I got this birthday post idea from my friend Jaime over at Love, Jaime. I turned 35 today, so in my post, I’m reflecting upon my year as a 34-year old and 34 things that happened to me during that time. It’s been an awesome day so far with many loving words from friends and family. I love this idea so much, I may do it for my boys as well. Here goes!
1). My mom beat breast cancer and is now in remission. Yay!
2). We had our first Halloween in the new house.
3). After ten years with the same glasses, I finally got a new pair from winning a Firmoo giveaway on Jaime’s blog.
4). Brooks, our five-year old, continued with violin lessons. It’s been so fun to watch him learn how to play the instrument.
5). We hosted Thanksgiving at our house for the first time.
6). In November, after seven months of ear infections, I found out I was allergic to dust mites. I’ve been taking allergy shots since then and miraculously, no more ear infections!
7). Fitness became a huge part of my life. Around December, I began working out at our local gym and running. It’s done wonders for my body and mind.
8). We took the boys to Christmas at Biltmore. It’s truly a beautiful time of year to visit the Estate. We hope to go back again this year.
9). Frisbee, our Elf on the Shelf, dutifully came back to our house for the holiday season.
10). I went snowboarding for the first time in ten years, and I took little Brooks with me. My parents got him a snowboard for his birthday, so we’ll definitely be going back this year!
11). The boys turned 5 and 2 in January. They were born exactly three years and one day apart.
12). I did my first juice cleanse. I loved it. I think it’s about time for another one!
13). My first ever 5K was in February. It was called the Frostbite 5K/10K in Asheville. Luckily, that one day is was 55 degrees. It was a rough route, but I made it.
14). We had a huge snow on Valentine’s Day. It’s the first white Valentine’s Day I ever remember experiencing.
15). We went to LEGO KidsFest in Raleigh. I have never seen so many Legos in all my life. While in Raleigh, we also saw my best friend from childhood who was also my college roommate. She and I never seen one another enough.
16). We got season tickets to Dollywood for the third year. We love it!
17). We utilized our fire pit by making a lot of s’mores and roasting bags upon bags of marshmallows.
18). We traveled to Washington, DC twice. Going to DC to see my sister, brother-in-law, and niece is so much fun. This year, our family went at spring break, then during the summer, my mom, Brooks, and I went by ourselves.
19). I changed the design of my blog some and worked with more clients this year. Though I enjoy working with brands, my favorite thing about my blog is still the writing aspect of it.
20). Brooks graduated from preschool. Whew! That was certainly an emotional day.
21). I coached soccer for the first time. I don’t think I know enough about soccer to do that much beyond the players being 5 & 6.
22). We went with my husband’s entire family to Myrtle Beach and had an absolute blast.
23). Case went to his first baseball game.
24). Brooks learned how to ride his bike. We’re so proud of him!
25). We ran our first race as a family. We ran separately, but it was still super fun! The boys loved it.
26). Brooks started kindergarten. I still can’t believe he has started kindergarten already. Time truly does fly!
27). I traveled to Atlanta for my second Type-A blogging conference. It was so awesome to see all of my blogging friends and to be inspired. I already can’t wait for next year!
28). I was asked to be the live social media correspondent when Ty Pennington came to our town to flip an old prison into a halfway house/homeless shelter/soup kitchen.
29). I joined the NC Blogger Network and have met some amazing bloggers in our beautiful state of North Carolina.
30). Case entered and has never left his Ninja Turtle phase. I am not kidding, folks. From the time he wakes up from the time he goes to bed, it’s Donatello this and Michelangelo that.
31). After taking a year off, we reinstated our Apple Cider Day. Such a festive thing to do in the fall.
32). I began working with a local web designer as her content writer. We’re already having so much fun working together.
33). Our entire family (including my parents and my sister’s family) traveled to Gatlinburg for all of our birthdays. We stayed in a cabin in the woods with no wireless. I was forced to unplug for a couple of days. It was nice.
34). It’s been a transformative year. There have been trials and heartbreaks, but there has also been so much joy and laughter! It takes both ups and downs to truly live fully. Here’s to 34 years!
What a great year! (Also, I love these posts. I want to start writing mine for 36 in 36.) 🙂
Yes, I think it would be much easier to take notes throughout the year as opposed to trying to remember everything! And I’m seriously going to start doing this for the boys each year. Thanks for the idea. 🙂