THIRTY

Today, I turn 30. 

I have been torn for months between treating this birthday like just another day and making a bucket list of crazy and adventurous things to do before I roll over to another decade. I have to be honest, I have felt a bit more nostalgic than ever about turning thirty. I'm usually one who is SO focused on the future and looks ahead with anticipation for every new stage of life! But, right now? I just want to freeze time.

I LOVED my 20s. I married my dream guy, graduated from college (twice!), went on my first overseas mission trip, bought our first and second homes, made lifelong friends, recorded albums and started a family. How could it get any better than that?!?

I am praying for vision for my 30s. That God would guide me in how to live intentionally with the time he has so graciously given me on this earth. I definitely believe that begins by praying for faithfulness in the every day mundane. While my 20s were filled to the brim - and I was able to experience and accomplish many life goals and dreams - I want my 30s to be even more productive for the things that will matter long after I'm gone. 

I nixed the bucket list, "30 things to do before I turn 30" idea, because my twenties truly were an adventure of their own. But I had to do something to honor this last decade of my life. So I put together a momento of photos from every birthday in my twenties and under each photo you will read a short description of that day. I'll let you be the judge if I've aged any (the answer is absolutely NOT, right?!) 

20

When I woke up that very first day in my twenties - some friends in my dorm hall had covered my door in feminine product decorations. Hahaha. Nothing like starting a new decade feeling like a queen! And just a couple weeks after I turned 20, I graduated with my AA in Music. 

21

On my 21st birthday, I got wild and crazy with my younger sister (who had just graduated high school!) and we both went out and got our EARS PIERCED! Haha! It was the first time for both of us - and since I was getting MARRIED the very next month, it seemed like as good a time as any! 

22

There was no hit song by Taylor Swift when I turned 22, or I would have definitely been jamming to that all day. Instead, we spent the day in Greenville, SC visiting Josh's family and celebrated his younger brother's high school graduation and his dad's birthday as well. This was a great first birthday with my new Robinson family!

23

On my 23rd birthday, I was able to take my mother-in-love to get a pedicure with me! I believe it may have been her very first one! It was so fun. I look back on this year so very fondly. I released an EP (New Day) and made some of my closest friends while serving at a church in Alabama. 

24

My 24th birthday was celebrated surrounded by good friends! We not only went out to eat together, but most of these friends pictured came out to support me at a local X-Factor audition that morning! So kind! I ended up getting cut after making the Top 10, but with all these friends around I felt like a winner. :) 

25

The year I turned 25, was the year I became a mom. In this photo, I was about 20 weeks pregnant with my sweet little boy, Micah. We had JUST moved a few days prior for my husband's job and I was pretty sad on my birthday - missing my friends and all. But little did I know, Josh had a surprise party planned after dinner back at our new house (that was barely unpacked!) with new and old friends. That husband of mine always knows how to make me feel special!

26

My 26th birthday fell on a Wednesday night (actually fun fact: all of our birthdays, including Micah's, fell on a Wednesday that year!) and that was when Josh taught our students at church, so we waited until the weekend to celebrate. We had a great day date in The Villages eating good food and watching a movie. We felt like the youngest people there (which was secretly my goal!) 

27

My 27th birthday came only two months after my baby girl, Hannah, was born. So this was one of our first dates out in awhile! We definitely took advantage of having a sitter and spent the quality time together just the two of us. Looking back now, I can see how birthdays started to change once we had children. Haha! 

28

Spending the day at Magic Kingdom for my 28th birthday, was definitely one of my favorite ways to celebrate! After you become a parent, birthdays just become another excuse for a family fun day! I remember feeling the most blessed that I had ever felt on this day. 

29

My 29th birthday was the first time I shared my birthday with Mother's Day as a mama! It was indeed very special. After having moved back to Jacksonville just a few weeks prior, we went out with my sister and her husband to Cheesecake factory after church. Having my family surrounding me (especially these babies!) was more than I could ask for my last birthday in my 20s.

Tonight, Josh has planned to invite a few friends over to our new home to celebrate! I was challenged recently to have a new outlook on aging - instead of looking at how old I'm getting, I'm choosing to look at how long God has allowed me to continue living on Earth with people I love. If there's anything I've learned from looking back on my twenties it's that, God is my constant.  While people and places have come and gone over the years, He has remained. And when I am restless, I find my rest in Him.

Twenties, you were good.
But it's time to move on. 
Let's do this, thirty.