30th birthday

I can't believe it! I turned 30. Things got real all of a sudden. Looking back at the last decade of my life, I realized I accomplished quite a lot.

1. Got my Bachelor's degree (double major in International Business and Management) from Drake University with honors and summa cum laude.
2. Started my career at my top choice Fortune 500 company.
3. Married the love of my life. 
4. Bought a home and made it our own.
5. Got my Master's degree while working full time and graduated with distinction. 
6. Supported my husband while he finished law school and started looking for employment.
7. Had our first child, our beautiful boy. The best thing I ever did!
8. Made my first successful career transition - was forced to do so due to the economic impact, but ended up in a job that I absolutely love and where I have far more room to grow professionally (within the same great company).
9. Had interesting volunteer opportunities and part-time jobs - historical interpreter at Living  History Farms, volunteer coordinator, artist relations at the DSM Arts Festival, taught a college course, and worked for a lovely local yarn shop. 
10. Discovered my passion for needle arts - opened my first Etsy shop and made some sales on my creations. 
11. Traveled internationally and domestically (Mexico, Italy, Bosnia, Croatia, California, Oregon, Minnesota).
12. Got out of my comfort zone and learned some new and unexpected things - horse riding, weight lifting, running local 5k races, yoga, vegan/vegetarian/pescetarian cooking, sewing, gardening, replacing light switches (with switch wiring), etc...
13. Made many new friends and nurtured relationships with my oldest and dearest friends. Kept my family my top priority.
14. Got my finances in order - paid off some debt, purchased life insurance, disability insurance, created a will, and contributed as much as I could to my 401(k). Still got to learn to live on a tight budget, but I'm much better now than where I was a decade ago. 

This list reassures me that I've done okay in my life so far - no time wasted.  And I have to say, I'm happier than I've ever been. Sure, there are some things that I wish were different (the job market for my husband, my health), but I really can't complain. I just hope the next decade is as great, if not better, than the last.

To celebrate, my wonderful family surprised me after work with dinner, cake, presents, and my family and closest friends surrounding me. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

  

Happy birthday to me! :)