Almost 30.

My twenties are coming to an end. In approximately 7 weeks, I will be turning the big three-oh. And to be honest, I'm kinda excited about it. So much happened in my twenties. A lot of good times & of course a fair sprinkling of bad, but most importantly A LOT of growth.

I'm not sure how I will be celebrating my birthday this year. As 2012 rolled around I imagined how I wanted to welcome in my thirties. When we moved into this house in February, I decided I would have a cocktail party here at home. It is the perfect home for a party with lots of open space - the inside meets the outside, so people can roam & mingle. I imagined the pool lights lit & the fire crackling, and a candy bar table full of PINK. I was excited about the notion of dressing up fancy and having an 'adult' party. I wanted glitter & champagne & heels. But, as the year has cruised along, I started to change my mind on this. Ryder is a light sleeper, there's no way he'd sleep through a raging party now that he's well out of the 'sleep-anywhere-newborn-stage', and he's entered a fussy 'only-want-mummy' stage, so I just can't imagine fully enjoying the party with this happening. AND....anyone who I am I ready to leave him & Ella with for overnight babysitting would be invited to the party...so there goes the notion of leaving them at someone's house for the night. My kids come first.....parties have to fit in where possible :) So, then I imagined a picnic in the park with all friends, kids & families welcome. And then I got really creative and proposed to Chris the idea that we do a fairly low-key dinner on my actual birthday so I can ring in my 30's with my dearest & nearest and then just him & I set off for a few nights away. Just him & I, and my thirties :) Full night sleeps, late sleep ins, drinks, sunbaking, movie watching, swimming, RELAXING...while the kids are safely back home with the Grandparents!! But, as time whizzes by, the idea of this seems more unrealistic.

But, however I kick off my 30th year, I know it will be fabulous and full of love! Coz I'm happy exactly where I am right now in life. I'm grateful & content! {however, a sprinkle of heels, glitter, good champagne, nice food, a trip away, my kids, my family & friends.....would just be serious icing on the cake haaa}

I can't help but be reflective when each birthday rolls around. I've been pondering what has happened over the past 10 years as I lived & loved through my twenties......

I met Chris 10months before my 20th birthday. And over that next decade, we were engaged then wed, and we then welcomed two amazing children into the world. During my twenties; we've bought & sold properties. We've experienced low times & highs. We've wasted money, saved money, invested money, borrowed money & spent money. We've called 4 places 'home'. We've fought & bickered & annoyed the crapola out of each other. But we've loved, and laughed and cherished so much. We've compromised & sacrificed, worked solo and as a team. We've made mistakes, taken risks, believed, hit the wall, taken a few kick to the guts, but also experienced success & happiness. We've supported each other.

Wow. And, that was just a tiny snippet into the window of 'us' over the past decade as I near my 30's. Sooooo much more happened in all that time. There was TEN big years of fillers and top-ups. Ten years of memories and moments. Ten years of tears and joy.

And, me, as an individual.....just Claire....I can reflect on my 20's and know that I: loved, lost & learnt. I've been hurt and knocked down, but I've been supported & picked up. I've danced & laughed & smiled so much that I have deep creases beside my mouth & eyes {and I'm cool with that!}. I've witnessed a few friendships breakdown along the way, but kept some gorgeous lifelong ones & made a heap of amazing new ones too. I've said goodbyes, but welcomed hello's and new doors opening. I gained my teaching degree and worked my butt off in getting a permanent position at a good local school. I've got tattoos that I don't regret one bit. I've faced fears and chased dreams. I've sacrificed to put others first. I've had surgeries. I've grown babies inside me - nourished and loved them before I had even laid eyes on them. I've pushed {big} newborns out of me, and experienced not only the most pain in my life, but the most joy at the same time. I've hardly slept, especially these past 4 years of parenthood {I wonder if my 30's will bring anymore sleep?}. I said 'I Do' to a wonderful, special man. I've gone the extra mile to make rich memories for my kids. I've taken A LOT of photos, and documented my journey through life. I've started businesses - I can definitely say that I've had a go, I definitely have not just sat back & watched my life drive by without me. I've traveled - seen other cultures & countries and gained new inspiration & new perspectives on life. I've read & written. I've invested a lot of time & love into my family, and my home. I've cuddled, hushed, listened, taught, rocked, sung, bounced back, talked, cried, crashed, smiled, ached, feared, imagined, created, longed for, mourned, designed, sold, and so much more.

I've learnt. I've grown. I've changed. I've aged. 

I don't have any regrets....coz every decision so far has got us here. And here is good.

And, the good thing about aging & time.....is we're still learning everyday.

Cheers to another decade of memories & growth.

I think my thirties are going to rock!

P.S. This post is apart of the A-Z All About Me linkup on Love Kate's Blog. This post was for 'A'.

Comments

[Amanda]

You are SO ready to turn 30 Claire!! :) I too felt 'ready' to say goodbye to my 20's and now that I'm 30, it feels 'right'. As you've described, your twenties are such a period of growth and of learning and once you hit 30's, I think you are more confident, content and settled - knowing what you want out of life and what your priorities are.

I had the same dilemma regarding my 30th birthday bash - I too wouldn't have been able to relax with a night time party at our place, knowing Sophie and Grace wouldn't be able to sleep and as you say, with all my potential babysitters actually at my party! I opted for a lunch time party at our place instead. I know whatever you decide on Claire, you'll have an amazing time celebrating the start of this next decade :) xx

[Yvonne]

I just love reading your blog Claire, you seem able to put into words what I feel ! You will be fab at thirty, enjoy the next phase x

[Cassie @ Home Is Where The Heart Is Blog]

Almost 30! Turning 30 is such a reflective time and you achieved so much in your 20's that you'll just love your 30's. Next month is birthday month :). Cassie x

[Love Kate]

great work Claire. I hope your loving this process, writing about yourself.

thanks for playing along.

Love Kate
xxx