50 in 500

There are a few things in life I can always count on- chocolate chips, summer, and Downton Abbey, to name a few.  At the bittersweet conclusion of the Masterpiece series Maggie Smith's character reflects: "It makes me smile the way every year we drink to the new year, whatever it may bring." I appreciate her optimism, if not her passive assertion that the future just kind of happens to us. I like to think that we can have a little more control over what happens in our lives, the keyword being *can*.  As I listened to those final lines I thought about how bleak the future often seems and how easy it would be to curl up on my couch and watch Downton Abbey reruns while the future happens to me.

Meanwhile, I'm inspired by the idea that we can live our lives purposefully. Easier said than done when your life revolves around the demands of two dependent and unpredictable little humans. Two years ago we met our miracle Sadie Rae and two years ago we took her home and I became a mom. I waived good-bye to life as I knew it as I began to navigate the challenges (and opportunities?) that come with this new title. Then a second miracle was born, thrusting my former life deeper into the abyss (and good riddance! I was delighted for the new adventures ahead). I gave myself a grace period, where curling up on the couch and watching Downton Abbey reruns with a bag of chocolate chips while the girls crawled around my feet was perfectly acceptable. But I think the time has come for me to emerge from the ashes (cue dramatic crescendo) and reclaim control of my future and my family's future. 

To quote a favorite book of mine: "A family, like a canoe, must be steered or paddled, or it won't take you where you want to go." Rather than let the future happen to us I (we) can be intentional about our course. A couple of years ago a good friend created a list of 99 goals to accomplish within 999 days. That's a lot of days and I feel quite proud of myself if I can accomplish anything in a day beyond a load of laundry so I've created a condensed version- 50 goals to accomplish in 500 days (okay, actually 523 days, but I'm rounding down. I'll probably need those extra days). The purpose being to regain my confidence, remember that I have interests and hobbies, too, and to make my family life more meaningful and intentional.

I've noticed that a common practice with these types of lists is to donate to a charity each time a goal is accomplished. I will be donating to the charity of 13 and 14 year old girls who will watch my children while I endeavor to tackle this list. Lucky for you, I'll be recording my successes on this blog as I accomplish each goal. Cheerleaders are warmly welcomed.

Yay Mom!

Start: July 26, 2016

End: December 31, 2017

Dating Joey

1. Try 10 new restaurants (10/10)

2. Compete in an Adventure Race

3. Visit 3 new temples (1/3)

4. Go camping 5 times (5/5)

5. Summit 2 of Utah County's 7 peaks

6. Go ice climbing at least twice (1/2)

7. Go shooting at least twice

8. Get my concealed carry permit OR ham radio license (sorry Joey, you can't have both)

The Little Humans

Visit:

     9. 2 Zoos (2/2)

   10. 3 museums (3/3)

   11. Kamas Rec Center

   12. Library story time x3 (3/3)

   13. 3 waterfalls (Bridal Veil, Stuart Falls, Battle Creek, Provo Falls...) (3/3)

   14. The mountains in winter, via snow shoes

   15. A Christmas light display

   16. 2 National Parks

17. Take them canoeing

18. Take them horseback riding

19. Plant a flower garden (or just a flower)

Personal

Making friends

20. Host a themed party

21. Invite a neighbor over for dinner

22. Play on a soccer team

23. Camp or hike with friends

Surviving motherhood

24. Take a 'me' day (treat yo self!)           

25. Do something new with my hair

26. Hike solo

27. Camp solo

28. For 1 week write for 15 minutes each day

Travel

29. Visit family in Portland

30. Visit family in Las Vegas

Intellectual Growth

31. Read 3 non-academic books (3/3)

32. Read 1 academic book

33. Take an on-line or continuing education class

34. Read 3 chapters of Harry Potter #1 in Danish

Living my Religion

35. Attend the temple every week for 1 month

36. Plan/carry out a family night every week for 3 months (3/3)

37. Put together 72-hour backpacks for the girls

Learning New Things

38. Try 30 new recipes (30/30)

39. Create a 1-month dinner plan

40. Try yoga

41. Create 2 new crafts (2/2)

Physical Health

42. Jump back on my road bike and ride up South Fork 

43. Run 80 miles in a month

44. Relearn the mountain bike

45. Lead climb at least once

Family Finance

46. Keep track of all expenses for 3 months

47. Pay off Camry loan

Citizenship in the Community/Nation

48. Vote for the next POTUS!

49. Volunteer

50. Attend 5 non-religious community events (5/5)