Michael gave me a wonderful birthday present this year to celebrate the big three-oh: a two-night resort getaway (sans enfants). Although we had no idea how close we were cutting it Celeste's d-day, i have no doubt that our babymoon gave us some time much-needed to recharge for what was to come.
We spent an entire day staring at this:
We napped, relaxed, read, ate out, went on walks. All things that a we never have a chance to do. I didn't even pack my diaper-bag. Pure luxury.
I was born on the night of a blue-moon. Here I am, Mom and Dad, with another blue-moon exactly thirty years later :-).
We came home on my birthday just in time to par-tay with our family. Nicholas was full of humor that night, because apparently there were just too. many. candles. on my cake.
So now, what better way to celebrate a milestone than with a blog post? Feel free to click-away, because I am pretty much sinking down to the level of a homemade narcissistic slideshow ;-).
Looking back, I am realizing that I have truly rocked my twenties. It was a decade filled with growth, joy and most of all so. much. love. I have no regrets and feel eternally grateful for my early-ish start at marriage and motherhood.
20
I kicked off my twenties with my first (and only) trip to Europe with my brother! Our destination was World Youth Day in Cologne Germany, stopping in Poland and the Czech Republic along the way. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life so far.
21
For my twenty-first birthday my sweetie surprised me with a trip to Las Vegas so I could try out my adult ID. We drove up after dinner and stayed up all night dancing, before driving back in the morning.
In the late-fall, after almost 3-years of friendship and dating, Michael proposed to me. Although we had spoken about marriage the proposal came as a HUGE surprise to me. Family and friends were present (hidden in nearby shrubbery) and I felt overwhelmed with their support for the beginning seeds of my vocation to marriage.
22
Twenty-two was a HUGE year of transitions for me. I graduated from University in December and four-weeks later Michael and I were married. In addition to adjusting to married life, I essentially learned about living on my own for the first time. I juggled a full-time office job and continued to perform in dance, while Michael spent his days at work and evenings in Grad School. My life was overflowing with joy and I felt more blessed and more "complete" than ever before to share my life with the man of my dreams.
Our wedding day and all of the events leading up to it were perfect in every way. I couldn't remember ever feeling so happy-- I was right where God wanted me to be and his love truly poured out onto us through our family and friends. Honeymooning in Mexico was dreamy, romantic and exactly what we needed.
23
I remember finding out I was pregnant just days after my twenty-third birthday. My passage into motherhood was challenging but blessed. I struggled to adjust to the selflessness and sacrifice that God required of me through the 9-months of morning sickness, swelling and discomfort. Despite all of this, it took a
four-day labor and c-section delivery for me to learn the lesson to
let go. I woke up the next morning feeling extreme pain and soreness but I also I felt more filled with love and happiness than ever before. The little boy in my arms was what I had been missing all of this time. Motherhood gave me so much meaning and joy.
A few months before Dominic was born Michael and I also purchased our
first condo together. We brought our little bundle from the hospital to a home truly filled with so much love.
24
My twenty-fourth year will always be memorable for my experience of living abroad in
Melbourne, Australia for almost six-months. It gave our little family a special adventure all to ourselves, and a chance to see what was truly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. My heart aches with nostalgia when I think back on these magical and simple days!
25
I celebrated my
twenty-fifth birthday in Hawaii with my family and parents, who were also celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. It was wonderful, in the way that only Hawaii can be.
26
I brought my sweet Gabriel into this world just ten-days after twenty-sixth birthday. Gabriel's birth was memorable for
so many reasons, but once again, as I held this little person in my arms I realized how much I had been missing him all of my life.
I also ran my
first half-marathon with Michael. It was my post-baby fitness goal that I became very proud of.
27
This is the year that was consumed with the sale of our condo and purchase of a new little house. We have made it our home over the past couple of years.
28
Our lives were changed again when
Nicholas unexpectedly came into our life on Christmas Day. Michael and I grew in our marriage and our faith as we struggled to balance the needs of a preemie and those of other young boys. We also grew in gratefulness for the gift of our little one's life and in humility that God would give us such a special little child.
29
As I look back on my last year, I think I am finally starting to grow-up and "settle", because very little happened! I ran alongside my mom for her first half-marathon. I also started homeschooling our oldest son for his Kindergarten year. Lastly, I started driving a minivan, which definitely scored me bonus points in the old-lady department.
So there you have it. Blogging proof that I have grown-up right before your eyes.
My thirtieth year has already taken a very
unexpected twist and I can't wait to watch more of this decade unfold. :-)
