Reflection

I have been struggling with aging for a few years now.  The summer in which I was 25, turning 26, was super fun.  I spent that summer skateboarding, river floating, high-fiving, and kickin ass.  Then, things got really stressful and I didn't want to be a grown up.  So, I started doing some really wild things.  I joined a punk-rock band and pretty much stopped being an adult.  Then, turning 27 was the worst day of my life.  Okay, the actual DAY was fun.  Here are some photos so you can see just how fun it was.  But, I  hated the idea of being 27.

Now I'm 28.  I have wrinkles.  I don't have the energy for the 2-hours-a-day-everyday workouts that I did in college.  I'm getting kind-of fat and my body aches more often than I think it should.  However, every cloud has silver lining.  For starters, I am more confident than I have ever been in my life!  I'm becoming a mother to a child who really needs a good mom.  Suddenly, the things that mattered before... just... don't.  I'd rather save up to buy this kid a high chair than buy myself a new pair of boots.  I want to be the best person I can be for this little one.  I look forward to becoming more wise and more confident in who I am, flaws and all.  [And I look forward to not referring to my flaws as "flaws"!]  So, I think I'm okay with aging.  At least, for today.  Bring it on, 2012.

A totally unedited photo of myself.

A huge part of moving forward is looking back.  Reflecting on the past year will help me appreciate where I was and where I am now.  Most importantly, who I am.  2010 was the worst year EVER.  2011, just as I'd hoped, ended up being a great year of healing and happiness.  Here are some of my favorite moments, month by month.

• JANUARY

My mom came to visit and I also had a fun night at a new coffee shop in town with some really great friends.

•  FEBRUARY

I got into hot yoga and taking pictures of street art.  It was the first month that we hadn't gone back to France since we lived there so I remember being sad about that.  I also got into a pretty bad snowboarding accident which ended my snowboarding season early.

•  MARCH

My darling husband rang in his 30th birthday!  And, I went wine tasting with my best friend, Sara, in Oregon!

•  APRIL

Wewent out to Sequim, WA for Easter Weekend and we had a blast!

•  MAY

May is always a strange month here in Washington.  You're anticipating summer but it's usually cloudy.  I spent May hiking and going on adventures.

•  JUNE

Dan travels a lot in the summer because his band plays a lot of festivals.  This June we had enough sunny weather for me to get on the longboard a bunch of times.  I also helped my friend, Ben, plan GO SKATE TACOMA on June 21st, International Go Skateboarding Day.

•  JULY

In July, I said goodbye to my best friend here in Tacoma.  We moved her halfway across the country.  The trip was horrible and fun at the same time.  Then, we stayed in the midwest and celebrated 4th of July in Chicago with Dan's side of the family.

•  AUGUST

Dan played a huge festival and I was so proud of him!  I turned 28 and we celebrated our 8 year anniversary!

•  SEPTEMBER

We took a little vacation to Kelowna, BC and learned to golf.

•  OCTOBER

I flew to Arizona to celebrate Brit's Golden Birthday!  I got a tattoo and climbed a mountain.  When I got back, we moved into our new place!  Good month.

•  NOVEMBER

We had our home study which was the last step in becoming registered parents!  The baby's room is ready. We also had an eventful Thanksgiving and hung out at the Washington/Oregon coast.

•  DECEMBER

Dan has been home a lot this month.  Our community found out about two local families that were really struggling this Christmas so we got together and spent $1000 on them!  We chose presents for their kids and got them Visa gift cards to help pay their bills.  It was amazing.  I  had an eventful Christmas and hoping to have a fun New Years Eve.

Goodbye, 2011.  You were decent.  Happy New Year to all!  Bring it on, 2012!
also.... BIG BLOG ANNOUNCEMENT TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!