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Portrait Four



As part of my 32 Things Before 32 List, I am attempting to take one self-portrait per month. This one is for the month of November. Yet again, we are well into the next month and I am just now getting this posted, but here we are.

Someday I won't question whether or not this is it and if it's enough. Looking back, I will realize it was always more than enough and long for the things I missed or overlooked because I was too busy trying to be super mom and super human, all while having a clean, well kept house with fantastic vacuum lines in the carpet and the absence of sticky messes on the floor. 

Someday I know I will miss having these hangry humans intensely dependent upon me with their unwavering devotion and need for a parent, for a life giver, for a nurturer. Our home will one day be too quiet and I will long for the dishwasher that needs to be emptied and the little clothes that need be folded and put away in tiny drawers. I will miss the bath time at night where the kids plead to stay in for far too long and their fingers turn to little raisins. I will miss reading the same book over and over again at bedtime, a book that Marin can recite by memory alone, with the same rise and fall of our adult voices reflected in hers, just as we aim to bring each character from the page to life.  

In this season of life, I am woman finding her way once more, finding more solid footing. I am a wife, a mom, an employee. I am someone that at times tries to hold on to her past in fear of losing the creative aspects of my existence. I am someone that is working really hard to be present in the moment and not veer too far off course. I am trying really hard to find a life that is more than enough. 

Someday, dinner time will look different and I won't stand over a pot of boiling mac n' cheese, stirring it so it doesn't boil over. This is all for the picky preschooler that literally would eat the same thing every single night. I will miss making the chicken nuggets or coaxing her to eat just one more bite of vegetables all the while she absolutely refuses to eat carrots. 

All of this is it and it is more than enough. 

Portrait Four. 

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)
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) 
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. 
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. 
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.
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.
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. 
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. 

Summer Bucket List



Now that we are back from our vacation and life has gone pretty much back to normal, I'm realizing that the summer is already half over. Once we hit July 4th, I'll blink and it will be Christmas. I want Marin to be able to experience all of the fun things that the outside world has to offer. It is good for us to get out and do fun things. We have a huge backyard that needs to be played in far more often. Some of these are for me, some these are for Marin.

Our Summer Bucket List

2. Buy some plants and try to not kill them.
3. Paint some walls.
4. Go to the Drive-In.
5. Evening walks to the park.
6. Farmer's Market Trip.
9. Create a nice outdoor space & use it.
10. Trip to Estes.
11. Draw with sidewalk chalk.
12. Go swimming. 
13. Have a picnic.
14. Eat outside on the back porch.
16. Make a 30 Things Before 30 List and work on completing this list. 
17. Complete a Whole30. 

Weekly Links: Currently Clicking #7


(Source) 
Here are all of the places I have been clicking around the internet this week.....
  1. Another small home in a movement of tiny living. This would make a great little retreat. 
  2. Some new blogs I've added to my reading list: one, two, three.
  3. This 30 Day Cleanse is killer. I already ordered the e-book and can't wait to try it at some point. Eating whole food is where it's at. This isn't just a juice cleanse. 
  4. I love this post: How To Have A Great Life Without Spending A Lot Of Money 
  5. We are starting the process of potentially selling our home and buying another. Here is a list regarding home inspections, 10 Things to Do Before Selling a House,  a quick-clean checklist to use before showings. 

Bullet Journaling: How I Organize My Chaos


I am currently on maternity leave. My life is chaotic now and will be even more so once I have to return back to work. (Notice how I said "have to?" I haven't quite come to terms yet with returning back to real life in a month of so....baby steps.)

I am an organizer by default and I have been writing in journals for as long as I can remember. There's a box out the garage now that is full of my scribbles all the way back to grade school. It's been a part of my life for a very long time. I like to document. I like to make lists. I like to check of the little boxes once a task is completely and move on to the next. I like to be able to look back and see what I've gone through and how I got on the other side of all of it. I like to see what has been accomplished and what still needs to be worked on. 


About a month ago, I stumbled across Bullet Journaling. I believe I first heard about it here or on this podcast. Probably both. I had to learn more. 

I've been using Moleskine notebooks for a few years now. These pens are also my jam. I have horrible (note: REALLY BAD) handwriting and these pens help a little. I'll take what I can get. I guess it works to my advantage sometimes. If I don't want people reading my notebooks, they can't even if they try because they can't read my scribbles. It's my secret skill: bad handwriting. 


