29 before 30

So I'll be 30 in 9 months (today!), and that deserves some kind of amazing to do LIST! Because I am a huge list maker. Inspired by other 30 year old friends, I have created a list of 29 things for me to accomplish before July 19, 2012 when I say goodbye to my favorite decade ever and join the old thirty year group. I love setting goals and crossing things off, so this kind of stuff is really exciting to me. These are things I either have been thinking about recently or have been wanting to do for awhile. I wanted to wait until after conference to see if I got any new ideas and I'm glad I did! (#s 25 & 29). Several #s started out at a higher number, but I had to be realistic for the amount of time I have to do those things (#s 2, 19, 28). One great thing I already learned is that I want my life to focus on the things that really matter to me and my family, things that have eternal value. I have this quote from Sister Hinckley on my fridge and it is my true favorite:

“I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”

This is the kind of person I want to become!

And everyone knows that telling others about your goals holds you more accountable and committed. Wish me luck!

1. Fill a journal
   

2. Read 5 great literary classics

3. Take my kids regularly to our local retirement home

4. Learn to make homemade bread

5. Establish new family traditions

6. Cross off one of our destination places with Tyler

7. Finish Kate’s baby books

8. Run 20 miles consecutively

9. Paint something I’m proud of

10. Sleep under the stars - no tent
    

11. Write more letters and thank you cards

12. Be a more involved visiting teacher and give a message every month

13. Complete 29 house projects
    

14. Sit by someone different at church each week

15. Blog more often - bi-monthly

16. Become a better listener

17. Get to know everyone that lives on my street

18. Run in 2 half marathons – seriously consider a full (after completing #8)

19. Give away 5 Book of Mormons
    

20. Make a new pie from scratch each month on the 23^rd

21. Make our family and home prepared for a major earthquake

22. Change the oil in my car by myself
    

23. Take a moonlit walk on the beach with my darlin

24. Learn a skill from my mom that I can pass on to Kate someday

25. Find two family names that Tyler and I can take through the temple

26. Have a three month supply of food and water

27. Create birthday cards for everyone for the year by February

28. Cross off 15 hikes in our Farmington Trails book

29. Memorize "The Living Christ"

I can't wait to get started on planning out when I'll do these! I already feel good about where I am in my life, I remember thinking ahead when I was 20 wondering where I would be at 30 and what I would be doing, and my greatest dream was to have what I do now, a husband I love and children to be home with and enjoy. I am so blessed! So I think this list will help me feel I've accomplished something extra this last bit before my bday.

I'll keep you posted! #15! Oh and I'm doing part of #18 by running the Provo Halloween Half next weekend! Woohoo!