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The Busy Life Plus Three

A Latina lifestyle blog for the modern mom

Motherhood

27 Truths for 27 Years

March 7, 2017

Last month I celebrated my 27th Birthday. Here it is, 27. Yikes! Now I am feeling old. To me 26 still felt good- even young maybe. But 27 is feeling much bigger. A feeling of maturity and so dang close to hitting the big 3-0. It’s kinda scary actually.

So I took a small break from blogging as I had the best time relaxing & spending time with my dear parents, a few friends, and most importantly the kids and I had a lot of  time with my husband. We even went on a few dates together – more than I could count (in just one month) and these date nights were much needed and refreshing.

 

Turning a year older

 

I been thinking and reflecting back on the past years- the highs and lows. Some lessons I’ve learned along the way to where I am today. I want to share 27 lessons, facts, favorite quotes, and real raw truths I’ve internalized and made my own:

 

  • Hangovers suck when you’re a mom– Just Kidding Guys! Never been drunk in my life! No seriously I am a light drinker. Give me a glass of sweet white wine or a pina colada and I’m good.
  • Motherhood is a beautiful mess. It is chaotic, terrifying, and rewarding all together.
  • Marriage is not easy. You have to actively fight for your marriage and never give up on each other. Real relationships aren’t perfect, and perfect relationships aren’t real. What many couples forget is you both have to equally want it, so never give up your love for one another.
  • Find your passion, and stick with it. We will all have our own different paths. I am my own person. To me that is my family, watching my kids grow is what I am most passionate about being present in their daily lives.
  • It’s okay to be a homebody. I am a self confessed homebody. It’s just who I am. I like to have a clean organized home that makes me feel relaxed. When everything is in place we tend to find our sanity. And there is no better place to be yourself than at home.
  • No one prepares you to be a parent, you just learn as you go. I was 19 when I got pregnant and 20 when I had my first child. Didn’t know what to expect but hey I’ve made it!
  • Friendships don’t last forever. Can’t even count how many “friends” I don’t talk to anymore. They say quality over quantity. This is quite true. Remember that!
  • Treasure that one childhood friend. Although people grow apart I think its important to stay friends with at least one or two people from your childhood. These are the people that will keep you grounded and remind you where you came from. I am beyond lucky to have a best friend who I’ve known since Elementary and fortunate to know she will always be there with open arms when I need her the most.
  • Give without expecting anything in return– or you will end up disappointed. Not everyone has your best interest in mind.
  • The best support system I have found in life is and will always be my parents.
  • Not everyone will like you, and that is okay. I think this is something I’ve struggled with since I was a teen because I have always looked for acceptance even from those who didn’t deserve it.
  • Life is not a competition. There’s no such thing as being behind someone else, you can’t compare your own life to someone elses.
  • Speak your mind. Have a voice, express how you feel or people will walk all over you.
  • Learning to say “no” and not feel guilty for it.
  • Know your worth. You learn not to take other peoples crap. Once you know time is precious, you will realize some people are not worth your time. You will know it is perfectly fine to walk away from toxic people.
  • Get out of your comfort zone. Go out there. Meet new people, don’t be afraid to socialize with a new crowd of people. You will be surprised how much you can learn from them.
  • You will always love your children deeply-but there will be times (many to be precise) that you will not like them, and that is completely fine.
  • Shopping alone is the only getaway vacation I’ll get. Yes every aisle at Target and Hobby Lobby is a dreamy paradise walk. Might be exaggerating a bit- but it’s close enough to the truth.
  • Losing the baby weight only gets harder as you get older. Our metabolism naturally slows down as we get older so finding time to exercise is needed. I have an almost 2 year old and yet I still cannot get back to my pre-baby weight. It’s a daily battle to accept ones postpartum body after kids.
  • Spending Fridays nights at home ordering take out & catching up on shows with your husband once the kids have finally gone to bed and calling that the highlight of your week. Yes this is parenting life at its finest!
  • Unplug from all Social Media. Do it at least once a week or two. You will thank me later. We tend to focus on the outside world too much that we stop enjoying our present moment here right now. Sometimes it’s good to enjoy that moment for ourselves without sharing it with the rest of the world.
  • Learn to love what you have build. My husband and I became parents young. I feel we had to grow up much quicker than most people our age. I became a home owner at the age of 21, it is something I am proud of but also find myself six years later wanting more. So I say- learn to love your home. Learn to love what you have. You have a roof over your head, food to feed you and your kids, house bills to pay. You are doing the best that you can!
  • “The older I get, the more I realize the value of privacy, of cultivating your circle and only letting certain people in. You can be open, honest, and real while still understanding not everyone deserves a seat at the table of your life.”
  • “Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, and the youngest you’ll ever be again.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
  • “Learn to accept people for who they are. Learn to reject them for that same reason.”
  • Take time for yourself. Sometimes we tend to forget we can’t take care of others unless we take time for ourselves.
  • “Fill your life with adventures, not things, have stories to tell not stuff to show.”- Love this quote because I feel our generation has the wrong outlook in life. There’s many individuals who think material things matter most and my perspective in life is the absolute opposite. Making memories surrounded by your loves ones have a bigger worth.
by The Busy Life Plus Three 
33 Comments

