Thirty Before Thirty

**One of my friends posted this on her blog. Naturally, I had to steal her idea ;)** 

So....It's the last year before I hit a very big milestone in my adult life.

The Big. Three-Oh!
Wow. 
I have been so immensely blessed to have thirty wonderful trips around the sun.
A third of those years have been spent married to the love of my life.
Five of those have been spent relishing the life-altering privilege that is being a mother.
And all of those have been spent bestowed with an outpouring of blessings I could never rightfully deserve, the immensity of which I could never adequately convey.
Yet, the things that have made my life so far the most grand haven't been, in and of themselves, grand at all. They have been everyday kernels of beauty that I have picked up along the path of my journey and tucked gently into the pocket of my heart.
Watching a beautiful sunset.Eating a delicious meal.Spending time with those I love best.
And so, my Thirty Before Thirty list will be filled with everyday, ordinary items like these. Things that to any other person might seem mundane or boring, but to me, constitute the fiber of who I have become over the course of the last thirty years, and who I hope to be once thirty more have come to pass.
My 'Thirty Before Thirty'(In no particular order)
1. Go on regular date nights with my hubby.2. Cook something with an ingredient I've never used before.3. Treat myself to a manicure and pedicure...and a facial.4. Write letters to those I love.5. Update our framed photos.6. Spend a day totally unplugged from the Internet.7. Finish painting my house.8. Do something special with Alyssa once a month, just the two of us. 9. Do something special with Hannah once a month, just the two of us.10. Plan our trip to Disney World for next summer.11. Visit a place we have never been.12. Buy lunch for a stranger in a drive-through.13. Run a half-marathon. 14. Teach Alyssa to tie her shoes.15. Read a book...and actually finish it.16. Enjoy a sunset.17. Start planning our dinners out a week in advance.18. Master the art of extreme couponing.19. Do something at our church.20. Find an older women to disciple me.21. Make 'Spend', 'Save' and 'Share' jars with the girls.22. Go through all my school stuff.23. Attend a wine tasting.24. Become a morning person.25. Try a new type of cuisine.26. Organize my kitchen cabinets and our pantry shelves downstairs.27. Enroll in a photography class.28. Learn to use Photoshop Elements.29. Journal more.30. Finish my Intervention Specialist license.
I will let you know how I am doing...

I Just Can't Shake It...

I love teaching what I teach because, not only do I get to teach them valuable life skills, I get to have fun with them and build relationships with my students that go beyond the classroom.  Usually hey teach me a thing or two in the process.  Last week I had a conversation with a girl that really got to me and I can't seem to shake it...

While they are working in class I like to float from table to table and become a part of their conversations.  This particular days was after having a sub for my personal day on Hannah's birthday.  My student's were asking me about my day of with Hannah, so I was telling them about her day.  Then, out of the blue, a very sweet 6th grade girl said, "I used to have a 2 year old sister..."

Not at all prepared for the answer I asked, "What do you mean 'You used to...'?"  Her response almost brought me to tears right in the middle of class.  She told me very quietly, "I used to, but she died in a car accident when she was 2.  I was only in 1st grade."  Oh. My. Gosh...    

I couldn't say anything.  My heart stopped and I was overwhelmed with sorrow for this girl and her family.  She seemed as though her heart had healed and was doing fine.  But, in that moment, it wasn't her sister or her family.  For a split second, it was mine.  It was Hannah. Aly. Dan and I.  The scenario played in my mind like a bad movie you can't block out even if you cover your eyes and plug your ears.    I don't know what I would do if I lost one of them...  

Being that Good Friday is tomorrow, it helps put The Cross into perspective.  God sent his precious baby boy into a broken world knowing he was going to be hated, persecuted, beaten and crucified....knowing full well there will always be people who don't understand or appreciate the sacrifice.  I don't even know that I always do.  I do know that I wouldn't do that for anything or anyone!   So, how much more must God love me [and you] to watch and allow Jesus to suffer through that?!?!?  Thankfully, he did! Because when Jesus rose three days later...it changed our standing in eternity forever.    

I know I probably sound really emotional this morning...I am not pregnant (I know some of you were probably thinking that ;).  I think it's just because it's a reminder of how unpredictable life can be.  We aren't guaranteed anymore days and that each one, really is a blessing.  I really need to start living more in 'today' and - not thinking about what might or will happen in the future - and enjoying the little things.  Easier said than done for me.  I am a worrier and a planner.  With all that said, the girls and I are going to go play in the beautiful weather we are having!!  Don't take anyone for granted...give your loved ones a kiss this morning and let them know how much they mean to you!!

She'll make a GREAT mommy someday...

This is one of those moments I was talking about here!