30 Before 30

Well, the time has come. I considered doing this post ages ago when I actually started this list. But life happened and here I am, three days from turning the big 3-0. How do I feel about that? Fine, actually. Maybe it will hit me in one way or another, but for now, I'm cool with it. I'm not anxious about ending my twenties, in fact, I'm happy to be where I am. I love my husband, my kids, and the crazy life God allows us to lead, being held in the palm of His hands.

What is 30 before 30? Oh right, you might not know. Inspired by a friend who did this a few years ago when her twenties decade came to a close (and she was inspired by her friend), I decided to make a list. A list of 30 or so things that I wanted to do, see, or finish before turning 30. I didn't stress over it (as you'll see) but just had fun. Why stress? It's 30, for goodness sakes, not 100. I gave myself a head start and actually made the list about a year and a half ago, updating it on the Notes app on my phone, and adding to it whenever I felt the need. So, in no particular order, here goes...

1) GO TO DISNEY WORLD WITH LAILEY (DONE!)

2) RECORD A CHILDREN'S CD
(IN PROGRESS) It will hopefully happen eventually.

3) REDECORATE OUR MASTER BEDROOM FAIRLY INEXPENSIVELY BY SELLING A LOT OF STUFF 
(DONE!) We did not, in fact, sell a lot of stuff, but rather re-purpose some furniture and donate a lot of things. A garage sale was going to be too much work. I did save birthday and Christmas money for awhile to make it happen. Unfortunately I have either deleted or misplaced the "before" picture, but this is the after. In short, this is what we did:

AFTER - but still in progress

 - Remove 2 nightstands, one chest of drawers, one large mirror on other dresser, two desks. Not counting the large mirror (which was a part of the dresser we refinished - not pictured) that's FIVE PIECES OF FURNITURE. Gone. Outta there. I can't believe we had it all in there. The reason we could do this is that we also moved the kids into one room. Our nursery became an office/multipurpose storage room/junk place again. The chest of drawers became a homeschool and art cabinet. Confused yet? Yep. So happy with that change. One more step to simplifying our house as much as possible.

 - Change room color from peach-ish orange (never what it was supposed to be) to a soft gray. LOVE.

 - Take tall bookshelves from nursery that were black and paint white and aqua.

 - Move bed to left wall instead of between windows.

 - Replace non-working fan with chandelier

 - New quilt, sheets, pillows, and curtains

 - Hang pictures (including a very cool piece of artwork that my sister painted for me for Christmas last year)

TO BE DONE

 - Style bookshelves. Now that #27 (see below) is done, we have more room and can do this.

 - Paint trunk and use something fun to cover sides. The paneling was starting coming off and I decided to take it all off and revamp it. Not sure yet what I'll do.

 - Finish hanging pictures

4) HAVE AT LEAST ONE SUCCESSFUL GARAGE SALE AND PURGE

(DONE) Well, we didn't have the garage sale but we have gone through loads of stuff and donated carfulls of it. Like that word, "carfulls?" We did. One of the blessings of a small-ish house for a family of four is that it prevents me from being a packrat. If I don't have the space for something, I donate it. A good rule is "one in, one out." Meaning, for every one item I bring in I try to remove something else that isn't needed. Like clothes, for example. I gave away about half of my clothes. If I hadn't worn it in about a year (with the exception of a few special items) then it went bye bye. This, however, has wonderful benefits. I make room (and an excuse) for new clothes. :) So smart, I know.

5) TRAVEL TO WA TO SEE FAMILY

(NOPE) We'd like to save for it for 2014.

6) FINISH READING THROUGH THE BIBLE

(IN PROGRESS) I'm about 3/4, maybe 4/5 through. Again, one step at a time.

7) GET SOME OF MY PHOTOGRAPHY FRAMED OR ON CANVAS AND USE AROUND THE HOUSE.

(DONE. AND STILL IN PROGRESS.) I have framed some pictures that are up in our room, but I'd like to do more. Canvases are expensive though, and I have to prioritize.

8) TAKE A PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

(NOPE) I have not taken a workshop, but have read and studied a lot on my own. The underlying goal here was to improve as a photographer, and I feel that I have. I can look back at pics a year ago and I've already learned so much.  I hope to continue to improve and look back in another year and think the same. I love it.

9) READ A CLASSIC

(DONE!) I chuckle at this one. It began with the great ambition to read Les Misérables, a favorite of my SIL Julie, which is very very long. I started it but didn't continue. Who knows why. But this summer I picked up reading again after a long hiatus. Having two kids will do that. I didn't even mean to accomplish this goal, and some would heatedly debate if the books I read are "classics," but nonetheless, I have read 6 of the 7 Harry Potter books and have absolutely enjoyed every minute. I'm dying to finish the series but have made myself wait since I have too much going on this month and it's torture to pull myself away from a good book. I will be patient. Oh, and if anyone spoils the ending for me, you will die. That's right, Amy, you too!

10) WATCH "GONE WITH THE WIND"

(NOPE) Anyone up for a movie night?

