This is 32 | A New List

My final portrait from my series, taken on the eve of my 32nd birthday.

11, 699 days in so far in this thing called life, as of today that is. I had every intention of actually getting these words out into the open over a week ago when I rang in a new year of life but...life happened per usual. Work happened, raising kids happened, trying to catch up on sleep kind of happened but who are we kidding, really? 

I have a feeling that year thirty two is going to be a good one for me, one like I've never quite experienced before. Why? I'm not sure how to put my finger on it but this past season has been one of swift and immense change in just about every area of my life. I feel like this new year is going to be much the same and I'm kind of just along for the ride so far.

 Looking back upon my life over the last decade, I never really thought I would be where I am now. I'm back working at the office that I left 4 years ago and it still is strange to me to sit and work in that office once more. Every morning that I go into work, it still feels strange to put on my name tag and walk through those halls.  We have two children, which is still seemingly mind boggling to me in many ways. Becoming a mom has changed me more than anything else in my life. 

As of last week, we have officially transitioned back to the church we called home when we were newleyweds and into the years of our lives pre-babies. I have been trying to be intentional and cry out for my family in this season more than I ever have before. No longer working at church opened up my ears and my heart more to where God was leading us in this new season. He has lead us to return to where we once were. As with all decisions of this caliber, it has not been easy especially because many of th people I was in ministry with, I have been in ministry with for over half of my life. That’s a long time. But, sitting in our new (old) church home on Sunday, I was flooded with so much peace and I know we are where we need to be. Sometimes transition is hard and I have felt that in so many areas of our lives. But lately, I have felt peace the surpasses all of my understanding in this life and I know I just need to keep listening. 

Every year for the past few years, I have created a list of things that I want to accomplish before my next birthday rolls around, as it always does. Now that I am on my way into my mid-thirties, at least in a few years, I feel like it is expected of me to get my crap together more. My twenties feel very, very, very far away now and life looks completely different than I thought it would. Good different, but different nonetheless. 

Here is my list from last year. I have gone in and crossed out the ones that I actually accomplished. There are some things on this list that I have placed on the list every year and every year I don’t accomplish them, but here we are. I know many of you could really care less if I cross off items on my list, but I love things like this and I will probably continue to make these lists for a long time. 

Below is my list for this new year of life....I am now 32, which still seems odd to me in the grand scheme of things. But, I’m ready to dive in to this new year, full of hope even though so many things still feel like they are unknown. 

33 books
Read through the Bible
Go camping
Become debt free
Get another tattoo
Sell our house (This is probably the biggest undertaking on this list...) 
10 year anniversary trip
Family Trip
Holiday Bucket List 
Try Buki Yoga & Lekfit
Secret Thing #1 (Wouldn’t you like to know?) 
Fly in a plane
Farmers Market
Use the library more
No Spend Month
Drive in Movie
Find another side hustle
Fall Bucket List
Play a show or play FOCOMX 
Have pie in Estes
Intuitive Eating
Go to a concert
See the ocean
52 Blog Posts for the year
Stay at the Elizabeth Hotel
Get a massage
Finish a song
30 Day Challenge
Revamp the weekly cleaning schedule
Go meat free for a while
New pick up and tune up for my Martin acoustic
Family Dinner 2x per week and focus on meal planning
Make bread from scratch

This is 32. 

32 Things Before 32

Every year for the past few years, I've written a list around my birthday. This list consists of many things that I want to accomplish in the new year in front of me. Last year, I didn't do very well on checking items off of my list. I found out I was pregnant in October and many items on the list ended up never being completed. I was a little preoccupied with growing a human. But, now I have begun my 32nd year, Sullivan was born in July and I have created a new, fresh list, just waiting to completed.

Here is my list from last year.....

