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Here it is - a note about my 27th trip around the sun. I mentioned on my newsletter this week, that I had been stalling about writing this post. I just wasn't sure what to say! So here I am, coming in late after my sister's birthday dinner (yes her bday is the day before mine), and I'm typing this as Nick is sleeping. Feels like old times, when I would stay up super late just to finish a blog post. Eh, I don't really do that anymore, but more on that later.

I've been doing a lot of self reflecting as of late. Where I was, where I am, and where I want to go. Part of that self reflection led to me reading my birthday blog post from last year, titled The Particular Sadness of Birthday Cake. Despite the gloomy sound of it, I actually received a lot of comments and messages on it and how y'all really resonated with it. SO while I wish I was posting about sprinkles and rainbows, I figure the realness is better for y'all anyway!

I feel like 27 is my self-proclaimed golden birthday. Because I was born on the 3rd, I have no recollection of my golden birthday as a 3 year old, so let me tell ya, this is going to be it! It was my softball number, my dad's football number, and I have a thing for odd numbers. (Nick on the other hand can only handle even numbers #OCD) Anyway, in a lot of ways I'm glad to be rid of 26. 26 was hard. Really hard. To be quite frank, I would probably deem it my hardest year yet. I had this ominous feeling leading up to the birthday and while the whole year wasn't a rotten apple, a big ole bite of it was. Besides obviously being hard, it was extra hard, because most of it I couldn't really write about. Yes I love this blog for helping others, but most of it is also super therapeutic for me and to rid me of the option, most of my thoughts and feelings stayed inside. The new year is great for goal making and such, but I find that my internal "new year" is a much better time for self revelation.

Here are some random things I have realized, things I'm thinking about, and maybe even a thing or two I've learned this year:

Balance. I've always been super go-go-go and I think I somewhat always will, but I feel like this year I was finally able to get it to where I was more present where I needed to be, still got work done, and didn't let a check list of my "after 5 job" bring me down. It's important to be present and take a breather.

Baking. Okay so I didn't learn how to do this this year, but I got back to it! Before blogging regularly, baking was my go-to. I'd bake at least 1 new recipe each week. It is relaxing for me, so I decided to bring it back. On top of that, Nick and I changed our habits to cook most days of the week, which is actually better, despite the occasional dish build up.

Be kind. Again, something I already knew, but the more I experience the world, the more I think everyone just needs to remember kindness. Yes, "business Lauren" comes out every now and then, but at the end of the day, I always strive to be kind and helpful. It costs nothing and can turn someones day around.

Besties. I mentioned it last year, but I'll take quality over quantity any day. Honestly this hurts some times if you ever look back at friendships lost, but in the long run, the ones who have stuck with you come out on top. Side note - I finally finished reading Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst and there was a chapter about lost friendships and how she continues to pray for those people. I really liked that, because you've got to be able to live with yourself and your actions. There are some instances where I may still feel sad, but in the end, my conscious is clear and the matter is out of my hands. (and what a releif that is!)

Fur Babies. One fun part of 26 was that we got a puppy! You can read more about him here. So yes, now we have 2 cats and a dog and talk about getting more animals...so yeah. My mom said she is going to start calling us the Mulenos Menagerie! (lol)

Adult Acne. Yeesh. A not so fun part of 26 was the worst bought of acne I have ever had. I've been consistently breaking out since March. It's honestly super humbling, because my face is my brand...there were/are days I literally didn't want to show my face on camera. Don't worry ;) A blog post is coming.

Character is King. But really. I was raised to think this way, but I definitely have come to this conclusion on my own as well. Actions speak louder than words. Again, how you treat people is noticed. People may talk $h!t about you, but the people who know you, well...know you. Not to mention God knows you and your heart. You don't answer to anyone else.

Defeat. I mentioned this in my newsletter this past week, but lately I've been asking myself why I blog...why I spend time on it. Things like Instagram and engagement has really bummed me out. It just isn't what it used to be. This isn't a pity party, I promise! I'm just internally trying to think about what is actually worth my time. Lately, a free word document has seemed pretty appealing to jot my thoughts and feelings into. The beauty (and curse) of working a job in addition to blogging, is that I don't have to rely on it. I can pause if I need to. I can skip a day or two on instagram. It sounds silly, but it's been my most recent struggle.

I think it was for Valentine's day that Nick purchased this photo studio for me. We hadn't really messed with it, until this shoot. Naturally it was around 100 degrees at 9:30 pm, so that's why my cheeks are a little ruddy! Hopefully we can get better at it and shoot some creative things for y'all! Let me know if you have any ideas or requests!

Anyway, I'm off to work, then I'm going to have lunch with my parents, then Nick is picking me up to take me to Mexico!! He surprised me with a trip for my birthday gift. Butttt if you subscribe to my weekly newsletter, you already knew that ;) I'm so excited to get there and relax, if only for the weekend!

I hope your Friday is great and your weekend is wonderful!!! XOXO