I am turning '28' in a few days. I know, how the heck did that happen? I swear I was a senior in high school just yesterday and now, here I am, 10 years later.
It's funny. One day, you're 18 years old and you're thinking, 'This is exactly how I want my life to go...' And next thing you know, you're 28 years old, and you're right where you're supposed to be.
When I was 18, I had four thoughts:
1. Become a teacher
2. Be single for as long as possible
3. Never have children
4. Own your own condo
I wanted to be a teacher because I've always felt like that was my 'calling.' I wanted to be single because I carried so much baggage around, I didn't want to 'bring down' another person so to speak. Also, the fact I didn't really want children might have been a deal breaker for some guys. It wasn't because I thought kids were a nuisance or anything.. It was strictly because I had a severe case of medical anxiety and well, no children meant no hospital stays or doctor appointments. The more I could avoid those, the better! And well, I wanted my own condo because in my head, living alone in one of those meant I'd really made it.
Now, I'm 28 years old. And I have four realities:
1. I'm a stay at home mother.
2. I've been married for 4 years.
3. I have three children.
4. I live in a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom house in a small town in Ohio.
And you know what's even more interesting? I'm the happiest and most content I've ever been. I never knew this was the life that was going to help me find myself but it did. I know who I am, right here, right now. It's not the life I envisioned when I was making a scrapbook of my senior year of high school, but I think my 18-year old self would be proud.
I hope she would be proud mostly because I've learned a few things during my 27th year in this big ol' world.
1. Having a husband that's your best friend makes difficult moments easier.
2. Being pregnant during the summer isn't as bad as I thought it would be.
3. Living in a small town is perfect. Little shops, home-town restaurants, kind people.
4. Birthdays spent sober are even better than birthdays spent drunk. I didn't have a hang over March 7, 2014.
5. Not everyone will be there for you-- even though you're often there for them. That's alright because I heard a quote once that was my mantra for '27' and will be for '28' as well.. 'There are two types of people in this world: the givers and the takers.. And the givers always sleep better.'
6. Hearing a diagnosis of Autism for your three year old daughter will change your life whether you're 20 or 27. You will become a fighter because of it.
7. You can eat raw brownie mix. Here's the trick: Mix the brownie mix, water, and oil first, take a lick with that spoon (or enjoy three big scoops, whatever), throw said spoon in dishwasher, crack open eggs, pour in, mix. No one ever knows
8. Life is better with a donut and a cup of coffee for breakfast.
9. It's alright to not get your way from time to time. It breaks you out of your shell and gets you out of your comfort zone.
10. Talking bad about someone else's looks, house, car, job, economic status, etc. Won't make your looks, house, car, job, economic status, etc any better. Burning down your neighbors house doesn't make yours better.
11. If you do a little housework a day, it saves you from having to do a big housework day! I don't know if it's the three kids thing or what, but I've learned this over the past month and I believe my house and my husband thank me.
12. Uplifting your husband is healthy for you, him, and your relationship. No one is perfect and I am sure your husband has his fair share of 'annoyances' but its worth it every day to uplift him about something! Thank him for working hard.. Thank him when he takes the trash out. Remind him he is your blessing!
13. Take a ton of pictures. No one has ever regretted having too many pictures of family and friends... Only not enough.
14. The simple life is a good life-- we have just enough but we are not stressed out and my husband isn't having to work two jobs to keep up with our debt. It is a blessing for us!
15. If you forget laundry for a day, it will in fact quadruple by the next day. Alyssa's Law of Laundry.
16. Tape is your best friend. I lose everything. And if I have an appointment, and I need paperwork, I can't find it.. So I've started taping all important paperwork needed within the next month to our fridge. Doesn't always look pretty but I'm organized!
17. You're never too busy-- it's all about priorities. What you value, you will make time for it.
18. Every parent needs a night away every now and then.. Don't feel guilty for it.
19. Chipotle is life.
20. You can defy all odds. When Ethan and I got married, I'm sure most didn't think we would last a year.. And this year we will have been together 6 years.. And we aren't simply together.. We are happy.
21. Your path won't be everyone's and it's important to remember that. What you treasure may be different than what someone else treasures. That doesn't make their decision wrong.. Just different. I'm 27 and I have 3 children. I stay at home full time. I love me and I love my life but I don't believe everyone has to make the same choices as me.
22. Ignoring things has made me a healthier, happier person!
23. Friends are all about quality not quantity. My circle is small, but loyal.
24. Although growing up can be rough for a parent/child relationship, that all changes when you become an adult. My relationship with my parents has never been better and I love seeing them as grandparents.
25. Some nights, it's okay to just order pizza or some kind of take-out. Don't feel bad. Sometimes you need someone else to cook for you ;)
26. Times can be really tough and life can throw you some curveballs but that doesn't mean Jesus still doesn't love you or have everything in control. Life wasn't meant to be fair or easy. You only learn the value of things when you have to work for them. 27 has been challenging in some parts but I've never doubted His love for my family.
27. Last, the most important thing I've learned at 27 is that it's okay to love yourself. All of yourself. I use to tuck away my quirkiness or my anxiety but today, I embrace it. I'm a little nerdy, anxious at times. I don't have an indoor voice and I'm as disorganized as they come. I watch the same movie 25x in a row and I enjoy a good book. I'm me.. And I've learned to love that even more this year.
27 things I've learned in my 27 years.
Not all of the lessons this year have been easy but I have been so blessed.
Our oldest daughter turned '3' between March 6, 2014 and March 6, 2015. Our middle child turned '1.' I gave birth to our third child in October 2014. We moved in to our dream home May 2014. We celebrated 4 years of marriage in December 2014.
This has been a year of life for us.
Cheers to 27 (almost 28) years on this gorgeous earth and here's to 28+28 more!
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