• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About/Hire Me
    • About Me
    • Hire Me
    • Contact
    • Family
    • Faith
    • FAQ
    • My Running Story
    • Recipes
  • Disney
  • Fitness
    • runDisney Information Page
    • Fitness
    • Races
  • Parenting
  • Travel

Through Heather's Looking Glass

  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • family
  • About Me

27

July 13, 2012 | family, running, Uncategorized

 

Today, Friday July 13th, I celebrate another year of life. If I wear superstitious, I would be avoiding creepy cats and ladders today. Well, maybe I will anyway just to be safe. Each of my years have been vastly different from the others, growing a little older, and a little wiser (I hope!). Not all life experiences are fun, but I truly believe they each have a purpose in making me a stronger person. Experience really is the best teacher, and as I turn 27, I look back on all I have learned this past year. Saddle up, we are goin’ for a ride!

I learned that you should never take a strangers word on if a hotel is “nice” or not.

I learned that blogging conferences are so. much. fun.

I learned that running a half marathon tired and undertrained, in the rain, is very hard.

I learned that raising money and racing for charity is an awesome thing to do

I learned that you should listen to your body and be you own advocate

I learned that getting a stress fracture will really try your patience and determination

I learned what the inside of an ER looks like

I learned that being married to my soul mate for 5 years is a wonderful thing.

I learned that 6 girls in one van running 126.2 miles in 24 hours is a lot of fun, but a lot of hard work.

I learned that running in a tutu makes racing SO much more fun.

I learned that race volunteering can be almost as fun as participating

I learned that food poisoning is the ultimate torture method and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone

I learned that encouraging and motivating others to be healthy is truly one of my passions.

It has been quite the year, with a lot of ups and downs. I feel as if some really good things are on the horizon for me and my family, and I can’t quite share with you yet, but hopefully soon (I say that a lot don’t I?) I try and remind myself we were never promised an EASY life, just that God would be with us every step of the way. I am trying to take a new approach on adversity as I turn 27. Instead of groaning about it, I am going to try and figure out what I can learn from it, and how it can make me a better person. It’s definitely not always easy but I know it will be worth it. So as I blow out the candles tonight and make a wish, I will be thinking about experience. Although not happy to be another year older, I am thrilled to be another year wiser. I know I have a long way to go, but I am growing every day, towards number 28.

QOTD: What is your favorite part about birthdays? cake? family? wisdom?

Like this:

Like Loading...

Sign up for my newsletter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristyn says

    July 13, 2012 at 6:21 am

    Happy Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day! I always look forward to a nice dinner with Justin for my birthday. We always splurge at nice restaurants for our b-days.

  2. Amy Lauren says

    July 13, 2012 at 6:34 am

    Happy Birthday! I hope you have an amazing day, I love the pics with this blog and all that you’ve learned :).

  3. Karen :0) says

    July 13, 2012 at 6:36 am

    Hey friend! You’ve had a great year! Hope 27 is even better! Happy Birthday!!

  4. Courtney says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:05 am

    Happy Birthday! Hope this year is even better for you!!

  5. Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:07 am

    Happy Birthday, Heather! Hope it’s fantastic. I fave part of birthdays is definitely looking back and realizing everything I’ve accomplished.

  6. AmyC says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:29 am

    Happy birthday! I wish for you another year of amazing lessons & experiences 😉

    My BRF has a shirt that is great for bdays that says (front) “run long” and (back) “& eat more cake”!

  7. heather says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:32 am

    Happy happy HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPY birthday to you my sweet friend! I am so thankful that I am getting to know you even more this year, and that I’ve had the pleasure of working with you! You are such a delight! I hope you have a MAGICAL birthday and a wonderful WEEKEND full of celebration! xo

  8. Kierston says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:39 am

    Happy Birthday!!!!

    I love everything about birthdays!

  9. Katie @wishandwhimsy says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:40 am

    Happy Birthday! Here’s to another awesome year!

