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The Big Thirty


How do I feel about turning 30? Happy, excited, self-confident, and hopeful. 

I feel perpetually 14 still, just with two boys and a husband of almost 10 years. Do we ever feel like adults? 

I've lived a full life, including a full life of hardships that are pretty unusual for someone my age. I constantly joke I am the youngest grandma you'll ever meet! I've also had quite some major accomplishments as well. More importantly, though, I've noticed that as each year passes, especially since being married, it only gets better and happier.

The best thing about time and becoming older is having experiences to grow from and they become an integral part of your being. Even the difficult experiences. Especially the difficult experiences. For me, the really "crappy-there's-no-positive-way-to-spin-this" experiences put everything into perspective. 

Recently (after Toddler A's birth) I was diagnosed with severe Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, and arthritis. Sucks, sure. But this is what I mean about perspective. It's even more of a miracle I have my two boys, and I have a functioning body. I didn't have that 5 years ago. I was resigned to a life of being bedridden. But, as you know I had my dystonia managed and arthritis is unfortunately destined to happen young when you live with dystonia for so long. 

Again. I have two beautiful boys, an incredible husband, a functioning body (even if I feel like a grandma), my happiness, a career and the opportunity to be a SAHM, and self-confidence.

I really wanted to have an experience-filled birthday trip with my family. Toddler A had never seen the ocean, and the ocean is a big part of my life especially growing up in and around the Bay Area, and San Diego. I had never seen tide pools around the PNW, so we made a trip to Port Angeles, WA. I also have always admired the rainforests, and you will catch me watching episodes of "Alone - Vancouver" and "Mick Dodge," who lives in the Hoh Rainforest (about 40 miles from the one we visited.) 

The experience was unreal and checks off two of my bucket list items --to see the PNW rainforest and to hike in one. Bonus--there was a waterfall at the end of this particular hike! And to see some world-class tide pools! 




The seafood there was wow. I had the best scallops I think I've ever tasted for my birthday dinner. 

And I got a treat of a good old Baskin Robbin's milkshake. This girl knows what she likes, and by golly I will eat some incredible gourmet faire, and get me a chain restaurant fake-cake-batter-disgustingly-sweet-and-horrific-food-dye milkshake. 

I may have checked off all five of my food allergies that day, but it's one day and YOLO and you only turn 30 once, lol. 

Here's to the next decade full of adventure and family! 

(P.S. Port Angeles, WA and the whole entire Olympic Peninsula are incredible and I feel they are widely forgotten about! Best visit ever, and I highly recommend visiting or camping... especially if you're outdoorsy!)

xoxo, from Washington















 

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