previously written
I turn 30 today. And that is CRAZY to me. The number doesn't bother me, I just can't believe that 30 years have passed. CRAZY. And so, to celebrate (because I love birthdays), here are 30 things you may or may not know about me...
1. Since I was young I've had a fear/disgust of dried gum on things. I used to sit at school with my legs turned out from under the desks because it grossed me out that it was all stuck under the desk. I also put bandaids over the dried pieces of gum stuck to the bunk beds at camp because I couldn't stand to look at them/sleep near it. yuck.
2. I was in Indian Princesses with my dad. My name was Little Rainbow and he was Swift Buffalo. We were a part of the Merry Willow tribe.
3. I broke my clavicle bone when I was in elementary school because my babysitter was carrying me and my brother like a sack of potatoes and dropped me.
4. Also when I was young (maybe 4th grade?) I hated getting up early and so to "save time" I went through a period where I slept in my clothes that I wanted to wear the next day... and my tennis shoes. What could this have saved me, 2 minutes??
5. I had a hamster named Popcorn growing up. I didn't feed it for a week and one day I woke up and it was dead. I didn't want my mom to know I hadn't been taking care of it, so I put food in the bowl and then called her in there to tell her of the tragedy.
6. I chased after and jumped on my science teachers back in middle school because he playfully took a note from me that was a complete joke I had written about a crush on a boy in the class. I was so humiliated if that boy would've read/heard it that I did something completely out of character (jumping on a teacher) for shy, little Christy.
7. I've never liked cats.
8. I was in a showchoir/chorus group all four years of highschool.
9. I'm so, so thankful for my parents and family. They are the greatest. And I'm thankful for the family I married into too. Just the best.
10. I LOVE broadway. I like to credit my grandparents for this and for taking my brothers and I on trips to New York and taking us to shows. I always daydreamed about being a broadway star. The Lion King's "circle of life" brought tears to my eyes.
11. Chad asked me to go to prom with him on my 16th birthday by giving me this...
I still wear the little studs all the time :)
12. In order to earn my first car, I had a list of "requirements" from my parents. Among them were reading through some of the Bible, reading some books, and writing my parents a paper on the importance of staying sexually pure until I got married. My first car was a 1995 2-door black Honda Civic.
13. I have never put any sort of color or highlights in my hair.
14. My grandmother took me to Paris when I graduated highschool. I still think it's so cool that she did this.
15. We got
engaged at some gorgeous castle ruins in Europe.
16. The Reese's holiday cups are my favorite chocolate/candy.
17. Some of my favorite memories are trips Chad and I have been on together. We have the best time exploring new places and have had the privilege to spend time in some pretty amazing ones. Our
Thailand trip and
Italy trip rank up there with some of my most favorites.
19. Chad lost his steps while shagging to our first dance as husband and wife at our wedding and left me standing in the middle of the dance floor by myself while he did the robot across and off the dance floor.
20. We are four years out from the
scooter accident in India, but I still have vivid memories of some of the events surrounding it. I'm not sure my mom lying on the ground and my brother holding her yelling "stay with me, mom!" will ever fade.
21. I hate ironing. And never do it.
22. My husband is the only guy I have ever kissed.
23. At one time I could recite the book of Philippians. Why did I ever stop practicing this??
24. I really loved being a teacher, but being a stay at home mom is absolutely my dream job. I'm thankful everyday (even on the hard, long days) that I get to stay at home with my babies. I. love. it. and I love them.
25. A minivan is also my dream car #dontjudge
26. My cousins and I grew up close. I reallllly need my boys to have some cousins sometime soon so they can love growing up with cousins too.
27. I've gotten out of the habit of reading many books... and I'm trying to work to make it a habit.
28. I cannot sleep with socks on.
29. I would've thought that I would have mastered self-discipline by the age of 30, but it's still something I'm (and probably will always be ) working towards.
30. The amount of graciousness the Lord has poured out on my life the past 30 years astonishes me. I'm so thankful for his faithfulness and goodness in my life.
Well that's 30! Did you learn anything new? :)
----------
AND NOW FORTY. What in the world?! After a few sweet friends asking and encouraging me to do some sort of reflection, here we are. Adding 10 things to my list. We could sum up this last decade best by saying "never say never" or "things I never saw myself doing."
ALSO some updates... I lost one of my little studs, still love the holiday reeses, have still never colored my hair, my kids now have fun cousins, I'm a mini-mom, still haven't mastered self- discipline, can still VIVIDLY picture some scenes of the scooter accident, and hate cats :)
31. In the past ten years, we added a third baby to our fam and I solidified my status as boy mom and being asked 5 million times over the next few years if we were going to "try for a girl?". Did I ever see myself as a mom to only boys? no. Is it the best thing? YES!
32. After YEARS of people asking me if I made bread like my mom, I can finally answer yes. For years I had no interest, and couldn't fathom keeping anything else alive. A few years ago, I randomly commented to my mom that I might be ready and a few days later, she showed up with laminated instructions, a basket full of every little thing I could possibly need, and 2 days of lessons. We haven't bought bread since :)
33. Found myself homeschooling, never saw that one coming either.
34. Learned that one of my favorite important lessons is that people aren't in your life forever. And to enjoy them while you have them. People move. Relationships and friendships change. People pass away. Small groups rotate. Neighbors grow up. Enjoy them today while you have them.
35. For some crazy reason I very randomly decided to start running. I've said my whole life that I hated running, and would never run. Well, 4 years ago I started and have ran nearly everyday since. It's not fast, it's not pretty... but I'm outside, moving my body, and enjoying 30 minutes of quiet.
36. Growing up I was the most pickiest, boringest eater. I ordered a baked potato at every restaurant. Gagged at deer meat or fish. Well we pretty much only eat deer in our home now, and I've eaten in markets and food stalls that would fail any sanitation test. This can only be because of years of being married to the most adventurous eater.
37. I love to drink water. I like the taste of it, which baffles my grandmother. I think water fixes any physical ailment you might have. Headache? water. Stomach ache? water. Cramps? water. Kidney stones? water. (which brings us to our next update)
38. In the always trying to be more like my dad (the very best person), I've added kidney stones to my life. I now have some new specialty doctors and new rhythms because my kidneys look like "a beautiful painting of starry night." Lovely.
39. I've come to really enjoy fishing and hunting things with the boys.
40. I love doing laundry. I love to get out stains, I love for clothes to be clean, I love being caught up on laundry baskets. Which is good for me because with 3 outside, wild boys, we have A LOT of dirty clothes. Hate dishes, love laundry. Chad does the dishes, I wash all the clothes.
Still praising the Lord for His sustaining grace and His faithfulness through the years. What a gift and a privilege it is to grow older. What will my list add at 50?
%20copy.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
