10 things I've learned in my thirties.

In my twenties, like most women, Hated the idea of turning thirty. I felt like by the time I was in my thirties I was suppose to have my shit together - you know what I mean - the career, the marriage, the white fence and rose bushes. 

The number one thing I learned in my thirties: life doesn't always work that way and that's not what having my shit together means. Now at 35, I know if I can get myself ready, two kids dressed and fed, let the dog out and off to school/work without any minor issues - then I have my shit together for the day. It   Doesn't matter if I have the career I wanted, or the marriage didn't go as planned. I don't even care about the rose bushes - the dog would dig them up anyway. 

2). What matters in my thirties is that I'm happy, my children are happy, and I show the people I love how much they mean to me. 

3).  Friends come and go, but the true ones will be there through thick and thin.  Those are the only ones you need.  Let the other ones go. 

4). Family isn't always what it should be, and some of the time (if your lucky) you get a family that wasn't yours by blood, but loves you just the same.

5). Take time for yourself - read, walk, whatever makes you happy - but make sure you have a few minutes each day to reflect and appreciate. 

6). Spend time with your parents. I know we get busy and life sometimes takes over, but our parents won't be around forever. They need to know we appreciate everything they did for us.

7). Know who you are. We all change and grow over the years, but having a basic understanding of this can make life so much simpler. When You know what you want, it is a whole lot easier to get it. You don't have to weed through other possibilities to find it. (Although sometimes that can be beneficial too). 

8). Listen to your children. I am still trying to remember this everyday. I'm guilty of being busy with laundry or dishes or work, and not fully paying attention. It's hard for me to let things go and just stop for awhile - but do it whenever you can! They are only little once and time goes so fast. We miss a lot of the small things. 

9). Build coffee table forts, play board games - do things to remember the child in you. We get so wrapped up in adult responsibilities that sometimes the best stress reliever is just having a little fun. 

10). Last but definitely not least - TRUST. Trust that God has a plan for you, trust that everything is going to be okay in the end, trust that despite adversities YOU CAN prevail, trust your instincts, trust yourself. 

Christina Lauren does it again!

Keep in mind that I am writing this review coming off the 24 hour (how long it took me to read the book) high of Dirty Rowdy Thing. I couldn't put it down - I didn't work like I should have, I neglected my house, and had my children eating take out because I was so completely absorbed in the story of Harlow and Finn.  

I loved Sweet Filthy Boy, the first installment of this group of characters, but I fell head over heels for the main characters in this story. You know when u finish a book and you are sad it's over? Christina Lauren did it to me again, but this time my emotions were so wrapped up in Harlow and Finn that I actually feel like I lost my friends when I finished that last page. 

This was a story I wanted to jump into, be a part of each page - not because of the lusty scenes (although those were hot too) but because these are REALLY good characters. They feel like your friends, you get involved, and you CARE what is going to happen on that next page. 

Christina Lauren our did themselves this time, and Dirty Rowdy Thing deserves a place on your bookshelf and mine. I will be waiting impatiently for the next Christina Lauren novel. 

Best book ever!

I just finished reading Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, and let me tell you this book is amazing! Never has a book inspired me to write about it, never has a book allowed me to fall in love with two characters so deeply, and never have I felt such pain when the book was over. For those of you who haven't read it, I suggest you RUN not walk to the nearest book store or ebook download now. 

Yes, It is a story of young love, but so much more. Yes it is classified as young adult, but any adult who can remember what it felt like to be 16 can relate. Especially any adult who had a rough adolescence whether it be family life or a bully, etc. 

I know this book isn't new, but I have been behind on my reading for awhile. I am so grateful to Rainbow Rowell for writing a book that could make me fall in love with reading again. Go buy this now!