3. Speaking of clothes, I pay attention to fabric and quality. If I don’t love it and can’t wear it more than once, I don’t buy it.
4. Cardigans are a mama’s best friend. I hide that mommy-tummy, girlfriend! Somehow, it makes me feel more pulled together if I pair it with jeans and some lipstick, which brings me to…
5. My mom was right when she said to never leave the house without lipstick. I’ll add: never leave the house without mascara. I look scary without any eye makeup.
6. The 90s Alternative music scene will always trump whatever is currently popular on the radio station. Always. However, why is it playing on the classic rock stations?
7. Wrinkles are real. Use moisturizer and anti-wrinkle cream: the earlier you start using that stuff, the better. Why didn’t I listen to my mother sooner?
8. Saving money is way more fun than being broke, but…
9. Spending money on experiences is better than spending money on things.
10. Quality over quantity. Always.
11. Never forget where you came from. It keeps you humble.
12. Gray hairs really do multiply if you pull them.
13. Naptime is still my favorite part of the day. I don’t know what I’m going to do when the little stops napping.
14. Being a stay-at-home-mom is the BEST thing ever, but it is the hardest yet most fulfilling job I have ever had. Ever.
15. Getting carded puts a smile on my face instead of a frown from annoyance.
16. “Busy” has a whole new meaning than what it did in my twenties.
17. I look forward to weddings and baby showers because it’s one of the only times I get to see a group of my friends all at the same time, and I look forward to buying the good gifts.
18. I know the limit of drinks I can have before I will have even the slightest tinge of a hangover.
19. My muscles scream at me when I overwork them, and they are screaming at me for insisting on running yet another marathon/half-marathon. Knee problems and back ache, anyone?
20. I know I officially became an adult when the little sister finally started taking my advice on things.
21. Drinking a bottle of wine at home is a crazy “night out.”
22. I laugh when people ask if I go “clubbing.” Ha!
23. I have learned to love the suburbs. I loathe driving in traffic to go into the city and avoid it at all costs unless it’s for a special occasion.
24. I’ve totally accepted the fact that it is okay to do all the things I said I wasn’t going to do for the sake of sanity when it comes to parenting. We’re all doing the best we can.
25. Savings accounts, IRAs, college funds, baby bodily functions, pre-schools, mortgages, life insurances are all the new talking points with my friends (and it doesn’t bore me one bit).
26. I wouldn’t relive my twenties if someone paid me to. No, thank you!
27. I constantly forget how old I am.
28. I constantly forget everything. “Why did I walk into this room again?”
29. Mom-brain is a real epidemic.
30. I’m not afraid of my 40s. My bucket list gets better every year, and more attainable, too.
31. I’ve never been more comfortable in my own skin and have more confidence than I ever have. Take that, life experiences.
32. My family members are my best friends and I consider my best friends family. (But I’ve known that for a while.)
33. I am trying my hardest to live out all of these things I want my daughter to know, too.
So that’s about the size of it. Do you dread the number you turn every year or do you embrace it? I like this quote that my Aunt Rita always says at each birthday: “It’s not the number of years in your life that matter, it’s the life in your years.” Heard that!
Keri Snyder says
Happy birthday!! Enjoy your day- I loved reading this and just agreed with it all. I am LOVING the 30s.
Kristy says
Thanks so much, Keri! :) Me too!!! It’s been the best three years so far. I just hope the trend continues. ;)
Meg O. says
Happy birthday!!!!! My 30s have been way better than ever! Love this list… especially 10 & 21!!
