Turning 30

Rod and I at the Taste of Cincinnati

This year I turned the big 30.  It has been weird to come to the realization that my twenties were complete, and yet they are.  As my birthday crept closer and closer, I had a few moments of panic,  and the reality of the brevity and speed at which we zoom through our lives seemed more noticeable.  I was stung by the sadness of what felt the end of my childhood and a solid step into adulthood. (Strange...because I probably should have felt like an adult a long time ago---since there are 3 kids in tow! But up until now, I have still felt very much like a kid.)  Luckily, I had my sweet Rod to pull me through it and help me end my twenties with meaning and joy.  Just as it should be.  We made a list of the top 20 things I did in my 20's, but the list quickly filled up and over.  We live in a culture that celebrates youth and disdain's growing older.  Sadly, I think we have it all wrong. The sadness I felt dissipated as I realized that my 20's were full, adventurous, tumultuous at times, but filled with far more successes than failures and much more love than pain.  As I have reflected more fully on the last 10 years, I have come to appreciate the many things I have learned and the things I have accomplished.  I want to be 30. I think I have earned my age.  I know that having another year to spend with my family on this adventure is a privilege and I am grateful to be alive.  So, while I cannot share my entire list, as some things are deeply personal and others deeply painful--I will share a few of my favorites off of the list.

20 things I did in my twenties (in order of occurrence--not in order of importance):

1. Became fluent in American Sign Language

2. Met and married the love of my life.

4. Bought my first car (my purple Saturn)

5. Lived in 5 States, moved 7 times

6. Learned to Snowboard 

7. Graduated Flight Attendant School

8.  Handled an in flight emergency and got a letter from the C.E.O of my company.

9. Went whale watching in Seattle

10. Celebrated the birth of 3 beautiful children

11. Enjoyed waterfall repelling in Costa Rica

12. Drove coast to coast of the U.S.

13. Danced along at a Luau in Hawaii

14. Had Dinner at the Eiffel Tower in Paris

15. Celebrated the birth of 3 beautiful children

16. Ran my first race

17. Bought and sold my first home

18. Went to Disneyland for the first time.

19. Stood at a Volcano

20.  Hiked the Rain-forest at night

I will stop at there, though it doesn't even begin to cover it...It has been a full and good ten years; On the last day of my twenties I decided I would do something fun. Something I have wanted to do my entire 20's. I died my hair pink, and loved it!

 We celebrated all weekend long. On Friday I spent the evening celebrating with friends, on Saturday my sweet mom took care of the little's; and Rod and I played all day, on Monday we celebrated as a family and went to the Great Wolf Lodge together.   It was a full and wonderful weekend! Can't wait to see what the rest of this year brings!

Special thanks to Rod, and the many people in my life who made me feel so loved on my birthday.