1. Read 31 books. (I read 20)

2. Start blogging again.

3. Get pregnant with #2.

4. Paint the outside of our house.

5. Embrace a side hustle.

6. Play a show.

7. See the ocean.

8. Make a big purchase with cash.  (We roofed our house and paid cash for it!) 

9. Get another tattoo. (Can't get inked when you are pregnant) 

10. Get a facial.

11. Grow Hollen Photography.

12. Get a deep tissue massage.

13. Redo our basement: paint everything, new flooring, doors, etc. 

14. Finish a song. 

15. Go to a drive-in movie. 

16. Start writing a book. 

17. Thrift more. 

18. Increase our curb appeal.

19. Travel somewhere new. 

20. Build up an emergency fund. (About half way there...) 

21. Meal plan and decrease our grocery budget. 

22. Purge the entire house, every room!

23. Develop a product or new venture.  

24. Get family pictures taken. 

25. Complete another Jazzercise attendance challenge. 

26. Have a No-Spend Month. 

27. Read the Dark Tower Series, Harry Potter Series, and Anne of Green Gables Series. (I made it about half way through two of these series) 

28. Take a class. 

29. Seasonal Fun: pumpkin patch, picking strawberries, the zoo, parades, the fair, etc. 

30. See a show at Red Rocks. 

31. Splurge on the perfect pair of jeans. 

Here is my list for this new year....

1. Read 32 books. (I read 23 this year....) 

2. Learn how to use my pressure cooker & air fryer. 

3. Re-do our basement. 

4. Paint the outside of our home. 

5. Landscape our yard and rebuild back porch. 

6. Replace all interior doors. 

7. Create a plan to become debt free by 2020 (including student loans....) 

8. Rejoin Weight Watchers meetings (I go back and forth on this ALL OF THE TIME.)  

9. Get another tattoo

10. Get family photos taken & print some photo books. 

11. Finish writing a song. 

12. Go to the dentist and the doctor for exams. 

13. Get a massage. 

14. Family walks. 

15. Take a family vacation. 

16. Have time away with my hubby. 

17. Embrace a side hustle. 

18. Breastfeed Sullivan for one year. (He stopped at just shy of 11 months.) 

19. Reset up the practice space and actually play our music gear. 

20. Design a product. 

21. Go to the drive-in. 

22. Blog consistently and revamp blog layout. 

23. Finish reading the Bible In a Year. 

24. Go to a concert. 

25. 12 date nights. (Maybe we hit this?) 

26. Take a Barre Method Class

27. Finish the Dark Tower/Harry Potter Series. (I am at book #4 for HP...) 

28. Get a facial. 

29. Take one self-portrait a month. 

30. Grow something. 

31. Start a new family tradition. 

32. Start saving money for our 10 year anniversary trip. 

I am ready to dive head first into this new year. I feel like I'm just beginning the journey once more of re-learning how to be myself after having a baby. I'm excited for what this year holds. Hello thirty two. 

A List | 31 Things Before 31

I entered into a new decade on Wednesday. I am no longer in my twenties and I still haven't quite grasped that. A lot happened in my twenties. Heartbreak. Living in the northwest. Going to college. Playing lots of music. Moving home. Meeting Ryan. Marrying Ryan. A few different jobs: coffee houses, churches, a dental office. Playing more music. We bought our first home. We had our first kid. 

Many things can happen in the span of a decade. Now I find myself in a fresh one, untouched and totally unknown. The idea of being in my thirties is actually pretty appealing. I'm ready for a fresh start, a clean slate. In some ways, I feel like I need to be a real adult now. In other ways I feel like I never will be and that's totally alright. 

Every year for the past few years, I've written a list around my birthday. This list consists of many things that I want to accomplish in the new year in front of me. Last year, I did alright with my list but didn't accomplish quite a few of them. You can see the list here....30 Things Before 30.  It's no secret that I love making lists and I love making this list every single year. I'm excited for what 30 holds. So many things in our lives feel like they are currently in transition. I'm sure I will move into 31 in a totally different place. 

Below is my brand new list. Fresh and new. 31 things before I turn 31.....

