Dear God,
Today I celebrate my birthday.
There’s so much I want to tell you, and the words are stumbling over one another. My thoughts are in a jumble, but the excited kind of jumble. It’s like there’s a tombola in my head with my thanksgivings written in little pieces of paper, all wanting to be picked out like a raffle. My 30th year was a kickass year and I can say Lord, that it’s been the best year for me so far. Thank you for all the blessings you showered upon me. There were moments of struggle and sadness, but all in all, it was a solid, golden year. Thank you.
And today I turn 31. According to my research, a 31st anniversary’s modern gift has the theme “timepieces.” It immediately gives me the idea of rushing to make it in time. That made me panic. This morning I woke up feeling a little agitated, thinking of all the things I’ve failed to accomplish. I wallowed in it for awhile, fixed myself a good bowl of cereal and watched some Top Chef Season 2 to make myself feel better, then prepared for work.
On the ride to work I realized that I have not failed myself or anyone. I just haven’t tried hard enough. It’s not about failure. But more than that, I also realized that if I have not done some things, I’ve accomplished plenty other things. 
And I am very proud, happy and thankful for all these achievements. Thank you. I’m just being too hard on myself (again).
As for time, I’ve always been a believer that “I haven’t found time” is not a good reason to not do things. “Make time!” is more up my alley, and I am making this my mantra for the beginning of another birth year. Quite appropriate for the “timepieces” theme, and that’s the positive side of that. For my 31st year, I will push myself even more and make time to do the things I’ve always wanted to do, and to do better at the things I love.
Thank you God for my wonderful family, my terrific friends, fantastic husband. Thank you God for my heartful blogging community. Thank you for nature. Thank you for integrity. Thank you for my solid career. Thank you for my lovely marriage. Thank you for my cozy home. Thank you for morning kisses. Thank you for hugs good night. Thank you for giggling with friends. Thank you for trustworthiness. Thank you for the stars. Thank you for video arcades. Thank you for creativity. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for the many blessings in that thanksgiving tombola in my heart. I love you. Happy birthday to me!
Your Toni Girl
(Image credit)
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
Em Dy
July 30, 2008 at 9:29 am (16 years ago)I’m singing you the birthday song where I am. May all your wishes and dreams come true. Happy birthday. And thank you for being a part of our lives.
Em Dys last blog post..The Dark Knight
blue rose
July 30, 2008 at 9:41 am (16 years ago)happy birthday toni!
may all your dreams come true. enjoy your day.
{hugs & kisses}
caryn
July 30, 2008 at 9:47 am (16 years ago)happy birthday toni! i hope you have an awesome day today! rock on!
caryns last blog post..Isang araw sa aking buhay: Ang diary ni Juan dela Cruz
hazel
July 30, 2008 at 9:55 am (16 years ago)happy birthday, toni!
enjoy the day and i pray that you receive the best of God’s blessings.
hazels last blog post..Worries, et al
abby
July 30, 2008 at 10:06 am (16 years ago)happy birthday toni! nawa’y mabiyayaan ka pa ng maraming blessings at matupad lahat ng iyong mithiin!
Dr Emer
July 30, 2008 at 10:13 am (16 years ago)Happy Birthday, Toni!
Next time, meron ng gourmet tuyo yung treat ko sa yo. =)
Dr Emers last blog post..Nonsmokers’ Nightmare
Leah
July 30, 2008 at 10:24 am (16 years ago)Thanksgiving is great to do on such an occasion. Happy Birthday Toni!
Leahs last blog post..OCTOBER lover – a birthday tag
JO
July 30, 2008 at 11:03 am (16 years ago)Happy, happy birthday!!! May you have more blessings and more birthdays to celebrate! Cheers!
JOs last blog post..Desperately seeking your help!
dyanie
July 30, 2008 at 11:18 am (16 years ago)Ready sing! Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday, Happy birthday,, Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday Tonigirl!
May all your wishes, dreams and aspirations do come true. Keep on inspiring people! Count me in there!
