Twenty-eight...

Yesterday I turned twenty-eight-years-old. I like that. Twenty-eight.

In this, my 29th year of life, I know that to a lot it makes me the "baby in the group". I will take the "you're only 28?" comment as a compliment. As well as the "you're so young". I get that a lot it seems. I'll soak it up while I can.

Though, lately, I have been noticing the wrinkles around my eyes becoming more defined by the day, along with the jiggle in my thighs. Ha!

I have lived a very blessed twenty-eight years. And, because of that I thought I would share twenty-eight reflections (in no particular, but somehow related, order):

1. Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Suess
2. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.- Ephesians 4:29
3. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.- James 1:19-20
4. Don't take yourself too seriously.
5. Give grace. You never know when your smile might turn someone else's day around.
6. Consider your words. Once you say them, you cannot take them back.
7. Someday, when I am old, I will probably regret wearing heels. Until then, I will wear them every opportunity I can.
8. Be on the same page as your spouse. Discuss your dreams and goals. Talk about money. Plan for the future. Teach your children fiscal responsibility.
9. What you think about, you bring about. 
10. You become who you surround yourself with. Surround yourself with loving, positive people.
11. Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold. {Cue the Girl Scouts "I've got something in my pocket, it goes across my face. I keep it very close at hand, in a most convenient place. I bet you'll never guess it if you guessed a long, long while. So, I'll take it out and put it on it's a great big Brownie smile!" Cherie, if you are reading this, I thought of you when I wrote this.}
12. Exercise. It's one decision you make that you won't regret.
13. You make time for the things that are important to you.
14. Never stop educating yourself.
15. Don't watch too much television news. You'll just end up depressed.
16. Wait for it to go on sale. It always does. 
17. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21 & Luke 12:34
18.  Fail forward. 
19. Read the Bible.
20. Happiness is in a mug of warm coffee. {Just kidding. Kind of.}
21. Pray.
22. Learn to laugh at yourself.
23. What you worry about at the age of 18 will long be forgotten. (Reminder for myself ten years from now. When I turn 38, will I remember what I was worrying about at 28?)
24. Snuggle babies. They are only little for the blink of an eye. 
25. Travel. God's miracles are found in hiking through the Rocky Mountains, standing on the coast, touring cathedrals in Europe...
26. Your toddler will tell you exactly what you say and how you say it. Guard their hearts.
27. Stay in touch with your extended family. Life is short.
28. Blog or journal. Write down your ideas. Share your ideas with others, let them make your ideas better.