31 Things

Today. I turned 31. 

Wow! How can I be so Old already!?

I pictured my life to be different then what it is today. 

Choose not to go in the details, wanting to think positively today so I've decided to do something about where my future is going.

In honor of my 31st birthday today I am making 31 goals for this coming year. Some will be fun, some hard, but in the end on my 32nd birthday I want to look back and be able to see that I have moved forward and am progressing in life.

Here it goes. (In no particular order.)

1- I recently got a keyboard and am teaching myself how to play. I would like to learn how to play 'the rose' and comfortable enough to play it in front of others, even if it's just to Jake one day.

2- Go camping. I've lived in Oregon for two years now, it's gorgeous here and I still haven't been camping. which has always been something that I've loved doing in the past. So go camping, we will probably have to borrow almost everything to do so, but I wanna get away with my hubby and sleep on the hard ground, sit around the camp fire, make smores, and use our dutch over. Yum!

3- I joined a book club two months ago. A new/hard thing for me which I've been slacking on a bit. My goal is to read each book and go to every event. I enjoy reading, but this will definitely get me out of my comfort zone and help me meet and make new friends.

4- Walk/Run a 5k. My goal is September for the Color Run. I have a couple herniated disc in my low back. So the goal is to walk/run without any pain by then. :) Means lots of hours at the pool and strength training.

5- Grow my hair out. Now I know this may seem silly, but I get so frustrated with my hair, because I lack the creativity to have fun with my hair. I tend to chop it. I've always wanted the long flowing curls and straight hair. I have to at least try it this year. If I hate it, then I can always chop it again right. So here is to only trims and taking my vitamins to help it grow thicker. :)

6- Make one sewing project. I haven't sewn since junior high and I think I only did a pillow. I have recently inherited an old machine and I really want to learn how. I'm sure I will be challenging my patience and my perfectionist personality, but it will be fun right.

7- Move forward on a career path. I'm not sure yet what it is, so I can't define exactly what the goal is, but either going back to school, or finding a job I want to excel in and make into a career or maybe start my own small business making things. My goal is to research the possibilities, choose, and start towards whatever it maybe.

8- Read Jesus the Christ. Jake got if for me about a year ago, and I've been awful and barely opened it. That WILL change. 

9- Learn to dance to the 'thriller'. The night Jake and I met we were supposed to be taught this very dance at the activity we were at, but there was some kind of miss communication or something and it never happened. It was the biggest reason why I went to that single's activity. I'm grateful I went of course, but always wished I had learned. It just sounds like fun, right. :)

10- Pay off debt. I recently paid off my little car that I've had now for um...about 4 years now. It felt Awesome! Being debt free would be Fabulous! Wont happen this year, but we will pinch our pennies and pay off as much as possible.

11- Make/get 72 hour kits for Jake and I. Make and emergency plan with Jake, just in case.

12- Work on the Young Woman's Personal Progress. When I graduated young woman's when I was 18. I completed all the work, but didn't get it to my Bishop and leaders on time. Therefore I didn't get my medallion and though I can just go buy one now, I would really like to do the program again. I will do at least the first year of the beehive program this year.

13- See Multnomah Falls when it's winter, snowy, and all ice. It's gotta be beautiful.

14- Join a support group for those who suffer/have suffered PPD/A. Right now I feel strong enough to be able to help those who are struggling and help them realize there is light at the end of the tunnel. If telling one person my story and experience will help them find hope it will be worth it.

15- Organize our craft/office room. Since moving in a couple months ago our extra room has become more like a storage area instead of a craft/office room. I so want that to change and I have a couple of ideas to make it seems more warm and homey too.

16- Read the Book of Mormon with Jake each night and praying as a couple. We do this already, well sort of. We try. I want it to become a habit. One of those habits that you can't not do. Like going to church every week. 

17- Make a picture book of my pictures I have a my boys when I had them. One that I can keep and cherish and one I can give each of the boys one day. Right now I have them in a box and they are a little unorganized. 

18- Remember to be thankful. Be polite. I was taught as a child to say 'thank you', 'please', help the elderly, open doors, but sometimes I find myself realizing afterwards that I didn't take that opportunity. 

19- Stop comparing. I swear nothing takes away my self esteem or happiness quicker than when I look at someone else and see all their achievements and see only my weaknesses. I will try to catch myself when I do and remind myself of this and compliment myself for how far I've come, or an achievement I have made.

20- Learn to do something Jake loves to do. I'm not sure what that is yet, but when I do. I will have him teach me and enjoy watching his enthusiasm.

21- Write on at least one of my blogs once a week. I have a family only, this, personal blogs. It can be easy to not document whats going on in my life, but I want to keep it up and have a journal.

22- Have my older posts on my blogs made into a book.

23- Work on our genealogy. I have much to learn and have just began to get acquainted with the website. I have yet to learn how to find ancestors. That is hope to find ancestors and learn about them.

24- Join a sports team. Even if it's just for church. I used to love team sports and I still do, I think. I want to see if I can find some of that ol' me again.

25- Find a professional team for me. To help secure a better healthier future. I've always hated going to the Dr. but I will go to the dr and get a pap smear UGH! and a yearly physical at least.

26- Kiss my hubby in the rain. I've always wanted to do this, but have yet done it. This year is the year. Lots of chances in Oregon. :)

27- Get to know my neighbors better. Right now all we do is say hello and maybe smile. I think learning their names and the names of their children would be a great start right. ;) Maybe I could even bribe with some treats or something.

28- Write the missionaries at least once a month. I have a couple of 'my girl's' that are out on missions who are converts and so their families don't quite understand and maybe a little upset that they left for a year and a half without having little more than email/letters. I want to be a better support for them and the other missionaries I know serving.

29- Make and extra effort to thank Jake for all that he does for me. Some days I take for granted all that he does for me. I really want to change that. I want him to know I'm grateful and that I love him. I don't want him ever to doubt or be frustrated with me because he didn't understand that.

30-  Better Communication. With whomever it is in my life, family, spouse, friends, boss', neighbors, even strangers. I need to be more willing to open my mouth and express myself. I am going to talk to one knew person each week, or express an emotion/feeling that I feel uncomfortable sharing, telling those I love that I love them and doing more things for them.

31- Live in the now. I will never get this year back again. So I will challenge myself to stay in the now whether it's ugly or beautiful. Feel and live the now, do the best I can in the moment and then choose to move forward for the next moment in time.

To a FABULOUS 31st year!