Thirty Five Before 35

*updated 8/28/08*

*update 11/20/08*

*update 3/18/09*

*update 9/22/10*

1. Learn Spanish – When I was pregnant with my son, my daughter kept telling everyone that he was going to speak Spanish. I wouldn’t want to disappoint her! 😉

2. Take a trip all alone – I guess this is not really a big deal, but I have never taken a trip alone that hasn’t been for business. The idea is a little scary to me, but also exciting!! at the same time.

3. Be more spiritual – My husband and I come from different religious backgrounds, so this is a tricky area for us. My goal is to be more studious and develop a personal relationship with God. While I know this may take a lifetime, there are many things I could be doing to get started. Feel like I’m getting there.  As of  4/18/09 no more religious differences between us. I’m still learning and growing in the gospel. Life is good.

4. Bike a century (100 miles) – J actually did one when he was 16 and I thought this would be a fun thing to do together.

5. Take my kids somewhere new once a week once a month– ok, once a week was too ambitious! let’s try this again! Do errands count? Boy, this one is tough!

6. Start and maintain a journal consistently– For now I am counting my blog. Eventually I would like to start another form of journaling, but hey, this is a start. I decided that yes, my blog counts so I’m getting better and better.

7. Take more pictures and share them – I’ve not only started this, but now I’m a little out of control!

8. Read at least one book a month – (not my entire list, just the faves from each month!)

Jan. – Twilight by Stephanie Meyer.

Feb. – Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer

March – New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

April – Wedding In December by Anita Shreve

May – Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

June – All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew

July – The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Aug – Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

Sept – The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Oct – The Holy Temple by Boyd K. Packer

Nov – Getting Over It By Anna Maxted

Dec – The Curious Incident With The Dog In The Night-Time by Mark Haddon

~2009~

Jan – Life Of Pi by Yann Martel

Feb – Three Cups Of Tea by Greg Mortenson

Mar – A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

Apr – One In Thine Hand by Gerald Lund

9. Make and maintain a budget – This is another area I have put off by my hate of lists, but I am determined to do this!

10. Get more involved in my community – I’m now involved in Girl Scouts. Still doing girl scouts and help out with HOA and church events.

11. Cook something new once a week – Doesn’t have to be fancy, just something that’s new to me.

12. Start and maintain a family blog – I have been feeling guilty that I don’t share more with all of our out of state family! Started Jan. 11 2008.

13. Start a weekly/monthly schedule ( I don’t have enough structure right now) – First list today. . . we’ll see if I can keep it up. First month of following an actual schedule…go me! I have really had to count on schedules this last year and I’m forgetting less and less, so I count this one as a success!

14. WRITE more thank you notes (emails don’t count) – I used to be really good at this and have gotten out of the habit. I love it when someone takes the time to do this for me and I want to do the same for others. Did this today! The whole family is doing pretty good with this one!

15. Rock climb – I did this once in college and loved it and have been wanting to try again.

16. Start hiking again – We are lucky enough to have hiking weather year round and should really take advantage.

17. Learn to golf – I have only really golfed twice and I love it, but I don’t want to embarrass myself on the course so I really could use lessons. When J and I were dating, we used to go to the driving range quite a bit, but that was 12 years ago!

18. Do more service projects – I guess this could be tied into community involvement, but I want to start some service projects as a family as well as participating in other projects or fundraisers.  Oct. and Nov. participated in the 29 days of giving. click here for link

19. Decorate my house – I REALLY need some color in my house. I have been here almost one year so it is time for curtains and paint for sure. I also have a ton of framed family pictures that are still in boxes from our last two moves. Pictures are out of boxes at least… I have pictures up, garage is almost cleaned out and I even painted my office orange! Loving it.

20. Plant a garden – Even if it’s just a couple fruit trees and some herbs, I really want to have something to harvest out of my yard someday. Started a garden in Sept. Have eaten peas, radishes, cucumbers and basil so far! 🙂 We have kept up the garden and added more 4 square gardening boxes. Almost time to plant again…

21. Finish the backyard– Right now my yard is just dirt. . .and a swingset. My kids need a yard! Good thing we have 3 neighborhood parks right now. Put in curbing, a small wall and patio in April…still not finished though. We now have grass and a sandbox!

22. Get to know my neighbors on my street better. My husband and I organized a street party back in May, and are planning our next one for October. We have made good progress here.

23. Volunteer at my daughter’s school – I volunteer every Wed. in big M’s class. She is VERY happy about this! Lots of volunteering in both of the girls classes this year. We love the new school!

24. Organize all of my photos– Ever since the digital camera I just leave all of my photos on disc or on Snapfish. I really want to continue the photo albums I started 5 years ago and get caught up. I’m not even going to think about scrapbooking with any of them until I have completed this! Um, this one is going on the NEXT list!

25. Learn to surf – I used to live in Hawaii and could kick myself that I didn’t take lessons or even try. Every time I snorkel or swim in the ocean all I can think about is sharks! But I think I can overcome this fear enough to try it. This is going to be tricky living in the desert, but I guess I’ll just have to take some vacations to the ocean!

26. Plan more one on one time with my kids – My parents used to have a specific night of the week where one kid got to stay up with them for half an hour after all the other kids went to sleep. I used to absolutely love this as a kid, and though it was a short time I have so many memories from these special nights

27. Plan more one on one time with my husband – My friend and I talked about watching each others kids once month so we could have a date night. Now I just need to follow up! (are you seeing a trend?)

28. Plan ‘me’ time – Usually I get to the point where I just say “I’m leaving the house now” and go anywhere to get a break. I think if I scheduled this time in I could actually plan things to actually relax or maybe even go take photos! And my poor husband wouldn’t be caught off guard! Have had plenty of ‘me’ time lately…sometimes too much!

29. Do karaoke – I know, it sounds easy, but I have a real fear of this. I don’t think there is enough alcohol in the world to help. Maybe on my 35th birthday I will do it just to complete this list! Between all the Band Hero parties over the holidays, I think everyone has heard me sing plenty! 🙂

30. Try a new sport– I’m thinking maybe wake boarding or kick boxing. . . I’m not sure yet, but I’m sure I’ll think of something. Competitive swimming is the new sport I’ve decided to learn and it’s been a source of stress, but also fun too.

31. Do a triathlon – This sounds fun, it’s just the swimming that is a little daunting! It sounds like my friend wants to do this in Nov. We’ll see! All signed up for Nov. 6th! Wish me luck!

32. Take a life guarding course – My dad signed me up for a life-guarding course when I was in high school. I was not a swimmer but I had mentioned once in passing that it would be fun. I did ok for not ever doing anything like that before, but I couldn’t pass the last test of holding a brick over my head for I don’t remember how long while I treaded water, and it has always bugged me that I didn’t pass. (maybe I’m a little obsessive, oh well)

33. Start college funds for my kids (or at least savings!)

34. Travel Abroad

35. *personal This goal was for me to prepare myself to go through the Temple, and luckily when the time came and I was ready, so was Jake and we were able to be sealed together and with our kids as a family. By far the greatest thing I have done or will ever do…