Although I normally reflect at the end of the year, it is not my original idea to post a list of things that I did. I've enjoyed reading the list each year of a "friend" (he's the husband of a girl I know from college, and actually I know the girl's sister much better...so I use the term friend even though I have only talked with him once...at their wedding.) It inspired me to start writing my own list at the end of the year. I don't put as much time or effort into it as he does, so my list will be incomplete and only contain a few things that jump to mind easily. But it's still fun for me to think about the unique experiences of the year, whether I remember them all or not. Here they are, in no particular order:
TURNED 30-
It was actually sort of fun to turn 30. Some people dread it, but I didn't mind leaving my 20's behind. My 20's were fun, sure, but I have a feeling that this next decade is going to be even better. I am becomming more sure of who I am at the core of my being, and less afraid of what others think about it. It's freeing. And I even got a celebratory trip to Santa Fe with Cody out of the deal.
DEALT WITH MY FIRST BROKEN BONE-
Ok, so it wasn't my bone, it was Ava's. But, since I have never broken a bone before, I had never experienced casts, slings, bathing without getting the cast wet, etc. I was in awe of how quickly her body could heal itself...growing bones back together again in a matter of weeks. A 3 year old in a cast is a lot of extra work for parents, and we were all relieved (no one more than Ava) when she could dress herself, go to the bathroom by herself, and be independent again.
BOUGHT A MINIVAN-
I swore that day would never come. I'm way too cool for a minivan, I proudly thought to myself on more than one occasion. But, when three car seats are imminent, and one looks at all the options, a minivan just makes the most sense. And boy am I glad I did it. I love my minivan. It's so easy for the kids to pile into, drives like a dream, and didn't even tarnish my image...too much.
BECAME AN ORGAN DONOR-
I always considered myself an organ donor...unofficially...since Cody knows I'd want that to be done if possible. But, I made it official by sticking one of those red "donor" stickers on my drivers license. It seems lately that I have directly known a lot of people whose lives have been touched by organ donation, and I sure don't want to miss out on the opportunity to help someone one day if I can.
GOT A SPEEDING TICKET-
Yes, this happened recently so it's on my mind. I had never gotten a ticket before, though I HAVE been pulled over lots of times (mostly in college) and gotten off with a warning. My luck finally ran out when I crossed a cop with a mission to fulfill his monthly quota. The fine was higher than I expected.
GAMBLED-
I'm not going to advocate gambling. In fact, I think gambling is pretty dangerous and should probably be avoided. However, while staying at a bed and breakfast in Hot Springs, AR with some old college buddies of ours, we did hit the horse races one day out of curiosity. We were placing dollar bets and didn't lose more than $20 after a few hours. When we arrived at the track that day we were all clueless about what to do, and I was the one that finally worked up the nerve to go ask the guy at the information desk how to read the program and go about placing a bet.
SAW THE NUTCRACKER BALLET-
I've always wanted to see it. It had been a goal of mine for years. I finally just made reservations this year and more or less told Cody we were going. I even took Ava to see a shorter version of it. The one we saw was alright, but I do hope to see a better version one day by a more famous (and talented) ballet company. What I really love about the Nutcracker is the music, and it was nice to see the physical movement added to the music I have always loved.
ATE SUSHI-
Just kidding! That's something Cody did this year. He said he could take it or leave it. Maybe one day I'll try it, but don't hold your breath.
DECIDED TO BE SURPRISED-
I'm the kind of person that tries to talk Cody into telling me what he got me for Christmas, shakes packages, and can almost die from anticipation. So, it wasn't easy to stick to the decision to not find out the gender of the baby that is due in 5 weeks. I am glad we decided to wait until the birth to find out this time, though, since it will be a special experience unique to this third child.
So that's all I can think of for now- what did you do?
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