!!
Posted by: Nicole | 08/31/2012 at 07:29 AM
Happy Birthday! It's going to be a fab year!
Posted by: Jenny A | 08/31/2012 at 07:29 AM
Happy happy birthday Stephanie, love your lists from both 34 & 35! Looking forward to next year x x
Posted by: Cathy | 08/31/2012 at 07:30 AM
Happy birthday sweets! You are extremely blesses. Thank you for what you do. You inspire, encourage and guide me more than you think. You're an amazing mom and one of the strongest women I know. I truly hope ti meet you one day.
Posted by: Latrice | 08/31/2012 at 07:37 AM
Happy Birthday, hope your whole year is beautiful!
Posted by: Diane Knott | 08/31/2012 at 07:38 AM
happy birthday, girl! that is one amazing list ;)
Posted by: ShellyJ | 08/31/2012 at 07:48 AM
The Happiest of Birthdays to you Steph!!! It's going to be a great year!!
Posted by: Michelle | 08/31/2012 at 08:06 AM
Happy Birthday! With Gods grace and a little determination I bet you get to do all you want to. And hey, I sew my kids clothes AND I live five minutes from Boston....I see killing two birds with one stone here :)
Posted by: Marlene | 08/31/2012 at 08:13 AM
Can't wait! October is soon! My favorite part of this post though is "NOT SEND[ing] MY HUSBAND TO AFGHANISTAN AT ALL".... ummmmm.... YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love and Happy Birthday to you!!!
Posted by: Leigh Erin | 08/31/2012 at 08:21 AM
Rock it, sistah! happy birthday!
Posted by: Ally | 08/31/2012 at 08:29 AM
Happy Birthday, Stephanie! Now that the Howell Family will all be together for the next year... I have a feeling that this will be your very best year ever!! Enjoy your birthday and your family, pretty lady!
Posted by: Christine Parker | 08/31/2012 at 08:34 AM
Happy Birthday!! Great list - I got excited to read you might teach a BPC class! I'm on the list for sure! Again have a blessed birthday!
Posted by: Dawn F. | 08/31/2012 at 08:41 AM
Happy birthday sweet and wonderful lady! I hope you have a great year and personally....teach that BPC class makes me squeal like a little girl...or would if I wasn't sitting in my office. ;) Have a loveley day!
Posted by: Peggy | 08/31/2012 at 08:42 AM
have a fantastic birthday!!! my favorite think you mentioned was NOT sending your husband to Afghanistan!!! That's my favorite in this home too! Love all your plans! Have a wonderful 35th year!!!
Posted by: Shara | 08/31/2012 at 08:48 AM
Have a great Birthday & an amazing year!
Posted by: Julie McD | 08/31/2012 at 08:56 AM
Happy Birthday. Look forward to hearing about and seeing all your adventures in the year ahead.
Posted by: sherried | 08/31/2012 at 08:59 AM
Teach a class at BPC?? I'VE SIGNED UP ALREADY! LOL!!
What a full year you've had! Can't wait to see what you bring to the blog this year!
Posted by: Pidgen | 08/31/2012 at 08:59 AM
Happy Birthday! I hope 35 is just wonderful!
Posted by: Shereen | 08/31/2012 at 09:05 AM
wonderful list!!
happy birthday sweet friend!
xo
Posted by: christina rayevich | 08/31/2012 at 09:06 AM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Cathy K. | 08/31/2012 at 09:12 AM
Happy Birthday sweet girl! And ummmm....BPC?!? Wha...?!?! Did I miss something?
Posted by: Kirsten J | 08/31/2012 at 09:12 AM
If you ever want to visit the Southern Coast of Maine, our door is always open. I've been following your blog for years and always felt a connection b/c my Brother is military and has two girls (and now a boy) your kids ages. They are finally moving back to NE from Virginia (and overseas) next summer!
Posted by: CindyP | 08/31/2012 at 09:13 AM
i was supposed to develop a class with them we were at fort benning and it never happened. determined to do it this year!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 08/31/2012 at 09:13 AM
Happy Birthday Darling friend! : )
Posted by: Vanessa | 08/31/2012 at 09:21 AM
Awesome post!
Happy Birthday to you....
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday dearest Stephanie.....
Happy Birthday to YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
"Here's to another wonderful year!".
xoxoxo
Posted by: clippergirl | 08/31/2012 at 09:25 AM
Have a great 35 year Srephanie! and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Posted by: Dulcinea Silva | 08/31/2012 at 09:27 AM
Happy birthday Stephanie, i always remember your birth date, because it's also mine !!!
Have a nice day with your family.
isabel
Posted by: isabel | 08/31/2012 at 09:33 AM
Happy Birthday Steph, another beautifully written post. (sewing is not that hard and quilting is even easier its just a straight line and you can get special feet for your machine that help you stay straight and hey my motto is close enough is near enough and my quilts turn out ok, well just don't look at them real real close.ha)
and once again happy birthday i hope you get to go on a birthday date.
xx
Posted by: Linda in Aus | 08/31/2012 at 09:34 AM
Happy birthday! It sounds like a fabulous year to come, most especially because of the part you typed in ALL CAPS. Have an awesome day and an awesome year, Stephanie.
