Let’s see how I did this past month. Next month I will be 30 when I update!

1. Crochet something else besides blankets or scarves at least once a year (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

2. Do a photography challenge

• This is the one thing I am most proud of completing each month. Some weeks it is a struggle to remember to get out the camera and find something new to capture or way to capture it. But when I do, I am always grateful for the moments I get with George. I am also glad that I am not just doing “studio shots.” While these are nice to have, some of my favorites have been the every day things. These moments go by so fast, and I love looking at this timeline of his growth.
• Here are some of my favorites from the past month. The first one is my new all time favorite picture of him.

3. Visit 5 cities I have never been to before (6/5)

• Greensboro, NC for my friends wedding. (I could count the cities we stopped in, but considering I pretty much only saw the hotels I think I will leave them off.)

4. Tour at least one a winery, brewery, or distillery

• If I had not been driving myself to North Carolina, I would have totally stopped at one of the dozen that we passed. However, I don’t think I would have won Mommy of the Year for taking George by myself to a distillery in the middle of Kentucky.

5. Send at least 5 snail mail a month

6. Become a “professional” photographer

• Some things are in the works!

7. Run at least 10 races (any distance) (1/10)

• I have signed up for some. Speaking of if you would like to help sponsor my walk in March of Dimes this month, please go here. I would greatly appreciate the support especially after my experience with George in the NICU.

8. Go camping with Tom

9. Pay for the car behind me in a drive through

10. See Tyrone Wells live as many times as possible

• Why does he have to be playing so far away for this tour!?!?

11. Tour Fort Defiance here in Clarksville

12. Water ski with my dad

13. Do a 5K with my mom

14. Take a swing dance class with Tom

15. Read at least one fun book a month and one professional development book every three months

16. Take a pottery or stained glass class

17. Do one new recipe each month

18. See both a Clemson and UCM football game live

19. Find a place to volunteer on a regular basis

20. Go hiking

21. Ride in a hot air balloon

22. Go to at least 20 “new to me” restaurants. (23/20)

• We went to Bandanas with my in-laws. It is a chain BBQ place, and it wasn’t all that bad.
• We went to Babbo’s Spaghetteria last night for a friend’s birthday. The food was great (probably some of the best lasagna I have ever had), but the wait for the food was awful.

23. Stay at a bed and breakfast

24. Spend a day without electronics (phone, t.v. and computer)

25. Have a Kentucky Derby themed 30th birthday party.

• Since we have not been here long, I haven’t really created a solid group of friends yet. My birthday also falls on Mother’s Day weekend as well as the last week of most academic years (to which many of my friends are working in college settings). That being said, it would be asking a lot to have people come in for a party then. And my one stipulation is that we actually celebrate my 30th on the actual day since it is a Saturday. It just doesn’t seem worth the effort for a small group of people that may be able to attend. I have put some ideas in Tom’s head for alternatives so we will see what he surprises me with. No pressure! But I am completely ok with not having a big Kentucky Derby to do for my birthday. So I am going to just change this to enjoy welcoming 30!

26. Explore Nashville while we live here

27. Watch at least 10 movies that I have not seen before that won Best Picture at the Oscars and at least 20 documentaries (not necessarily Oscar winning) Movies (2/10); Documentaries (7/20)

28. Sew an item of clothing from scratch

29. Do a personal devotional/bible study on my own

30. Be a mascot for an event

31. Go on our honeymoon (preferably somewhere tropical)

32. Host an annual NCAA Basketball Tournament Championship game party

• I am ashamed to admit that I didn’t even remember the game was on this past Monday. I was crying buckets of tears for “the most memorable year” night on Dancing With the Stars. Also after Iowa State lost in the first round, I sort of stopped caring for the rest of the bracket.

33. Go on a mission trip

34. Be on a recreation volleyball team

• I have found a group to play some pick up games with, and I am just waiting for a night to start. Wahoo!

35. Become a mom

• I can’t believe little man is rounding around 8 months soon!