29 Birthday Lessons + My Crazy Gift to Myself

This year has rocked my world. During the past year, we’ve moved, had another baby, made new friends, lost my grandma, and much more I don’t need to cover on my blog 😉 Let’s just say it has been an AWESOME year, but not one without heartache and stress.

It has been a MAJOR year of learning for me. Since today I turn 29, I am sharing 29 birthday lessons I have learned this year. I have been working on this post and adding wisdom for the past year, so pardon me if thoughts seem sporadic. Here are nuggets of wisdom I’ve learned during my 28th year:

1. When something seems too good to be true, it almost always is. Try for it anyways. Live without regret.

2. People do change, but not much. Love them for who they are and do not try to force change cause it probably ain’t going to happen.

3. Growing older is tough because the people who were the strongest once in your life start to become the weakest. Let them crumble in your arms for a change, and offer the reassurance they once gave you.

4. Good communication is absolutely the secret to a good marriage. Talk about everything…Even if you’re like me and you say stupid things all.the.time. {My husband thinks my hair is blonde!} That, and always strive to make your spouse laugh…It will get you through the tough times.

5. Lauren, you’re just a bit of an oddball. Embrace it.

6. Poop in the bathtub {from kids!} is not fun, but it happens. Laugh, bleach, and move on.

7. Body, relationships, my spirituality, my community, and living within my means are my personal five pillars of happiness and I do my best to keep them in check.

8. Cut-up fruits and veggies before the start of the week. You will eat them that way. If you don’t, you feel guilt for tossing them out.

9. There is absolutely nothing more important than having dinner as a family — even if it’s pure chaos.

10. Having two kids is HARD. Starting to think 4 — my original plan before marriage — was not meant for me. Time will tell what’s right for us.

11. Though I love visiting the city, I am a country girl at heart. I love dirt roads, taking photos of the sunset through an open field and non-fenced in yards.

12. Just one hour away from my kids does my soul good. I come back refreshed and ready for the demands of motherhood.

13. The day runs much smoother when I wake-up early. With that said, my life in general runs smoother when I go to bed early, too.

14. My favorite days are ones when we have no plans…Those take us on the best adventures.

15. Take time every day to smother the girls in kisses and make them laugh hysterically. It’s a blessing being a mother — never forget that.

16. I feel best when I eat well and drink a ton of water. With that said, a little chocolate milk, ice cream, beer and wine is OK too — just in moderation.

17. Fill the house with music whenever possible. It just makes everyone happier.

18. Don’t make time for people who don’t make time for you. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

19. It doesn’t take expensive things to feel like a queen. Just time to blow dry your hair, paint your nails and put on make-up…uninterrupted.

20. Your body loves when you exercise! Don’t stop what you’re doing.

21. Sitting down to mind-numbing TV and a glass of wine can feel like a vacation.

22. Say your prayers every night. It’s amazing — the more you think about what makes you grateful in life, the more you have to be grateful for.

23. Karma is SO true. Always put good juju out there. Even when it feels life has you down, the good stuff eventually finds its way back to you in some form.

24. Success shouldn’t be measured in anything other than happiness.

25. If you move on from something, don’t look back. Don’t over-analyze. Leave things in the past and keep moving forward.

26. You can’t control things, as much as you’d like to. Sometimes you just need to relax and let life happen.

27. You’re never to old to make new friends. Even when you feel like a fool, always treat every stranger as a potential friend in the making.

28. Strangers can tell you the best wisdom. Always listen to what they tell you — through their words or actions.

29. Sometimes a blog post can wait until tomorrow. Family and making memories is most important.

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Lookie! To celebrate my 29th year, I decided to do something crazy…I got my nose pierced! I know. I’m probably too old to do something like this, but I love it. Just a little sparkle for my face! I’ve wanted to do it for years, but worried what others thought. After one of my besties, Lindsey, get hers done, I knew I wanted to make the plunge too. Today I’m saying I don’t care what you all think or if I’m too old, I love it!

The lovely process…My BFF Sarah took pictures for me. It actually didn’t hurt much…Just made my eyes water like crazy!

Am I hip now? In my husband’s words – “29 years old and still acting like a teenager.” He’ll be jealous when I’m 90 😉 What should I do when I turn the big 3-0 next year?!

What life lessons have you learned during the past year?