About The Busy Life Plus Three

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Comments

  1. Angela J. Kim says: March 7, 2017 at 6:01 PM

    Happy 27th year! 27 is not old, it's just the beginning! Oh the things I would do if I was 27 right now. Enjoy, the best is yet to come. Love these wise tips!

    Reply
  2. Samantha Kuzyk says: March 7, 2017 at 11:35 PM

    Happy Birthday Momma! Loved this post! Everything you wrote is sooo true, and definitely all things I've learned in my 20's too!

    Reply
  3. Beth Rosenbleeth says: March 8, 2017 at 1:41 PM

    It is funny how a number can make you feel a certain way. I am 37 and the other day thought, (Since I have 2 boys and one almost here) that I won't look pretty again until they are 10. (they will be less needy then) But then I realized that will make me 47. :0 – Maybe my days are over. hahaha

    Reply
    • Erika Ortega says: March 8, 2017 at 1:50 PM

      Oh no! Don't think that. I think we do let that certain number bother us but also I will say I'm grateful for what it's given me- I feel every year we become more wiser. And we will always be beautiful to our children no matter what

      Reply
  4. Kate Rattley says: March 8, 2017 at 2:03 PM

    Happy 27th! I'm 18 and I actually really needed to read this – maybe not the baby weight one haha! But definitely the rest, thank you for inspiring me on a boring Wednesday morning!
    Kate || http://www.katerattley.com

    Reply
  5. gretchen16 says: March 8, 2017 at 2:41 PM

    I love this so much. It's so insightful and so truthful. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    Reply
  6. Emily says: March 8, 2017 at 4:28 PM

    This rings true for 34 too! Love your comment on not everyone will like you and that's ok. I have learned this lesson and it's nice to be able to just be yourself. Being a mom is hard but good news is we are not alone in this struggle! Great list and enjoy 27!

    Reply
  7. Amanda Nicole Walker says: March 8, 2017 at 5:45 PM

    What a pretty top! Happy 27th!

    Reply
  8. Babies To Bookworms says: March 8, 2017 at 6:35 PM

    Happy birthday! These are great points. I absolutely agree with the point that nothing will prepare your for motherhood! But it is completely beautiful and worth it!

    Reply
  9. Ashley Peavey says: March 8, 2017 at 8:31 PM

    Happy Birthday! Love this list!

    Reply
  10. michelle says: March 8, 2017 at 9:00 PM

    Great post! As a 27 year old, it's interesting for me to see where other people are at in their lives at this age. I guess everyone is different and there are ups and downs to everything.

    Reply
  11. Melissa of Resplendently Living says: March 8, 2017 at 9:40 PM

    Happy Birthday my fellow Pisces!!! Such a great post! 27 was a great year for me and definitely don't fear the big 3-0!

    Reply
  12. Patricia Taylor says: March 9, 2017 at 12:39 AM

    I love this so much!! You shared so much goodness in this post!! Not bad for a youngin'! Hahaha! Seriously, I hope this is your best year yet!

