This is 35

So this is 35!

Happy birthday to me! It’s so funny how birthday celebrations change as you get older; at least it has been for me. Not that my birthday isn’t worth celebrating, but I don’t put that much emphasis on the actual celebration as I did in my 20s. I am now perfectly content with simply spending it surrounded by my favorite people.

For the past week I have been trying to summarize what it means to be 35. Some of them made me chuckle so I thought I would share what my life at 35 looks like and honestly, I am not sure if these are just true simply since I have become a parent. 

You'll have to let me know if you have any of these things in common with me and if you have any other ones to add to this list. 

This is 35... 

• Getting excited about discovering a new Instant Pot recipe and then sharing it with friends so they can also be excited 
• No longer attending weddings for your friends, but replacing them with our kids' birthday parties
• The things you think about before heading out is - ugh, will there be parking? What's the traffic look like? Should I bring a jacket?
• The days of drinking without consequences is long gone. BUT, I've being smarter when there is a night of drinking. We remember to drink water in between and then before going to bed we take Ibrophen and have Pedialyte on stand-by
• I do not have the energy or the patience for any amount drama. Ain't nobody got time for that!
• I find myself eating dinner earlier and earlier. Anything past 7 is so late!
• I have a greater appreciation for a good skincare routine. I'm not getting any younger.
• Being so much more comfortable in my own skin. I no longer weigh myself and I don't care what size my clothes are. I also appreciate every stretch mark I have earned. 
• Finding the importance of time and where to invest it
• Never taking family for granted 
• Thinking going out anywhere past 8 pm is way too late
• Going to bed at 8 pm sounds like the best idea
• Being perfectly content with staying in versus going out
• I have no clue what song or artist is trending #1 in the charts 
• I definitely could not tell you what dance style is "hip" these days
• Using the words "hip" or "these days"
• Being grateful for all the long-term friendships I've kept up
• Reaching for my pjs the minute I get home from anywhere
• I'm actually now using the flat sheet on my bed
• I get super excited about throw pillows
• Coffee saves lives
• The thought of wearing a thong pains me. I don't give a peep who sees my underwear lines, at least I am wearing some
• Appreciating sun block 
• I'm no longer exciting about pay day because that money is spent before I receive it. Bills, Bills Bills! Eww, Adulting!
• It isn't a good idea to try to show my kids how to do a cart wheel anymore because I know I will most definitely pull something
• Farts are still funny 
• I'm officially checking the next age bracket on surveys and forms 
• Learning it's never too late to want more and learning it is okay to make changes to your life. It's okay to do life forwards, backwards or sideways- just keeping being you! 

But really, I am so blessed to be able to celebrate another year around the sun with the ones I love. My friends and family make me feel loved each and every day. 

Thank you to everyone who took a moment to send me birthday wishes, you are the best!