30 on nine,nine,eleven.

1. Is really 30?!  Whoa.  It’s been a super fun and constant learning experience for 29 years and 364 days, I must say. 
   
   
   
   
   
2. She has known her bad ass husband for nearly half of her life now.  Totally cool to think about :)  They met only HOURS before her 18th birthday on this very day.  He really is such a bad-A.  But for all the most wonderful reasons! 
   
   
3. Will celebrate five years of marriage in a month & a few days. 
4. Still gets a silly-happy grin and “watts of sweet keeses” when she sees her sweet Westie boy!  She enjoys every minute of time with him.  He’s got such personality ;)
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Year numero five for teaching, and this past summer, added ESL to her repertoire!  But she still LOVES teaching art more.
6. Started drawing again this past year.  She enjoys it so much more than she did in college.
7. She made the conscious choice of starting to leave her camera at home a lot more.  This is not necessarily a “great” thing, but man, it’s been really good too.   In the lyrics of One Republic, take “a mental picture of you now.” 
8. She has probably eaten her weight in spaghetti in the past year. Spaghetti with Newman’s Marinara sauce, cheddar cheese sprinkled on top, and a dollop of Ranch dressing.  Of course, with this bread and this salad to go along for a perfect meal.  Yum.
9. She is a runner.  Has been for more than 10 years of her life.  There is not two days in a row that have passed without her getting in at least four miles.  Somedays she hates it because it is a tough run, but after she always loves it. 
10. Between her older sister and her, she has always been thought of as the "older one."  Maybe she has been more (panic)alert than ever about it lately, but still swears to have gotten carded several times in the past few months and each time they say, “you don’t even look near thirty.”  Maybe they are just being nice, but she will take it.  She would like to think that a healthy diet, and love of working out (see above), are contributing factors to this compliment. 
11. Has a quirky obsession with Q-tips.  Unfortunately, the cotton can be found in her bedside table in excess.  It all started as a childhood nightly routine when she would lay her head on her mom’s lap and her mom would Q-tip her ears.  To this day it still calms, sooth’s, and comforts.
12. Eczema on the backs of her legs in the summer months?  Check. 
13. Realizing that time is relative.  There are only 24 hours in one day, and sometimes it’s better to say, “no” than regret an obligation/commitment later.  But...
14. She also realizes that she can sleep when she is dead.  But...
15. 6-8 hours of sleep does her body so much good, and she realizes this is also important to continue looking and feeling young (See 10.).
16. Is seeing the importance of true relationships in her life.  And is in the process of accepting that some people are meant to be in your whole life, and some only for a while.  When it’s time to let go, it’s time to.let.go. 
17. Family is at the utmost of her life.  And she knows that family does not equate to just blood.  It’s a matter of what and whom touches your heart.  They are one in the same and it is possible to have several families. 
18. She is thinking and talking with her husband more and more about a family.  Both in the b-a-b-y sense, and the fur baby sense.
19. Music continues to inspire her by far the most.  A list of the lately’s:
    
    
    
    
20. Absolutely loves creative people and loves being creative, but still gets very timid and slightly embarrassed when she gives a homemade gift. 
21. Has known all along that she has procrastination issues, but is now realizing that many of her reasons for procrastination are one’s that she “builds up” in her head.  Self-made obstacles.  Realizing is as far as she’s gotten.  Solving might take help.
22. Still wishes on 11:11, stars, and believes in miracles and angels.
23. Loves to read/marvel at bloggers blogs who blog for a living, but accepts if she were a blogger for a living, she would be broke as a joke.
24. Has lists for everything she wants/needs to accomplish, but is terrified by setting “goals.”
    
    
    
    
    
25. Fall remains her most favorite of seasons.  And is anticipating Honey Crisp Apples right now!
26. Made Jiffy Mix blueberry muffins and a boiled egg for her birthday breakfast.  She mixed it together, and he prepared the muffin with butter and the egg with salt and pepper.
27. Asked for french doors for her laundry room for her birthday gift - the finishing touch to her summer re-decor project.  And she got them!  Thanks, Mom :)
28. She baked banana bread last night using her grandmother’s recipe that she copied onto a notecard when she was 10 years old.  The exact age when her love for baking started.
    
    
    
    
    
29. Is fully aware that she is so completely unaware of so much in this world.  She does not know it all, or think she will ever know-it-all, and quite frankly is so much less than perfect.  But she does have confidence that with the help of God, family and friends, she will always be alright. 
30. Has experienced sadness, true joy, guilt, resentment, forgiveness, anger, fear, envy, humility, change, hope, happiness, and true contentment in her mere 30 years and yet cannot wait for each emotion to come again so that she may learn and continue to grow into the woman He intended her to be.