Kristy says
Thanks so much, girlfriend! I was so excited to turn 30, now each year just keeps getting better and better. Now if only I could get rid of these wrinkles. You have any product recommendations for that? Lol. And yes, #10 & 21 are some of my faves, too. Miss you, friend! Hope you’re rocking and rolling at school again. ;) Xoxo
Tawnya Faust says
La la la loved this post :) you’re such a beautiful soul and I agree with all of the above :) especially the wrinkle cream one!! I’m only 27 and already seeing them! Happy birthday :)
Kristy says
Aww, thanks bestest friend! :) I just started using the wrinkle cream, like last week. Hopefully it works. Lol. I’ll let you know. ;)
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says
Happy birthday, friend!! Love all these life lessons :) Sometimes I walk into a room and forget why I did… and I’m 24… haha
Kristy says
Thanks so much, Daisy! Haha. It only goes down hill from there with the memory department. ;)
Anna @ The Beauty Section says
I LOVE this list, so fun. I have always heard 33 is a great year from a lot of people so wishing you the BEST year ever! P.S. you have a beautiful family!! :)
Kristy says
Thanks so much, Anna! I’m pretty blessed, that is for sure. :)
Mariel Collins says
What a fun list! Wishing you the happiest of birthdays:)
Kristy says
Thank you, Mariel! It is already off to a great day and great year! :)
Keri Snyder says
Happy birthday!! Enjoy your day- I loved reading this and just agreed with it all. I am LOVING the 30s.
Meg O. says
Happy birthday!!!!! My 30s have been way better than ever! Love this list… especially 10 & 21!!
Kristy says
Thanks so much, Keri! :) Me too!!! It's been the best three years so far. I just hope the trend continues. ;)
Kristy says
Thanks so much, girlfriend! I was so excited to turn 30, now each year just keeps getting better and better. Now if only I could get rid of these wrinkles. You have any product recommendations for that? Lol. And yes, #10 & 21 are some of my faves, too. Miss you, friend! Hope you're rocking and rolling at school again. ;) Xoxo
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Yes! Juniors clothing does not fit me right! You have to know your body. And you look beautiful!
And random but I’d love if you shared this post on my new Weekend Snapshots link up. The link-up just went live today!
http://www.herheartlandsoul.com/weekend-snapshots-linkup/
Kristy says
Thank you so much, Erin! :) And the only time I buy anything from the “Juniors” department is in Target, because it feels like a gray area…but it has to be loose and sweatshirt-like. ;)
I’ll be sure to link-up! Thanks for the invite!
Tawnya Faust says
La la la loved this post :) you're such a beautiful soul and I agree with all of the above :) especially the wrinkle cream one!! I'm only 27 and already seeing them! Happy birthday :)
Laura says
I turn 30 in a few months and every now and then i get a little freaked out – maybe i should start a list of my own, so whenever i get that way, i can just pull it out =) Happy birthday!!!
Kristy says
You know, 30 did freak me out a little bit at first. I think because it was brand new, a whole new decade. But the majority of my twenties were pretty rough. It wasn’t until I turned 27 that things started to look up. I was thrilled at all the possibilities that 30 seemed to offer, and it has been a great journey so far. I love lists, so of course I highly recommend them. ;) Thank you so much for the birthday love!
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says
Happy birthday, friend!! Love all these life lessons :) Sometimes I walk into a room and forget why I did… and I'm 24… haha
Anna @ The Beauty Section says
I LOVE this list, so fun. I have always heard 33 is a great year from a lot of people so wishing you the BEST year ever! P.S. you have a beautiful family!! :)
Kristy says
Aww, thanks bestest friend! :) I just started using the wrinkle cream, like last week. Hopefully it works. Lol. I'll let you know. ;)
Mariel Collins says
What a fun list! Wishing you the happiest of birthdays:)
Kristy says
Thanks so much, Daisy! Haha. It only goes down hill from there with the memory department. ;)
Kristy says
Thanks so much, Anna! I'm pretty blessed, that is for sure. :)
Kristy says
Thank you, Mariel! It is already off to a great day and great year! :)
Amanda says
Seriously love this!!
Kristy says
Thanks, Amanda! You are such a doll!
Samantha@Elah Tree says
ahhhh! to fun! Happy Birthday!
Kristy says
Thanks so much, sweet sister! :)
Ashley says
Happy Birthday!
Kristy says
Thanks, Ashley! :)
Jamie Hudspeth says
Happy birthday pretty momma! Loved your list. I absolutely love getting to know you!
