Thursday, November 14, 2019

34 Things About Me for My 34th Birthday

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Happy Thursday AND Happy Birthday to Me! In celebration of my birthday, today, I'm sharing 34 things about me because it's my 34th birthday. Thanks so much to the talented Lindsey Getting Photography (if you're local, I would totally recommend her) for the photos in this post and Kailey from Lacole (she made the beautiful necklace I'm wearing in all of these photos)! 

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1. I started this blog back in 2009 when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter. I just started it as a way to document my pregnancy. It has had at least four different names but obviously the current name is my favorite! I feel like it sums up my life pretty perfectly as I try to live my life with style and a whole lot of grace!

2. My favorite color has always been pink. If there's a pink option, it's mine!

3. I absolutely love to workout. I never thought that would be true for me but finally at age 34, I find exercise to be fun. I finally found a workout that works for me and that I actually enjoy. It's also such a great remedy for my anxiety and stress. I try to get to the gym five days a week but even if I can't, I try to move my body in some way for at least 30 minutes. I go for walks or do an easy yoga routine via YouTube when I can't get to the YMCA.

4. Sweets are one of my weaknesses. I have to have something sweet after pretty much every meal.

5. I really only listen to Christian music except for a few other artist country/pop artists. I want my music to be positive and uplifting. 

6. I have been married to my husband since 2008 (we got married when I was 22). We just celebrated eleven years married in June!

7. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (also in 2008; it was a very busy year for me) with a degree in Elementary Education. I always wanted to be a teacher when I was a little girl. It was my dream come true!

8. I love traveling! We went to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for our honeymoon and we celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary in Cozumel, Mexico. This past summer, we took the girls to Puerto Rico and that trip is one of my most favorite memories. We all loved it!

9. My family owns their own small business of six convenience stores. I worked at one of them throughout college. I learned a lot through that experience and it taught me how to work hard. But, I really do not miss those long shifts and being in customer service.

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10. I don't like surprises. They stress me out. Also, it's super hard to surprise me! I figure out surprises without really trying. I'm very intuitive! I even picked out my own birthday gift this year.

11. My husband and I have been together (officially) since November of 2006, almost thirteens years. He's still my best friend!

12. My three top places that I want to visit are Italy, Greece, and Hawaii. We have a savings account setup for a trip to Europe, hopefully within the next four to five years.

13. I love living in central North Carolina because the mountains or the beach are just a few hours away. I love them both but the beach is my happy place! We also are not far from lots of a great cities with so many fun things to do. Day trips are our favorite! We are always looking for fun new places to try out and places to visit. Adventure is our favorite!

14. I bought the second wedding dress I tried on. It didn't even fit me and I had to have it tailored down three sizes since it was the only one available. I just knew it was the one! I am very decisive when it comes to big decisions. When I know, I know.

15. I'm an enneagram one with balanced wings. I am such a rule follower and a total one! I also really identify with both of my wings; I've always been a peacemaker and helper in my life.

16. I taught third grade for four years. I resigned from my position to spend more time at home with my children when I had my second daughter. I always wanted to be a teacher and a mommy! 

17. I serve once a month at my church in the tech booth. I run the computer which basically means I run videos, lyrics, and sermon notes. I've been doing this for over five years! We've been at our church since 2010. Our church also happens to be two minutes from our house and it's also where I work (but I don't work for the church; my job is a separate non-profit).

18. I have lived in North Carolina all of my life. I love my home state!

19. Flowers make me ridiculously happy. Especially if they are pink! I'm the crazy person taking photos of flowers everywhere I go.

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20.  I worked at a grocery store when I was in high school and I loved it. Scanning groceries was my favorite. Yes, I'm weird!

21. I am currently obsessed with oat milk lattes. They are so creamy and not overly sweet. I love sweets but I don't like my coffee to be too sweet.

22. I currently work at a non-profit afterschool enrichment program called The Dream Center as the STEM Coordinating Facilitator and I just began my eighth year there. I love my job! It's literally a dream and I am so thankful for the rewarding work that I get to do each day! When I resigned from my third grade teaching position, I really had no idea what would be next for me. I thought I would be a stay at home mom for the next few years but God had other plans. Life happened and I needed to go back to work. Thankfully, God brought me the perfect work/life balance at The Dream Center and a fantastic forever friend! 

23. I'm definitely a dog person. They are the best! We have two dogs. Maggie, a twelve year old Beagle mix and just such a great dog. So sweet and super smart! We also have Jethro (also known Jet), who we recently adopted from our local animal shelter back in April. He's been such a great addition to our family! It's been challenging at times but he's such a great dog, too. I highly recommend adopting your next pet from the animal shelter. They need so much love!

24. I began my "fashion blogging" with thrifted outfits that I put together from local thrift stores and the Goodwill. I actually started doing this when I was pregnant with Olivia (in 2011) and was trying to make my regular clothes work as maternity clothes. It was (and still is) a creative outlet for me.

25. The first place Josh and I went together was Woods of Terror (a haunted trail) and he proposed at the same place almost exactly one year later. Also, a fun fact, I hate anything haunted or scary. I have never gone back to anything haunted since we got engaged. It gives me major anxiety! I cannot watch horror movies. They're so awful to me!

26. I have two brothers and I'm the youngest.

27. I have absolutely no self control when it comes to chips and salsa or Chick-Fil-A waffle fries. I need all of the Chick-Fil-A sauce! I love to eat!

28. My favorite holiday is Christmas but I can't get excited about it until at least November 15 (the day after my birthday). I can't wait to put up my tree!

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29. My front door is pink and it's one of my favorite things about our home. So many people ask me how Josh feels about having a pink front door... he doesn't mind at all! I think he actually loves it because it makes our subdivision house a little more exciting, lol.

30. I'm one-fourth Cherokee, my kids are one-fourth Puerto Rican, and Josh is half Puerto Rican.

31. This isn't really a "fun fact" at all but it is apart of who I am. This year, my parents separated after being married for thirty-eight years. It's been one of the hardest things I have gone through but I have seen God's goodness during this season. I have grown closer to God through this experience. This season has taught me to cling tighter to my own husband and seek God's guidance in our marriage. 

32. I always wanted to be a girl mom. It was literally my dream to have two little girls! The names Julianna and Olivia (even though I've always loved this name) were actually never on my list for potential names but they fit my girls perfectly.

33. I didn't drink coffee until I become a mother (when I was 24) and now it's one of my favorite parts of my day. Coffee and quiet time is the best!

34. We are planning to go on another big trip this summer with our girls. We are thinking we want to take them to either Jamaica or Costa Rica!

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Thank you so much for stopping by to celebrate with me! Have a great day!

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