Thirty-Six in less than 48.

Waiting.

Here I am.

Thirty Five a dream.

Last year I was looking for a goal, something that said "HELLO WORLD, I AM BACK 35 is NOTHIN'!"

I ran a marathon. 

4am before the race, talcum powdered feet in the hall way.

I have decided that I think it's dumb when people talk about the ONE marathon they ran. I want to say LOOK, LIFE is a marathon and we are all running it. But, I don't. I guess I have learned that what you want to say, doesn't always have to be said. 

Birthday's make me reflect on the last year. It has been a very good one for me. Sure, there were the regular ups and downs. Actually, there were some real highs and real lows but overall I would say that 35 was pretty great. For me 35 was the year I rediscovered Dior, I finally remembered who I am. I accepted things in my life and I took some wobbly steps of Faith forward.  I became me again. Imperfect Perfection. Perfectly Imperfect and OK with it. I learned that love is a gift that can always be given, the best gift. I remembered that I was STRONG and SMART and CAPABLE. I had sort of forgotten those things about me. I remembered how much I love to be silly and laugh and that I AM FUN. 

I went back to work full time.

4th grade field trip.

I remembered what it was like to be a child. 

I made lots of new friends. 

I went to Spain where I was reminded that friendship and humanity are beautiful no matter where you are in the world. I learned that I am awestruck by the brilliance of this world and love any travel adventure! Are these not the cutest old men? By far one of my favorite photos from Spain.

I relearn every year that I have the best parents and family in the world. ( Can I please be their age and have this much fun together with my spouse? ADORABLE.) There are no other people I'd rather be with. I hope I can be as good of a parent to my children as my parents have been to me. 

I am the luckiest 35 year old in the world. 

I have started a silly thing this year. Most mornings, I draw an invisible circle on the ground. I do this before I get ready and just after I hop out of bed after morning prayers. I put all the things I hope for that day in the circle. I throw in a little kindness, understanding, patience and love, friendship and creativity, peace, strength to accomplish all of my tasks, a calm heart, the ability to see clearly the needs of others..whatever I need for that day. Then I jump in the circle and pull it up around me and tie it in a bow at the top of my head. I know. Strange. But, I what I have learned is the mornings I do this it sets a tone for the day of how I want to feel and act towards others, and how I want them to act toward me. I notice a BIG difference in the days I do this. This might be the best thing I learned this year. Out of small and simple things, come great things. I believe this. I have tried to give my children the loving Mother they deserve, I have balanced my life through self care, I have worked hard and I can't wait to be 36. 

So on Thursday I toss these things in my invisible circle. 36 wishes for a wonderful year.

1. I wish to be my true authentic self.

2. I wish to learn and be curious.

3. I wish to be kind.

4. I wish to be smart.

5. I wish to be forgiving.

6. I wish to eat delicious food every now and again.

7. I wish to be present with my children.

8. I wish to inspire those I teach to be a little better, a little brighter, and excited about their future.

9. I wish to have a clean house (this REALLY IS wishful thinking)

10. I wish to eat a filet o fish at least once a month.

11. I wish to help and love others

12. I wish to never forget who I am.

13. I wish to not be afraid of things

14. I wish Feral cat will go away.

15. I wish to feel joy

16. I wish for my children's happiness

17. I wish for the ability to make good choices

18. I wish to travel to a new place this year

19. I wish for adventure.

20. I wish for health

21. I wish to always have so many wonderful friends

22. I wish to be LUCKY

23. I wish for the desires of my heart

24. I wish to be a little better tomorrow than I am today.

25. I wish to save more money

26. I wish to be content with myself

27. I wish to laugh 

28. I wish to have fun

29. I wish to take the time to be still

30. I wish to have peace in my heart and my home

31. I wish to be a good friend

32. I wish to be a better listener

33. I wish to slow down a little, not so much multi tasking

34. I wish to feel the rays of the sun sink into my skin

35. I REALLY wish for new car handles and a radio, and maybe a new beach cruiser since I ran over mine with my SUV. :(

36. I wish for the best year I have ever had, EVER. 

A dream is a wish your heart makes. Never stop dreaming. 

XOXO- The Sunny D