Enjoy and God Bless! =)
dyanies last blog post..Food trip in Tagaytay
Tina
July 30, 2008 at 11:55 am (16 years ago)HAPPY BIRTHDAY! *hugs*
sheng
July 30, 2008 at 1:46 pm (16 years ago)TOni, all the best for you, and as you enter your 31st yr, there’s more to be thankful for. Love you girl! Have a blessed birthday!
shengs last blog post..What Happened at The Wedding
pat
July 30, 2008 at 2:14 pm (16 years ago)happy 31st birthday, toni! wishing you all the best.
pats last blog post..High Society
Eper
July 30, 2008 at 2:18 pm (16 years ago)Happy 31st birthday!
I really enjoy reading your blog 
Keep on writing! Your blog is a blessing to your readers.
Rico
July 30, 2008 at 2:21 pm (16 years ago)Happy birthday! I pray for more blessings, favor, and good health!
Enjoy your day!
witsandnuts
July 30, 2008 at 2:26 pm (16 years ago)Happy birthday, Toni! You’re so blessed, but more than that you’re such a blessing to many people. Thank you making time for us through this blog!
witsandnutss last blog post..Starting this August
witsandnuts
July 30, 2008 at 2:29 pm (16 years ago)You’re so blessed, but more than that, you’re such a blessing to many people. Thank you for giving time for us and making us part of your life through this blog. Happy birthday, Toni!
witsandnutss last blog post..Starting this August
Tessa
July 30, 2008 at 2:31 pm (16 years ago)Happy Birthday, Toni!!
giselle
July 30, 2008 at 3:11 pm (16 years ago)Happy, happy birthday, Toni! And may the years ahead bring you even more things to be thankful for. God bless!
Shai Coggins
July 30, 2008 at 3:41 pm (16 years ago)Happy, happy birthday, Toni! Hope you get plenty of spoiling.
Cookie
July 30, 2008 at 3:47 pm (16 years ago)Happy 31st!! Best of luck and more power
lady cess
July 30, 2008 at 3:49 pm (16 years ago)happy birthday toni! may this day and every day be filled with blessings!
lady cesss last blog post..Frugal Habits
Em
July 30, 2008 at 4:02 pm (16 years ago)Ate Toni, your birthday is in my calendar, and i kept remembering you yesterday but just forgot to greet you. :O so Sorry! i hope it was wonderful.
take care always 
Gracey
July 30, 2008 at 5:05 pm (16 years ago)Happy birthday, Toni!!!
May you have lots of good things to enjoy and great experiences to cherish this year and the years to come!
Lots of love <3
Graceys last blog post..My love for red and blue – 29 July 2008
cbs
July 30, 2008 at 6:10 pm (16 years ago)happy birthday. happy everyday.
cbss last blog post..IT’S ALL FOR THE SAKE OF ARRIVING WITH YOU
ibyang
July 30, 2008 at 6:28 pm (16 years ago)hi toni!
happy birthday!!!!
all the best…cheers!!!
ibyangs last blog post..LP: Dalampasigan
drunkenlily
July 30, 2008 at 6:45 pm (16 years ago)happy birthday toni! may all your wishes come true! *hugs and kisses*
drunkenlilys last blog post..wordle
macy
July 30, 2008 at 6:50 pm (16 years ago)happy bday, toni!
macys last blog post..seatbelt bag
watson
July 30, 2008 at 7:37 pm (16 years ago)Happy birthday, dear Toni!
watsons last blog post..Petra & Pilar
Cat
July 30, 2008 at 7:58 pm (16 years ago)Happy, happy birthday to one of the smartest, friendliest and interesting bloggers I know!!! Keep on writing, Toni… because a lot of people learn from you.
Hope Hubby makes your birthday extra special and memorable (although, no pressure, H! Hahahaha!)
kayni
July 30, 2008 at 9:54 pm (16 years ago)maligayang bati sa’yong kaarawan! live long and prosper =)
claire
July 30, 2008 at 10:07 pm (16 years ago)More blessings come to those who count their blessings! Happy Birthday Toni!
