35 things by 35

It’s my birthday week. Well technically it’s my sons birthday week also. He was born 2 1/2 weeks late, at 8am, the day before my birthday, making him the best birthday present ever! But he’s not the one turning 35, I am, on Friday, and he is turning 10. I’m still not sure I have wrapped my head around the fact that I will have a 10 yr. old, but that can be another topic for another day. 7 years ago I wrote a post, “35 by 35”, and in it I listed 35 things I would like to do, see or accomplish by the time I’m 35. It’s funny I’ve only gone back and looked at the post once since I had written it, and this morning I woke up with it being the only thing on my mind. So I figured it might be fun, and timely, to look back over that list since this week I turn 35!

First I should disclaim, I love writing lists. Like really love writing thing down in list form. When my kids where toddlers it was the only way I felt like I could bring order to my day. Remember, those days can pass in a blur, and leave you wondering what you even did, so I would list out our day and the tasks that needed to be done.

Sometimes I write lists just to get ideas or thoughts out of my head. And sometimes I write lists to promote productivity. For whatever reason it just really helps my to write things down .

So here is my list of 35 things (my then 28 yr. old self) wanted to have done by the time I turned 35. It’s funny some of these things I still very much care about to this day, and other things not as much.

1. Make homemade bread from scratch. (Thanks to this fabulous/easy recipe).
2. Make a successful pie crust from scratch.
3. Give more generously.
4. Make something with my sewing machine.
5. Teach my children a skill.
6. Make my own piece of furniture. (i.e. Jesse)
7. Be purposeful in God’s calling on my life.
8. To not have a “PILE” of “DRAWER” full of stuff = be more organized.
9. Play the piano.
10. Instill the awe and love of God to my kids.
11. Bless a total stranger.
12. Take better pictures.
13. Repurpose something old.
14. Run a 5k.
15. Be done having babies.
16. Have a fully functional desk space.
17. Go on another honeymoon – just me and the hubby.
18. See the west coast (I was born in California).
19. Be in shape.
20. Own a home.
21. Own my dream car.
22. Take a pilate’s reformer class.
23. Have new living room furniture.
24. Coordinate more women’s events/ministries.
25. Cook.like.Ina.
26. Experience God in a new way.
27. Have a green thumb. (flowers)
28. Also, have a thriving produce garden. (veggies)
29. Have a successful blog.
30. Spend a week at the lake with my kids and my husband.
31. Help people love the space they live in.
32. Take bolder chances in decorating.
33. Encourage women in their calling.
34. Go on a girls vacation with just my mom and my sisters.
35. Go to New York (again), but see central park, Serendipity, and the Plaza Hotel.

I haven’t completed everything on this list, it’s true. But you know what? I am completely ok with that. I realize, for me, writing things down helps me stay on track and be more productive, but it’s not a be all end all for me. They are the things I strive for, that I’m working towards. There are things that I have accomplished that aren’t on this list, which shows me regardless I’m growing. And when I look back over my list, I can’t help but feel productive of everything that I did accomplish.

How about you? Do you like to write things down? Are you a list maker too?