3 decades later

Wow- I can not believe I am 30 years old. It's amazing how fast time flies and how much you age without noticing. I still watch college football and think that I am the same age as them- ha. Quite the awakening to realize I was that age about a decade ago. And 3 decades ago I was just a little one in my moms arms at the hospital. I've now moved on to thinking about that all the time. As col and I talk about starting a family I think in only a year or two i will be having my own baby who will be in my arms, in my care for so many years and then growing up to have their own adventures. I hope that at 30 I'm doing all the right things that will shape my stories to tell my babies, that will help shape their stories and adventures that they will get to tell their babies about. I know that's how I feel- i don't think i would be traveling the world like I am if my mom didn't go to Greece and face her fears of leaving home and going on an adventure. And I know I wouldn't be loving hiking and running, as well as top ramen, as much if it weren't for my dad. I'm so lucky to have had such amazing parents. To have people in your life that encourage risk and adventure while also cherishing the warmth of a safe house to come home to whenever you need is truly a blessing. At 30, i can only imagine my moms life and all that she was doing to create this life for me and my sisters at 30 years old... And gosh what a life. All three of us have been so lucky and, especially lately, been taking life by the horns and embracing every moment. And it's pretty much bc of a young 30 year old who created this environment for us back in the day... I only hope I can do the same for my future family. I hope- and I can't wait- these next 30 years are going to be the absolute best!

I never knew how happy I could be- and my dear husband has shown me a level of stomach hurting laughing, cheeks hurting smiling, and tears in my eyes happiness that I couldn't be more grateful for. AND he made me Irish- this is the best year ever!!:)

There were so many awesome things about my birthday in Queenstown, but the best part was the feeling I had for about 48 hours. Ever since the wedding I get (and it only happens every few months) but something will happen where I feel so lucky and am so happy my whole body feels like its high (yes on some sort of awesome happiness drug) and I feel like I could cry any second bc I am literally that happy. It's the coolest feeling and I wanted to write about it so when I am old and gray and forget what that's like I can look back and read this and hopefully it will remind me of that feeling.

birthday eve was the best - arrived at our hotel right on the lake, free of the campervan for 4 days! we were both ready for a bit of a break:) got to our hotel room, opened the door to a lake front balcony room, with fire place going, champagne, and rose petals... oh my sweet husband. too much, too much - it was just the sweetest. we sat by the fire, drank some champagne, enjoyed the view, then fell asleep on the floor to a really terrible werewolf movie. later that night we took the water taxi over to town, bundled up, walked around and found ourselves at the highly recommended Flame. BEST RIBS OF OUR LIFE! it was so delicious, and fun, we had a blast - stopped by the local candy shop on the way back and water taxi'd home. The next day was filled with breakfast in bed, skyping with my favorite people in whole entire world - my mama, Missy K, Indy, Corki, May May, ML, Jo, and our favorite little Nephew (we yelled our love to you too Dan!). Then we relaxingly made our way to town for hot toddies, wine by the fire, dinner in the quaintest little place called Captains on the main strip - then home to sit on the balcony and eat cake that Col had delivered to the room. Best Birthday ever - success. The last day in Queenstown was spent popping over to Arrowtown - a little place taken out of the 50's filled with coffee shops, pubs, and adorable little shops. We had some Thai, and escaped the rain in a coffee house with a fire for hours - sitting and talking about life, the future, jobs that could help us have time to travel and be with our kids and families, listening to awesome 80's music and then headed back to the hotel to soak it up with a little roomservice and smiles before heading out for campervan adventure number 2. Recharged and ready for the rest of New Zealand!

Thank You to everyone who made my day so special, I can't even begin to explain how lucky I feel. I will never forget this weekend, nor the people who made it so wonderful. Full of love and happiness. Full, full, full.