Posted by: Laura | 08/31/2012 at 09:37 AM
"LIKE"!!!!!
Posted by: Alison | 08/31/2012 at 09:44 AM
Happy birthday and best wishes for a great year all together all the time!
P.S. Great list of have-dones and to-dos. You have inspired me to write down my own lists.
P.P.S. Thank you for introducing me to your favourite author! I had fun this month reading her books and I am my library's waiting list for her new book.
P.P.P.S. Please keep blogging this year!! ;-)
Posted by: diana | 08/31/2012 at 09:49 AM
birthday hugs!!! i hope you have a wonderful birthday today stephanie! enjoy being together today...and many blessings for this next year.
Posted by: Kimber-Leigh | 08/31/2012 at 09:54 AM
Happy Birthday, have a great day x
Posted by: Rhian | 08/31/2012 at 09:59 AM
Oh that just makes me happy :)
Posted by: Kirsten J | 08/31/2012 at 10:03 AM
Happy Birthday!!
Posted by: Neelu | 08/31/2012 at 10:06 AM
Happy birthday! I see your 34ths were great and "nurtruring" (I don't know how to express yhis in English but think you'll get the meaning) and I'm sure your 35ths will be full of adventures and love.
Wish you all the best.
xoxo, Bea
Posted by: Bea Monforte | 08/31/2012 at 10:15 AM
What a great overview of the past year! Good luck in reaching all your goals for the next one :)
Happy birthday!
Posted by: MelissaS | 08/31/2012 at 10:15 AM
Happy, Happy Birthday Stephanie! Love your bucket lists and I hope that when you make that trip to Utah - I can meet you in person! Have a blessed and happy day!
Posted by: Tina Walker | 08/31/2012 at 10:16 AM
what a positive way to look at the years... happy birthday stephanie..
Posted by: kate sade | 08/31/2012 at 10:16 AM
Happy Happy Birthday! Best wishes for you and your family in your new year.
Posted by: Alison | 08/31/2012 at 10:19 AM
Happy Birthday! Love love your lists...embrace the new...try try crossfit..your mind and body will thank you!! It will so help when trying to keep up with those beautiful kids of yours!
Posted by: josie | 08/31/2012 at 10:22 AM
Happy birthday-what a wonderful way to reflect and realize all the amazing things that you are! Excited to continue following your blog and see those goals come true!!!
Hugs,
Amanda in Tampa
Posted by: Amanda N. | 08/31/2012 at 10:27 AM
I'm so proud of you! Thank you so much for authentically sharing your truth and being an encouragement!
Posted by: Erin | 08/31/2012 at 10:28 AM
you have experience some amazing things in that year!
and have a great list for working on your 35 to 36 year, so awesome!
what I am most excited about is your year with your hubby home SAFE!~
and I truly hope you pick back up on project life, who cares if you have different years/months whatever
in the same book, it doesnt' matter!
I am still working on June/July/August...I don't have the PL book though, doing my own easier version of it!
hugs girl!
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | 08/31/2012 at 10:33 AM
Happy Birthday Stephanie - becoming ourselves is one of the hardest and best things we can do! Good luck with your list....from a fellow Virgo!
Posted by: Kathleen | 08/31/2012 at 10:36 AM
Happy Birthday! Love all that you did and all that you have planned - gonna be a great year!
Posted by: Miriam Prantner | 08/31/2012 at 10:45 AM
Happy Birthday, beautiful (inside and out!) lady!!
Posted by: Marti Richards | 08/31/2012 at 10:54 AM
love your list, happy birthday and I do hope you can do all those wonderful things on your list :)!!
Posted by: laurielariviere | 08/31/2012 at 11:16 AM
Happy Birthday, Stephanie!! I can't wait for you to get to know your way around Rhode Island so that you can plan my next year's "sister's trip"!
I turn 50 this year, and have also made a goal list. We'll see how many items I can check off of it. Love the idea of doing a list in retrospect.
Have a great day!!!!
Posted by: Janell Knudson | 08/31/2012 at 11:34 AM
Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!! Have a fantastic day!
Posted by: Vicky Wilbeck | 08/31/2012 at 11:45 AM
happy birthday! what about online classes, is this something that could be on your 35 list?
Posted by: kate | 08/31/2012 at 11:46 AM
You are delightful! Happy Birthday!!
Posted by: Laura | 08/31/2012 at 11:49 AM
Happy birthday!! Great lists :) I'm right behind you (or I guess technically ahead of you!)...I'm hitting the big 4-0 on Tuesday. Eek!!
Posted by: Michelle Whitlow | 08/31/2012 at 11:54 AM
Happy Birthday Stephanie! What a wonderful year last year was for you and an exciting year to look forward to. Thank you for all the heart felt posts! My family loves following your blog and my girls love looking at the pictures and adventures of your girls!
Posted by: Robin G | 08/31/2012 at 12:11 PM
Happy Birthday!!
If you want to teach a class at a LSS, please let it be Absolutely Everything in Topsfield, MA!!! She has a great classroom set up that fits 100 people!
