Thirty-One

Last month I celebrated my 31st birthday. My sweet little family outdid themselves as usual and I fell asleep that night feeling really loved and grateful for my life. It is amazing in contrast what 12 short months can do for your perspective on life. Last year on my 30th birthday I remember feeling quite anxious and unsettled. I craved some higher purpose and balance in my life, and I suppose I was struggling to define who I was in my fairly new role as a stay at home mom, and a woman heading into her thirties. What a pleasant surprise to wake up a 31 year old and now to be quite content with exactly who I am and where my life is headed. No major changes noted ( beside the sweet little babe kicking in my tummy) same house, same city, same family, same role day in and out, more wrinkles, ironically 15 pounds heavier, but markedly more content, less anxious, and overall a sunnier me.
A Happy Birthday indeed!

31 things about me you may or may not know.

1. My favorite color... not pink... green.

2. My favorite food... chicken curry and dark chocolate, but not at the same time

3. My favorite activity... water skiing

4. My best friend... Matt, but that's the easy choice... So a close 2nd my sister Jill.

5. My favorite physical attribute about myself... straight teeth (thanks for the braces mom and dad) and small narrow feet. 

6. My favorite article of clothing to wear... Chacos/new birthday Birkenstocks

7. My favorite tv show... Game of Thrones!

8. My biggest character flaws...  stubborn, opinionated, and don't like to be told what to do. 

9. My mom would be disappointed if she new... how much I swear, how often I skip church

10. My biggest regret... not getting a dog sooner. I love Murphy. 

11. My fantasy vacation... right now I just want to take Wheeler to go to the new Cars Radiator springs at Disneyland... the excitement on his face would be priceless

12. My biggest guilty pleasure... I love the smell of coffee and could spend hours in the bulk coffee bean section at central market.  

13. Right now I am learning about... American civics, to take my US citizenship test.  

14. Best compliment I received lately... "mom you are so pretty" - Wheeler

15. Biggest annoyance... texting and driving.

16. I wish I were... bilingual, or able to play a musical instrument

17. Something I only do at home... dance party with Wheeler. We really get into our Raffi and the Rio soundtrack.

18. If I changed my profession I would go into... nursing. I actually like hospitals and think it would be a really satisfying and useful career. 

19. Best advice ever given... fake smile until you feel happy

20. Most looking forward to...having a daughter this fall.

21. Second most looking forward to... moving back to Canada in the upcoming year.

22. Thing I seldom admit, but know is true... I am very much like my dad.

23. I'm not good at... keeping plants alive. Especially in Texas, I kill off all my flowers. 

24. Bandwagon activities I enjoy... yoga, photography, buying organic, creative home projects 

25. I cook... vegetarian twice a week, and attempt cooking Vegan on occasion. I have strong opinions about meat and animal product consumption as well as additives and preservatives. 

26. I believe in... acupuncture, holistic medicine, and chiropractors, but that none are a good substitute for a competent specialist. 

27. Next vacation I am going on... Echo lake for 10 days! Can't wait!

28. I am secretly interested in... politics. 

29. Something I spend unnecessary money on... we hired a house cleaner once every other week. It is AWESOME!

30. I am jealous of... people who stopped getting pimples in high school, and girls who gain weight in their butts not their tummies like me. 

31. I am grateful for... my husband. Again cliche, but true. No one makes me laugh harder or is more appreciated for all that they do to make my life easy/great.