7.18.2008

one quarter o' a century

in keepin' w/ the tradish,
i present {to you} this year's birthday memoirs:

♥♥♥

24 things i’ve learned while being 24

1. i have learned that i shouldn’t drop off mr. miyagi @ the groomer when chloe’s in tow ‘cause she will think i am giving him away forever & will cry “agi, agi, no, agi, agi, no!” for a heart-breaking half hour.

2. i have learned that staying up all night for 1.8 nights in a row, will cause very deep slumber the third day, resulting in sleep waking to the mailbox down the street & consequently having a minor panic attack upon waking up & not having a clue how i got there/where my child is/etc.

3. i have learned that starting a blog dedicated to healthful living doesn’t magically make me motivated or skinny. and i might have only lost 9 pounds in twelve weeks. {and that’s okay and happy.} *read my success story here.

4. i have learned that i’m not a procrastinator; i simply have a hard time deciding where to begin. [this continues to be an empowering discovery for me!]

5. i have learned that there is life after pepsi…but, i can however go 7 weeks without it, take a sip in a moment of weakness, and fall directly back in love. {don’t try this at home…it’s painful.}

6. i have learned that i will always cry {at least a few} tears of disappointment when i find a pregnancy test to be negative…even on the months i don’t necessarily desire to be preggo.

7. i have learned that the comfort of gap {long&lean} ankle-length jeans are sooo worth the money to my short & awkward-waist-to-butt-ratio-ed self.

8. i have learned that life is crazily unpredictable. {in a cool way.} unemployment is super crappy & stressful, as well as other trials o’ life. but necessary & important for growth. and if ya just make it through: there’ll be bucket loads of silver lining to be discovered.

9. i have learned that being in the primary presidency is only 1/2- 1/3 as scary as i expected it would be.

10. i have learned that kaboom {rocks the house} and is the only cleaning agent that will make my cheap-ish, plasticy shower look somewhat clean.

11. i have learned that as soon as it’s humanly poss, it’s my greatest dream to be a super-full-time stay at home mom. i plan to sacrifice any house or amount of money to eventually do this.

12. i have learned that every time i try to pay my bills online, i mess somethin’ up & pay the wrong person/account. and that i should just stick to the old-school way of paying bills ‘cause i’m cool slash lame like that.

13. i have learned that my man would go to the end of the earth {if necessary} & move mountains {literally} for his girls.

14. i have learned that I have no business {or fun} shopping at scottsdale fashion square. ghetto-fab superstition shall always remain my favorite mall. discount racks + 2 wetzel pretzel locations = my kinda shopping joint.

15. i have learned that i’m not a consistent/good texter or emailer or cell phone charger-ist.

16. i have learned that when i ignore how much gas costs, my quality of life increases dramatically.

17. i have learned that white bed sheets are super boring but beyond practical…and i’m totally converted.

18. i have learned that if i continue to say {yes} to every extracurricular assignment & opportunity, i am sacrificing a heaping-handful of sanity and at least three years off my life.

19. i have learned that chloe will eventually be potty trained & ditch the binky. but she’ll only be two once…so there’s no need to be in such a hurry. {i don’t care what the doctor says.}

20. i have learned that this year i want to start planning for christmas {much earlier} than i did last year.

21. i have learned & finally acknowledged that the lemon cleanse is sort of extreme & kinda stupid. {for me @ least}

22. i have learned that my fam & the gospel are my only true assets.

23. i have learned that “bees” are airplanes, “barbie” is audrey, “mommy” is granny & grandma, “pin-cess” is princess, “bebe” is jesus, “bu-bye” is car, “li-einsens” is little einsteins, “ju-ju” is juice, & “angie” is mommy {in chloe-language.}

24. and...i have learned that i really don’t know much at all & thus stressing just isn’t worth it.

this next year of life…i’m strivin’ to put it all in the Lord’s hands, baby!!

happy belated july 10th!

{thanks to all who made it such a happy day!}

45 comments:

runningfan said...

Angela Michelle Dixon Dunn, you are quite possibly my 5th favorite person in the whole wide world (only my boys beat you...). Fabulous post. I might have to copy you on April 28th 2009. Love you!!

katie said...

you're so cute! i love all you reasons. and HOLY COW! that truck thing myron drives is ginormous!
[did you hear that eve was born on your birthday, btw?]

