30 Things I Have Learned in 30 Years

So I turned the big 3-0 yesterday. 

Eeeeeeek!

So far it has been fabulous and I have so much to fill you in on, but here's a little post I began last week. It's 30 random things I have learned in 30 years, in no particular order.

1. Laughter really is the best medicine. Always.

2. People lied to me about childbirth. I mean I knew it would be rough and I thought I could handle pain pretty well, but negative - it is no joke! At least mine wasn't. Definitely wasn't all "give me an epidural and it's all butterflies after that" for me but you know what? I'd do it all over in a heartbeat and one day I hope I'm blessed enough to!

3. Nobody is perfect or has the perfect life, and if you think they do and waste your time trying to have what others have... well, then you're just plain crazy. I always loved that quote "The grass isn't always greener on the other side...and if it is, it's fertilized with bull #*%@" Excuse my French, but can I get an amen?

4. The beach is my happy place. I love that we live in a place (Upstate South Carolina) where we can be in the mountains in about 2-3 hours and on the coast in about 4-5 hours. It's the best of both worlds and while I do love the mountains, there is NOTHING like being on the beach with salty air and sandy toes.

5. Quality over quanity. The older I get the more I value "investment pieces". I don't have a lot to spend, but I'd rather save up and spend a little more on a nicer piece than just buy several cheap things that won't last. This is true when it comes to clothes, handbags, home decor, furniture, you name it...

6. I was diagnosed as hypoglycemic in high school and as much as I freakin hate it, I realize that I absolutely can NOT go to Olive Garden and indulge myself in sweet tea, those "addicting as crack" breadsticks, a big heap of pasta, topped off with my favorite - tiramisu. Because you know why? Well, I'd probably pass out on you before I got home. Talk about sugar overload. My body processes it entirely too fast and I become so, so sick. I can't tell you how many times I've done this exact scenario, but the older I get, the wiser I become.  Most of the time. Now, I know better.

7. Coupons are my best friend. Who doesn't love to save money? I don't always have the time to coupon like I should, but I do love the feeling of seeing how much I save when they print the receipt and I hate paying full price for anything.

8. Your mother is always right. There, I said it. She really is.

9. I love surprises. I love planning them for others, I love watching them on TV, and after years of thinking no one could ever surprise ME - I got the surprise of my life on Saturday night. More on that fabulous party later!

10. Traveling to another country is good for the soul. The time I spent abroad in Italy those 6 weeks was soooo good for me. It opened my eyes to a whole new way of living. I discovered more about myself and about life in general, than I ever could have. So grateful for that opportunity and would love to go back soon!

11. Girl time is crucial. Laughing so hard with girlfriends and taking time to talk about everyday life can be the best stress reliever. I swear, it keeps me sane. I love love love time with my two boys, but I always make time for girls night too.

12. You can never start a good wrinkle cream too early. The sun is also the enemy. Took me a couple decades to figure that one out.

13. To piggyback that, I have learned I'm a tee tad obsessed with beauty products. Oh and eternally gullible when it comes to them.

14. I didn''t think I would ever be a coffee drinker. Drinking coffee every morning was for old people. Oh but here I am. Addicted. Every morning. Coffee needed to function. Happy to be "old" ;)

15. Music is good for the soul. I took piano for nine years and still can't play a full song and I love to sing but I'm not sure if I should. However, I am a huge lover of any and all music. From rapping the latest Jay Z jam to classic Johnny Cash to southern gospel. Every genre. All the time. Music is my therapy. I also love to dance and feel that life is too short NOT to dance.

16. I'm a car chick. What does this mean? While I do love SUVs and have driven one once in my lifetime, the majority of my life has been spent driving a car. For the longest time, a two door Toyota Celica and now most recently a Toyota Camry which I absolutely adore. I know I may need an SUV one day, but for now I plan on driving this Camry until the wheels fall off.

17. I love color. While I also try to be a "neutral gal" and have days when I wear black, grey, and taupe... I just can't help it. I see bright pink and bold aqua (my two favorite colors) and I squeal inside like a 16 year old. Like one of my idols, Lilly Pulitzer, I vow to live a colorful life.

18. The older I get, the more emotional I am. Chevy truck commercials? Check. Lee Brice "I Drive Your Truck" on the radio? Check. Walking in to my own surprise party? Check. I cry at the drop of a hat!

19. Never say never. Especially when it comes to parenting.

20. Having a child changes you. Forever. It is by far the best gift I have ever received and I thank the Lord every day for this incredible blessing.

21. which leads to my next one. Being a parent is by far the hardest, more rewarding job I've ever had. Everything that they say (and you think is cliche) is true.

22. Your taste changes. No, I'm not talking with food (however I do think that changes too) but I guess your style evolves and things you thought you liked several years ago, aren't so much on your radar these days. I have learned to not go so much for "super trendy" but classics and stick to things that are MY style and my taste.

23. I thrive on staying busy. I've worked since I was 15 years old and had my driver's permit. 15 years!!! Began working as a waitress at a small, local restaurant and even through college, I always had not one, but two jobs at the same time. Even in the Summer I would work. It's all I know and I LOVE my job now. Some days I do get exhausted, burnt out, and wish I could just be a stay at home mom with my sweet boy, but working is all I know.

24. I opt for comfort over fashion these days. Yes, I know. I'm suppose to dress uber fancy and wear heels every day to my job. SCREEEEEEEECH. Back the bus up. Remember, I'm turning 30, not 20, so yes there are days when I really want to wear heels but knowing that I have to lug around my 27 pound toddler and be on my feet all day, makes me reach for flats or flat boots every. single. time. I still covet my fabulous heels and it makes me enjoy them even more when I wear them for special occasions, but my closet is slowly becoming a collection of more flats than heels...and I'm ok with that.

25. My husband was placed in my life for a reason...even if it was over 16 years ago when we first met. Everything that has happened in our lives to bring us back to each other was for a reason. The timing was perfect. He is my rock. God knew exactly what He was doing and I thank Him every day.

26. You never really get over losing someone you love. You eventually get over the shock and time does heal the pain, but years later...you just hear a song or think of a memory and burst into tears. There's always going to be a piece of my heart in heaven, but I am a firm believer God does everything with meaning and purpose.

27. Back to randomness, I really need to exercise. I lack in taking care of myself and while I have also learned, I'll never have the perfect body, I do at least need to exercise to give myself more energy and make myself "feel better" over all. When I went to aerobics, I wasn't near this fatigued all the time. There is a lot I have accomplished, but there is a lot left I want to do.

28. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil 4:13. This verse is at the bottom of every Sugar receipt and my favorite. Every time someone asked me "How in the world did you make it through your father passing away a month before your wedding?". I can honestly say, I never once felt like I needed anything other than the strength of the Lord. Combine that with my unfailing support system of family and friends (I've learned I have the best ever too btw) and they were hands down what got me through. HE is the only strength we need and will forever be the one that gets me through every single trial in my life. Day in and day out. I owe everything to Him.

29. The older you get, the less you care. Period.

30. Finally, I have truly earned to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. My twenty year old self would have laughed in my face, but it is oh so true. As corny as it sounds, a simple walk to clear your head on a cool, crisp Fall day...a three hour talk over dinner (with dessert of course!) with a dear friend...a giggle fest with my one year old. There's so many things that happen in my day to day life that make it so overwhelmingly amazing. It isn't the "big things" at all. The brand of car I drive, the size of the house we live in or the amount of designers hanging in my closet. WHO CARES? It's all about those simple moments that make life so sweet.

Here's to enjoying a new decade. 

Here's to love, life, and happiness.

Here's to 30!