Kristy says
Thank you so much, sweet friend! Ditto! :)
Erin says
Happy birthday! I turn *gasp* 35 in April, so I will officially become middle-aged. I agreed with a lot of your points on here! I had to laugh at the gray hairs comment because I just got highlights tonight and was complaining to my hair dresser. I let more things roll off my back, too. I didn’t know you were a marathoner! I used to run full and half marathons, but I haven’t found time to run more than five miles at a time with two kids in a jogging stroller. Good luck!
Kristy says
Thanks, Erin! I like this age. I think I’ll stay here for a while. Ha! And for real with the gray hairs. Ugh. ;) Yes, I should be training, but I haven’t been on a strict schedule this go-round (I’ve run two fulls before). I guess having a baby will do that to you. And it really is so much harder to run with a jogging stroller. I haven’t been running in two weeks, and the most I’ve trained for is 4 miles at a time! Haha. That is laughable. Good thing I only signed up for the half. I’m going to be in so much pain come January. :| Thanks for the well wishes, sister! :)
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Yes! Juniors clothing does not fit me right! You have to know your body. And you look beautiful!
And random but I’d love if you shared this post on my new Weekend Snapshots link up. The link-up just went live today!
http://www.herheartlandsoul.com/weekend-snapshots-linkup/
Laura says
I turn 30 in a few months and every now and then i get a little freaked out – maybe i should start a list of my own, so whenever i get that way, i can just pull it out =) Happy birthday!!!
Amanda says
Seriously love this!!
Samantha@Elah Tree says
ahhhh! to fun! Happy Birthday!
Ashley says
Happy Birthday!
Jamie Hudspeth says
Happy birthday pretty momma! Loved your list. I absolutely love getting to know you!
Erin says
Happy birthday! I turn *gasp* 35 in April, so I will officially become middle-aged. I agreed with a lot of your points on here! I had to laugh at the gray hairs comment because I just got highlights tonight and was complaining to my hair dresser. I let more things roll off my back, too. I didn't know you were a marathoner! I used to run full and half marathons, but I haven't found time to run more than five miles at a time with two kids in a jogging stroller. Good luck!
Kristy says
Thank you so much, Erin! :) And the only time I buy anything from the "Juniors" department is in Target, because it feels like a gray area…but it has to be loose and sweatshirt-like. ;)
I'll be sure to link-up! Thanks for the invite!
Kristy says
You know, 30 did freak me out a little bit at first. I think because it was brand new, a whole new decade. But the majority of my twenties were pretty rough. It wasn't until I turned 27 that things started to look up. I was thrilled at all the possibilities that 30 seemed to offer, and it has been a great journey so far. I love lists, so of course I highly recommend them. ;) Thank you so much for the birthday love!
Kristy says
Thanks, Amanda! You are such a doll!
Kristy says
Thanks so much, sweet sister! :)
Kristy says
Thanks, Ashley! :)
Kristy says
Thank you so much, sweet friend! Ditto! :)
Kristy says
Thanks, Erin! I like this age. I think I'll stay here for a while. Ha! And for real with the gray hairs. Ugh. ;) Yes, I should be training, but I haven't been on a strict schedule this go-round (I've run two fulls before). I guess having a baby will do that to you. And it really is so much harder to run with a jogging stroller. I haven't been running in two weeks, and the most I've trained for is 4 miles at a time! Haha. That is laughable. Good thing I only signed up for the half. I'm going to be in so much pain come January. :| Thanks for the well wishes, sister! :)
Chelsea @ The Contented Wife says
Happiest of birthdays to you Kristy! I’m in complete agreeance with number 29. Everyone talks about pregnancy brain, but I’m all about the mom brain. Did NOT like reading that about the gray hairs. I found one a few weeks ago and yanked that thing right out. Fingers crossed it was a fluke. I’m only 26, so it is WAY too early for that business.
Kristy says
Thanks so much, Chelsea! The struggle is real, sister. Sometimes it takes me several seconds to even spit out the right words I’m trying to communicate too, because I can’t think of a word. I don’t know what it is about having a baby that makes your brain turn to mush, but it’s a real deal. ;) And oh so sorry about the gray hairs. Mine started around that age, and they have only rapidly taken over my head. Hoping it’s a fluke for you! :)
Tiffany Hutto says
I am 27 but I can relate to so many of these! Great post!
