This past year has been nothing like anything I ever, ever, ever have anticipated. With the tragic passing of my father-in-law, family sickness (which wasn't wholly unexpected), and the happenings of our world it feels like I've been living in a completely different year since February. Complete months were lost to anything productive as we survived from day to day trying to process what our life became.
That being said, you can never let the bad rob the joy of the good. And so much good did happen this past year of my life. I'm not sure I ever had true intentions of completing my 30 Before 30, but it did give me some direction, some sense of accomplishment, a spark of excitement when planning anything else wasn't working.
30 Before 30 Goals
- Spend one night away alone
I had planned with my beautiful friend Naomi to come spend a night or maybe a weekend in March with her. Then the C-19 panic began. So this will have to wait until my 30s.
- Complete intentional blogging for a year
Not even close. As I look back at this list, I'm not sure what I was even truly thinking would constitute intentional blogging. Eh, whatever.
Make a blanket for Northern Michigan Relief Sale
This sale didn't happen in the traditional way this year. So it's not the same thing, but I did help Alexi make her tie quilt. And geez-o-petes were these ties small and troublesome.
Teach Alexi to make a complete supper
I'm calling this one done even if it's not exactly accurate. She is getting so much closer. Her biggest obstacle is her own (and my) fear of getting burned, but give her sandwiches to make, fruit to cut, meals to plate, she's golden!
- Explore 3 active activity
Nope. I like walking, I hate running. The prime time for me to do this was spent in turmoil at home. So here's another goal for my 30s.
Compile 30 go-to meals
Wrote a post about it HERE
- Read 30 books for me
12 isn't even half way to 30. BUT 12 is a far cry from the 0 that it has been in other years of my 20s. Here's to hoping I do better in my 30s. I will say I've made some discoveries about my current relationship with books, music and other entertainment.
- Reread Chronicles of Narnia
3 out of 7
- Reread Lord of the Rings
Listened to the Hobbit. I enjoyed listening to it, but audiobooks are hard to time. Being surrounded by my kids from 7 in the morning until 8 at night makes finding time to listen without being interrupted difficult.
Pick and hang decorations
YES!!!! I'm in LOVE with my Gallery wall!!
- Finish kids' birth-to-year scrapbooks
That's laughable! I did work on them some, but now I need to have more photos printed, which means sorting through my photos on Google.
- Read the Bible cover to cover in a year
I've made it halfway through the Bible. I did not end up using the schedule that I outlined in a blog post. But I have a plan I'm still chipping away at. If I can do half the Bible in a year, then I'm hoping to finish it before my next birthday. Progress is always worth celebrating.
- Visit Dow Gardens
Did not happen this past year, and I really don't know if it will happen this year. My dream would be to go this fall and see the leaves on their canopy walk. We'll see.
- Write a personal missions statement
I kept putting this one off, then even more so once the craziness started in February. I pulled back out the thoughts I was working on recently and had a choice to make. I could continue with what I had and finish this one. It wasn't a bad start, but it wasn't the fire-lighting, purpose driving statement I was dreaming about. Ultimately my other option was to leave this one unfinished, but not forgotten. I'm taking the kids through the BELIEVE series by Randy Frazee this school year, and I'm certain my journey through that study a second time will help me as I accomplish this goal.
- Commission a custom art piece
Have not done it yet, but I've picked out the artist that I want to do it!
Get a perm
Yup! Here's my post about that adventure.
- Finish and hang the Star Wars puzzle
It sat on my table for a very very long time. Ultimately I determined it needed to move to my kitchen for better lighting. I reclaimed my table and packed the puzzle away again. I hope to bring it back out as the whether again gets cold. But enjoy this much simpler puzzle that my in-laws gave me for Christmas!
- Learn to write left handed
Started. Discipline is not my strong suit. Plan on continuing.
- Relearn Euchre
This was a silly one, but it was also one that was intended to happen with the get-together with friends goal. My motivation comes from the memories from camp of Chad and I playing euchre with friends the summer of 2009. I really haven't played since then, and don't really remember how. So no, this didn't happen, but maybe someday.
- Journey to toe touching
There were months where an injury caused me back pain so intense I had to take breaks during the day to lie down on my bed. So no, this one did not happen. As noted earlier, making intentional plans for my 30s.
- Watch a sunrise and sunset
For such a simple thing, this one has been hard to time as well. The hope is that this October I'll be able to check them both off.
Read Little Women
Listened to actually. Just as with the Hobbit, I thoroughly enjoyed it, but found it difficult to find time to listen. I actually did a fair bit of listening when watering my flowerbeds. So much so that I noticed the other night that I was pondering different chapters as I watered different beds. Must have been impactful.
- Memorize 30 Hymns/Worship Songs
Memorize lyrics is still one of my archenemies. Definitely one that I'm moving to my goals for my 30s.
Go to Disney World
You can see our trip HERE
Finish the hand-me-down crochet blanket
This baby blanket was started by Chad's late aunt Lois. It has now been finished and is waiting in storage for the right recipient.
Individual date with each kid
I debated whether I should check this one off or not. When I wrote this list, I had every intention of take each kid out for a date. That hasn't happened, but what has happened has been just as sweet if not even more sweet. I've been more intentional about spending dedicated time focusing on them one-on-one while here at home.
- Finish watching Castle
Nope. I almost ordered it from our library multiple times. When it comes right down to it, I only have so much time to watch things that aren't intended for children, and these shows, no matter how much I liked them at one time, just don't fit in my life right now. Maybe someday, when I have teens.
- Finish watching Bones
See above.
- Host 6 get-togethers with friends
Hosting get-togethers in 2020??!!?? Hahahahaha! But no, the dinner invitations that I wanted to offer to friends didn't happen. But what I have had, playdates at the park, surprise visits from friends who have popped back home for a quick visit, and a habit of saying YES when someone spontaneously invites us to go somewhere with them. Hospitality looks different this year, but my friendships are growing deeper.
- Get to know my family tree (learn my legacy)
Another thing left undone. But this one, thankfully, does not have a time limit. In a dream world I would have poured over the work that my great aunt has done on my dad's side of the family and the work that my mom has done on her side of the family. I would be making plans for a trip to Europe to see places where my family came from. Alas, that is a dream world. And the dream of visiting Europe feels like an impossibility even more. So I'll hold this goal loosely as I enter my 30s....but it's still there.
I'm thankful I put these thoughts, goals and ideas down on paper. I'm thankful I made them public. I'm thankful I set a deadline. I'm thankful I made it so I couldn't procrastinate and still be successful in finishing them all. The goals that were chosen had to be worked on and had time spent on them. It has taught me about my priorities, good and bad. It has taught me about my motivations and what toxic thoughts are holding me back from doing what I need or want to do.
Mrs. Troyer
