This is 35!

I can recall a recent post from my fav, Jen Hatmaker, about what it felt like to be in your 40s and how amazing it really was. If I remember correctly, she said that in her 20s, there was so much uncertainty and so much comparison, and then in her 30s she was still in the early "in the weeds" years of motherhood. She didn't quite know who she was or who she was fully meant to be until closer to her 40s, and while I do feel a bit still in the world of the thirty-somethings, 35 has brought me closer to the confidence and empowerment she described her 40s as being than any other year.

I have gone through a lot of big emotions this past year (or two actually), and experiences that I both thought I'd never have to encounter and/or didn't know how to handle. I don't mean to be so vague, but my point is that I have learned so much about the world around me and even more about who I am in this beautiful and tragic world.

1. Family is the most important thing.

2. Friends are a treasure given by God, to show you who He is and remind you better who you are.

3. I require a high "fun" ratio in my life to stay sane.

4. Sometimes I'm still a crazy Momma though and lose my noodles anyways.

5. I am different mom than I expected I would be or thought I should be for a long time, but I am still a good mom.

6. Some friends are meant to be in your life forever, and some are meant to be there for only a season. But it's still hard for me to let the friends of the latter go.

7. God cares about the things we care about, and wants to give us the desires of our hearts. Like this big beautiful house that I had resigned to never having, but then He gave it to us. And it has been one HUGE reminder through the challenges these past 18 months that He's taking care of us, even the seemingly little and insignificant things.

8. He created each of us differently for different purposes. There's no box Christians must fit in to be "good Christians". Just love God and love others.

9. Joy can be found in the hardest seasons of life, and it's the most important thing you can do in those hard times.

10. You can care about Bachelor in Paradise and the families who have been separated at the border and chips and queso and fully-funding public education in our state and wearing clothes that make you feel good all at the same time.

11. Ellie is the sweetest, most thoughtful, and most sensitive little girl I know. And I just adore her.

12. Walter is the most snuggly and hilarious two-year-old I know. And I am just in love with his curls.

13. Chris is the most selfless and caring person I have ever known.

14. A life lived focusing on your pain is a life lived in anger, bitterness, and hurting others.

15. A life lived working through your pain, asking for help, and choosing to find joy, is a life lived in love and kindness.

16. I looooove sugar, and my ideal afternoon nap time includes a cup of coffee and a baked good.

17. But whole food gives me a more whole life, in attitude, sleep, confidence, and overall mental and physical health.

18. Our parents are truly incredibly resilient people. All five of them. We've watched them face betrayal, being taken advantage of, heartbreak, a brain tumor, cancer, loss of a parent, reconciling childhood trauma, and extreme financial strain. But they are still who they were before, but even stronger now.

19. People are inherently good.

20. Always connect with others.

21. Taking the time to visit with the generations older than you is always worth it.

22. There's is much to be learned from children too.

23. The things that you're good at are gifts from God and you should use them to serve others.

24. I love hosting parties...themed food, cute decorations, and pretty paper goods, and there's nothing shallow or extravagant about that. If that's how I like to celebrate, then I should do it without any apologies.

25. Being the hands and feet of Jesus means loving the person right next to you.

26. Kindness goes a long way. Always be kinder than necessary.

27. Making your home a beautiful place isn't shallow either. Your home is your safe place, and it's where you can serve others best too.

28. Take your love and your gifts (crafting, quilting, gift-giving, speaking, writing, leading, gardening, teaching, or ANYTHING) and use that to serve others. We don't have to be missionaries in a foreign country or dedicate our lives to a non-profit to do good in this world.

29. How you treat those around you everyday will be the legacy you leave behind.

30. Spending time outside is tremendous for your mental health.

31. So is going to see a counselor. Even for a short time or on an as need basis, having someone to talk to can help bring great perspective and healing to your own life.

32. Even when it feels like it's not enough, keep doing your best.

33. Setting aside time for self-care everyday if not at all selfish, but helps you reset to be the best version of yourself.

34. When you inevitably mess up or make a mistake, say you're sorry. Even to your children.

35. The only way to deal with hard things or pain in your life is to go through it. You can't stuff it away or pretend it's not happening. Feel the emotions and sit with them. And eventually you'll be stronger and it won't hurt as bad all the time.

And so with that list (there's probably another 35 in this noggin'/heart of great growth this year), I'm going to use being 35 to do 35 things I've been wanting to do/that fills my life with joy 35 times. Sounds silly/crazy? I mean this in the most loving and kind way possible, but I don't care. Because this is 35.