“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do...Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain

January: Nutrition and Health
February: Kindness and Generosity
March: Order and Purpose
April: Strength and Flexibility
May: Relationships
June: Adventure and Fun
July: Community and Environment
August: Knowledge and Interests
September: Sleep and Tranquility
October: Simplicity and Moderation
November: Gratitude and Positivity
December: Spirituality and Resolution

Most pregnant women aren't the epitomy of fun and adventure, and I understand why. All I can think about these days is eating and sleeping, not to mention, I feel prohibited from doing so many things: no caffeine, no alcohol, no hot tubs, no sushi, no strenuous activity, no rollercoasters, no bike riding, no buttoning skinny jeans...

Regardless of my condition, I already knew that this was an area I needed to work on. I love being outdoors, traveling and meeting new people, and I enjoy change, from my hair color to my car to my job. At the same time, I can get stuck in my comfort zone. There have been many beautiful, sunny weekends that I have opted to stay in bed all day with the curtains drawn and movies playing. Although I enjoy this immensely, there is always a sense of guilt that I should be out living life a little more. My husband will have these spontaneous ideas of things to go do, from just going on a drive with no destination to going catfishing in the middle of the night. Nah, I say. Sounds like it will cost money or be too much work or be boring. I am also a planner, so I like to know when we're leaving, where we're going, what the agenda is, and when we're coming back...in advance. This doesn't leave a ton of room for adventure or spontaneity.

So this bring me to June, which I have dedicated to fun and adventure. Although I have a few necessary restrictions, this month I will be enthusiastic and open to try new things. If an opportunity or exciting idea presents itself, I will say yes! We are leaving to go to Florida with friends in about a week and though I cannot do what I originally planned, which is to spend the week sipping Pina Coladas on the beach and staying out dancing all night long, I am going to be the most fun pregnant lady my friends have ever seen! Outside of this vacation time, I want to spend the month taking advantage of my time off work. It's easy for me to get lazy during the summer, and I've even had my days where I've never changed out of my pajamas or walked outside the door. I plan to get up and do something interesting or new each day, whether it's picking up a new hobby, checking out a museum or zoo or farmer's market, going to the river with my husband, or just trying a meal I've never had before (you mean they serve something other than cheese ravioli at Olive Garden?). I think this habit is important for my well-being because, unfortunately, it's normal to become more sedentary and less adventurous as we get older. I don't want my children to grow up where the majority of our time is spent watching TV, playing video games, and sleeping. I want us to be active, outdoorsy, curious and fun!

I want to live life so that I have no regrets, and I want to be a FUN person to be around. The following quote was said by an 85 year old, Nadine Stair, when she was asked what she would do differently if she could live life over again. I think I have a few things to learn...

"I'd make more mistakes next time. I'd relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been on this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

"You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, and a raincoat. If I had to do it over again, I would travel lighter than I have.

"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds and I would pick more daisies."