I'm 35 today...35

*Actually I'm 34 in this photo but thought it looked better then my yoga pants, baby-spit-up-sweatshirt, post-partum-breastfeeding-balding hair & no energy to wear makeup look I'm actually sporting as I turn the big 35* 
While each birthday brings with it reflection, for some reason this number, unlike the other's in my 30's, seems like a big deal. Like it's closure on one phase of my life & onward & upward to the next. In 35 years I've had some pretty outrageous moments, like skydiving, travelling the world, making a fake press pass & sneaking back stage to meet Ricky Martin, giving a Ted Talk & of course, becoming a momma to 3 hooligans. But like anyone, I've also experienced some heartbreak, snicker-induced-stressed-up-moments & challenges. 

But through it all, the tears & the laughter, one thing remains, I'm beyond grateful for my life, my story, what I've been given. So, I thought I'd share some things I do, that I truly think have made my life what it is...

  1. Be honest. With others & with yourself.
  2. Kiss your babies every night and as much as you can...Even though by bedtime they are driving you mad, snug them, love them, just be with them.
  3. Say thank you - It means a lot to people and you should appreciate what others do. Even if that is passing you a coffee in a drive-thru window - Thank people.
  4. Cherish those you love - Maintain friendships that are important, call your parents, love your siblings.
  5. Have an open mind to ALL things...Trust me, life is so much more interesting that way.
  6. Be silly - If riding the grocery cart like a skateboard to your van makes your kid giggle, who cares what the woman parked next to you thinks.
  7. Make things happen - Take risk - You only have one life to try.
  8. Read novels - Get lost in a book, it's good for your soul.
  9. Be interested in people...Really interested - Barbara Walter's the crap outta them, because everyone has a story to share.
  10. Apologize if you need to - If you're a twonk, recognize it and fix it. 
  11. Drink wine, beer or gin. Something - Have a good go to drink! 
  12. Flirt...Not in a sexual way but in a charming way.
  13. Realize life is never going to be what you pictured it and that's a good thing, a really good thing.
  14. Get angry, mad, sad or whatever at God/Fate/Karma or Whomever. Shout if you have to, cry if it helps. It's okay to grieve things before moving on.
  15. Help others - Do things for other people. Try to be the change the world needs in simple ways.
  16. Eat dessert...ALWAYS!
  17. Be genuine and real.
  18. Realize you're body, those wrinkles, that baby ponch is all a part of you now. It's not going away so learn to embrace every wrinkle as a laugh line, dress to fit your body so that you feel good & if ya can, do a crunch here and there.
  19. Do things that you normally wouldn't or that make you uncomfortable - Live abroad, join a new group, do something creative - Sometimes the very best of things come when painting outside the lines.
  20. Embrace, recognize and celebrate the differences within yourself and in others.
  21. Believe....Whether that's in God, Miracles, People, the goodness and hope that's out there - Whatever it may be just believe in something greater than yourself.
  22. Trust your momma gut when it comes to your babes...From how you parent them to how you fight for them.
  23. No Judging - EVER- literally...Who cares what other people do, love, believe, etc? Focus on living your life and that alone.
  24. Find your purpose...It's life changing when you do.
  25. Love your Home Team more than anything else on the planet...Work to always be the best Home Team you can be.
  26. Realize life can change instantly - so chillax, take each day, each moment one step at a time.
  27. Fight for something - stand up for something you believe in, advocate for people who need it or join others in a cause that's dear to your heart.
  28. Work hard at whatever you are working at.
  29. Let go sometimes and just be.
  30. Laugh...Laugh...Laugh...At yourself, others, anyway and time you can.
  31. Dream Big....Why not? Strive for things outta reach - A book, Ellen, more projects why not?
  32. Be the type of person you'd like to be friends with.
  33. Ask for help when you need it. I know it's hard, trust me, but let others use their time, creativity & talents to help you.
  34. Dance...At least once a day, in the van driving with your kids around, in the kitchen slow dancing with your husband, or have a little sway while you make dinner. Music, even if it's Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, is good for your soul.
  35. And finally think of one thing a day to be grateful for.