35 and counting....

Yes folks... it is that time-

'comes round once a year without fail, no matter what.

Today is my birthday!  Ta da da da da!  So, happy birthday to me! 

Another year older and I can only hope that maybe I am a bit wiser. I am not going to sugar-coat things...it's been a rough year for many reasons/circumstances. Mostly because of all those we have lost that we loved so, so dearly...

It is what it is.

I have new wrinkles, but they are all earned and well worth it. The grey hairs....hell, I could definitely do without them, but they are earned too.

I decided to make my own list of things to try to do before my next birthday rolls around.
Some fun.  Some quirky.  Some dreams, even a bit wild.  Some things I used to do a lot,  and have somehow forgotten them in the blur of my years. Some big- but it is OK to go big sometimes. (I am a Texan and we do things BIG, LOL)

I am, and have always been, a free spirit...I don't like being held down in anyway. I have strong morals and opinions and am very hard-headed and stubborn. I accept myself for who I am and make no excuses for who I am. I may intimidate some people, but I have a BIG HEART and try to give and help others often. I am a MOM and a WIFE...they are above anything else, my greatest joys in this life.

  So here goes...

My List:

 1.  get a vintage bicycle, a little rust would be perfect , complete with a basket to hold something lovely in and ride!

2.  see a few concerts

3.  truly learn my settings on my camera- maybe even take a class

4.  throw lots of par-tay's

5. post my photos on flickr

6.  take a train ride with my kids & hubby

7.  make a solid date night for each month and stick to it

8.  complete my very first 365 days of gratitude project

9.  try skiing (for Pat and kids)

10.  start a project that truly GIVES back

11.   learn how to play a song on our guitar

12.  go roller skating

13.  take a dance class and make Pat take it with me

14.  get serious with my sewing projects

15.  learn how to knit

16.  have family portraits done again

17.  win at Bop-It

18.  have more girls weekends

19.  be more authentic- I am actually OK at this, but there is always more room for growth... To honor that I want to be more real, more me. At first I had this quote on my mind, "be you. everyone else is taken." but then, I like this one too- “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

20.  re-watch my top 5 fave movies (first I need to decide what they are)

21.  go to Vegas with hubby & friends

22.  eat a mouth-watering, yummy steak

23.   pick a beautiful tree and shoot it on the first day of each month for 1 year.

24.  plant a mini garden with Mac, Lilly & Griff (hope Griff doesn't destroy it)

25.  make a fairy garden with Lilly

25.  finish getting my concealed weapons permit

26.  eat a The Melting Pot

27.  publish my blog

28.  go home (TX) as often as possible- YES...one can have TWO homes...it's a blessing!

29.  get a beautiful shot of all 3 of my children together,  key word- being together. Griff is a monster (0:

30.  try not to freak out too much when my oldest becomes a teenager (what the ??)

31.  teach Griff to swim

32.  take the kids camping this year

33.  find balance, this is truly a challenge sometimes...losing my Dad just knocked me on my ass, to be blunt. It's a blow that I still can't describe to anyone, not even God. I simply can't find the words. I know it is time to accept it... so balance- I will find it again! I must seek a better balance and let go of the guilt. I am a mom of 3, a wife, a home maker, a friend, a LOT of things... I simply cannot do it all- all the time and I need to be ok with this, no matter what pressure I may be feeling.

34. give- give more of myself; to my kids, to my husband, to my community, to this world. I am good at "see a need, fill a need"...but it's not enough for me...I want to do more. I need to continue to search out more ways to give. It is SO needed all over this world and I feel a pull, a responsibility. It is, in my mind, one of the most important lessons I wish to teach my children. I have learned that by giving- you get so much more than you ever imagined possible in return.

35. spend more time with mom

36. plant LOTS of flowers this spring

37. run...like run, as in a work-out...and do it every day!!

38. get back into yoga

WOW...this is a big list..and I could keep going probably, but won't- 

I wish to reach 36 next January feeling more balanced and more centered. I think by striving to reach these goals I will be better at serving my family, my friends, and myself. There is no better time than now.

Time to get to it.

Love to you all and Thank You from the bottom of my Heart for your Happy Birthday Wishes! 

One last thing- I am doing Romp To Stomp in one month!! PLEASE, PLEASE make a donation to my team to help fight the fight against CANCER. CANCER SUCKS! 

Here is the link- http://register.tubbsromptostomp.com/site/TR/Romp/General?px=1031868&pg=personal&fr_id=1173 

ANY AMOUNT HELPS!!!!! OUR TEAM HAS BEEN THE TOP FUNDRAISING TEAM FOR A FEW YEARS NOW-

You all RoCk!!!

 Thanks and God Bless (0: