30 before Thirty follow-up

I am officially 30! I really have to say that I am almost giddy about turning 30, actually I am stoked. So many people dread the day, not me, I really have been looking forward to starting life in the 30's.

I was thinking about it about I have completed 1/3 of my life (the women in my family tend to live into their 90's). 0-30 was great, but I believe this next 1/3 that I am entering will be my best. 30-60, I can't even imagine how many wonderful things will happen during that time. Sure there will be heartache as well, this is life and we do live on planet earth, our suffering will not end until we meet our maker, but I get so excited about the next 30 year's

gain wisdom and experience
experience the Lord's work in me and through me
grow in my marriage
learn more about myself and how God sees me

more kids

kids growing up

kids moving out

kids getting married

kids having kids

I want to thank everyone for the sweet birthday wishes. Steve is gone doing this

So my sweet girlfriends took care of me with a nice dinner to Bonefish

My sweet friend Jessica spoiled me with a pedicure.  Nevermind we had 5 kids under 4 screaming their heads off while we were doing this, not as quiet at the spa, but wonderful nonetheless.

Sister was watching me get dressed and proceeded to get her wedge heals, jacket and purse and told me she was ready to go to dinner with the big girls. I told her it was for my birthday and she said she had a birthday too so she should be able to go.

I had a girlfriend come over for lunch yesterday and another girlfriend take me to breakfast today. I am so thankful for the wonderful ladies in my life.

So some have asked, how have you done on your 30 before Thirty goals. Well I got about half done, I am very gracious with myself, so would like to complete most of them before 30 is over (before my next birthday). I often break the rules that I make :) The highlighted ones are the ones I have accomplished. If you care, I have notes listed below

30 before Thirty

1. Sub-5 min mile
2. Sew something for myself
3. Use an electric saw to make something
4. Gourmet picnic with Steve
5. Play a soccer game
6. Paint an "artistic" piece
7. Return to pre-baby weight 125
8. Go to a museum
9. Watch a play/musical
10. Go through a home tour
11. Stay at a B&B
12. Learn how to use camera on manual
13. Huge purge of every room/cabinet/closet/basement
14. Organize and paint laundry room
15. Paint a decorate 1/2 bath
16. Have an adorable family picture taken
17. Clean out clothes and start philosophy of buying less quantity and more quality
18. Make wedding photo book
19. Reread Redeeming Love
20. Write a letter to each immediate family member
21. Reupholster chair
22. Make sushi
23. Memorize 24 scriptures

24. Financially support/give to 2 new sources (people/mission/org)

25. Start "ladies at the creek"
26. Intentionally following through with God promptings to encourage/love on/challenge others
27. Vacation with just Steve
28. Do a Daniel fast with Steve
29. Take piano lessons
30. Learn to curl my hair the way I like it

30 before Thirty

1. Sub-5 min mile - this one probably won't happen, I am ok with that
2. Sew something for myself - I started a few projects and never completed them
3. Use an electric saw to make something - never found something I wanted to make, still will do this
4. Gourmet picnic with Steve
5. Play a soccer game - have spoken to a few people about a league
6. Paint an "artistic" piece
7. Return to pre-baby weight 125  I gave myself grace here, I got to 127 before I got pregnant again
8. Go to a museum
9. Watch a play/musical
10. Go through a home tour - want to find a home tour for older homes
11. Stay at a B&B
12. Learn how to use camera on manual - I have decided I might not do this either, automatic has worked well for me :)
13. Huge purge of every room/cabinet/closet/basement
14. Organize and paint laundry room - never posted pictures because this room seems to stay a mess
15. Paint a decorate 1/2 bath
16. Have an adorable family picture taken
17. Clean out clothes and start philosophy of buying less quantity and more quality
18. Make wedding photo book
19. Reread Redeeming Love
20. Write a letter to each immediate family member
21. Reupholster chair - just found fabric and style I want about 3 weeks ago, one of my next projects
22. Make sushi - I have a girlfriend going to help me with this, just need to get a date
23. Memorize 24 scriptures - memorizing scriptures from James this year

24. Financially support/give to 2 new sources (people/mission/org)

25. Start "ladies at the creek"
26. Intentionally following through with God promptings to encourage/love on/challenge others
27. Vacation with just Steve
28. Do a Daniel fast with Steve
29. Take piano lessons - I have a girlfriend ready to give me lessons, again just need to get on calendar
30. Learn to curl my hair the way I like it

DIY Artwork and Master bedroom updates

I am 4 days away from turning 30. I still have a goals on my 30 Before Thirty list that I haven't accomplished. Some of the crafty ones are just waiting to be done. I have had the supplies, just not the time. Well, I crossed one off this week. I did my "Paint an artistic piece."

Our master bedroom has had a large bare wall for a long time.  I have changed things since the post on our master bedroom makeover, you can see HERE, that the mirror was moved and I had a blank wall starting at me every morning when I woke up.

I bought a 36x48 canvas from Michael's awhile back for really cheap. I asked my neighbor Hil who is an actual artist some tips on technique and supplies. I looked for a long time online for inspiration. I knew I wanted circles and multiple colors, but wasn't sure what else. Long story short, I ended up using my a Martha Stewart stencil (from Michael's) because I didn't trust my free hand. I was so excited with the results. If you are a real artist, you might cringe and not call this artwork, but it is to me :)

I couldn't be happier with what it adds to my bedroom.

Speaking of my bedroom, I never posted pictures of changing from jewel tone colors to yellow as my accent in the grey room. I resisted yellow in my initial make-over because I felt like it was so overused, but after spending time with the other colors, I see why it is used so much, because it is so cute. Yes those are Dwell Studio pillows from Target that you see ALL over blogland. You will also notice I brought more beach decor (shells, coral reef and some weird thing on my bedside table). I accented the yellow/grey with sea green and light turquoise (colors I used in my painting).

These crosses got a spray painted face lift too. They were originally mossy green, have been white for a long time, and just got a little more punch. I am still considering what to put where the frame it, I threw that up there for the time being.

One more close up of my artwork. For fun I added pink in the top corner. It is a bright pink, the picture doesn't show the color well.

Thanks for checking my updates. I have so many other house projects in my mind right now. The big one is reupholstering my chair that will not be done before I turn 30 Monday, but I will be starting on that soon. 

Steve is hunting in Texas, so the kids are I are leaving for my in-laws in St. Louis today for the weekend. I am thankful we will be able to spend time with them. Sister can't wait to see Uncle Benny

2011 and 2012

My last POST I shared the "How To" for my year-end review and goal setting for each year. Let me break it down for me personally (I always like seeing how things play out personally, I relate better to that then just some "How To".

Well this year I didn't follow the format :) I did my "30 before Thirty" goals, which were more than enough to keep me busy for the year, so this past year I broke the rules (I like breaking appropriate rules). This year is also different because as I reviewed how I have been doing with my 30 before Thirty goals, I still have 2 months to finish them. There are some goals I won't be able to reach, I am ok with that. Here are the few goals I will focus on that I realistically may reach in the next 2 months.

2. Sew something for myself

3. Use an electric saw to make something

5. Play a soccer game

6. paint an "artist" piece

8. go to a museum

11. make wedding photo book

20. write a letter to each immediate family member

21. reupholster chair

23. make sushi (this might have to be something else since I can't have raw fish)

My review of my journal from 2011

(I kinda laugh to myself, because many blogs I read showed the review of their best projects from 2011, my life didn't involve many fun projects, my life this past year has been focused on the people in my life)

• The first half of the year I was exhausted, Colton was very difficult, screaming the first 2 months of his life, Steve's scary back injury, Payton being 2, the flu going through our house twice during all this chaos, Payton's broken arm, and my body and hormones recovering while worn out. 
• The second half of the year my journal entries reflect such contentment in life. I was so thankful for my life, the people in it, and the place I call home.
• June - I spent time thinking of why I am different because the Lord is in my life. I don't have a major turnaround in my life as in giving up addiction or radical life change, but through reflection and prayer I became aware and so grateful for His work in my life. (I might do a whole post on these things, because it is that important)
• July- I was once again reminded that my way isn't the right way. This is especially true in my view of parenting. I love the topic of parenting, I read books all the time on the subject, I discuss it with people. But as in many areas of life, there are many ways to do the same thing. What works for me, might not work for others. My viewpoint isn't always right. This is a great lesson to learn in many areas of life and I am so thankful for growth in this area, it has released me from what could be considered a judgmental spirit.
• This year big decisions were made (through prayer and fasting) on our rental house in Florida. We have put it on the market and pray the Lord's favor in releasing us from this home. This home has been a thorn in our side, but at the same time has kept us so dependent on the Lord, because we can not control it.

2012 Goals

Family

  Steve 

• intentionally build him up with my words in front of others (especially the kids)
• the year of sex (not going to go into too many details here, hello his mom and grandma do read the blog) - I really want to focus on not using excuses of tired and pregnant for not having sex. Mom's of young kids and babies know how exhausting it can be to be pulled on and sucked on all day from kiddos, that you really don't want another person physically all over you once the kids are asleep. That isn't going to fly anymore, my relationship with my husband (all aspects) is the most important relationship (beside the Lord) and there can always be excuses, I want to purposefully not use them.
• sticky note prayers (you exchange sticky notes on Monday morning with areas you need prayer for that week)

  Payton

• find specific ways to challenge/love/discipline/train her as an individual and remember she is     just a 3 year old.

Colton

• find balance in the freedom to be a boy and explore with safety and boundaries
• parent him differently than Payton
• still time to cuddle with him even with baby #3 (he loves cuddle time with momma)

Baby #3

• patience, the baby phase is exactly that, a phase
• love and attachment

Physical 

• return to weight of 125-130
• continue working out until end of pregnancy and return as soon as possible 

Experience

• go through a home tour (leftover from 30 before Thirty)
• take piano lessons
• give birth naturally (unless outside of my control) 

Influence

• prayerfully prepare for IYC talk
• weekly pray for and encourage one person in our community group
• maintain quarterly "ladies @ the creek" (pastor's wives of ICCC)
• memorize the book of James (my Beth Moore study this Spring is based on James)

Travel

• Florida and lake house (possibly CO depending on babies arrival) 

Well that's all folks! I do not live some amazing adventurous life, my life right now is so focused on others, on the people that are important to me and the ones that are important to God. I want to be a healthy individual (spiritually, physically, emotional, mentally) so I can in turn love on others out of a place of health.  

What are your goals for 2012? Is it going to be a New year, or just Another year?

Theater in the Park

It was date night for the Southards last night. Steve let me choose and we went to Theater in the Park (if you live in the KC area, this is a great summer outing) to watch Aida. It was so much fun, a nice change of venue and something fun for the summer. Watching a play/musical was also on my list of 30 before Thirty.  Thanks to our friend Rebecca who came over and watched the kiddos!

When we got home Mr. Southards had an extremely nice gift for me. He has been working on this gift for months and was successful at surprising me with it.  My face hurt from smiling so much with excitement. It was something I have been wanting for years and let's just say it has a nice sparkle to it. Thank you my love :)

Free Bathroom Makeover

#15 on my "30 before Thirty" list was to Paint and decorate my 1/2 bathroom.  My budget for this project was $0. That means I could probably find $20 from my slush fund (Steve and I each have slush fund money each month for non essentials) to find a few things. I went back and forth on a few things, and when it was all said and done, I spent zero, zilch, nada, nothing.

Before

Almost all old decorations are free from my husbands dumpster diving days

I had decided to use the leftover paint from Colton's nursery

I had in mind to accent with a fuchsia or yellow. If money wasn't an issue, I would have gone with a bold yellow geometric pattern rug and new accessories. I would have also painted the vanity and cabinet white, but since we do not own the home yet, I didn't want to paint the wood.  I had found some fuchsia rugs and towels at Target months ago, but when I put them in the newly painted room, I didn't like the look at all. So I pretty much put all the same items back in, while switching up a few accessories from other parts of the home. 

After

 

 

 

It is amazing what paint by itself can do. I also removed the towel bar, since for a 1/2 bath, there is no need for a large towel to be hanging, and I felt like it opened up the room a little.

To be honest, I guess I did spend $2 on this makeover. My in-laws and I went to an estate sale last weekend and I picked up two pieces of coral reef for $2 each. Forget pottery barn's $40 coral reef! My apologies, this bathroom was a $2 makeover

The Daniel Fast

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting.

-Daniel 9:3 

The real reason for my break from blogging was for an intentional purpose. If you read my Thursday post it was probably good that I wasn't trying to blog while I was dealing with everything else, but the reason I started the break was because Steve and I were going to do the Daniel Fast.

What is fasting?
Fasting can look different, depending on the type and duration that someone does. Basically, you restrict your food intake as a form of self-denial and worship, setting aside your basic physical desires for spiritual ones. You pull away from life's distractions and focus on your Savior so that you can be strengthened, refreshed, and renewed. God is ready to bless anyone who has an insatiable appetite for him and his Word. 


What is the Daniel Fast?
The Daniel Fast is a partial fast, in the sense that you remove certain foods from your diet for a specific length of time.  The Prophet Daniel chose to undergo a partial fast when he sought the Lord. His fasting experiences form the basis of the Daniel Fast. The fast requires eliminating commonly enjoyed foods for 21 days as an act of worship and consecrating oneself to God. Foods that are allowed are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and oils. Restricted foods include dairy, meat, sugar, all forms of sweeteners, yeast, refined and processed foods, deep-fried foods and solid fats.You can only drink water during the fast.

Why fast?
People fast for all sorts of reasons. Maybe they are looking for divine wisdom to guide them, maybe their marriage is falling apart and they have lost hope in each other, maybe an illness has taken over their body and the are desperate for deliverance and healing. No matter what life has thrown at you, fasting is a powerful discipline that allows you to connect with God on a deeper level. By denying yourself certain foods, you are showing an act of surrender. You are, in essence, saying, "God, I have to have your help in this situation. I don't know what to do,  and I'm willing to sacrifice my time, my physical comfort, and my desires so I can hear from you."

Why we fasted?
1) Connect my heart with God (intentionality)
2) Spiritually connect my heart with Steve (doing fast together)
3) Divine wisdom for our decision on future of Bradenton Home
4) Prayers for Ava
5) Seek to listen, not speak
6) Purge "junk" from my body (food part of fast)

We initially decided to do the fast to seek guidance on our Bradenton home. Like so many people we are big time upside down in our home, we currently have a renter, but it is a tough situation and we are trying to manage it halfway across the country. Over a year ago we submitted a request for a mortgage modification, but where denied because we weren't delinquent. As Steve puts it, no we haven't crashed yet, we see the train coming down the track and we are waving our flag asking for help before the crash happens. Unfortunately the mortgage companies don't seem to care until you have a major catastrophe on your hands and you stop paying all together, then they will talk to you.  We financially can't survive long-term with our current situation.  We don't want to make any rash decisions, we want to do what is right. 

The rest of the reasons are pretty self-explanatory.  I felt like I had been in survival mode and was seeking refreshing time with the Lord, Steve and I haven't had many date nights the last few months with all of our transition, and wanted to connect on a deeper level with each other. Ava is one of our neighbors twin girls. She was having major surgery during the time of our fast and I wanted to be in prayer for her. Hear more than speak, not always easy for me :) and finally I feel like I had lost control on the junk (sweet tooth) that I was putting in my body. I loved the idea of eating "pure" foods.

My experience
We ordered a book that was a great resource for our journey. It helped with preparation of your mind and body, had a 21-day devotional to walk you through the spiritual side, and recipes to help direct your food intake for the duration of the fast.

The food part was initially very enjoyable for me. I love eating fresh and light. We had to budget a little more money for this fast because eating fresh (and eating a lot of nuts) is not cheap. I had to cook every meal from scratch. It was very difficult the weekend we traveled for Steve's cousins wedding, but it was a good challenge to see how dedicated we were to the fast. Many of our meals were still very flavorful, but it was very time consuming cooking everything from scratch. Steve had a more difficult time right away. He consumes so many calories, that the types of food we were allowed, didn't support the diet he usually eats, especially the protein aspect.  By halfway through the fast, I was challenged in the food area as well. Not only was it tiring spending so much time cooking, but apples and peanut butter and trail mix were getting old.  We did have a good finish and some of my favorite meals were the last few days (Grilled Portabello Steaks with Tofu, and Black bean burgers on a bed of greens with tomatoes and avocados).


The denial of food was difficult, but a good test for me. Here is the honest part, I didn't experience the huge wave of intense, personal time with the Lord that I had imagined.  I had thought that I would have times of one-on-one with the Lord where I was weeping (not normal for me) and pouring my soul out to him and receiving his Spirit so strongly in my presence.  In the journal part of the book, there were so many stories of how people's lives were forever changed because of their fast. I felt like my time was being attacked. I was unable to wake early to spend time with the Lord because I was getting very little sleep at night (due to sick kiddos) and my children, who usually take really long naps, decided to have very short naps much of the time, leaving me with little "quiet time." I will say though that my thoughts were definitely focused more on the Lord. My mind wandered towards conversation with him throughout my day, no matter what I was doing.  So maybe my connection with the Lord wasn't going to come through some emotional experience, but rather through the mundane of everyday, seeing him as part of everything I do, even the "boring" things that take up time in my day.

