So, This is 29...

So, its my birthday. I am now officially, in the last year of my 20's
That's weird.
I mean, its not like its a super big deal really, and goodness knows I have friends older than me who are more than happy to "oh honey..." me about getting older and especially about entering my 30's next year, but this is me and I have never been this old before, and well,    its weird.
It's not necessarily a bad weird, just...weird.

I runned THIS many!

On the surface it's nothing more than a normal birthday. I don't do much for my birthday really since I turned 20. I did go out and buy myself a pair of long running pants (since its getting chilly in Milwaukee and my workout wardrobe is mostly suited for a Texas climate) and proceeded to run 7 miles in them.

So in honor of surviving 29 years on this planet, I have decided to take a personal inventory of sorts. To update and/or inform you (the anonymous readers of this fine interwebz) about my little ole' self. 

Here we go:

Physical: 

 I have returned to my habit of running and trying to get back into/stay in shape. I am happy to say that it is more or less paying off. With the use of Myfitnesspal and the Nike running app, at least I am back to "Pre-Evan" size/weight and energy level, and most of my old clothes fit comfortably. I have a 'personal fitness' goal that I am still well on my way towards, and achievement of that is in sight! Ideally I will have met that goal by the time E has reached nine months. Running has returned as a passion and I am planning on trying my first half marathon, sometime next year. 

     Getting/Staying fit at this point has become a necessity in my life, especially when I consider my family history. Multiple types of cancer, Depression, Type 2 Diabetes, and Heart disease are all things that have affected close family members. I feel like I HAVE to do what I can to keep myself more or less healthy, so I don't die.

And as responsible as that sounds I'd be an absolute LIAR if I said aesthetics had nothing to do with it.... It has a LOT to do with it, like "a lot" a lot.  

Thats why I like my "Jenny Craig side-by-side" pictures.

the gross 'six week postpartem'
"day-I-started-working-out" picture.

the much improved, 'seven months postpartem'
"I-just-ran-seven-miles-which-is-a-personal-best" picture

Spiritual:

This is something I have never really addressed directly on my blog. The four or five of you who read may have noticed I have a "What makes me happy" link on the right side over here---------------------->

and maybe you have clicked on it, maybe you haven't. It doesn't really matter because I am about to let you know: I am a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Sometimes we are called Mormons. Mormon is a nickname because of the book of Mormon, which is a companion to the Bible (which we also believe in). I feel that it is important for me to 'declare myself' as it were. There is much more to what I believe, and if any of you, dear readers have questions or concerns in this regard, don't hesitate to ask me! There is a movie that came out this week called "Meet the Mormons" I haven't had a chance to see it yet, but I fully intend to as soon as Rob and I can get out to see it! Check it out, learn about us if you don't know about us. 

There are truths that I have learned being a member of this church that are so very dear to me. They make me a better person, a happier person. I certainly won't ever try to impose them on anyone who isn't interested, but I also wouldn't deny it if asked about it. ^_^

Social:

 I have never been the 'social' type. My sisters were better suited at that than me. I have always been more satisfied to curl up with a book or a good movie and a craft project. That isn't to say that I don't have friends, just that the friends I DO have a fewer in numbers, but hold a significant importance to me. It's been harder for me recently. Moving across the country took me physically away from the people I am closest to, including my parents and most of my siblings. It's hard to think about having my birthday so far away from almost everyone who really knows me. It's a good thing I am such a facebook addict, or I'd probably spend a lot of time curled up in fetal position with my kindle or something. (And for those who are "anti e-books, let me just say that I worked in a bookstore for 5 1/2 years and am very 'Pro-book', I have lots, but I also love my kindle and if anyone wants to send me amazon giftcards for my birthday, so I can download more books  I wouldn't say no...but I digress)

My 'social life' has never been extremely active, I think my personality was just too strange and off-putting when I was a teenager, and I cared too much what people thought of me, which made it even more off-putting. One nice thing about getting older, is that I care less and less what others think of me. 

On that same note though, I DO have a lot of friends on facebook and every "like" I get on every "selfie" I post makes me feel better about myself. 

"Please validate me by mindlessly clicking a button."

So maybe I haven't grown up as much as I like to think I have...I guess I still have my thirties to work on that.

Family:

My family is by and large, the very best part of my life. I am probably the luckiest girl in the whole wide world because I married my very best friend, and after almost 11 years together, and 9 years of marriage we still enjoy being together, a lot. 

*Swoon*

He and I together have our awesome kiddos! They are, as always, cute, and perfect and amazing, and growing up much faster than I bargained for.

*Triple swoon*

I also have my "extended" family, which I am missing a lot up here in the chilly north while they are still down "Deep in the heart of Texas" where it is not chilly. At all. Ever. 

My mom and dad are really some of the greatest people. 

Also we are all adorable. Don't even pretend that, that wasn't your first thought 

So I guess I can go and enjoy the last year of my 20's, because 30 is a comin' for me. And to that I say: Bring it on 29, I can handle it.....I think.