    Reply
  13. Dawn P Darnell says: March 9, 2017 at 1:39 AM

    Happy birthday! I love the one about speaking your mind!

    Reply
  14. Bridget says: March 9, 2017 at 2:24 AM

    Happy Birthday! What are great list and these are so true! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  15. The Little One Chronicles says: March 9, 2017 at 3:24 AM

    Great post, learning as you go is a great way to describe parenthood.

    Reply
  16. Millie says: March 9, 2017 at 4:34 AM

    Love these truths!!! 27 looking more like 21 my friend! Love and admire your flow!

    Reply
    • erikacullen says: March 17, 2017 at 4:56 PM

      Aw love you so much!

      Reply
  17. Corey says: March 9, 2017 at 6:55 AM

    Happy Birthday! Sounds like 27 perfect things 🙂

    Reply
  18. Anonymous says: March 9, 2017 at 2:10 PM

    This is a great post, but I'm over here obsessing about your top. 😉 Where did you get it?

    Reply
    • erikacullen says: March 17, 2017 at 4:59 PM

      It's from Charming Charlie, love that place!

      Reply
  19. Charissa | thenotsobusymom says: March 9, 2017 at 2:21 PM

    Happy 27th birthday! I love this list. I was reading & thinking, "This is my favorite…no, wait, this…". I do really love "life is not a competition". Truth.

    Reply
  20. Ellie Chan says: March 9, 2017 at 2:51 PM

    I am the biggest homebody now, A perfect evening in is at home with my Husband a good movie on Netflix and a mug of hot chai! Perfection! Happy 27th Birthday! 27 is great! turning 30 hurt though lol!

    Ellie
    http://www.scotchandstilettos.com

    Reply
  21. Angela Fry says: March 9, 2017 at 2:55 PM

    Happy birthday. My 27th was when I finally felt like an adult. Now, ten years later I'm wishing I was still 27. And…I love your truths. It's as if I wrote this post! Love it.

    Reply
  22. Tineke Franssen says: March 10, 2017 at 9:17 AM

    Happy birthday!!! Wish i was still 27, at 30 the 3-0 is waaaay too real 🙂

    Reply
  23. Courtney Buechle says: March 10, 2017 at 2:17 PM

    How did I miss this post? Love it!! Happy Late Birthday Babe!

    Reply
    • erikacullen says: March 17, 2017 at 4:56 PM

      Thank you so much Courtney!

      Reply
  24. Sarah Camille says: March 10, 2017 at 2:48 PM

    Happy Birthday! I'm 27 so I really enjoyed reading your truths. I couldn't agree more about unplugging as well. I recently wrote about that topic, and it's so true. These days it is so valuable to have time away from technology to focus on your loved ones.
    – http://www.SCsScoop.com

    Reply
  25. Charlie Moore says: March 10, 2017 at 8:23 PM

    Fantastic post – I'm just learning to say 'no' to people, and it's been something I've struggled with doing up until now. I'm getting to that age where I'm trying to not care what people thing. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  26. Jasmine Eclipse says: March 11, 2017 at 4:10 AM

    Happy Birthday!! I also need to learn how to say no without feeling the guilt… I'm working on it. And I'm turning 25 this year, and freaking out about it because I just feel so dang old! But you make 27 look so good, so I'm not so worried anymore! 🙂

    Reply
  27. korea phil says: March 11, 2017 at 12:19 PM

    Happy 27th! Don't worry about having an additional number. Just enjoy the present and I think that you have been already through a lot. What you pointed here are all true. I experienced those things too. May you have more colorful years ahead of you. 🙂

    Reply
  28. Anonymous says: March 13, 2017 at 3:36 AM

    I love your list. Treasure that childhood friend. YES!!! Christelle

    Reply
  29. cresent moon cafe says: December 24, 2018 at 10:45 AM

    Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to make
    a great article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.

    Reply

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about

Hi! I'm Erika, wife to my high school sweetheart, mama of three- Ryan, Elyse and Luke. Texas living, just juggling being a WAHM now. Here I share my motherhood journey, family travel, love for food, affordable kid fashion and all my favorite things. Welcome to my blog, so happy you are here.