I also read "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers which is one of my all time favorite books. I really read this book from the perspective of seeing how God pursues me and lavishes his love on me. If you want to read a book that you just get lost in and can't put down, go this one! This was actually one of my 30 before Thirty to do's, I can check that one off!


Steve and I had some rough times during the fast. This was "supposed" to bring us together, yet we found ourselves so worn out from life that we didn't have much energy for each other. I kept thinking"great, this is supposed to be connecting us and we are fighting or ignoring each other." The last weekend of the fast was at the Lake and Steve and I always seem to connect our hearts there. Maybe it is because there are less distractions (especially technology) and we slow down long enough to look into each others eyes and heart. So it was in the 11th hour of the fast that we were finally able to connect as husbands and wives should.

Finally the Bradenton home. I often read blogs via google reader on my phone while I feed Colton. Since I was staying away from that distraction while fasting, I would often read a Proverbs for the day. On April 6th, I was reading Proverbs 6 and really felt confirmation from the Lord that we need to get out from under that house. Steve is still wrestling in his spirit how that looks, he has actually continued the fast (an altered version) this week to seek final clarity with our home. We want to have such assurance and peace with whatever decision we move forward with, knowing that it is honoring to the Lord. We are considering a short sale, but we don't want to take "the easy way out," if such a thing exists.

So for those of you that have hung with me and read all of my thoughts, thanks. I really do believe in the power of fasting, I believe it is a great spiritual discipline that believers should practice at different seasons in their life. The fast might look different, but denying self to focus on the Lord has nothing but positive outcomes. 

My new friends

Here are 2 of my new friends

We never had a good thermometer with Payton. Ours broke early on. I never really knew if she had a fever. Well, I decided to invest in THIS bad boy and I love it! You simply swipe it across the forehead and down to the pupil and you have your temperature. It was perfect timing with Payton having her flu recently. I was having so much fun taking all of our temps for fun. Payton kept saying "mommy's turn, colton's turn, daddy's turn." She assumed we all needed are temps taken.

 

She is my other new friend. I have been working out with Jillian and her girls this past week. Trying to accomplish my goal of returning to pre-baby weight.  I love this workout because it is an intense 20 minutes. That is perfect for someone with a busy schedule, go hard for 20 minutes, then you are done. It is similar stuff to what I do with my bootcamp girls, maybe this will get me in good enough shape to work out with them again. Now I need to stop eating those sweets, that might help the weight come off.

What have you done to loose that baby weight?

30 before Thirty

 

Sunday I turned 29 years old!

Thanks to Mr. Southards, I have learned to set goals, giving me something to aim for. If you don't set goals, you are guaranteed not to reach them. Steve is so strategic, I should have seen it coming because when we had just started dating he insisted we had a purpose statement and values established for our DATING relationship. God has given him a gift though and it is fun to see him use that for God's kingdom.  Every year I set goals for different areas of my life and reevaluate them the next year. It has been fun to see what things I have accomplished over the past few years that I have done this.

Being that this is my last year in my 20's, I decided to make a list of 30 things to do before I turn Thirty. Most of these are fun experiences, or making something, but there are some serious ones as well. Check out the list below. The goals are listed twice, the first time just listed and the second time with explanation for those who care enough to read my thoughts. I will keep you updated as I approach 30 on February 27, 2012 and the progress over the next year.


30 before Thirty

1. Sub-5 min mile
2. Sew something for myself
3. Use an electric saw to make something
4. Gourmet picnic with Steve
5. Play a soccer game
6. Paint an "artistic" piece
7. Return to pre-baby weight 125
8. Go to a museum
9. Watch a play/musical
10. Go through a home tour
11. Stay at a B&B
12. Learn how to use camera on manual
13. Huge purge of every room/cabinet/closet/basement
14. Organize and paint laundry room
15. Paint a decorate 1/2 bath
16. Have an adorable family picture taken
17. Clean out clothes and start philosophy of buying less quantity and more quality
18. Make wedding photo book
19. Reread Redeeming Love
20. Write a letter to each immediate family member
21. Reupholster chair
22. Make sushi
23. Memorize 24 scriptures
24. Financially support/give to 2 new sources (people/mission/org)
25. Start "ladies at the creek"
26. Intentionally following through with God promptings to encourage/love on/challenge others
27. Vacation with just Steve
28. Do a Daniel fast with Steve
29. Take piano lessons
30. ?