11) FINISH AND PRINT MADDOX'S BABY PHOTO BOOK

(NOPE) Hasn't happened either, but it will maybe over Christmas break. The pictures are all saved, just have to find the time and money. 

If you've made it this far through the list you're probably thinking one of two things:

a) Wow, she hasn't finished a lot. What a slacker. Or...

b) Wow, it makes me feel so good Sarah has not finished all her goals and is totally 100% okay about it. I can stop with the mommy guilt!

Continuing on...

12) TAKE A FAMILY CAMPING TRIP 

(DONE!) We went to Chattahoochee Bend State Park last fall and it was wonderful. Maddox's first camping trip.

13) SEE A BABY BORN

(DONE!) I had the amazing privilege to be with my sister when her son, Matthan, was born. Love that little guy!

14) RUN A 5K WITHOUT STOPPING

(ALMOST DONE, unofficially) I didn't actually enter a race, but I did start running a little this summer and ran close to 3 miles.

15) WRITE AND DISPLAY OUR FAMILY VALUES

(NOPE)

16) FRY AN EGG ON THE SIDEWALK

(NOPE)

17) TAKE BALLROOM DANCING LESSONS

(NOPE) Hopefully this coming year though.

18) BEGIN HOMESCHOOLING LAILEY

(DONE!) And I'm so incredibly excited about this one. We're doing Classical Conversations this year. This is a curriculum but also a community, so Lailey goes one morning a week to "school." She is learning so much and so are we. There is too much to explain about CC, so maybe it will make it in another post.

19) CONTINUE LEARNING TO COOK HEALTHY VEGAN/VEGETARIAN MEALS

(ALWAYS IN PROGRESS) I have learned so much about cooking in the last couple years since we've really improved our eating habits. That's not to say we eat perfectly (no such thing), but we do get a variety of whole foods, which is my goal.

20) LEARN ALL THE MOVES TO "THRILLER"

(NOPE) Still willing to learn though!

21) TAKE ANOTHER CAMPING TRIP WITH EXTENDED FAMILY

(DONE!) Last Spring (2013) we went with my dad (Grandpa Jim); Amy, Tim, and Matthan; and Christy, Jason, Sadie, and Titus. It was a crazy trip but a fun memory.

22) MAKE FLOSSING A HABIT

(DONE...and not done) I was really good for awhile, thought I mighta had a habit. But then again, maybe not.

23) GO SING KARAOKE

(NOPE) Again, any takers? I would totally go if someone would go with me.

24) PRINT ALL MY FAVORITE ONLINE RECIPES AND MAKE AN EASY TO USE BINDER FOR MEAL PLANNING AND COOKING

(DONE!) 

 

25) PRACTICE THE PRESENCE OF GOD

(DONE?) Can one ever be "done" with this? I do feel that I practice his presence in some ways, and I will continue to do so and am always learning.

26) CATCH UP WITH BLOGGING 

(NOPE) Bwahahahaha.

27) INSTALL SHELVES IN LIVING ROOM TO DISPLAY BOOKS AND MOVIES

(DONE!) This was a relatively simple project with such great results. We made SO much space elsewhere by getting movies and books out of the way. The shelves area bit full but they're so functional. We were able to de-clutter our living room and that makes me so happy.

28) GET PAID FOR TAKING PICTURES

(DONE) I really don't want a full business, but in the past year I have had the opportunity to grow in the photography realm. I get to do what I love and make some money at it. 

29) BE CONTENT.

(FOREVER IN PROGESS) I tend to be an overachiever, even if I don't want to admit it. I always "think" I can do it all, and in the past I'd have an endless list of things I wanted to do in my head and I used to be unhappy with myself when I couldn't do them. Okay, sometimes I still do. But then I sit back and remind myself that even when I don't "feel" like I've accomplished a lot in a day, I've done so much. What is it about we modern young moms who think we have to do it all? I know Pinterest contributes to that lie. I even took a vacation from the site for awhile when I started feeling like I wasn't doing enough and knew I needed to get off that destructive path of thinking. The world makes us think our kids have to be in adorably coordinated clothes, our houses have to be perfectly decorated, our meals have to be planned and super healthy, our clothes must be stylish and beautiful, and the list goes on and on. None of these things are bad, but when we hold ourselves to these ideal standards all the time, it's exhausting, unbiblical, and sinful.

Luke 10:38-42

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

How many times do I miss "what is better" because I'm "worried and upset about many things?" Who cares if my kids aren't dressed while we're at home memorizing Bible verses? So what if my house stays messy while I'm investing time educating my daughter to know God and make Him known? Sometimes a frozen pizza frees up kitchen time so that my husband and I can have real, uninterrupted, adult conversation in the evening. 

This goal of "being content" has changed my life. I will never have it mastered, but I'm content with even that! When I start feeling like I haven't gotten anything done (which is ridiculous because most moms have done 20 things before breakfast is over), I breathe and remember what is important. I don't allow myself to have "mommy guilt." I might have it, but I dismiss it or pray about it. I try to keep the important things important. At the end of the day, the only things that matter are God and family. That's it. 

30) THERE IS NO #30.

And I'm content with that.