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Instagram post 18085890901137529 Christmas is 12 days away! Last night I posted my @costco Toy Gift Guide on the blog. [ad] If you have kids ages 4-9 I got you covered. And even if you have small toddlers Costco is where it’s at for TOYS. I been shopping for my kids gifts here since 2010 when Ryan was just six months old. I honestly have no need to go elsewhere since I can find it all here. They have a great selection for all ages with unbeatable prices. #linkinbio #costcopartner #holidaygiftguide #costco #costcodoesitagain
Instagram post 17843220217865003 Happy Friday the 13th! Just staying in at home and working on three blog post this weekend. One coming your way tonight! And also here to share why I love this month- this pretty much sums it up🌲✨ love this time of year. And trust me we been dealing with a hard month no doubt. But Luke comes home from school every day and tells me “I want more.. I want more decorations mama.. I want to see Santa everywhere”, I’m like kid I don’t think I can fit anymore stuff right now 😂 ( also if you watched my stories you’ll know why I don’t keep presents under my tree until Christmas week) 
_
Tell me what’s your favorite part of this season? Favorite tradition? Or favorite holiday outing with the kids? I want to hear it all #tistheseason #falalalala #fridaythe13th
Instagram post 18044289301210334 My all time favorite holiday 🌲 decorating for Christmas has always been one of the things I absolutely love the most since I was a little girl. My mom and I would decorate all day long and I have carried on the tradition with my kids now. Since she’s been sick and recovering I have now taken over her house too and started decorating my way around. I will be sharing more and also a home tour of my Christmas decor soon. Here’s a few magical pieces I found at @burkesoutlet. [ad] #bfinding #tistheseason #holidaydecor
Instagram post 17855736637658241 [ad] We did some holiday travel recently in our brand new car and plan on doing more in the upcoming weeks. Road trips have become less stressful for us over the years even with 3 kids involved. I think nothing can compare to that long 18-20 hour drive we did to Disney last Spring. That was the longest ride full of many stops. After that anything else seems possible for us now. 
This time it was so easy and I can even say fun with @autotrader_com . If you have any family road trips or planning on buying a new car this year Autotrader shares helpful advice and expert tips on traveling this holiday season. Head to the link in my bio and read my recent #JoyToTheRoad blog post including must pack items when traveling with little ones. What are your must haves?  #Autotrader #FinallyItsEasy
Instagram post 17881441828470194 First time visit to @santaswonderland and it won’t be our last. I think we are starting a new holiday tradition to visit every year. There’s so much to do here and there’s also food pretty much everywhere 🍗🥩🥧🥘 Santa’s Hayride and Frostbite’s West Pole Adventure were the kid’s absolute favorite ❄️☃️🎅🏼 Thank you @santaswonderland for inviting my family and I this weekend #santaswonderland #hosted #collegestation #visithouston
Instagram post 17845146751833790 With marriage we promise our spouse “in sickness and in health” but how often do we actually have to go through it. 
_
I have always talked about my dad being the hardest working man I know. He’s always provided for me and my siblings growing up with two jobs for as Iong as I can remember. We never had anything missing. Even when he was 18 finding out he’ll be a young dad he always provided for me with more than I could ask for. Yes we missed out doing things with him throughout the week but we always looked forward to Sundays just to be with him.
_
 I thought I loved and admired him then but seeing him NOW with my mom and how affectionate, attentive and loving he is makes me want to cry. He has been there since day one, through every step of the way right by her side. I know he’s also going through a hard time too. And I am so proud of the daddy I have and the amazing husband he is to my mom. We are so lucky to have him ♥️ This fight against Cancer has only brought them closer together more than ever. #cancersucks #cancerwarrior #lungcancerawareness #lungcancer #lungcancersurvivor #endcancer
Instagram post 17848682260748485 She has no idea how long I prayed for a daughter. From the first moment I held her in my arms I knew that my job was to protect her and love her. Happy 7th Birthday Elyse Nicole. You are the most beautiful free spirited little girl God could had blessed us with. 💕 #elysemydarling
Instagram post 18067031461168432 It’s DECEMBER! My FAVORITE month and today I’m finally putting our Christmas tree up 🌲 (once my husband decides to go to the attic 🤪) I feel I’m one of the last people taking out the holiday decor. But Christmas tree spamming will be coming soon to my feed || Also since December is here I want to do more story giveaways this month to thank you guys for the love and support in this small space here, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love without you all. So you did my poll and this week I’m going with 5 random winners for the Starbucks card. So head to my stories for more 🎄☕️🎅🏼 // outfits: @oldnavy #oldnavy #oldnavystyle #holidayoutfits