I am slightly obsessed with this way of note taking and to-do list making. (That rhymed.) I have been making my lists daily this way for about a month now and plan to continue doing this for a long time. I usually begin my day by making a cup of coffee and some breakfast (after feeding the little one) and then sit down to make my list for the day. 


Learn all about Bullet Journaling here. You will learn about having an index, a monthly calendar, monthly tasks, and daily tasks. There are certain symbols for certain things. There are ways to make sure you don't lose any points in the process, even if you fail to accomplish that task on that given day. 

I love this stuff. I do. I'm slightly obsessed and I don't care who knows it! 


Baby Marin's Wish List

It's no secret that there are a million baby things to buy in this world. Some of them you need, some of them you want. I find myself enjoying dressing my child more than myself. Most of my days are spent in yoga pants while on maternity leave. 

Baby Marin's Current Wish List: 
(which really means, here is a bunch of stuff mom wants to get her) 



  1. Baby Jives Silver Star Cloud Mobile
  2. Little Hip Squeaks Onyx Strip Tunic Dress
  3. Hello Apparel Onesie 
  4. Comotomo Bottles 
  5. Freshly Picked Baby Moccasins
  6. Little Hip Squeaks Cozy Romper  


28 Things Before 28


One week and one day ago, I turned 27 years old. I'm now closer to thirty than I am to twenty five. I feel like my years as a teenager are very far away now. My immaturities from that time in my life are only a small flicker in my life now. My past is my past. I don't think I've ever looked so forward to the future like I am now. Being pregnant puts everything into perspective and I'm scared to death about becoming a parent. This will happen while I am 27. 

Last year's list looks a tad sad. A lot of the things on here involved me doing things not pregnant. Oh well. I also didn't blog for a good chunk of last year and I had forgotten many things on the list. 

This was last year.....

1. Finish writing 5 songs. That’s a big deal. ( I finished four whole songs. I'm crossing this off.) 
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 (Big negative. I got pregnant and created a pile of weeds.) 
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 (Prego, no go.) 
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 (I probably made it about half way on this one.) 
26. Re-grow out my hair (Definite no. I really chopped all of my hair off in April.) 
27. Take a road trip


Here's to a new year and a new list. It doesn't feel quite as ambitious, but I'm sure with a little one around, this will be more than enough. 


1. Buy more vinyl
2. Have a baby (Duh) 
3. Continue the great yard makeover on our pathetic lawn
4. Pay off all credit card debt (we are well on our way!) 
5. Go to the Drive-In or to a movie all by myself 
6. Bake a pie
7. Have a garage sale
8.  Rejoin a gym/New workout regime 
9. Read the Dark Tower Series
10. Lose the baby weight
11. Decorate the nursery 
12. Photo booth pics with my honey
13. Hang out with other moms
14. Go to the Roller Derby
15. Have a weekend away
16. IKEA Trip
18. Have breakfast at midnight
19. Make a bunch of frozen meals before baby's arrival
20. Try 12 new recipes
22. Do the Whole 30
24. Send out Christmas cards
25. Write a letter to an old friend
26. Make a photography website
27. Take better care of my skin- new routine 
28.  See a concert. (not including any gig we are involved in.) 

I am excited for this year and all that it brings. 





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.

Wish List Wednesday: A Little Bit of Everything

The following items really don't have much in common with one another. There is no theme. These are just things I'm crushing on this week. 

Wish List Wednesday: A Little Bit of Everything

Succulents. I want to put these all over the inside and outside of my house. I think they take house plants to a whole new level and I would have a harder time killing them off by accident. 
Source
I've been majorly obsessed with a more bohemian vibe for our bedroom. I know originally I was all about the yellow and grey theme but I might venture elsewhere. I plan on removing our headboard and using a tapestry on the wall in place of that. One like this....
Source
I want to get more into yoga once again. Since joining the gym, I've tried just about every class but yoga. I'm planning on trying their hot yoga this Thursday and I'm looking really forward to it. Someday,  a really nice Manduka mat would be wonderful. 
Source 

I also would really love to get my hands on a new pair of Toms this summer. My lovely husband bought me the black sparkly ones two years ago and I've just about worn right through them. When I wear them, I feel like I'm getting away with wearing sparkly slippers to work. Win, win. I really like these crochet Toms. 
Source

We are already half way through the week. I've been feeling a bit under the weather, but things are looking up. If I survive the work day today, I begin 5 glorious days off. I plan on owning the garage sale like it's nobodies business. There is also a trip to the farmer's market in my near future. Life is good.