29

Its funny. So far turning a year older hasnt been a bad thing. I feel like I'm older now. I see the world so differently than I used to. I no longer feel like I'm as "youthful" as I always have been. But I like it. I love what's happened this past decade of my life. I'm ready for 30 because I feel like I gave my 20s my all. I got a degree, got married, had two babies, lost loved ones, moved 6 times, started a business, watched that business grow, watched my children grow, bought a house, and planted. We also discovered new continents, new countries, new beaches. We traveled! We went to the carribean, mexico, hawaii, greece, seattle, italy, monnaco, san francisco, france, switzerland, turkey. We discovered new small towns, we explored really big ones. We biked along the california coast. We ate food, we cooked food. We fed friends, and missionaries. I nourished my babies. Together ben and I lived back east...falls church, virginia. We spent nights biking through the fireflies. Days at new museums. Our minds were full. I nannied for a muslim family from pakistan. 

I went to church, I spent many days at the beach. I danced. I performed. I served in the primary. I read books, and joined multiple book clubs. I took LOTS of photographs. And then some more. I attended "craft night". I excersized and tried to eat healthy. More veggies. We spent time with friends boating, laughing, playing games. I went to sunday dinners with family. I cleaned up lots of messes. I held and comforted babies. I went boating, boarding, hiking, running, biking, surfing. I spent evenings bopping up and down on a board. Days at different parks. Laughed with family members. Dated Ben. We celebrated 9 christmas days together. Welcomed many friends babies into this world, and celebrated them often and baby showers. I watched my own children grow, learn, and become. They taught me patience, endurance, and unconditional love. I met SO many new and wonderful people. People who moved me. Who changed me in so many ways. Friendships. 

I delt with heartbreak, change, health issues. I worked so hard to help make ends meet. I worked so hard for my degree. I worked so hard to get my babies here. I cried. And learned and grew. I gained a lot from all of my experiences. 

It was such an AMAZING decade I'll be sad to see it go...but honestly I feel so full with gratitude for where life has brought me. The lessons I've learned. The people I met. I only see aging as a gift up until this point. 

I mostly love the empathy and understanding...and wisdom! That comes with "growing up". 

And that is a cause to be celebrated right?! So that's just what my husband, partner and crime, and I did! Ben went above and BEYOND this year...and surprised a "stay-cation". Which really...was the BEST THING EVER!! It becomes increasingly hard to find time to spend with just the two of us. He took me snowshoeing through different utah trails. It snowed a lot on my birthday. Which I always secretly pray for. I love the calm, still, snow on my birthday. He got a hotel downtown. We walked around together and watched the snow fall hand in hand. I drank a warm steamer from starbucks. We went to a dance concert. We ate at an amazing steak house, but we both ordered fish. We sat on leather couches in the evening at an ice cream shop and ate. It was a perfect birthday weekend. So here we go 29, my last year of twenty-hood! Let's end this decade with a bang.