With explanations...


1. Sub-5 min mile - This was a goal of mine in high school. I ran a 5:31 mile but never reached the sub-5 minute goal. I believe it was a mind over matter then. If I reach this goal and none other, I would be stoked, this will be difficult because I am coming off having a baby and need to get back in shape before I can even attempt this. There is a guy in our church who ran marathon's at a sub-5 minute mile pace and he has said he will help me. This one is shooting for the stars!
2. Sew something for myself - Doesn't matter what it is, but something I can wear, not for the home or the kids, but for me.
3. Use an electric saw to make something - Again doesn't matter what it is, just want to use me hands and a saw to make something wooden
4. Gourmet picnic with Steve
5. Play a soccer game - After soccer consumed most of my life for 16 years, it has been 8 years since I have played a game. I might have to grab some friends for a pick-up game, but I would like to play some kind of soccer again
6. Paint an "artistic" piece - beauty might be in the eye of the beholder here, but want to give it a try
7. Return to pre-baby weight 125-130 - my weight will fluctuate 5 pounds, depending how much muscle I am building
8. Go to a museum - want to find something local to check out
9. Watch a play/musical - we have Theater in the Park here and want to attend a show this summer
10. Go through a home tour - I often see different tours of homes and have always wanted to go on one
11. Stay at a B&B - I have a lifetime goal to stay in a B&B in 5 different states, this will help towards that goal
12. Learn how to use my camera on manual
13. Huge purge of every room/cabinet/closet/basement - this deserves to be a few numbers but really want to clean out our house and simplify
14. Organize and paint laundry room - I would love to install cabinets with doors, I believe that is one of the best ways to keep a laundry room looking clean, conceal items behind closed doors. Since we do not own our house yet, I will probably have to wait on the cabinets and be creative in the meantime.
15. Paint a decorate 1/2 bath - I have almost everything for this, just need to paint the room and get going
16. Have an adorable family picture taken - want to wait until Fall when Colton is a little older
17. Clean out clothes and start philosophy of buying less quantity and more quality - No doubt about it that I am a bargain shopper.  Clearance rack all the way. Even at Target, TJ's and Marshall's, I shop the clearance rack. The problem with that is at times I have fallen guilty of buying something just because it is so cheap and it looks "ok" on me. I want to start buying less items, maybe spending a little more in each item but only buying items that I love on me. Then I don't end up looking at my full closet feeling like I have nothing to wear. I also want to make sure I have some outfits that my
18. Make wedding photo book - Payton recently destroyed the huge photo book we had (a very simple one) so I want to make one online myself
19. Reread Redeeming Love - One of my all time favorite books
20. Write a letter to each immediate family member- content and focus might be different for each person, I will figure out what these look like as I go
21. Reupholster chair - I have a great $5 estate sale chair that is begging for a redo, just need to learn how to do it, and do it
22. Make sushi - with my own hands
23. Memorize 24 scriptures
24. Financially support/give to 2 new sources (people/mission/org) - find 2 new causes to give charitably to
25. Start "ladies at the creek"- I have the desire to start a time of connecting with the staff wives of ICCC Olathe campus. They are great women, we just need to be intentional about getting together and encouraging each other. Since Steve has taken the lead role on our campus I have had the desire to do this. 
26. Intentionally following through with God promptings to encourage/love on/challenge others - You know those times you feel like you should pick up the phone to call someone, or write an email or letter to someone, I want to be better about following through with those promptings and not minimizing them
27. Vacation with just Steve - Me and my love ALONE, enough said
28. Do a Daniel fast with Steve
29. Take piano lessons - A lifetime goal is to learn to play the piano, this is a step in the right direction. I am excited because my dear friend Amber gives lessons so I have already spoken to her about taking some from her.
30. ???????? I intentionally left one spot open, in case something comes up this year that has to be added to the list.

I really look forward to my 30's, and I hope that accomplishing as many of these goals this next year, is a sweet way to close out the 20's.