60 Before 30

This wonderful concept came straight from my newest favorite blog Em For Marvelous!  Yesterday was my birthday and I am 27.  I came across this blog and this post and thought it was wonderful as well as coincidental.  The creator of this post started her 60 before 30 on her 27th birthday and it just so happens that is what I am going to do.  There is something so different about 27.  It feels more like 30.  It feels like I am a lot closer to that age and no longer in my mid-twenties.  I love this concept of having 3 years to complete 60 things both big and small.  The start of this adventure is February 12, 2015 and will be complete on my 30th birthday February 12, 2018.  I have been working on this list for sometime now and want to share it with you all.
(These are all in random order)

1. Be a family of four
2. Refurbish a garage sale dresser
3. Paint my bedroom
4. Buy new dressers for bedroom
5. Riley swim lessons
6. Bring 15 people to Christ
7. Lead a community group
8. Attend a marriage conference 2015
9. Attend a marriage conference 2016
10. Attend a marriage conference 2017
11. Write 2 songs
12. Cultivate a Fruit/Nut tree
13. Some sort of fitness instructor
14. Health nutrition certification
15. Progress on Credentials
16. Build in Mexico
17. Go to a L.A food truck night
18. Read 15 books
19. 3 Sprint Triathlons completed
20. Give monthly $ to a child in need overseas
21. Decorate our walls in house with scriptural truth
22. Hiphop dance lessons
23. Half of my book written
24. Expand my make-up skills
25. Host a retreat for Moms
26. Host a holiday party
27. Tithe 10% of everything I gross
28. Celebrate each Anniversary together-Riley stays at Grandmas
29. Make a will
30. Oak Glen every year for Halloween with Mom's group
31. Subscribe to Happy Mail
32. Become an infleunce Network member
33. Go to an Influence Network Conference
34. Meet up with some Peony Project girls
35. Grow blog to 1000 views a day
36. Buy a mountain bike
37. Send out Family Christmas Card 2015
38. Send out Family Christmas Card 2016
39. Send out Family Christmas Card 2017
40. Have a sustainable Garden that I cook from
41. Be at 115, lean, toned, flexible
42. Attend Purple Easel with girlfriends 2015, 16, 17
43. Be able to do fire fly pose in yoga
44. Print out on canvas photos of our wedding
45. Take family photos
46. Be on a worship team for church
47. Create my own cook book with Drew's favorites
48. Purchase a new vacuum
49. Get my tattoo
50. Do something in being an advocate for human trafficking
51. Use a simplified planner-Emily Ley
52. Continued use of Powersheets by Lara Casey
53. Open an Etsy Store for prints/cards
54. Go on family vacation
55. See Phantom of the Opera at a theater
56. Continue book club at my house '15, '16, '17
57. Read Mere Christianity
58. Attend a VUSC Alumni Festivity
59. Mr. and Mrs. return address labels made
60. By age 30 I want to look more like Christ.

I would love to hear some of your goals!

This Time of Year // Switching it Up

Oh the holidays :)  :(  Christmas time can be such a wonderful time for so many of us, but for most, if not all, it can also be equally stressful and maybe even a little sad.  Being surrounded by so many family members all in one day, or being away from loved ones and having to work.  All of these things can add to an array of emotions during the holidays making it difficult to 'get into the spirit."  (whatever that means.)

Maybe as you sit and get your last gifts packaged and cards sent out you have a heaviness on your heart.  Maybe you are excited about all the family time, and getting to see the surprised looks on faces with presents you have purchased, the food and warmth, but maybe there is a looming within.

As we all gather this season with expectant hearts for having the best Christmas day ever, lets not forget that it is just another day.  It is another day to celebrate what God has done, it is another opportunity to grow deeper with a sister or brother, it is another day to give in an unexpected way to a stranger or a friend.  Wherever you may find yourself this Christmas remember to bloom where you are planted.

Here is my Christmas Challenge 2014:

Pick out a few different people from your family, church, or workplace and then read up on Love languages and try to pin what love language best fits those people.  It will be challenging as well as eye opening and hopefully fun.  I think going into Christmas with new challenges and perspectives is a great way to be intentional about our time.

Here are a few ways to 'switch it up.'

• clean up the mess-wash those dirty dishes so the regular person gets a break- give the gift of a clean kitchen. (acts of service)
• Give a few people a hand-crafted encouraging note. (words of affirmation)
• Pull someone aside and ask them how they are really doing (quality time)
• Give someone a present (gifts)
• Surprise someone with a warm long hug. (physical touch)

Good luck!

Goals: *December*

Recap on November Goals : Was a bit overzealous last month-but it feels like I did so much more! Oh but there is grace. Sweet sweet  grace.

1. Do a giveaway on my blog.
2. Purchase a yoga pass 
3. Girls Night with my Mom Group
4. Be diligent pray and research adoption
5. Majority of Christmas presents purchased
6. Blog 2x/week--build up repertoire
7. Substitute teach twice
8. Get January and February goals made
9. Plan road trip to cousins
10. Increase ebay store sales
11. Complete 2 books (this one and and this one )
12. Sign up and start training for 10K
13. Serve at my church in some capacity
14. Button Swap/purchase ad space on favorite blogs
15. Start saving for Influence Conference
16. Be consistent with my women's bible study-

Well on to the December Goals:

1. Purchase a yoga Pass
2. Pray about Adoption
3. Christmas shopping done by mid Dec.
4. Build up blog post repertoire
5. Jan-Dec Goals made
6. Finish 2 books
7. Turn in volunteer application to my church
8. Savings for Influence Conference
9. Send out Christmas Cards
10. Substitute teach once
11. Find a Marriage book to do together
12. Be consistent with Riley feeding herself with spoon
13. Look up mini triathlons in area
14. Print more wedding photos to put up
15. Be present / be still / be Jesus to the best of my ability.

I would love to hear more about your goals-Did you manage to cross some things off last month?