  10. Maria @ Pappa Don't Preach says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:55 am

    Happy Birthday July baby! Mine is next week so I’m feeling quite reflective as well! Here’s to another year of amazingness! 😉

    Best part about birthdays – getting the love from those you care about most!

  11. Jen says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:56 am

    Happy, happy birthday friend! I hope 27 is your best year yet 🙂

    The best thing about birthdays is obviously the cake!

  12. Tara Burner says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:58 am

    Happy happy 27th!!!! enjoy it (as I know you will)
    🙂

  13. Debbie @ Live from La Quinta says

    July 13, 2012 at 8:19 am

    Happy Birthday! I love everything about birthdays! Well, except the growing older part, which isn’t really all that bad, but enough already!

    Enjoy your day, eat some cake, and let everyone take care of you 🙂

  14. Heather (Where's the Beach) says

    July 13, 2012 at 8:25 am

    Happy Happy Birthday. I loved reading this post of lessons learned.

  15. Colleen says

    July 13, 2012 at 8:31 am

    Happy Birthday! What a fantastic post, you really have learned a lot! I hope that the next year is just as wonderful! My favorite part about birthdays is being with my family.

  16. Mindy Bobe says

    July 13, 2012 at 8:45 am

    Happy Birthday Heather!!! I hope it’s fabulous!!! I love everything about birthdays!!!

  17. Dominique @ CraftfullyCooks says

    July 13, 2012 at 9:59 am

    Happy, happy birthday!!! LOVE the hotel lesson- I’ve been there 😉 Can’t wait to see what the next year brings you 🙂

  18. Sally says

    July 13, 2012 at 10:05 am

    Happy Birthday, Heather! Have a great day celebrating all the amazing things you’ve accomplished this year!!!

  19. Bobby says

    July 13, 2012 at 10:06 am

    Happy Birthday. I’m proud of you.

  20. Shannon says

    July 13, 2012 at 10:59 am

    Happy Birthday!! Enjoy year 27!!

  21. Laura @ scribbles&sass says

    July 13, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    Happy Birthday!!

    from a fellow SPA, and sassy girl. xo

  22. Elle says

    July 13, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    Happy Happy Birthday.. hope you have a wonderful fun celebration.

  23. Amanda @RunToTheFinish says

    July 13, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    great lessons and happy birthday!!!

  24. Laura says

    July 13, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Happy birthday, Heather! I love this creative take on a birthday post. You had a busy year! I’m hoping to volunteer and a race soon, too.. and someday want to do a relay. I’ll do my best to avoid the food poisoning, yuck.

  25. Laury@TheFitnessDish says

    July 13, 2012 at 2:14 pm

    Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 27 was my FAVORITE age! What a great age…it was the year I got married, and finally felt the respect of being a “grown up” all while still having the same fun.

    I hope your day is amazing!

  26. Emily says

    July 13, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    Happy, happy birthday!! Hope your birthday is very special!

  27. Sarah Kay Hoffman says

    July 13, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    Happy Birthday! Loved your year recap!

  28. Jen says

    July 13, 2012 at 5:32 pm

    Happy Birthday! Always an inspiration to me.

  29. Jen says

    July 13, 2012 at 5:32 pm

    Wishing you the happiest of birthdays!

  30. Melissa Engel says

    July 13, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    Happy Happy Birthday! I hope that you have wonderful day and an amazing year! Being born on New Years I love everything about birthdays!!

  31. Lesley says

    July 13, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    Happy birthday. I’m also 27 and I’ve had a great year so far. I hope you enjoy 27 as well as get to do some things you always wanted to do

  32. susan says

    July 13, 2012 at 10:18 pm

    happy birthday!!! it definitely sounds like you’ve packed a lot into the last year. have a fantastic day and an even better 27th year!

