{November 22nd} // I just turned 30

This past Sunday was my 30th birthday. I've never really put too much thought into being 30. I knew people made a big deal out of it and some would say they weren't ready for it to actually happen, but I’ve always just thought of it as another birthday. Well, I take that back, I did see it as a perfect opportunity for a real big party! (Which Tyson completely delivered on complete with karaoke, treats, friends, and a string of lights in the backyard)! My point to all of this is that, I didn't see the big deal about turning 30 until Sunday actually came and my birthday was complete. I was lying on the couch (while Tyson was cleaning up the before mentioned party) and had the realization that I still have a lot of growing and learning to do.

This might be the part where my mom starts laughing at me because of COURSE I have a lot of growing and learning to do still! But I honestly think I had always assumed by the time I was 30 I would have “made it.” I would have become the person I was always going to be. I would have been doing the things I would always be doing. I only thought about getting to 30 and never really thought past it. But lying on that couch on Sunday I realized I really love my life but there is still so much more I want to do and become.

In my twenties I spent a lot of time all about ME! I traveled the world. I traveled the states. I earned degrees. I worked multiple jobs. I made a lot of different groups of friends. I dated Tyson. I married Tyson. And at the ripe age of 28 I had my first child. I didn’t have any need to be a responsible adult until Maggie May was born. And then I quickly learned that I couldn’t become a selfless, all-caring, responsible, mothering, adult overnight. (Which was a really hard realization).

This past year has been a big year for me. I have tried to put my little family, my Tyson and Maggie May family, first. I found a job that I actually love (!!!) and actually enjoy being a working mama. I’ve tried to say no to more social engagements in the hopes of stopping my life from being so busy (this is really hard for my very extroverted heart). I followed a budget in the hopes of having a better financial future. I stopped using the budget when life got busy and hard. I tried to support Tyson in his goals and made myself learn to play with a one year old (cause really, how long can you actually roll the ball back and forth??). I meal planned and grocery shopped (only 3 weeks out of the year but progress is progress). And I learned to be more content with the season of life I am in. I didn’t ever clean the bathrooms and definitely did not do my share of the dishes (shout out to Tyson for taking care of these things!) but I did get rid of a lot of clutter around the house that I was needlessly holding on to. This past year, I decided I wanted to focus more on my future then my past.

I have a lot of goals. Good, quality goals that will make me a better me and a better wife and mother. But I have such little time right now. My main goal for this coming year is to be happy and comfortable on LESS. I very easily get carried away in social media and making myself feel like I need, need, need! Instead of adding more to my life I want to focus on being consistent and happy with what I already have. I told Tyson on Sunday that I want to treat myself better. I want to really love the adult Afton and improve what I have going for me right here and now. This past decade has been an adventure but I am really excited and ready to move on. Bring it thirties!