36 on my 36th

For my 36th birthday, I’m sharing 36 things about me.

Here is everything you never wanted to know.

1. For the better part of this past year, I thought I was already 36. So I guess that makes this a bonus year?

2. I love to eat breakfast, but I hate to make breakfast. In the movies, people are always sitting down to a table with a carafe of orange juice, a plate of toast, another plate of bacon, all of this FOOD. Does anyone really do that? (Maybe on a weekend?) (But the carafe, seriously?)

3. I have no idea what day it is most of the time. Especially during baseball season, but pretty much all the time since we started homeschooling. What is a weekend again?

4. I’m trying to make peace with my body. Thanks to autoimmune issues, I can’t work it out like I used to. I have to be careful. And low-impact. And it’s frustrating.

5. I highlighted my hair for the first time this year. I swore I would never color my hair, but then I got old and got over myself.

6. I had two c-sections. They saved my life and the lives of my babies. Sometimes I feel like moms who had c-sections are looked down on. I’m here to tell you, if you had a c-section, you are a strong and brave woman who should never be made to feel otherwise.

7. Learning is my favorite. Right now I am learning how to shoot night sky photography and am having the best time. I hope I never lose my love of learning.

8. I have BRF. If you don’t know what that is, well…it means I look mean or mad when my face is at rest. Because of this, people who don’t know me can sometimes feel intimidated. I’m so sorry, I promise I’m nice.

9. I had to get glasses last month for the first time ever. I have one pair for long distance (driving, watching baseball games), and one pair for reading. My eyes are feeling more relaxed than I can ever remember. Maybe this will cure my BRF?

10. I prefer water without ice.

11. I miss real ice cream.

12. Walking past the freshly baked baguettes at the store makes me sad.

13. Things I wanted to be when I grew up: A paleontologist, a teacher, an engineer (what?).

14. Mom-guilt is a daily battle.

15. I wish mix-tapes were still a thing.

16. I’m really good friends with my parents.

17. I won the lottery with my mother-in-law. She’s the best.

18. I miss my father-in-law.

19. The hardest questions for me to answer are the ones that start with, “What is your FAVORITE…” Ack! Too much pressure.

20. I’m writing this at 1:30am. I should be in bed, but Leila and I took a three-hour nap today. (See also: Why I Love Being Out of the Baby Stage)

21. My parents took me, a friend, and my grandma to Vegas for my 21st birthday.

22. Movies I can watch on repeat: You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, The Breakfast Club

23. Books I can read on repeat: Anne of Green Gables, The Harry Potter Series

24. I would definitely win the award for “Most Awkward to End a Phone Conversation” if they gave out trophies for that sort of thing. Seriously, I am the worst.

25. I wish I could go social-media free for the summer, but living in Montana for baseball season means half the time there are zero other adults to converse with. So if you see me on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram more often this time of year, that’s why.

26. I believe in love. And grace. And listening to each other’s stories.

27. After following every YouTube tutorial, I still can’t seem to braid my own hair.

28. My daughter loves Disney Princesses. And baseball. And playing in the mud. And standing up for herself. And…this is a blog post for another day…

29. Most of all, I want my kids to know I am proud of them and love them no matter what.

30. My left eye is lazy.

31. I am an excellent multitasker. I multitask too much.

32. When I dream about Heaven, I dream about crusty bread and beer.

33. I wish everyone knew the real Jesus. Not the Jesus that judgmental Christians throw around to suit their own agenda.

34. I’m not very good at small talk. I wish I could have a real conversation over a cup of coffee or tea or wine with everyone who gets this far through my list.

35. I hate celiac disease, but I’m thankful for the people in my life because of it.

36. Today I turn 36, and my body is showing age in more ways than one. But I will choose today, in this moment, to be thankful for another year.

Cheers!