artsy-crafty babe

39

Today is my birthday. 39. The last year of my 30’s. It’s kind of exciting. I see this as a year to tie up loose ends before moving on to the next chapter. Honestly, I feel as though each year of my life gets better as I grow and learn more about who I am and what is truly important to me. I’m right where I need to be and I couldn’t be more blessed!

In old school blogger style I came up with a birthday list.  A list of 39 things I’d like to focus on in the upcoming year.  Some are silly, some are vague, but they’re all things I’d like to keep in mind and maybe do. If I accomplish half of them I’ll call it a success!!!

1. make date night with Matt a priority, even when i feel too tired to leave the house

2. spend more one on one time with each of my children

3. take a cooking class with Matt (fun for me, beneficial for him!!)

4. attend an art retreat

5. complete whole 30 

6. lose 20 lbs

7. decide on a paint color for my house and paint it!  (boring, but it's been 10 yrs!!)

8. finish pulling sheets from my massive magazine collection and organize them

9. paint my fingernails a fun color (I NEVER paint my fingernails.  Toenails, yes, fingernails, no)

10. get chickens (I've been campaigning for this for years - maybe this will be the year I'll get my wish!)

11. stick to a budget

12. 30 days with Jillian (I've started a few times, never stayed with it) 

13. commit more time to prayer

14. do some type of volunteer work as a family

15. smile often :-)

16. turn my neglected quilt tops into actual quilts

17. make and give unexpected gifts

18. tell the important people in my life how much they mean to me

19. pay it forward at least once a month

20. give myself time to play (which may mean letting the laundry & the dishes sit - hard for me!)

21. keep up my garden year round (it's usually a mess of weeds by august)

22. get out of my comfort zone

23. share more meals with friends

24. make art with my kids

25. dance (see #22)

26. purge my house of stuff

27. write in my gratitude journal more often

28. fall in love with photography again

29. pay someone a compliment every day

30. learn to drink my coffee without sugar - I've done it with tea, time to take it up a notch!

31. run another half marathon (a huge highlight of 38)

32. read

33. compost

34. stop beating myself up when I can't do everything

35. treat myself to a pedicure more often than once a year

36. learn a new craft

37. take more naps

38. complain less

39. laugh more

There you have it. Happy 39 to me ;-)

let's catch up!

Y’all, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!! Soccer is over! Dance is over! (Baseball is not over, but not too far from the end)  Shoot, school is almost over!! That means that some calmness is on the horizon ;-) I may actually get the chance to make something. Yay!! Well, I guess I actually have been making all along, but it feels like I have nothing to show for it.

That bag pattern I mentioned in a post way back when is still in progress (did I ever mention it?). I know, it takes me forever. It’s mostly written, but I’m still fine tuning the wording and adding in little bits that were left out. It’s been so long since I made one that I’ll have to make a few more to remember how it’s supposed to go together. I’m sure I’ll be calling for pattern testers soon.

My mini-quilt project is still happening. Goodness, how I LOVE to hand quilt. I got them both mostly done then decided that there wasn’t enough quilting, so I went back and started quilting the heck out of them. Oh my, I love it! One is completely done. Now i’ve decided that I need to make a 3rd one. Who knows, there may even be a fourth. I do know that they will be displayed when I’m done.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned that I’ve been participating in the handmade birthday club. I’ve had those projects going on, but I think those deserve a whole post of their own. Fun stuff! We’re supposed to have our projects out the door by the 15th of each month, and so far I haven’t met that deadline. Late every month!! At least I get a break this month being that it’s MY birthday month. I can’t wait to share the goodies that arrive in the mail ;-)

Okay, now that you’re sort of caught up, I’ll proceed with real posts on a regular basis, ok? Have a great week!!

P.S. It’s been so long, I think I forgot how to use my camera!!

Happy 8th May Day Birthday

If there's any reason to break my blog silence, there's none better than to wish my May Day Baby a Happy Birthday. Today is Ava's 8th birthday - my child who has had her entire life documented on this blog.  

8 YEARS!!!  How does that happen???

Dear Sweet Ava,

Happy Birthday! You're 8 years old today!

From the moment you were born I knew that there was something special about you. When personality was being passed out I think you got a double helping - I mean that in a good way ;-) You are FULL of hugs and kind words to everybody. It makes my heart happy when people tell me how much they love you because you're so darned sweet to them. You are special, indeed.

I've loved watching you become a big sister these last few years. Ceci absolutely adores you and wants to be just like you! You're also a pretty good little sister, too (even when you call Alex a butt). You seem to be following in your big sister's footsteps with your love of soccer and dance. I know you were sad that your soccer season just ended, but fall will be here before you know it and it will start all over again. I look forward to seeing you perform this weekend at your dance recital. I'm sure you'll do great!!

Since we'll be at your dress rehearsal today on your actual birthday I declare it an Ava Birthday weekend. Your birthday combined with your First Holy Communion makes it extra special. Yes, such a busy, special weekend, but if anybody could handle it, it's you!! I know that you'll eat up all the special attention!

Keep on shining your light, Ava, the world is a better place with you in it. And I'm so lucky to be your Mama!!

I love you,

Mom