<3katie

The Wizzle said...

That was, indeed, a great post. Sounds like a good year, all things considered.

P.S. Eve would have thought you were giving away Mr. Miyagi too. But she would have been thrilled because she apparently will never get over her fear of dogs. I think she'll give up the binky first, and I don't really see that happening very soon at our house either.

P.P.S. I always cry over negative pregnancy tests too. Even when I'm not even supposed to be taking them.

Brandis said...

I'm still reeling over #4. I think you've got something there! I'm so glad you put that on here because I think that's me too!! You're so funny, Angie! :) Oh, and by the way, my kids had a WONDERFUL time at the Primary activity day yesterday! I hope you had a great birthday! :)

Tanya Leigh said...

I, too, can completely appreciate the problem of 'deciding where to begin'. Though, I probably, most likely have a worse case than you, my dear! :) You're a sweetheart! Thanks for sharing; it's such a pleasure to read.

ditto about Myron's ride!!!! Wowee!

Sassy said...

I sure needed a dose of Angie tonight...you are such a bright shining light and you help just by being you...my hubby drove one of those big bad boys for years and years out at the mine...jinormous fo sho! Stress is a huge downer and I know I have just got to get over it and pick myself up and point my feet in the right direction and GO! Sure do ♥ ya my friend!

Jackie said...

Happy belated!!!! I loved the post! So made me laugh and cry. I just can't wait for my birthday now. What a great idea and a treasure for your family.!! See you soon my friend!!

Em said...

All I have to say is I {heart} u Ang! I'm so glad you had a great birthday, I always love reading your lists. You should be an inspirational writer. You are awesome!

Claire said...

Happy {late} birthday!! I love your list. I totally agree... if I ignore the gas prices, my life is so much happier!! Chloe is adorable... love all the pics of her! Little girls are so much fun!

Lisa said...

happy 24th! i love wetzel's! yummmy!

oh--and pepsi too!

Stephanie said...

Happy Belated to you! I have waited for a post you dissapeared for a little bit! I love ya and your so true and real, and yes sometimes life hurts but keep pushin on and yes stressing is not worth it! Love ya

Stephanie Evans said...

Angie, I in turn found YOUR post, thanks for commenting, and it was fun to read your birthday memoirs. I'll tell you, I somehow convinced Travis to do the lemonade diet with me last year and Ill never get those three days of life back, EVER! He actually did really well with it, but I believe its a scam and only meant to make you buy real maple syrup (because who would otherwise?) So in other words, I definitely agree with you. Cute daughter by the way :)

Unknown said...

well Happy Birthday to you too!
I was thinking just how darn smart you are at 24! Wow, that is great.


Ok, well take care and keep missing your class. OOps times just keeps going by..............

Mark Dixon said...

Thanks, Angie, for sharing! You have brought us much happiness in your first quarter century!

Dad

Marilyn said...

Angie-you are just one super awesome person-I hope you had a super awesome birthday. keep postin'pleeeease-you inspire us all! I'm really looking forward to that PKP this week...(hope your list is progressing stress-lessly) and P.S. Being in the primary prez is really fun-I agree-even for old ladies like me!

Jamie said...

Great list!

Happy Belated Birthday!

Kaytie Brown said...

Hope your b-day ROCKED!! Wish I could've been there to drag you to an opposite of yummy b-day lunch.

Miss you.

Please move to Texas. :)

HondurasHappenings said...

You are amazing. Thanks for sharing the 24 things you learned this year...you are INCREDIBLE & an inspiration to so many. Cheers to another happy year for you & your fam!

Staci said...

Uhhh...in case you are wondering about "Hondurashappenings"...sorry I was signed in under my brother's mission blog. It is me...Staci:)

Marisa and Rob said...

Hey Happy Late Birthday!!! The Big 24!! Many more wonderful year's to come!! You write the most amazing things!! I love it!! You alway's put a smile on my face! :) Have a great day!! Alway's Smile No Matter What Happens In Life :)

Cole Roberts said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Roberts Family said...

your so cute!! we love you! and i think cole and i might just stop by tonight to say hi

Stoddard Studios said...