Trackbacks

  1. RWS Features #32 | says:
    July 14, 2012 at 1:22 am

    […] Skip to content Skip to content HomeAbout MeMy Running StoryPhotosArticlesBlogrollContactFAQFree Disney Travel QuoteCurrent DealsLinks I LoveRacesUpcoming RacesRecipesShopTop Posts ← 27 […]

  2. Weekly Recap: July Week 2 | says:
    July 15, 2012 at 1:41 am

    […] day another post, another week. My birthday has come and gone, but I have had a fabulous weekend of celebrating, which I will share with you in […]

  3. Birthday Weekend 2012 | says:
    July 16, 2012 at 1:04 am

    […] Monday already! I was looking forward to last weekend for so long, and now it’s sadly over. It was however fantastic, and I had a great and relaxing birthday. Let’s backtrack to Friday. […]

  4. 27 - runningwithsass - SE Ambassadors - VZW Monitor says:
    July 18, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    […] Comments 0   Today, Friday July 13th, I celebrate another year of life. If I wear superstitious, I would be avoiding creepy cats and ladders today. Well, maybe I will anyway just to be safe. Each of my years have been vastly … Continue reading → …read more […]

Primary Sidebar

I am Heather Montgomery, a 30 something southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 10-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to contact me with questions, (or for PR inquiries or press trip invites) at Support@HeathersLookingGlass.com.

Please, no guest post requests. 🙂

More about me

Privacy Policy

You can also find me here:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • 5 Reasons to Try a New Way of Travel
  • Experience Superhero-Sized Fun at Gaylord Opryland DC Summer
  • Digital Nomads: Safely Working Remotely While You Roam
  • Tips for Surviving (and Thriving) as a Travel Ball Mom
  • Protecting Your Kids’ Eyes In the Digital Age

 

Search

How to Start a Blog

How to start a blog
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • Family
Nature, but make it happy hour. 🍹 ✨ #SipSipH Nature, but make it happy hour. 🍹 ✨

#SipSipHooray #notoutdoorsy #happyhour #margaritatime #pigeonforgetn
☀️ Cabin mornings, lakeside afternoons, and a ☀️ Cabin mornings, lakeside afternoons, and a little bit of learning in between… that’s our kind of summer!

I partnered with IXL to help keep Emma Kate’s brain just as active as her body this season — and the IXL Ultimate Summer Workbooks have been a total win. Each one includes fun, colorful activities across math, language arts, science, and social studies, and it only takes 2 pages a day to stay on track. ✏️📚

What makes them even better? You also get access to IXL’s online learning platform, with bonus practice, personalized growth plans, and instant feedback to keep kids motivated — whether you’re at home or on the go. 🙌

No long, boring lessons… just engaging learning that fits into real life.
💡 Grab yours using my 🔗 in bio! 

Let’s make this a summer of fun and growth. 🌲📖💕

#ixllearning #summerlearning #momlife #summerslide #learningonthego #homeschoolmama #ixlpartner #ixl 

Stay sharp this summer, exclusive workbooks in bio!
POV: You’re a busy mom juggling travel, pool day POV: You’re a busy mom juggling travel, pool days, snacks, sports, and sanity… and you finally find the bag that keeps up. 🙌🏼

This Simple Modern Getaway Bag fits everything I need—without tipping over, soaking through, or making a mess. It’s water-resistant, easy to clean, has a removable waterproof pocket (because kids), and comes in multiple sizes for whatever chaos the day brings. 💦🎒

If your summer plans involve going everywhere and doing everything, you need this in your life.

👉🏼 Tap the link in my bio to check it out!

#SimpleModernPartner #GetawayBag #paid @shopsimplemodern
#MomLife #SimpleModern #PoolDayEssentials #TravelWithKids #FlourishAndGlow #EverydayOnTheGo
✨ S U M M E R G I F T I N G ✨ I’ve teamed ✨ S U M M E R  G I F T I N G ✨ 

I’ve teamed up with @best.day.ever.giveaways and some amazing accounts to make this blessing possible for someone. 

