I don’t know where the time went, but it’s my birthday today. Honestly, I’m not one of those people who counts down to their birthday or anything, and I don’t have any special plans at all, but it is nice to have a day to reflect on myself even more than I usually do. I use my birthday as a kind of second New Years Eve, to think about where I was a year ago and where I want to be a  year from now (when I’ll be turning 30 – yowza!)

My birthday gift arrived 8 months ago!

Here are 28 things that I’ve learned over the past year (or so):

1. The best laid plans do not always come to fruition.
2. Silliness is undervalued.
3. I wasn’t ever really confident until I became a mother and realized what true confidence is.
4. God’s grace is astounding and beautiful.
5. A cleaning service is a necessity for busy people and especially new parents. I’m not sure why I waited so long to get one – I think my pride got in the way and now I’m really kicking myself for ever thinking I could do it all.
6. Creating and nurturing a life/miracle is the hardest thing and also the most rewarding.
7. ‘Big(ger)’ boobs are really fun to have and I’m going to miss these suckers if they ever go back to their pre-pregnancy size. 
8. I truly feel better when I go to bed earlier.
9. If I am dumb enough to eat Thai food while wearing a white shirt, I should just know I’m going to spill on it. But only if I’m wearing a white shirt.
10. Less is usually more. Unless I’m referring to eating cupcakes or any sort of dessert, in which case I still believe more is more.
11. But still, the better I eat the better I feel.
12. Friendships will come and go and this will hurt.
13. Female bodies are absolutely amazing and we should be in awe of each and every one of them.
14. The hardest person to forgive is myself.
15. Love can definitely be multiplied.
16. It’s more fun to participate than observe.
17. There are 12 foods I should always buy organic. 
18. Being ‘too busy’ is not a thing – it’s just another way to say that something isn’t a high priority.
19. If shoes don’t fit, it’s best to get rid of them. If clothes don’t fit, it’s best to get rid of them.
20. Perfectionism really kills a lot of potential.
21. Trips to Target cost $100, which means it’s cheaper for me to go out to a nice dinner than to spend time running a quick errand.
22. God’s plan for my life is much better than anything I could have thought up for myself.
23. It’s easier to just do a task than to spend time thinking about doing it.
24. Each and every day brings the opportunity to learn something new.
25. There are some things I’m never going to be good at (because I don’t have the desire to dedicate the time to it) and that’s okay.
26. Good intentions are great if it’s followed by an action, otherwise they mean nothing.
27. Traveling is the best way to spend money.
28. I’m not who I was 10 years ago, or even 5 years ago.

Tell me, what life lesson jumps to your mind first today?