I love how you did that. It was so cute. What a fun udea. Happy belated birthday!

Unknown said...

Happy Fwiggen Birfday- To the bestest, cutest, happiest, most stylish, creativeist, and most favorite mother/wife/friend/teacher that I know! Hope it was a good one!

•stephanie• said...

happy 2 and a half decades to you. pretty sure i'm the number 25 comment. does that win me a prize? if so, please let it not be chloe's disney princess table and chair set. i already have one of those!

p.s. my eyes are a little better. thanks for asking!

S and B H. said...

I love your yearly tradition!! You look absolutely gorgeous in that last pic. Love all your posts as always!!!

Beth Curtis said...

Happy Birthday Ang!! you are awesome. I have a lot to learn from your list ( since I just started year 24). I laughed at a lot of your list knowing that I could say "ditto" To at least half.

p.s. we totally have the same bill organizer!!

Jamie said...

YOU = Amazing!!!

I ♥ U!

Happy Birth-month - we have those @ our house.

Can't wait to celebrate Cafe Rio style!!!

Coree Adams said...

I love to hear what you have learned in the last year. You are so creative and I love that you have learned that many things this year because I know I have learned AT LEAST that much...and it isn't always the funnest lessons. Important, nontheless. LOVE YA!

kacee said...

Happy Birthday Angie!

I am always so inspired by all of your wisdom. (and at such a young age)

Sally Jensen Interiors said...

You're simply the best blogger! You're so cute...and amen to binkies, potty training, and not listening to doctors (at least about that sort of thing). So how can I get a part time job at the scrap store...!?! You don't really have to answer that I would just love to work there like 1 or 2 nights a week! Happy belated bday!

Drew and Tarah said...

i always love your posts so much! for sure my fave to read!

mademoisellechitchat said...

Happy Belated Birthday, WOMAN!!

You are going to love your mid-twenties. What's even better? - - - THIRTY. That's been my favorite after 21 birthday.

The Fletchies said...

Umm...I love you. I love this post. I love your ability to reflect on life and see the good. I want to be you. The end.

Marie said...

We were up in Thatcher this weekend celebrating Pioneer day. On Friday, Grandma Allen says, "Who wants to come see the moon rise with me?" (Only Grandma...) so we went out on the hill to watch it. It rained and was really cloudy, so a no-go there. But you could totally see the mine lights on the mountain. I thought of you. If you ever want to go on a mini trip, I'd be up for it. And Grandma would seriously be in heaven.
Angie, you are wise beyond your years. Here's to year 25!

Kaelene said...

Your wisdom and sincerity are 2 of the things that I love about you! Thanks for always bearing your soul, to the cyber world and your friends!
Happy Belated!

Laurie said...

You are awesome Angie!! Happy Birthday!

Unknown said...

I love this post! You are way too cute! Happy Belated Birthday! You are awesome :)

Chelsea said...

Happy belated! You are truly so dang cute and creative!!! So someone in the above comments said move to texas. I agree! :)

ps...it was sugar cookies with pink frosting, and raspberry slushies. ;)

rachbechep said...

happy post! you're awesome angie. and as always...i'm yet inspired again. :) can't wait to see you again...one of these days.

Jenn said...

Happy belated Birthday! I sooo missed you on Friday night. We saw Mamma Mia and laughed, laughed, laughed. Can you make Thurs night? Miss you!!!

Stacey said...

We have the same birthday!

Chell said...

That was by far the most awesome-est post I have ever read! :) Happy belated birthday!

Kim said...

That was a great post! I loved number 14. Happy belated birthday!

mademoisellechitchat said...

Girlie: Get on back to bloggin'. You are missed. ;)

RE: The SNOTTSDALE Fashion Square - I always feel as if I have to dress up in order to shop there; however, I do find some great things that i do not find at the Chandler Fashion Dillards. I am a Dillardsaholic.

Love ya!


PS: The kids aren't killing me - YET. Check this out - all of the Bebe's Kids who drove me nuts last year - - - they are knocking my door down. They stop by to say hello, get their picture taken, hug me, and get gum. I have to literally DRAG them out of my classroom because they INTERRUPT my class in order to say hello/hug/beg/get photo taken.

UNBELIEVABLE,