A few weeks ago we celebrated my 31st birthday! It was a good day and has been a good string of days. This year I felt an extra amount of gratitude for all that I have. My twenties felt like a lot of newness and figuring things out: marriage, teaching, mothering, faith, etc. While I am still figuring a lot out, I definitely have a better sense of who I am and a greater confidence in all I do. I have a good feeling for my thirties. It’s just getting started and I’m hopeful.

My birthday this year fell just days after the LA fires. I woke up and checked the air quality and it was the first day that it was relatively good, so I drove to Palos Verdes and had a good solo 5 mile run.

After my run, my parents and sister and nephew came over to wish me a happy birthday and brought a lemon loaf!

We went ice skating in the afternoon! On the way, I got my free giant iced matcha latte at Starbucks. Lance and I took turns with Declan. It was Hudson’s second time and Thatcher’s first. There was a lot of falling (even me) and a few tears (not me), but as a whole it was fun. Definitely a full body workout for Lance and I trying to skate and also help the boys at the same time.

The boys seemed to enjoy watching the hockey game more than the actual ice skating. It clearly inspired them and they have been playing hockey in their bedroom with lightsabers as sticks for the past few days.

In the evening, we went to our favorite sushi spot (we love their Saturday afternoon happy hour). The boys also love sushi and we are always amazed how many rolls they are able to eat now. I can’t even imagine our sushi bill when the boys are older.

We walked over to the beach and saw the beautiful golden sky. It was chilly so quickly headed home for ice cream sandwiches and bedtime.

The celebrations continued on Sunday with a massage, delicious dumpling dinner with my parents, sister and nephew; and cupcakes.

It was a really great one. I felt the love. I feel like as I get older, I’m getting more clear on how I want to celebrate birthdays and more effectively communicating that. Sounds simple, but it’s definitely a skill.

It has felt really like a month of celebrating as last week I had a lovely birthday brunch with two of my closest mom friends.

So thankful for another year and I am hopeful and expectant for what this next year will hold.