Turning 28 years old…

Today I turn 28 years old. For some reason this one is a hard one for me. I am in my “late 20’s” now and it feels strange to say that. Is there more that I should have accomplished by now? Am I doing an okay job at being an “adult”? These are the things I’ve been thinking about as this day got closer and closer.

But I found the answer in creating this list… my list of 27 things I learned at 27. I’ve done this every year since I was 17. That’s a decade of lessons learned and chronicled. You can see a few of my other lists here.

I’m glad again for the chance to stop and look back on the past year and pull all the truths out of the trials. To see that I did grow and learn and change and become a better person and step into being the adult version of myself, even though it feels strange.

So here is my list for this year…

1. My favorite part of driving a bright yellow VW Bug is everyone else who sees it and smiles (or gives their friend a “slug-bug”).
2. I am blessed to be part of a fabulous team of talented people at NICA and to have the chance to learn from them as we tackle projects and work together.
3. I am still a poet and an artist.
4. Jehovah always provides exactly what we need. I’ll never forget my hands shaking so badly as I tried to unwrap my new Bible and the amazing 3 days we spent at the International Convention in Seattle. #greyisthenewblack
5. Clothes that fit right can make you feel how you’ve always wanted to feel, and CAbi does that so well.
6. Sometimes the answer is to put a little purple in your hair.
7. Sharing my home with my in-laws has been the biggest test I’ve ever faced, but it taught me endurance and patience and kindness.
8. You should never binge eat Red Vines. Or Cool Ranch Doritos for that matter…
9. Mobile offices are the best kind of offices.
10. “Always rejoice in the Lord. Again I will say: Rejoice! Let your reasonableness become known to all men.” –Phil 4:4,5
11. Life as a Platinum Blonde is as good as I hoped it would be.
12. Brush scripting is a skill I learned that I will continue to use and develop because it brings me joy.
13. Cabbage steaks are too delicious to describe. You’ll just have to try them for yourself.
14. I love stovetop popcorn with lots of butter and salt!
15. I can do 200 squats in one day! And it does wonders for my backside.
16. My husband expresses his love for me by supporting my dreams and realized that to keep growing I need new equipment. I love my new camera so much! 
17. The #bestjobever includes driving home with the top down after a satisfying day of work.
18. A house full of music is my favorite kind of house.
19. Boats make the best hotels.
20. Death is a harsh reality of life.
21. I love taking pictures of couples in love; especially those celebrating anniversaries.
22. Camel rides are just about as fun as elephant rides.
23. #transformationtuesday posts are so helpful to keep our weightloss journey in perspective and encourage us to keep going.
24. Home is where Chris is.
25. Glad to be an official “iPhone-ographer” with the purchase of my very first iPhone this year…it has become my main camera for capturing everyday life.
26. Finding a tribe of like-minded people can be inspiring and motivational.
27. The best thing is to do the kind thing.

As I turn 27 years old

Today I turn 27 years old…and like I have for the past few years now, I’ve compiled a list of the things I learned during this last year. 26 things I learned while I was 26 years old. I find this tradition very cathartic and really eye opening. It feels like the years just fly by faster and faster, but to be able to stop, look back on all that’s happened and pull out the nuggets of truth that I have gained during the year, that is a real gift. I find that some lessons I have to learn over and over again, usually in different ways. But that’s what growth and self discovery are all about. I am glad for this space and for the record of my life that is contained at this web address. That’s a pretty special gift too…

And so, here are the 26 things I learned while I was 26.

1. Prayers are answered.
2. Losing weight for the right reasons makes all the difference.
3. It is healthy to embark on challenges that push my boundaries mentally, physically and emotionally.
4. Each moment of reaction is a crossroads.
5. At some point you have to realize that some people can stay in your heart but not in your life.
6. Really good hair products are worth the investment.
7. Phone photography is art too.
8. Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you have to do it.
9. It is important to dig deep and find out what my dreams are and allow them to motivate and inspire me.
10. #lifewithGibson is the best kind of life.
11. Learning Russian is hard, but I love learning with my husband and doing this together as a couple.
12. Lean in to the things that terrify you.
13. “The more I excavate myself, the richer my relationships with others become, because as we connect with our true selves we have so much more to give.” –Susannah Conway
14. Elephant rides are just as cool as I always thought they would be.
15. It is always possible to fall more in love with the one you love.
16. Pictures should always be printed…the bigger the better.
17. Road trips are my favorite kind of getaways.
18. There are so many different and unexpected opportunities that can come from being a blogger.
19. Project Life is the best tool to cultivate a good life and record it.
20. Goose bump moments are real and worth waiting for.
21. Everyone should have pictures taken of themselves that they love, to celebrate a milestone, or just because.
22. “A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.” –Coco Chanel
23. I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.
24. Being a part of a couple’s wedding day from behind my camera is such a privilege.
25. Neurons that fire together wire together…by making choices you can use your mind to change your brain.
26. Its okay to be happy with a calm life.

As I turn 26

Today I turn 26 years old, and following tradition, I've compiled a list of 25 things I learned while I was 25. I’ve been creating a list like this since I was 18 with the last few years shared on my blog.  Its one of my favorite things to look back on. Here is my list for this last year.

