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

17. 3 Day Juice Cleanse

18. Have breakfast at midnight

19. Make a bunch of frozen meals before baby's arrival

20. Try 12 new recipes

21. Project Life 

22. Do the Whole 30

23. Sip and Paint

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. 

Our New Season: Parenthood

I’ve been anticipating writing these words almost for my entire life. I knew at one point or another, these words would probably need to come, this season would need to be lived. I don’t think I ever knew quite what I would be getting myself into and I’ve only seen a little glimpse of what all that entails. 

I am going to be mother. We are going to be parents. 

I’ve been fairly consumed by this notion for a few years but knew that it just wasn’t time yet. Then, we decided to take some risks and finally start trying to have kids. Within a few months I had 3 positive pregnancy tests and a groggy husband that I woke up early one morning on a Friday to tell the good news. I was freaked out. I think I am still freaked out. But, it’s a good freaked out. 

Everything changed that day. 

Since the day I took those tests, I knew everything would be different. It’s almost felt like an out of body experience these past few weeks. I have finally gotten really sick. I can’t believe how little energy I have and I have to come to terms with that every day and  every hour I am awake. I have no desire to eat certain foods I once loved. My cravings have consisted of ramen noodles, peanut butter and waffles, orange juice, and honey nut cheerios. Not exactly the nutritious, veggie and fruit eating pregnant lady I hoped to be. I want to go to bed at 8pm every night and take a nap every day (if only work life would allow that.) 

I am growing a human and this is probably the craziest and hardest thing I’ve ever embarked upon. 

With the arrival of the good news and new season upon our lives, I decided to start blogging again. I make no promises to the consistency  of that claim, especially when my energy levels are horrible at the moment, but a return to this world was necessary. I may bore you with my current cravings and rants about how my jeans won’t button anymore, but I don’t care. This is far more for me and my husband to remember this season of our lives than really anything else. 

Here’s to the newest, craziest, most unknown season of our lives. It’s only going to get crazier. 

A Look Back: 2012

I like looking back at where we have been. I think it helps us figure out where it is we are going. 2012 was an interesting year for me. Many things came and went. My work life was probably the most challenging it has ever been. We played as much music as time would allow. So many things have grown in my heart for this new year. 

A look back....

I ate vegan/vegetarian for a month. Looking back, I remember how crazy that felt. I think a meatless day here and there is good for me, but beyond that, I am happy with Weight Watchers as of right now. (Mexico is only about 100 days away!) 

We shared some amazing meals with some amazing people. 

We drove many miles to visit this store. 

We celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. 

We built a front porch and gave our yard some much needed loving. 

I traveled to California to play music with The Piggies. 

I swiftly got back on a plane to visit Longview: the town that once held my heart. 

We tried to play as much music as possible. I also started to write and finish songs again. 

I could go on and on, really. 2012 was a good year. 2013 will be even better, of that I am sure. I have many thing stirring within me this evening regarding what is to come. 

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Christmas 2012

I have been silent for over a month. December was busy. My grandfather was in and out of the hospital for weeks. Life got away from all of us. But, in the end, we got to spend it all together as a family and for that I am so thankful. 

Christmas Eve was spent at Ryan's parents house. We began our evening doing music for our church service at Timberline Old Town. Once all of our equipment was packed up, we headed to his parent's house for chili and cinnamon rolls from Silver Grill. Holy cow. Those things were as big as my face and I'm not complaining one bit about that. 

On Christmas Day, we awoke to more snow on the ground. It began snowing the night before. It was definitely a White Christmas this year. 

 Our next stop was the hospital to visit my grandfather. He has been in and out of the hospital for a while now and wasn't able to spend Christmas at home. So, we went to him. Ryan even played a song he wrote for Christmas in the hospital for my grandfather. 

Next stop...my parent's house. We ate snacks and opened gifts. It was very relaxing and wonderful. 

I'm quite obsessed with my new boots. 

 Then we were off to my Aunt and Uncles house for some of the best prime rib ever. I ate way too much this past month. 

A few days later, we went to my Grandparent's home to spend Christmas with them. My grandpa is finally home. It was so good to spend that time together with them and my family. 

I can't believe I type this as the end of 2012 is only a few hours away. This year has been a whirlwind of events and I am very thankful for all of it.