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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

30 Things Before I'm 30

A couple months ago I came up with an idea to make up a list of 30 things to do before I turn 30 – it's just a way to keep things interesting (like three kids won't take care of that on their own!) and keep me accountable to some things I've always wanted to do, and just haven't yet. The idea isn't to be a bucket list - there are lots of things I'd like to do including much more travel - but just aren't practical to hit by this milestone.

While most of the things on my list are brand new and still to-do, there are a couple that I've already accomplished, and I'm including those to. I had some big dreams and plans when I graduated high school and am damn proud of what I’ve accomplished in the eleven years since then… so they count. There are a couple things I’ve already done that don’t qualify as proud moments, but were definitely good memories. Plus, it will get me to devote time to write about them.

So, I invite you to join me on this journey and keep me accountable for 22 things to accomplish in 12 months… 30 stories in 365 days.




30 Things to do Before I’m 30

TO DO:
1. run a half marathon
2. get a tattoo
3. learn to play the guitar
4. stop cussing
5. apply to grad school
6. climb a 14er
7. make a pineapple upside-down cake
8. a girls weekend in Las Vegas
9. audition for the Amazing Race
10. write a children’s book, even if it’s just for my kids
11. do 10 random anonymous good deeds for 10 random people
12. find three jobs for Justin to apply for overseas
13. start a company on etsy.com with Andrea
14. finish a devotional front to back
15. read a literary classic
16. take my kids camping
17. pay off a credit card or student loan
18. make a fancy shmancy five course meal complete w/ table settings
19. fire a gun
20. attempt a power hour
21. learn Portuguese well enough to order a meal with Alex
22. attend religious services for two faiths outside my own

DONE:
23. get married
24. have kids
25. graduate college
26. work for a professional sports team
27. go on a mission trip
28. be in a play
29. sneak into a movie after you’ve just seen one
30. have an uncontrollable giggle fit at the most inappropriate moment

Bella's First Concert


Wordless Wednesday

Monday, August 1, 2011

will we stay or will we go now?

I’m not sure how to start this post, so I’m jumping in: Justin got a call out of the blue from a recruiter at a wind energy company in Colorado a couple weeks ago and had a phone interview with a group of executives in England last Thursday. He was told to expect to hear from them Friday or today regarding Round II and an interview in Colorado… now it’s today and we haven’t heard anything. I’m not sure what an anxiety attack feels like, but I feel like this has to be close to it.

Before I’m tagged dramatic – which I know I can be – this position is an answer to prayers across the board in terms of finally relocating back to Colorado, finances, vacation, maintaining awesome health care, a position Justin is legitimately excited about, etc. etc. so to have this golden carrot thrown in front of us out of nowhere and now the insecurity creeping in that he may not get the position and said carrot may be yanked away is just overwhelming.

About a month ago Justin and I were having a conversation and I mentioned how I was pretty content about living in Ohio for another year because there was little movement on our house that’s been for sale for over a year, and it’d been quiet on the job front. Joe (one of J’s best friends from high school) and Molly just moved back a couple weeks ago and they have a daughter a few months older than Austin, and are expecting their second about two months after Baby Gump. We’ve always enjoyed hanging out with them and were pretty stoked about sharing the same area code again. My closest girl friend had just accepted a new job in Cleveland, ensuring she wouldn’t be leaving any time soon, and the high chance that my sister moving from Colorado in the next several months all combined to an acceptance that this may be His plan for us for now – and that was okay.

To feel settled and planning for the near future, then get my hopes up so high and now the fear that a dream opportunity may not happen terrifies me because I’m not sure how I’m going to slip back into a place of contentment. I am so tired of feeling unsettled and feel like I’ll be helpless to it all over again. I know it sounds weak and pathetic. I’m aware and unhappy with myself for feeling it – but that’s honest.

I think possibly the very worst part of this is the clarity it’s giving me to my walk and faith, or lack there of. I know with 100% certainty that God has a plan for our family, and that His plan is better than I can imagine, but from the initial phone call this has felt like every time God directs my life once I’ve finally relented control. My junior year of college when I got a late phone call with an internship opportunity with USA Basketball after not getting multiple internships I’d interviewed for. The phone call from the Cavaliers with an offer for not just a job, but my dream job, in the months that I was working two jobs to contribute. Consistently He provides when I let go.

While at first I was confident, excited and thankful that this was His hand at work again – now the cloud of doubt has grown and I wonder if He’ll allow my heart to break to bring me closer. Or will He allow it to happen because… heartache happens and it’s just not His timing right now. He’s not a manipulative God, a mastermind moving game pieces at His discretion just for fun. But at this point I find myself second guessing and even asking others to pray for us joking that God would see right through me coming to Him for help when I’ve been so quiet lately, but really thinking “just maybe…” ugh, I feel so lame.

The thing is, even in the midst of insecurity, when I can remove the emotion and just think logically (which happens next to never) there’s not one part of me that can wrap my head around him NOT making it to the second round and then after they’ve met him, not hiring him. It’s completely a ludicrous thought. Unfortunately instead I feel like I’m standing in front of a giant wave that, if it hits me, will knock me backward and thrash me around a bit until I can somehow finally figure which way is up and surface for a deep breath.

I probably shouldn’t even share this post – my emotions are elevated, I’m hormonal and I feel like a crazy person. But it’s real and raw and I figure fair game.