1. Read 31 books.

2. Start blogging again.

3. Get pregnant with #2.

4. Paint the outside of our house.

5. Embrace a side hustle.

6. Play a show.

7. See the ocean.

8. Make a big purchase with cash.

9. Get another tattoo.

10. Get a facial.

11. Grow Hollen Photography.

12. Get a deep tissue massage.

13. Redo our basement: paint everything, new flooring, doors, etc. 

14. Finish a song. 

15. Go to a drive-in movie. 

16. Start writing a book. 

17. Thrift more. 

18. Increase our curb appeal.

19. Travel somewhere new. 

20. Build up an emergency fund. 

21. Meal plan and decrease our grocery budget. 

22. Purge the entire house, every room!

23. Develop a product or new venture.  

24. Get family pictures taken. 

25. Complete another Jazzercise attendance challenge. 

26. Have a No-Spend Month. 

27. Read the Dark Tower Series, Harry Potter Series, and Anne of Green Gables Series. 

28. Take a class. 

29. Seasonal Fun: pumpkin patch, picking strawberries, the zoo, parades, the fair, etc. 

30. See a show at Red Rocks. 

31. Splurge on the perfect pair of jeans. 

29 Things Before 29: A New List!

Every year I make a list of things that I want to accomplish before my next birthday. Here's to a new year and a new list. I approached this list a bit differently than last year. Last year I was pregnant and knew we would have a little one around for a bit of that year. This year, Marin is growing up like crazy and I am just learning how to keep a handle on so many things in our lives. This list helps me accomplish that. I don't want to lose sight of our dreams.  Check back every once in a while. If I mark something off, I will usually have a link with it. 

+ Make grilled pizza. 
+ Fit back into my old jeans and rock them.  
+ Go to the Drive-In
+ 3 Day Juice Cleanse.
+ Eat Paleo. 
+ Holy Yoga.
+ Grow out my hair.
+ Take a trip to Estes for the day.
+ Pay off my van.
+ Have a minimalist mentality.
+ Redesign my blog/Complete Blog Life. 
+ Buy a new house.
+ Have one date night a month. At least.
+ Get another tattoo/have a half sleeve designed. 
+ Write & Complete 3 new songs. 
+ See the ocean.
+ Play a show with my band. As of August 9th, it has been ONE YEAR. 
+ Get back into writing Morning Pages. 
+ Go camping or stay in a cabin.  
+ Launch and manage a baby apparel line. 
+ Portrait/Interview Series on the blog
+ Create a coffee table book of 52 Weeks of Baby Marin Posts. 
+ Get family photos taken by an actual photographer. (not just us using a tripod.)
+ Try PiYo. 
+ Finish reading all of the books currently on my nightstand (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and participate in this online book club. 
+ Treat myself to a Bliss Package at She She. 
+ Watch 4 documentaries.  
+ Buy a new Mac Book. It's time. 
+ Get a library card. 

A New List: 27 Things Before 27

It's that time again. I have been working on this list for a while now and can't wait to get it out there and start checking things off. Some things you will see here are big, like having a kid or getting out of debt. Some things are fun and simple, like wine tasting or finishing a nerdy book series. I need a combination of both in order to be successful with this list. I'm ready. Let's do this.

 

1.      Finish writing 5 songs. That’s a big deal.

2.      Rock a two piece swimming suit with confidence.

3.      Treat myself to a massage

4.      Camp in a tent

5.      Get another tattoo

6.      Learn to knit (I will put this on my lists until I do it!)

7.      Record another music project

8.      Work through a few e-courses that have piled up.

9.      Gain financial peace. Get out of debt once and for all.

10.   Get pregnant.

11.   Paint some walls

12.   Not kill my garden

13.   Have a picnic

14.   Sew something. Anything.

15.   Fly in a plane

16.   Repurpose a piece of furniture

17.   See a concert at Red Rocks

18.   Go on a wine or beer tasting tour

19.   Eat at 5 places we have never tried before.

20.   Bake often. 

21.   Have a girls night

22.   Make breakfast for dinner

23.   Finish reading the Dark Tower Series by Stephen King (This was my man’s idea)

24.   Have a dinner party

25.   Read 12 novels

26.   Re-grow out my hair (Again. I just trimmed a bunch off. I miss it.)

27.   Take a road trip.

The A to Z of Me

I saw this over on this blog. I figured I'd try it out. Random facts about random people are always fascinating. 

A. Age: 25

B. Bed size: Queen 

C. Chore that you hate: Laundry. I loathe folding laundry. 

D. Dogs: I married a kitty guy. We’re working on that one. 

E. Essential start to your day: Coffee.Coffee.Coffee.

F. Favorite color: Aqua! 

G. Gold or Silver:  Silver. But, I’ve been wearing more gold jewelry lately. 

H. Height: 5’7”? 5’8”? 

I. Instruments you play: Guitar, keys, drums. Listen to some of our music here. 

J. Job title: Day Job: Corporate Assistant Any other time: Musician, photographer

K. Kids: None yet. Soon? 

L. Live: Fort Collins, CO. 

M. Mother’s name: Lori. She rocks. 

N. Nicknames: Bails, Hay Bail, Balls (long story), Bazzle, Baybahloo. 

O. Overnight hospital stays: None. Thank heavens! 

P. Pet peeves:  If people are late to everything! I can’t tolerate that. I’m always early. 

Q. Quote from a movie: Hmmm. Playing in bands with a bunch of dudes, I usually hear something along the lines of Dumb & Dumber and something that left the mouth of Ron Burgundy at some point or another. 