I N C L U D E S: 
Luggage set
Simple Modern XL beach bag 
Simple Modern 40 oz tumbler 
Turkish towel
Roe Wellness mineral sunscreen
Summer Fridays lip gloss
Thread crossbody bag
Threat minimalist wallet
$200 cash

👇T O  E N T E R👇

1️⃣ F O L L O W @best.day.ever.giveaways and everyone they  f o l l o w 
2️⃣ L I K E + save this reel 
3️⃣ T A G a friend

⭐️ B O N U S ⭐️ 
1️⃣ C O M M E N T  your favorite item
2️⃣ S H A R E  to your stories and tag @best.day.ever.giveaways 

Ends on 5/31 at 11:59 pm EST.  The randomly chosen recipient will be announced by @best.day.ever.giveaways on 6/2
•
This is not affiliated with Instagram or any of the brands pictured. Must be 18+ to enter. Open USA/Canada.

#travelgirlshub #summertravel #familyvacation #momliferocks
I used to think dairy-free desserts were “just o I used to think dairy-free desserts were “just okay.” Like, fine in a pinch… but never something I craved. 👀

But then this little picnic happened—just me, my girl, and a sweet treat we both loved enough to fight over the last bite. 😅

We’ve been trying to be more mindful with food choices lately (especially with summer travel coming up), and I grabbed these So Delicious treats at Kroger kind of on a whim. The new packaging caught my eye, but it was the taste that totally surprised us. Creamy. Indulgent. No weird aftertaste. And no, we’re not fully dairy-free—and we still loved them.

It’s one of those little swaps that doesn’t feel like giving anything up.

And that? That’s a win for both of us. ✨@So_Delicious

#SoDeliciousDairyFree, #DairyFreeYourMin #SoDeliciousPartner #KrogerFinds #PlantBasedTreats #BackyardMoments
🚨 Homeschool decision!! If you have been aroun 🚨 Homeschool decision!!

If you have been around here since Christmas time, then you know we pulled Emma Kate out of her private school after the first semester and put her in a hybrid homeschool for the spring. The main reason being we wanted more absences than the school allowed. 

What is a hybrid? In our case, she went to a school all day 3 days a week, and we taught her at home two days a week. 

It seemed like the best of both worlds, not having absences count since we were also her teachers, being able to stay home some, sleep in, and travel. 

Well, it wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies. For one, the school we sent her to ended up not being what we thought. We were told being absent wouldn’t be a problem, but it became clear very early on her teacher was not a fan and she was not kind or accommodating to Emma Kate. There’s a lot of other reasons we didn’t blown the school I won’t go into. (If you are local and considering hybrid feel free to dm me and I will share my concerns and grievances.)

Teaching your kid is hard. There were lots of tears and frustrations, and she got bored since Bobby and I also work from home/I’m not a stay at hoke mom. We couldn’t just sit with her all day and teach her with our crazy long hours owning two businesses. 

It was tough to keep a schedule and while getting to travel a lot was great, she didn’t thrive on not having a routine and struggled with the randomness of everything.

She is also a very social only child who missed her friends and also wants to play sports for her school.

 In the end while there were a lot of pros to hybrid homeschool, the cons outweighed them for us so we are returning to her old school in the fall. 

Am I glad we did it? Yes! I always would have wondered otherwise and now we know. We will still be pulling her out of school some to travel in the fall, just not as much. 

If you have any questions feel free to drop them in the comments below and I will be happy to answer the best I can! 🩷

#hybridhomeschool #homeschooler #homeschoolquestions #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolfail #knoxvillelife #knoxvilletn
✨ Staying steps from the magic! ✨ We loved our ✨ Staying steps from the magic! ✨ We loved our visit to Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel—especially with Disneyland celebrating its 70th anniversary! 

🏰 From the dreamy castle-themed rooms to the lush gardens, on-site dining, and a pool perfect for post-park relaxation… this place has it all. And the free shuttle to the parks? A total game changer! 🎉 

@anaheimmajestic 
#AnaheimMajesticpartner #anaheimmajestic #anaheimmajesticgardenhotel #Disneyland70 #HotelNearDisneyland #CastleRoomVibes #FamilyTravel

Copyright © 2025 · Through Heather's Looking Glass · Theme by Bella Creative Studio

%d