1. Love stories are the best stories, especially when they’re true life and they’re yours.
2. Every day might not be good, but there is something good in every day.
3. I love grey striped walls and the color yellow.
4. Practice makes permanent.
5. Auntie Shai is my new favorite name.
6. You never know how much you’ll miss a person till they’re gone.
7. Humility and modesty mean recognizing my limitations.
8. There are many different and unexpected ways to flourish.
9. I love that with blog design I am always learning something new and with each new client I get to create an online home perfect for them.
10. Forgive and then love…that’s all we need to do.
11. Live with intention. Blog with a purpose.
12. Learning the Russian language has brought so many blessings.
13. When I pick a hairstyle he really likes my husband showers me with compliments.
14. Done is better than perfect.
15. Never take indoor plumbing for granted.
16. Nothing beats putting pen to paper and letting everything spill out through your fingertips.
17. It is important to be a human doing, not just a human being.
18. God is greater than my heart.
19. Medical insurance is worth every penny!
20. Emotional trauma needs time to heal just like physical trauma.
21. The best thing is always the kind thing.
22. Sometimes real life is pain and heartache, but it is also beauty and unraveling and love.
23. Always make time for photo-shoots with the ones you love.
24. Instagram makes everyday life even prettier.
25. A world where I can’t drink coffee is a world I don’t want to live in.

things I learned

Today I turned 25...and in following tradition, I created my list of things I learned during the previous year.  (to see my list from the last two years click HERE)  Its a project that always makes me feel a little nostalgic, glad for the life I have, and grateful for the fact that I record so much of it here on my blog.  And so, here is my list for this year.

1. I am as strong as I remember. 
2. Surprises make the best memories. 
3. "You might not like where you are, but like where you're headed." -J*
4. Creativity helps me make sense of life.
5. Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. 
6. It is possible to overcome a great feeling of loss. 
7. There is nothing like falling more in love with the one who already holds your heart. 
8. I must never forget to make time for writing. 
9. There is a reason why the square peg doesn't fit in the round hole. 
10. My story is worth being told, through whatever medium my heart decides. 
11. The first step in reaching goals is setting them. 
12. It really never hurts to ask. 
13. It is important to savor the feeling of a completed project. 
14. Half-aversaries should be celebrated too! 
15. Be open to the possibility of new beginnings. 
16. Indulge in little things that make you happy...like sunflower seeds. 
17. The relief and responsibility that comes with being a homeowner. 
18. When you trust in God, give him control, and do what he asks he really does provide "all other things." 
19. I am passionate about design. 
20. Dry shampoo is magical, and so are purple streaks. 
21. I am a scanner...and its okay to not pick only one thing to do with my lfie. 
22. HULU is a wonderful invention. 
23. We really hsould go on vacation more than once every 4 years. 
24. Behind the camera will always be one of my favorite places. 

things i learned

today i turn 24 years old... and every year i do a list of the things i've learned during the previous year.  and this year the concept fit in perfectly with the theme of DISCOVERY over at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out.  so today i have a kit layout and a list to share.  how pretty are these papers??  i was so excited to use them when i pulled them out of the kit!  yum!

and here is my list:  23 things i learned at 23

1. sunflairs make any picture better. 
2. getting a puppy can teach you a lot about yourself. 
3. my mental and emotional energy is too precious to squander on negative pessimistic people.
4. an examined life is one worth leading...especially when examined through a viewfinder. 
5. Windows 7... it was my idea!! 
6. my hair is and always will be constantly changing. 
7. trauma may callous our hearts but it can also bring us closer to those that matter. 
8. karaoke is one of my most favorite things. 
9. courage doesn't always roar.  sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying "i will try again tomorrow"
10. i have a passion for photography and the editing process. 
11. having an online presence is important to me. 
12. the opposite of loneliness is not togetherness... its intimacy. 
13. it is an honor to work with the special team of ladies over at SFTIO.
14. nothing compares to the thrill of performing on stage. 
15. i love being involved in weddings, especially as a bridesmaid. 
16. my problem is with the setting of goals, not the reaching them. 
17. i should never stop writing poetry...my soul needs to write words. 
18. little things make me really happy.  like my Starbucks cup. 
19. a f/1.8 lens can help me make magic.
20. my piercing is a special part of who i am.  its staying!!
21. its the friends who see the pain behind the smile who really matter. 
22. thursdays will always be my favorite day. 
23. the hard times pass like the good ones do. 

 so here is to a new year of life.  a year that's going to be full of much happiness and even more lessons learned.  thank you to everyone who 'comes along' with me on my journey through reading my blog.  you make me smile. 

8-18

22 things i learned at 22

1. I love making coffe.
2. changing my hair color a lot is good for my soul.
3. There is nothing as powerful as true forgiveness.
4. With my photography I can capture my point of view as art.
5. There is magic in September sunsets.
6. There is nothing like the look your true love gives.
7. Being nice to people can sometimes lead to chocolate!
8. Getting older means that your younger siblings get married…but its okay cuz they ask you to take pictures for them!
9. Sometimes dreams really do come true: in the form of a brand new car.
10. The concept of “going to school” from home is really nice…but a lot harder to follow through with.
11. I love walking hand in hand with the love of my life through the fallen leaves.
12. Sometimes “stay”cations make the best vacations.
13. Even in the face of economic crisis true love can remain strong, and grow.
14. Apartments full of mold make for pretty lousy, sick filled winters.
15. There is nothing like Happy Mail!
16. Flickr is so full of inspiration.
17. My style of scrapping is uniquely my own…and that’s a good thing.
18. Alcohol poisoning is not fun.
19. Being a part of weddings brings me so much joy.
20. The blogging community is full of wonderful, supportive, kind and generous people. I have made many a friend.
21. If I can’t be a professional singer, I can at least belt it out every week at karaoke.
22. “Forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead.” –Phil 3:13