Leaving the 20's Behind

I am 30 years old today.

I have to admit, I'm sad to leave 29 behind. It was one of the best years of my life: we bought our first home, I gave birth to our fourth son, and I saw the other side of the world. It's going to be a hard year to beat, that's for sure.

However, since most of my friends are already in their 30's, I feel like I've been waiting a long time to get here, so there's a part of me that's excited to finally join the club. I guess I just always thought I'd feel more like an adult by the time I hit 30. I still feel like something of an imposter.

We just got back from Colorado last night, so I told Mike we should hold off celebrating for a few days, just so we have a chance to catch up with all our work and settle back into a routine. It is actually very freeing to have zero expectations for the day.

A year ago, I had grand hopes of doing a "30 things before 30" countdown, but it never materialized. So in place of that, here are 30 things about me that you may or may not know:

1. If I could only choose one dessert for the next 30 years, it wouldn't even be a difficult choice: chocolate chip cookies.

2. I know open-floor plans are all the rage these days, but I prefer our closed-in kitchen. I like it that if friends drop by unexpectedly, they can only see into the living, which usually is not too much of a disaster.

3. Aside from the three months we were house-sitting, we've never owned a dishwasher during our ten years of marriage. I think washing dishes is one of the most relaxing, therapeutic things I can do (and it's great for listening to audiobooks!).

4. I always make my bed. Even when the rest of my bedroom is an eye-sore, at least my bed it made.

5. If you see me with mascara on, you know it's Sunday or a special occasion.

6. One of my favorite possessions is my portable heater.

7. I'm hesitant to admit it, but I dogear books.

8. My favorite number is seven, and my favorite color is red.

9. My bachelor's degree is in organ performance (a major I absolutely loved), but if I ever go back to school for my master's, it won't be in music.

10. I don't like animals, but I don't resent you if you do.

11. My favorite season is spring because it closes the door on winter.

12. I am afraid of heights.

13. I don't like making (or going to) dental, eye, or hair appointments.

14. I think January is the dreariest month, and I'm disappointed every year that my birthday is in it.

15. I don't remember getting in trouble too often when I was a child, but one time when we were on vacation, I was being a sassy little brat, so my parents told me I could either have a spanking or not go swimming. (I took the spanking.)

16. I was homeschooled from third grade through high school.

17. One of the hardest things for me about winter is the dark.

18. I've wanted to learn to knit for 20 years.

19. One of my favorite ways to spend an evening is to go on a walk around the neighborhood and run into lots of friends.

20. I don't like filling up the car with gas and only do it if I'm actually worried I'll run out before Mike can fill it up.

21. When I was a teenager, I went to my piano lesson one time with long, purple nails. My piano teach told me I could either be a manicurist or a pianist. I chose pianist.

22. I am rather obsessed with making sure the doors are locked. And with washing my hands.

23. I wish I was better at decorating, cooking, baking, cleaning, gardening, and organizing.

24. I think falling snow is one of the prettiest things in this world. And week-old snow is one of the ugliest.

25. When I have to give an "interesting" fact about myself, I tell people that I played the bell tower at BYU.

26. I look much more like my dad than my mom.

27. Almost nothing makes me more content than a clean house.

28. I watch very little TV--maybe an hour a week.

29. I would wear flip-flops every day if I could. I've never worn more than a 2-inch heel. I think ankle boots are ugly (but especially when worn with a dress).

30. I love porches and porch swings, and now I have both.

One of the things I love the most about blogging is connecting with the people who read my posts. So in light of that, it would make me so happy to hear from you today. Leave a comment, or, if it's easier, send a quick email: sunlitpages [at] gmail [dot] com. It doesn't have to be anything long or witty or fancy. Just "hey, I read your blog" would be lovely. In fact, it would make this 30-year-old super extra happy.