I would be your assistant if you want!!
Posted by: Brenda | 08/31/2012 at 12:17 PM
A very happy birthday!!!
Posted by: Jingle | 08/31/2012 at 01:11 PM
Happy Birthday! Having Thanksgiving in that gorgeous house of yours (and in RI) will be magical...to me (although I am a bit biased) Thanksgiving in New England is like no other.
Can't wait to see how your year unfolds...and I would love to get the chance to scrap with you!
Posted by: Tracy O | 08/31/2012 at 01:17 PM
Do you have a contact for me??
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 08/31/2012 at 01:33 PM
Happy Happy Birthday beautiful Stephanie! What a great recap of your 34th year and list of goals for 35!! Enjoy your wonderful dream! And I do hope all your dreams come true!
Posted by: Stacey M. Curry | 08/31/2012 at 01:40 PM
Happy birthday, Stephanie! Have a blast!
Posted by: Christine Villacarlos | 08/31/2012 at 01:51 PM
Sounds like a plan! Good luck to you and your family in your new home. Enjoy 35.
Posted by: Renee S. | 08/31/2012 at 02:23 PM
Happiest of birthday Stephanie! You've done so much in the past year and have great goals for the next! You're such an inspiration to me!
Posted by: Paige Evans | 08/31/2012 at 03:04 PM
Sounds like you had a good year and one to look forward to! I read "Summer Rentals" by Mary Kay andrews and loved it. Can't wait to read her new one. I hope you are going to become a Redskins fan! (Isn't Griffith III from Baylor?) I am from MD (but live in Pa now) and haven't been to Baltimore in years. Wouldn't it have been funny if I saw you there when we were in MD! But no, we went to my parents about 20 minutes from annapolis and took the girls to see the Naval academy! It's a beautiful campus but not sure if my 15 yr. old could keep their white outfit clean if she were to go there. Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Stacey | 08/31/2012 at 03:29 PM
Hi, Stephanie-
The email is: [email protected] or phone is 978-887-6397. Talk to Kate. She's awesome. She may or may not be the one drinking mimosas when Tim Holtz teaches there.
And, seriously, I'd love to help in any way!
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda | 08/31/2012 at 03:59 PM
Happy Birthday Stephanie ! I just turned 35 too and really loved you inspirational lists. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful year celebrating them. Hugs.
Posted by: libbywilko | 08/31/2012 at 04:47 PM
Happy birthday
Posted by: Maria o | 08/31/2012 at 05:16 PM
Happy birthday! This post is very inspiring. I'm going to try to do the same. 2012 was a difficult one for me being diagnosed with breastcancer and going through all the treatments and operations. I'd like to set goals for 2013 once this is all behind me. Thank you for the constant inspiration.
Posted by: Julie Mitchell | 08/31/2012 at 05:20 PM
big hugs,love,neverending prayers, and much love to you,julie.
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 08/31/2012 at 05:30 PM
Happy birthday!
Posted by: Nita K. | 08/31/2012 at 07:09 PM
Have a wonderful birthday, Stephanie. I read your feeds through my email and love every single one, but I rarely comment (sorry), but this SPEAKS TO ME! I love that you have set your intentions. I hope all on your 35 list comes to fruition. It is a very powerful list and you have inspired me to write one for myself (my birthday was in June, but, hey ...).
Posted by: Claire in Oz | 08/31/2012 at 07:18 PM
Happy birthday, Stephanie! May all your dreams come true!
Posted by: Linda E | 08/31/2012 at 07:26 PM
Happy birthday, Stephanie!! May this year be your best one, yet. And, if you're going to CHA, I really would love to meet up with you. I enjoy visiting your blog very much. Have a great celebration. :)
Posted by: Vera W. Yates | 08/31/2012 at 07:27 PM
Happy Happy Birthday Stephanie! Love your new list!
Posted by: KarenP (kphike) | 08/31/2012 at 07:28 PM
Happy Birthday, Cutie. I adore how you've taken control of your life and what you want out of it, not letting other things get in the way of your happiness and desires. It's gonna be a good, good year!
Posted by: Monika Wright | 08/31/2012 at 07:34 PM
A very happy birthday and fantastic 35th year to you! Sounds like you've got lots of wonderful goals and opportunities! Best of luck and thanks so much for all that you share!!!
Posted by: Ruth G | 08/31/2012 at 08:21 PM
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays!
Posted by: Amy K | 08/31/2012 at 09:19 PM
Absolutely adore this post... I am totally going to save this and make my own list to remind myself of all the things I want to do to.
Thanks so much for this inspiring post!
Posted by: Kim | 08/31/2012 at 09:34 PM
happy birthday beautiful lady. I love your list of things you have done this part year, that is awesome. I love the list you have for this year, you have one of my bucket lists on there and that is to visit Martha's Vineyard i have only ever read about it in books and in my mind it is a beautiful place i NEED to visit, but living in NZ I am not sure it will happen, you never know.
Have a fab day with your family and have an awesome year
Posted by: caz hancock | 08/31/2012 at 09:40 PM