"30"

Apparently I have liked lists for a long time. I was looking for old pictures on my other blog (that I don't keep up anymore). I was blogging pretty regularly when Ava was just itty bitty, so it was quite the trip down memory lane. In addition, I found a list I posted in October 2010 of 30 things I wanted to do in my thirties. It was absolutely interesting to read it, to see what I have done, what I am working on, what I still want to do, and what is maybe not as important anymore.

Take a look.

----

 

1. Go to Disney World. Tentatively planned for 2016; when Chad turns 40, Ava turns 6, and we celebrate 10 years of wedded bliss.

I would say the plan is still for 2016; or at least we still talk about doing it then!
2. Run a marathon. All 26.2 miles.

Training!
3. Buy a bike.

I have a bike! We brought them in 2011, and I would say we have put them to good use. The best memory since we've had them was probably last summer when we took them on vacation with us and biked the road around Itasca State Park. Yeah! The only thing I think about from time to time is if I'd rather have a road bike in case I ever decide I'd like to try a tri!
4. Travel somewhere to places I've never been.

Still need to work on this one; I am not a huge traveler, but exploring new places always sounds fun.


5. Photograph a baby. a family. a wedding. Any volunteers?

I still love photography, but have done less of it over the last year. In 2012, I did photograph my sister's family; and I actually love how her pictures turned out. Ava is getting harder and harder to photograph myself!


6. Teach... as in get my own classroom, with my own caseload.

In September 2010, I took a job as a behavior interventionist. At the end of the school year, I again started applying for teaching jobs (I got my teaching license in December 2009). In June of 2011, we moved for my previous job as a teacher in a residential treatment facility; and I started my current job in the local district just this school  year. What an adventure it has been.
7. Plant a garden.

I still think it would be an experience to plant a garden (flower or vegetable), but it is probably less of a priority. Would landscaping the front yard at our new house count?


8. Go on a missions trip. I've experienced being surrounded by others who are in one place to serve the Lord and serve others before. I miss that kind of stuff. I want to do it again.

Yeah - before I can do this, I really need to find a church here that I feel fits us. Miss it. Need it. Must get back on track.
9. Visit my friend Heidi. She is currently in Singapore, but I want to visit her wherever she ends up. Every summer when she gets home, she makes it a point to come see me. I want to return the favor.

She is still loving Singapore; and I would love to have the time and money to travel and see her. Future spring break trip?
10. Build a deck. Put in a fire pit. Make the outside fun :)

This was related specifically to the house we were living in when I wrote the list. Our new house has a huge deck! The yard probably doesn't have room for a fire pit. We will be lucky to keep it fun and get creative with Ava's swing set fitting comfortably. Still - who doesn't want outside to be fun!


11. Put MONEY away. Enough said.

This is never easy. We have gotten into a fairly good habit of putting some money into savings; which is huge compared to where we have been in the past. Buying a new house has us feeling tight - the little things we need and things like new bedroom furniture for Ava add up quick. In the past, it would be one step forward, two steps back. Over the last six months? Two steps forward, one step back. Progress.
12. Give Ava a sibling. With any luck a brother. Maybe it will be twins.

I've referenced this before and linked to a post sharing our story. Still a desire; not sure where we are going with this. If we embark down that road again; I would prefer another girl. I would still welcome twins, but with a little more stress! LOL
13. camp...camp...camp! And east s'mores. Cause what's camping without s'mores.

I still love to camp! We have done one family camping trip back in 2012. Chad will not tent without a whole lot of convincing. If we can get settled into the new house without draining too much of our savings, the plan is to buy a used pop-up camper yet this spring and do some camping. Can't wait.

14.Take a photography class. I wouldn't mind doing a littel photography on the side.

A class would still be fun. I will have to watch the mailbox for the summer community ed. booklet.

15. Do some YOGA. Maybe even some PILATES.

The class I go to regularly at the Y was initially called Pilates Mix; does that count? I have tried yoga classes, but probably never give it the chance it deserves.

