Oh dear...here comes the big 2-8!

I'm going to be twenty-eight years old in just five days. That's some sort of craziness that I can barely comprehend! And, saying "where have the years gone?" makes me feel even older!

Since I tend to be pessimistic (yeah, working on that)...I'm tempted to make a list along the lines of: "Things-I-haven't-accomplished-yet-but-wish-I-had."

But...I am smart enough to know that will probably just put me in a funk. And, it's the weekend...no time for that funk-ness crap!

So, instead....perhaps I'll compile a list of accomplishments..

(in case you weren't aware, I have a penchant for lists and the process of making lists)

So...what, exactly, have I accomplished in my 28th year of life? In no particular order....here's some of the highlights............

~As of October 18, 2010....I survived my second year of gluten-free living (nope, no cheating! Not even once!)

~I ran two marathons...my second (June--Minneapolis) and third (September--Quad Cities)

~I fell apart in the Minneapolis marathon and questioned, at times, whether or not I'd actually finish. It was truly the hardest I've ever had to push myself in my entire life. Frustrating, eye-opening, humbling...and absolutely amazing all rolled into one.

~I got a PR in the Quad Cities (my 3rd marathon). Truly one of the proudest moments of my life

~I ran literally hundreds of miles. Maybe close to a thousand miles, actually, if I averaged around 20 per week...which is probably about right. Wowsa. I wrote about hundreds of those miles...here

~In December of 2009 I started re-visiting my musical side...I played my oboe in a trio in the Christmas Eve service in our church with my mother-in-law and another woman from our church. I really miss my musical side and wish I had more time for it...after playing nearly every day for years and years and years, I do feel a void without it

~We got a piano in March of 2010 and I started playing a bit more, and even started teaching lessons again to one student (the adorable daughter of a co-worker/friend)

~In June I stepped out of my comfort zone at work and applied for a position that I really, looking back, had no business applying for at this point in my life. But, it was probably good to put myself out there and get some "practice" with the interview process again

~Countless times over this year I wrestled with my identity...some that I blogged about...some that I vented about to good friends...and some that stayed locked inside. I've "joked" that I'm too messed up and have too many "vices", too many flaws to be a good mother yet, that I'm definitely not ready for kids because I wouldn't want to subject myself on anyone...etc., etc.... I think, though, I'm getting closer to being "ready". Heck if I know how I'll "know" for sure...but I'm getting there. Slowly. Surely. Will this be the year? Only God knows, I guess.

~I celebrated the birth of Jackson Raymond with my good friend Jen in May

~I celebrated the third anniversary of our marriage with Jer in September

~I attended a monthly book club with good friends, including Jillian, Jamie, and Ashley. Some months I completed the book...others I didn't. Each time I attended, though, I left feeling refreshed and thankful for being blessed with such a great group of girls to spend time with.

~We traveled to AZ in February with our friends Jillian and Lynden

~I've tried to be a good friend to the many people who have been such good friends to me...but so many times I know I fall short. I tried my best to be there for them (if not in geography, at least on the phone or via e-mail!), tried to remember to send cards to let them know I was thinking about them/thankful for them, etc. I wish there were more hours in a day, more days in a week. I shouldn't make "not having time" an excuse, though. NO excuse for not being a better friend. I want that to be a priority over this next year.

~I've done my best to be a faithful employee of Easter Seals...showing my support by attending fundraising events and giving my all to my kids/families. I planned a number of fun events (at least I thought they were fun ;) Hopefully others did, too! :)), including a summer picnic in August and a number of dinners and lunches. I'm so thankful to work with people that I actually look forward to spending time with outside of the 8-6 workday! :)

~We traveled to Hawaii in April with Jeremy's parents

~We celebrated my dear sister Megan's wedding to Danny in March...and added a new brother-in-law to our family

~I traveled to Washington DC with my parents, sister, and Dan's girlfriend Laura to support Dan as he graduated from Marine Corps Officer Candidacy School...definitely one of the times in my life that I have been the most proud of another person. This adventure brought many memories, which I blogged about here...and here...and here...and here...and here....and here.

~I tried to be a good wife...tried to keep up on cleaning, laundry, cooking, baking, giving back-rubs, etc :). Tried to be patient and loving (though I felt like a failure some days). Our house wasn't always clean and the laundry wasn't always done...but I put forth what I felt were valiant efforts...

~I tried my best to juggle what felt like many, many hats....wife, sister, daughter, friend, employee/speech-language pathologist/professional, listener, athlete/marathoner, house cleaner/cook, writer, musician, crafter, confidant (while I know I didn't successfully carry out the responsibilities of each of these titles each and every day, I feel as if I was fairly successful at most, all things considered)...

WOW

What a year it HAS been.

So much better to focus on what HAS been...as opposed to what HASN'T happened

:)

Sometimes, I surprise myself.

Here's to year 29 and hoping it's even better. Maybe later this week I'll post about "goals" for the next year. Or maybe I won't. Maybe I'll just live and see what happens!

*Have a joyful day*