Kristy says
Oh, 27 was when life started getting really good. So glad to hear you can relate! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Chelsea @ The Contented Wife says
Happiest of birthdays to you Kristy! I'm in complete agreeance with number 29. Everyone talks about pregnancy brain, but I'm all about the mom brain. Did NOT like reading that about the gray hairs. I found one a few weeks ago and yanked that thing right out. Fingers crossed it was a fluke. I'm only 26, so it is WAY too early for that business.
themommyglow says
I am 27 but I can relate to so many of these! Great post!
Jessica Hughes says
Beautiful family, beautiful post, beautiful pictures!
Kristy says
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are too kind, Jessica. :)
Kaelyn Zielinski says
Wow! I love this post :D Happy birthday!!! I can relate to the spending money vs saving and I need to be better about saving for the experiences rather than the things. I also feel like an adult now that my sister comes to me for a lot of serious talks.
http://www.myfairdaily.com
Kristy says
Thank you so much, Kaelyn! I’m still struggling with the buying of things, but I do know when to save for experiences. Memories last a lifetime. Things? Well, not so much. Lol. Sisters are the best, aren’t they? I love being the big sister. It’s served me well in my life. :) Hope you are having a great week!
Jessica Hughes says
Beautiful family, beautiful post, beautiful pictures!
Kaelyn Zielinski says
Wow! I love this post :D Happy birthday!!! I can relate to the spending money vs saving and I need to be better about saving for the experiences rather than the things. I also feel like an adult now that my sister comes to me for a lot of serious talks.
http://www.myfairdaily.com
Kristy says
Thanks so much, Chelsea! The struggle is real, sister. Sometimes it takes me several seconds to even spit out the right words I'm trying to communicate too, because I can't think of a word. I don't know what it is about having a baby that makes your brain turn to mush, but it's a real deal. ;) And oh so sorry about the gray hairs. Mine started around that age, and they have only rapidly taken over my head. Hoping it's a fluke for you! :)
Kristy says
Oh, 27 was when life started getting really good. So glad to hear you can relate! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Kristy says
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are too kind, Jessica. :)
Kristy says
Thank you so much, Kaelyn! I'm still struggling with the buying of things, but I do know when to save for experiences. Memories last a lifetime. Things? Well, not so much. Lol. Sisters are the best, aren't they? I love being the big sister. It's served me well in my life. :) Hope you are having a great week!
Amber Bates says
Great post! I am constantly surprised at how great things are now that I’m in my 30’s. I agree with so many of the things you shared (sorry, not the make-up one- it’s just too hot here!). Isn’t it amazing how much your life changes for the better when you start to accept yourself?
Thanks for sharing! Found you through the SHINE blog hop.
Amber at OurCharmedLife.net
Kristy says
Yes! Thank you so much for stopping by! :) The 30s, although not free from heartache or problems, have been so much better than my 20s. I think the maturity I did through those hardest years set me up with a much better attitude for this season of my life. Hope you’re having a great week, Amber!
Amber Bates says
Great post! I am constantly surprised at how great things are now that I'm in my 30's. I agree with so many of the things you shared (sorry, not the make-up one- it's just too hot here!). Isn't it amazing how much your life changes for the better when you start to accept yourself?
Thanks for sharing! Found you through the SHINE blog hop.
Amber at OurCharmedLife.net
Alycia says
Happy Belated Birthday!
I have to agree with everything on this list! I’m inching closer to 30 and I have to say, most of these things are spot on already!! :)
Kristy says
Thanks, Alycia! I’m glad you can relate. :) There is nothing to be scared of when it comes to the 30s. I was happy to welcome that age. Still can’t believe I’m any older than that, but it’s been fun. ;)
Kristy says
Yes! Thank you so much for stopping by! :) The 30s, although not free from heartache or problems, have been so much better than my 20s. I think the maturity I did through those hardest years set me up with a much better attitude for this season of my life. Hope you're having a great week, Amber!
Kristy says
Thanks, Alycia! I'm glad you can relate. :) There is nothing to be scared of when it comes to the 30s. I was happy to welcome that age. Still can't believe I'm any older than that, but it's been fun. ;)