Things I've learned with age:

Things I've learned with age:(sorta long but honest lol)
1.I am just me. Perfectly imperfect me. Why apologize for being me? I see so many people that apologize for what makes them them. Drives me nuts.
2.Stand up for those you love...you'd want them to stand up for you. I've also learned that in life you will stand up for people you truly love..and they will not you or your family. 
3.Never be ashamed to stand up for what you believe in. Doesn't matter if it's "in", or against the current. Being silent on something that you know is wrong is the same as supporting something that is wrong. Know what is going on in the world, educate yourself and stand up for things you believe in. No matter whether it's GMO food, politics, or just a coworker treating another like crap..if you don't stand up who will?
4.If someone doesn't like you..it's their loss not yours. Why waste time becoming what someone else wants..and losing what makes you you? Nothing is sadder than someone that dumbs themselves down to make another person happy..or changes their morals to feel like they belong. If I don't like you..it's not because of anything superficial..it's because you are genuinely not a good person. I don't sweat someone that I could care less about not liking me.
5.No matter what your faith or beliefs practice them and live them. Never be a hypocrite. And remember..it's not your place to judge someone else's faith. Also never base your liking someone simply on what denomination their church is. Noone thinks the same or believes the same...not even two preachers from the same church!
6. Spend less time judging. I don't know someone else's path in life..they don't know mine. Unless it affects me and my family..it's not my business.
7.The second your child is born you realize what true love is and just how big your heart can swell. And it will continue on for the rest of your life :)
8. Every day is not going to be great..but you can find something great in every day. Put a positive twist on something bad and it might just change your thinking process.
9. I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
10. Don't go through life wearing catcher mitts on both hands...you need to be able to throw something back once in awhile. Having a voice and a spine is part of being human!
11. I've learned that making a living isn't the same as making a life. Both take work and making a living is a necessity but making a life..is a priority. Don't wait till too late to realize that work and materialistic things have become your life..and your family and loves are no longer there!
12. I've learned that gardening is better than a medicine cabinet full of happiness pills. Getting your hands dirty or doing a hobby you enjoy is the best stress reducer. And if the whole family is involved it's even better.
13. I've learned there are people that love me/us dearly they just don't know how to show it. And maybe at times...I've been the same way. I'm trying harder to not have a hard heart.
14. I've learned that there will always be people speaking what they "Think" of you. Live your life so others KNOW how you are. Live your life such that people rejoice when you are born,enjoy life with you and cry when you leave this world. I try hard to live this and it has been a tremendous help to me. When some people decided to slander me...noone believed them. 
15. Touching one heart..whether through kindness, charity work or a time of need, can make a world of difference.  
16. Nothing in life is set. Every day is going to be a change, a challenge. Either learn to flex with life..or it will break you.
17. Make sure you know yourself before uniting with someone else. Far too many think finding a man/woman to fill the void in them..will complete them. Know who you are before you become Mr or Mrs so and so. I'm thankful that I married someone that compliments me and my life...and we work as a team. Marriage isn't based on financial security, sex or looks..it's based on much more than that!
18. I'm learning every day that my child is not a refection of me but her own little individual that I love. We may bump heads but my goal isn't to make her into a mini me..it's to make her into the best SHE can be.
19.Holding in anger only poisons you..not the person you are mad at. I've learned to either forget about it or spit it out! I've also learned that I would rather someone say Hey you pee me off then smile and hold it in. Relationships don't grow and evolve if everyone pretends everything is perfect. I cannot stand people that pretend to be happy with you but say put up facebook posters/quotes that are meant towards you. Don't be a chicken..tell me if you are mad..I'll tell you when you aggravate me. It's life.
20.I've learned that I cannot change anyone but me. People are going to do as they please, what they think is right or normal and that is how it is. I'm learning to not waste my time being upset or trying to change others. I can't bullhead others into how I think..and I wouldn't want them to do that to me. It may hurt because I see what that person is doing, what in life they are losing and how they are pushing away people that love them..but..it's their path. They have to decide what they want. Me harping on them won't change it. I'm done trying to fix things that are not in my control..and I'm done feeling bad that I can't fix it.
21.Become a parent isn't all fun and games. It's not just cute pics and adorable clothes. It's hard work and a full time job. But it's the best job.
22. Nothing stays the same and some things never change. 
23. Pinterest has made us all into crafty freaks that think if the napkins are not folded into origami patterns then our kids bday party sucked. Society has made us feel as if we have to fit into a certain mold or we are a failure. You can fix supper for your family and still be an independent woman. You can let your spouse take the reigns sometimes and not "lose yourself". Forget what society says has to be.
24. Realize that no matter what...it's not a sin to be happy. You can have a great spouse that you love and helps you, great family, and a happy life without feeling as if you have to say "I'm sorry." Others may not have what makes them happy..they have to find it. Don't feel bad you are happy.
25. Teach your child to respect themselves, their morals and others. Society is quickly degrading what is moral. I'm talking about a teen should know that their body is worth more than a nice meal and a movie. A child should know to respect their elders. They should know manners. They should know that hurting others to gain what they want..is wrong. But we as parents have to practice this and show our children that it's not "cute" to be sexual on facebook and act like they are 25 when they are 13.It's a slippery path when a child has no rules/parents..only a friend in the home.
26. Losing all your grandparents wakes you up fast. I wish Kaya had all her great grandparents to love her. But I know they watch over here..and having the memories I have..guides me in how I live my life. Being a grandparent is a big job..and I hope hers take it seriously.
27.Know how to take care of yourself/your family. Learn to cook. Know what to do in an emergency.Learn to budget. People can laugh at us "backwood hicks" all they want..but we don't starve during an emergency and our kids don't freeze during a power outage! Remember that if someone else is picking up the tab for you or the govt is feeding your kids...at some point it won't be happening so you better make sure YOU know what you're doing. Giving up a few wants for the betterment of your family/child's needs is being an adult. 
28. Realize that you are not the center of the universe. The world is huge, life is big and you are merely a spot in the mix. The world doesn't stop for you, the world doesn't bow to you, and you can have your opinions but only if you allow others to have theirs. Don't think you can spend life spewing your ideas and agendas then censor someone else. I may not like YOUR opinion but I will respectfully listen..otherwise no one in the world would ever learn anything!!