The big 3-0

Well, I never thought it would come, but here it is. Today I turned 30. (oh, and apparently I only blog when someone has a birthday now-lame!) This hasn't been a hard birthday, I have welcomed it with open arms in fact. It has been a philosophical birthday. I went to sleep last night thinking about how a decade ago I was turning 20, engaged to be married, living with 5 of the coolest girls on the planet, and I was pretty sure that I had this thing called life ALL figured out. I had a marvelous 5 and 10 year plan that didn't include any winding trails or mind changing. I was pretty sure I would get married, live in bliss and bring 5 beautiful children into the world who would all be well behaved, and never embarrass me. I'll give you all a moment to have a good laugh at my expense. It's okay really, I've been cracking myself up ALL day.

This past decade hasn't turned out at all like I planned. We have taken every twist and turn you can imagine, even back tracking a time or two. This 10 years of my life has been amazing, hard, fun, exhausting, and so many other things. I did get married to a great man, but I wouldn't describe our lives as bliss. It's hard work to be married and stay married and work it out everyday. I'm pretty sure I'm just now figuring a lot of that out, and know that I still have much to learn. I love my husband, and thank heavens he loves me! For now we have 3 beautiful children. Any more in the future? Who knows, but I no longer have a plan for that. My children are amazing individuals who make me crazy and bring me joy every single day, and hardly a day goes by without being embarrassed by Stockton, but that is another post all together.

Other happenings of my 20's:
Moving 10 times (each one gets harder)
Losing my Dad
Gaining John (who has been a huge blessing in my life, and my kids life. Thank you for being an amazing man and an amazing grandpa)
Successfully being a SAHM (I define success as: everyone is still alive, and they haven't locked me up yet :))
Learning to love cooking
Training for and finishing 2 marathons
Making some AMAZING friends who have taught me so much
And the list goes on.

So, what do I take from the past decade?
1. I know nothing. I have nothing figured out. I'm just winging it. And as long as I rely on the Savior, I won't go wrong.
2. I am stronger than I ever believed. I have survived trials that I never could have seen coming. I am still standing which means I can survive the next tests and trials that come my way. I am capable.
3. My family is AMAZING. I'm grateful for the family I was born into, the family I joined on my wedding day, and the one I am creating with my Eternal companion. I take them for granted way too often, but they love me anyway.
4. My mom really did know what she was talking about-enough said! Love you Mom!
5. We are all just doing the best we can with what we've been given, and the choices we have made. (That includes me! Who knew?)
6. The Savior can heal. He will forgive, but he can also heal our hearts. This knowledge and understanding is changing my life. The Atonement is real.

So, here's to the next great decade. I can't wait to see what adventures come in my 30's!