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Instagram post 17843220217865003 Happy Friday the 13th! Just staying in at home and working on three blog post this weekend. One coming your way tonight! And also here to share why I love this month- this pretty much sums it up🌲✨ love this time of year. And trust me we been dealing with a hard month no doubt. But Luke comes home from school every day and tells me “I want more.. I want more decorations mama.. I want to see Santa everywhere”, I’m like kid I don’t think I can fit anymore stuff right now 😂 ( also if you watched my stories you’ll know why I don’t keep presents under my tree until Christmas week) 
_
Tell me what’s your favorite part of this season? Favorite tradition? Or favorite holiday outing with the kids? I want to hear it all #tistheseason #falalalala #fridaythe13th
Instagram post 18044289301210334 My all time favorite holiday 🌲 decorating for Christmas has always been one of the things I absolutely love the most since I was a little girl. My mom and I would decorate all day long and I have carried on the tradition with my kids now. Since she’s been sick and recovering I have now taken over her house too and started decorating my way around. I will be sharing more and also a home tour of my Christmas decor soon. Here’s a few magical pieces I found at @burkesoutlet. [ad] #bfinding #tistheseason #holidaydecor
Instagram post 17855736637658241 [ad] We did some holiday travel recently in our brand new car and plan on doing more in the upcoming weeks. Road trips have become less stressful for us over the years even with 3 kids involved. I think nothing can compare to that long 18-20 hour drive we did to Disney last Spring. That was the longest ride full of many stops. After that anything else seems possible for us now. 
This time it was so easy and I can even say fun with @autotrader_com . If you have any family road trips or planning on buying a new car this year Autotrader shares helpful advice and expert tips on traveling this holiday season. Head to the link in my bio and read my recent #JoyToTheRoad blog post including must pack items when traveling with little ones. What are your must haves?  #Autotrader #FinallyItsEasy
Instagram post 17881441828470194 First time visit to @santaswonderland and it won’t be our last. I think we are starting a new holiday tradition to visit every year. There’s so much to do here and there’s also food pretty much everywhere 🍗🥩🥧🥘 Santa’s Hayride and Frostbite’s West Pole Adventure were the kid’s absolute favorite ❄️☃️🎅🏼 Thank you @santaswonderland for inviting my family and I this weekend #santaswonderland #hosted #collegestation #visithouston
Instagram post 17845146751833790 With marriage we promise our spouse “in sickness and in health” but how often do we actually have to go through it. 
_
I have always talked about my dad being the hardest working man I know. He’s always provided for me and my siblings growing up with two jobs for as Iong as I can remember. We never had anything missing. Even when he was 18 finding out he’ll be a young dad he always provided for me with more than I could ask for. Yes we missed out doing things with him throughout the week but we always looked forward to Sundays just to be with him.
_
 I thought I loved and admired him then but seeing him NOW with my mom and how affectionate, attentive and loving he is makes me want to cry. He has been there since day one, through every step of the way right by her side. I know he’s also going through a hard time too. And I am so proud of the daddy I have and the amazing husband he is to my mom. We are so lucky to have him ♥️ This fight against Cancer has only brought them closer together more than ever. #cancersucks #cancerwarrior #lungcancerawareness #lungcancer #lungcancersurvivor #endcancer
Instagram post 17848682260748485 She has no idea how long I prayed for a daughter. From the first moment I held her in my arms I knew that my job was to protect her and love her. Happy 7th Birthday Elyse Nicole. You are the most beautiful free spirited little girl God could had blessed us with. 💕 #elysemydarling

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