Rach (Heart of Rachel)
July 30, 2008 at 10:14 pm (16 years ago)Happy Birthday Toni! May you have many more wonderful blessings in life. Take care and God bless.
Rach (Heart of Rachel)s last blog post..Teach Children To Be Successful
Weng
July 30, 2008 at 11:00 pm (16 years ago)happy birthday, toni! may God continue to shower you with blessings and may your fondest wishes come true. Cheers! Mmmwah!
Christianne
July 31, 2008 at 2:22 am (16 years ago)Pareho kayo ng birthday ni Neville Longbottom, the Harry Potter character (lol, I’m a dork, I know)
Happy birthday and may the next 12 months be as successful and joyful!
Anna - Super Pen Pal
July 31, 2008 at 2:38 am (16 years ago)Happy Happy my dearest PenPal!! Sorry this may come late. it’s the curse of the time zones!! HOPE YOU HAD AN EXCELLENT DAY!!!!!!!
Anna – Super Pen Pals last blog post..
Junnie
July 31, 2008 at 4:06 am (16 years ago)welcome to the same tickbox for surveys : Age – 31-39 😛
guess where i am – lol
odette
July 31, 2008 at 4:41 am (16 years ago)happy birthday toni!!!
you’ve touched lives more than you’ve ever known, for that, i am thankful for your life too.
may every day of your 31st year be the best day of your life.
way to go, and cheers on your birthday!!!
sending you much love from here!
Boo
July 31, 2008 at 8:25 am (16 years ago)Blessed Birthday to you, dearest ToniMacaroni! May this year bring you even more blessings to be thankful for. You are such an inspiration to to others, and I am so glad to have been given the chance to know you. Have a great birthday! Be happy always! =)
hiro
July 31, 2008 at 9:14 am (16 years ago)happy birthday toni….
hiros last blog post..Macau Food Trip No.2 – Miscellaneous eats
alihsee
July 31, 2008 at 10:03 am (16 years ago)Happy Birthday Toni! I loved the prayer – it is really fantastic!!
alihsees last blog post..in everything…
MarysMom
July 31, 2008 at 10:32 am (16 years ago)Happy Birthday, Toni- from Mary and Marysmom.
MarysMoms last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Sign of the Times
Kittymama
July 31, 2008 at 1:00 pm (16 years ago)OMG, 31! You don’t look a day over 20! And I mean it!
Many happy returns of the day (belated na nga lang, sorry), dear Toni! Hope every day of the coming year be as happy as your birthday! God bless!
Kittymamas last blog post..Just Because
ayen
July 31, 2008 at 2:13 pm (16 years ago)Happy Birthday Toni!
ayens last blog post..Litratong Pinoy: Dalampasigan
wd
July 31, 2008 at 5:06 pm (16 years ago)Hey Toni,
I hope you had a great day, im about to turn 30 and starting to feel it!
Great blog
Wd
wds last blog post..Skype WD Bathrooms Now!
julie
July 31, 2008 at 5:22 pm (16 years ago)Belated Happy Birthday! ( I am a day late)
Thanks for the gift of friendship, the inspiration, the smiles and the warm posts and I must say these all happened in the blogosphere
julies last blog post..3 Tips for Keeping Your Cool in Special Education
Miss B
July 31, 2008 at 5:49 pm (16 years ago)better late than never
I hope you had a fabulous birthday! 
Happy Birthday Toni Girl 
Meeya
July 31, 2008 at 10:32 pm (16 years ago)happy birthday, toni! sorry wasn’t able to greet you sooner but i’m sure you had a blast on your big day! may you have many many more birthdays and blessings to come. *muah*
glenville
August 1, 2008 at 12:52 am (16 years ago)we’re the same age! happy birthday toni (better late than never hehehe)! wishing you good health and a wider circle of blogger-friends. =)
Shower Enclousres
October 4, 2010 at 10:22 pm (14 years ago)I can barely remember 30 that’s how old I am – a very belated happy birthday though.
Tiffany Co
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