16. Run & Play & Skip & Jump with Ava.

She is at an age now that this one applies. It is tough some nights to come home from work and balance my time between mom, wife, runner, homemaker, etc. Real hard. Need to keep making this a priority, because those are the moments that are going to count. Last summer I took a Sunday afternoon and we just biked around and stopped at four different parks! Last Friday, we went to Target, the park, and out for supper. So simple, but so memorable.

17. Reconnect with Chad.

Thinking back to those months right after we had Ava, I can see why this was on the list. A new baby, health concerns, job changes, losses (we each had a grandma pass away that summer/fall) ... it has been up and down since then, and like many couples, we need to continue to work on just us as well as our family, our communication, and finding ways each and every day to show our love!

18. Organize the CluTTer.

I am such a combination to Type A and Type B personalities. Hate the clutter but don't always have the energy or organization or whatever to take care of it. Maybe setting up house again will help ;)

19. Keep making the HOUSE a HOME.

I would have never guessed we were going to leave where we were. The possibility of moving for the right job came up and happened quickly. We have rented since that first move in 2011, and this goal will apply even more as we re-enter home ownership!

20. Plan a several girls weekendS!

Most of my girl "weekends" - usually only a day - involve friends and our kids. Now that I have friends where we live now that aren't work friends (since I switched jobs!), there is the occasional happy hour with the gang from the treatment center. I did have one overnight away with my twin sister last summer when we ran Women Rock 2013 together. It was a blast, and nice to get away. Need to do this more often.

21. Swim. I grew up loving water. And I am comfortable in water. I wouldn't mind doing a little swimming.

I've talked about this one on here before. Would love to step out of my comfort zone and swim some laps. We'll have to see what happens.

22. Running. (#2) Biking. (#3) Swimming. (#21) Maybe I should try a TRIatholon?

Still a back of the mind sort of thought. Need to try some swimming. Figure out the mountain vs road bike. I wouldn't say it is a top priority, but one never knows.

23.Volunteer. Give of myself to others. Sounds like a nice idea.

This has actually been on my mind a few times in the last few weeks. Probably a sign. I should look into some options around here.

24. ALWAYS KISS THEM GOOD NIGHT.

Always. Rarely do I miss a night giving Ava good night kiss. Chad and I could do better!

25. SHOW them I LOVE them. TELL them I LOVE them.

I hate that I put some of these ambiguous, hard to measure ones on the list. What was I thinking over three years ago when I wrote this? I don't know very many people that don't want their friends and family to know they love them by their words and actions. I would do anything for those closest to me; but I could probably do more to show it. I think it is assumed and known, but that's not to say I shouldn't be more purposeful.

26. PAY IT FORWARD. Over the last few months, as we have experienced our share of ups and downs, we have had family and friends step up to help us through. I want to be able to pay the generosity forward.

See above?

27. I kinda like the warm fuzzies that hosting a party or a dinner can give you. I think I want to host some more. Maybe I should make it a dinner party.

What's funny about this, is I just got done over the last day or so packing all of our fancy dishes and wine glasses. Most of my thoughts were, "why do we keep these? we never use them!" A few of the thoughts did go more like, "maybe I'll have to host a girl's night at the new house!"

28. Find my CONFIDENCE. GROW. LET GO of perfection. Live for the MOMENT. ENJOY LIFE.

I almost always feel like I only have so much to give to everything and so I never feel like I reach my full potential. So clearly, even at 33+ - this is something I need to work on. Any tips?

29. Get out of DEBT. Is it even possible in today's world?

Well, for the time being we have no car payment. Our credit card balance has been minimal compared to where we have previously been - although there is a lot of history there that I would do differently if given the chance of a do-over. I will be really happy when I have my student loans paid off, but that might not be until Ava is ready to be in college. It is a process!

30.DOCUMENT THE JOURNEY!

I need to do better. I love documenting things. Keep scrapbooks and journals. But I have been very inconsistent over the last three years, and am very far behind on my pictures and scrapbooks. At least I am blogging on a regular basis again, even if it is mostly about running. I have been purposeful about mixing in other stories rather then keeping two blogs. This summer, I would love to take the time to get some pictures in order!

----
Coming up on 4 years into accomplishing this list. Will be interesting to keep track from this point forward ...


Are you a list maker? Goal setter?
What do you do when you find something like this you wrote over three years ago? :)