R. Right or left handed: Lefty

S. Siblings: 1 little sis. She is awesome. She makes my hair look good. 

U. Underwear: I wear it? 

V. Vegetable you hate: Onions. Ick. Other than that, I love me some veggies! 

W. What makes you run late: I try to make sure that never happens. I am usually prepared for just about anything. 

X. X-Rays you’ve had: Xrays when I’ve gone to the dentist. I think that’s about it. 

Y. Yummy food that you make: I’ve just started baking. I think I’m pretty good at making some bread. But, that’s about as far as I go. 

Z. Zoo animal: Giraffes. 

LINK LOVE: A Hodgepodge

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I have been all over the place lately, from dreaming up fall decor, to reading too many baby blogs, to writing about being a vagabond. (yeah, that would be in another lifetime.) 

Here's what has caught my eye as of late......

This book and this concept. The longing to travel has never been quenched in my heart and it arises quite often. That's usually when reality smacks me in the face and I'm left pondering. 

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New fall wreath ideas. I want something different and unique this year. 

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I also am planning on doing this fall garland, found on Elsie's blog. I want to string it across our piano. 

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This Easy Little Bread recipe from one of my favorite websites. I made this simple recipe last week when we made a pot of chili. Delicious. 

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And last but not least, I've been watching a lot of documentaries on Netflix lately. I fit them in between MadMen episodes while I'm folding laundry. The two that most recently caught my eye are: 

The Business of Being Born: I was an emotional mess. It documents the idea of birth in a hospital vs a home birth. 

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(I will note, that it is fairly graphic.)

Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead: This documents one mans journey into completely changing the way he eats by going on a strictly juice diet. It makes me want to go out and buy a juicer right now. Christmas present idea perhaps? 

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The List: 26 Things Before 26

Looking back on the last year, I feel that I have changed significantly from my 24 year old self to my now 25. I have grown creatively in the past year, I have played a lot of great music with great people, and I have made our house more of our home, and I have taken much better care of myself. 

24 was great. 

Some Highlights: 

Seattle, WA

Seaside, OR

Christmas 2010  

My love  

FOCOMX 2011

The Great Kitchen Redo 

The Great Kitchen Redo  

Bought a mom-mobile. And love it. 

Took care of myself. 

Recording at Backbone

Living the Dream 

June Camping  

Ocean 

Overall, I made it through most of my 25 list. I didn't run a 5k or even write a new song (or at least finish one.) I didn't blog nearly as much as I would have liked to or took a sewing class. 

But, man. I conquered a good part of this list. That feels good. 

I couldn't wait to write this years list. I feel that is will be the best one yet. 

1. Be better to my body and health. 

2. Record a new record. Good thing I've starting actually writing songs again.

3. Learn how to sew. 

4. Blog more. I've neglected my little blog world for nearly a month. 

5. Take photos. For fun. 

6. Re-do our bathroom & bedroom. Paint the walls. New bedding. New colors. 

7. Go through every room in our house. Determine what I love and hate. Craigslist shall be my best friend. 

8. Bake more. 

9. Keep growing out my hair. 

10. Lose the rest of my weight. 20 more pounds to go. 30 down. I'd say Weight Watchers is doing me some good. 

11. Go to a farmer's market. 

12. Landscape our yard. 

13. Pay off my van. 

14. Get out of debt. 

15. Get pregnant! :) 

16. Move into a somewhat different position at work. And enjoy it. 

17 . Go back to school. For what? Not sure yet. 

18. Run a 5k. 

19. Take a real vacation. Swim in the ocean. (I never have!) 

20. Wear more color. Go thrifting once a month. 

21. Learn to knit/crochet. 

22. Fly somewhere. 

23. Get another pet. 

24. Get another tattoo. 

25. Be a vegetarian for a month. 

26. Get a massage.