30?!

Tomorrow, I’m turning 30! It doesn’t seem that long ago that I thought 30 seemed so OLD. Not only did I think 30 was old, but I (wrongly) assumed that I would have life figured out by then – I mean 30 years is a long time to be alive, right? Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. As a teenager I thought I knew it all, in my early 20’s I was convinced I had a good grasp on life because the “adult” thing didn’t seem too hard, and now on the verge of entering my 30’s I have realized just how much I DON’T know. However, one thing I am certain of, is that an attitude of gratitude is the key to happiness. So in honor of turning 30 I have made a list of 30 things that I am thankful for:

Jesus. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
I have never lived one second without knowing how much my family loves me. As I continue to get older I am realizing just how rare that is.
My rockstar parents. I’m convinced my mom is hiding angel wings under her shirt and my dad raised me to believe that doing something “like a girl” is a compliment.
My sister who has turned into my European traveling partner.
The Facebook message from Caitlin in 2012 asking me to do a 5k with her. Who knew that in 2012 the girl who only ran when she was being chased would be training for an Ironman 6 years later? (the screenshot shows my response to her):
That my friends are always up for whatever harebrained scheme I come up with – Kristy thought a triple Spartan Trifecta sounded like fun and Jeff and Anna who have hopped on the Ironman journey with me.
SUMMER VACATION
Tennis and all the relationships I made through that sport
Dogs! Jack, Khloe, and Finley all have specials places in my heart. Jack was around from kindergarten until I graduated high school and made sure I always had someone to play with. Khloe was my furry child who was loved so deeply her absence still hurts and is thought of every day. My current furbaby, Finley, certainly keeps life interesting.
My GPS and google maps – I still manage to get turned around these (I got lost in the London train station….twice), but I can only imagine where I’d end up without them.
Country Music
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Google.
Pancreatitis. I’m thankful that a dose of pancreatitis led doctors to a mass on my pancreas before it turned into cancer
Ellie, my inspiration, and her sweet family
Accepting that my body is completely different than it was before I had surgery. I may never achieve my goal of breaking a 24 minute 5k (I haven’t broken 27 minutes since surgery) and finally being okay with that.
Learning to ~~love~~ accept my scars
Campbell and NC State
Library cards and how a good book is never far away
There are no hidden cameras when I take yoga class. I’m coming to the realization I may never be able to (easily) touch my toes.
Living in the USA
Body Glide (can I get an Amen from my running friends?!)
FS Series (Race Local) and Run N Tri (Shop Local)
Corny Jokes: How does NASA organize their company party? They Planet!
A good night’s sleep
Contacts – It still baffles me how some people are so lucky to wake up and be able to see perfectly without contacts/glasses.
Sweet Tea. Oh, sweet tea I don’t know how I’d function without you.
Teaching. Despite all the challenges surrounding education, I know I’m making a difference and have developed some amazing relationships with my kiddos.
Really good co-workers/teammates who make going to work fun
That even on the bad days, it’s always easy to make a list of things to be thankful for. Y’all, life is too sweet to spend time focusing on the negative!