30 Before 30

Okay, here it is. I turn 30 in November and decided to make a bucket list. Not that I think life ends at 30 (as Cassie thought my list meant). I just thought it would be fun to set some goals. So I'm attempting to accomplish all of these in the next 6 months. And I hope to not be doing them alone, so if you'd like to join in or help, come along! :) (FYI - these are in no particular order and are purposefully not numbered -- I actually wanted to put them in a cool graphic, but haven't quite figure out how to do that...)

• Take a dance class. I’ve obviously done this before since I was on drill team in high school, but I’ve wanted to take one as an “adult” (no, I still haven’t fully embraced that term) and haven’t had the guts to do it. I was originally thinking a hip hop class or maybe ballet (since I’m signing Addie up), but I’m being told pole dancing. Now that would be something new!
• Go skydiving, bungee jumping, or ride in a hot air balloon. I will do all three someday, but I don’t think I’ll get to them all in six months, so I’ll settle for one. :)
• Drive a motorcycle. I’ve been on one, but never driven one. Problem is, I don’t have one. Hmm… Or maybe a jetski. I think either will work. But again, no jetski…
• Go on a zipline.
• Write an article and submit it to Perspectives in HIM. I’ve had articles published already, but never as first author and not to an HIM journal. My goal here is to actually have one published, but I don’t think my timeline will allow it. So hopefully I can get one submitted – then accepted and published by 31.
• Run a 5k. Training now and picked the race – the Chocolate and Champagne race with my girl Cassie. And outfitted in sweet 80s workout attire.
• Girl’s trip! I’m thinking Vegas baby! I’ve gone on trips with Leisa, but only one time was it just us (LA). Def not enough. And I’m hoping I have some more girls game to join. ;)
• Go backpacking. I was fine with a day trip, but Cassie said it doesn’t count if I don’t stay overnight. :P
• Visit a new (to me) Idaho destination. I’m thinking Bruneau Sand Dunes, Crystal Ice Caves, or Shoshone Falls.
• Spend an entire day at Lucky Peak (and rock a bikini bod). Hmm, better find me someone with a boat…
• Visit a new zoo with the kids. We’re planning a trip to the Portland zoo in July – I’ve been, but not with the kids.
• Take Bubby to see the ocean. Same trip up to Washington – Addie has seen the ocean in California.
• Hike to the top of Multnomah Falls. Or maybe any Falls.
• Create a kickass new Bachelor’s curriculum that is bound for RHIA accreditation (yes, I used kickass and curriculum in the same sentence – I am a TRUE nerd).
• Have a super fun adult Halloween (I’ll still have Halloween with the kiddos too, but have never been out) in a super sexy costume (as Cassie said, skank it up).
• See a drag show. (I actually already did this, but it’s been on my wishlist for a long time, and it was within the last month or so, so I’m counting it)
• Go to a roller derby bout. (Same as above – already did it, but just a couple weeks ago)
• Put together and give an ICD-10 training session that rocks (yes, rocks).
• Do something new (to us) with my girl Leisa.
• Decrap. This is a technical term given by my buddy Ron. I am being consumed by STUFF!
• Take a class with Loren. Maybe cooking?
• Go clamming. Ryan thinks this is ridiculous, but I’ve never gone and I love clams. Why not?
• Go on a boat in the ocean. I’ve actually only been on, I think, one boat (a totally hot pontoon boat) at the McCall Lake.
• Get a tattoo. Or at least get it scheduled. I know what I want to get, but I want the absolute best person to do it, so I’m guessing I might find them booked up for a bit.
• Go unplugged for a week. No TV, no computer, no phone (except for necessary phone calls). Problem is, I have to get Loren in on this one too. And it can't be while I'm in school or teaching. Looks like August.
• Start a compost. This has been on my list for a long time!
• Set aside some money for something on my next bucket list (I have lots of travel plans in the future). I’ll obviously have to get a bit more specific with this (once I update my recently neglected budget).
• Write thank you letters to at least three influential people in my life.
• Secret.
• Secret. Sorry, I have to keep some to myself! ;)

Quick Littles Update

It appears that once you have a second baby you just fall off the face of the earth. Or maybe I'm the only one that can't seem to cope. Obviously I haven't been very good about keeping this blog updated. And talk about a lack of pics. I seem to never have my camera, or if I do, the batteries are dead. I now understand why the second child never has as many pics. But there is definitely no lack of love. :) Anywho, I'm crazy busy and should be doing schoolwork, but just felt that I had to at least do a quick kiddo update.

Addie is definitely a little girl now. She is doing great at daycare and has really picked up her vocabulary. She talks quite a bit and asks questions now (not to the point of being annoying - yet). Her best friend in daycare is Mia, but she also plays with Stilson and Kimi (according to her). She picks out her own clothes, and yes, some days are pretty interesting. She is kind of potty training. We're being pretty casual about it. She has days where she wants to either be naked or wear panties, so she knows she has to go in the potty. But so far she'll only pee in the potty. She wants a diaper when she has to poop. ??? We'll get there soon I'm sure. I'm really hoping it will be before her 3rd birthday. Two kiddos in diapers is definitely starting to wear on me. The way we finally got her to even try? Promised her a big party. Great, this is apparently what motivates my little girl. What are we in for? We have had one successfully dry night, and today had our first successfully dry outing at the park. She has also become very good with her colors. Still working on the alphabet and counting. Can't believe how much she's grown up in the last few months. She loves to play games on my phone, which I'm beginning to regret a bit. Oh well, soon enough I'm sure it will be a Nintendo DS or something. She is already bugging me to use this laptop as I type this. Really - I have a 3 year old (almost) who uses my phone, the laptop, picks out her own clothes, loves lip gloss, talks back, and picks on her brother. Oh dear.

Bubby is just being as cute as can be. He has just in the last couple days began crawling. I use that loosely as he has only done it twice and not for much distance. But it shows that he's right there. He's 10 months - Addie was 8 when she crawled - so he's a little behind her, but I'm not sad about that. He loves to get into whatever you don't want him to, so the longer I can keep him immobile the better. We are going to have to do some serious baby proofing soon (really didn't have to worry about it with Addie). He is a tank - 22 pounds (Addie is about 24) and eats literally everything. If you have food, he better have some too or you're in trouble! He absolutely LOVES ice cream! He only has 6 teeth, but seems to be able to power down just about anything. He's still a total love -- loves to cuddle up close. We've been a little sick off and on for the past couple months (winter), so we've had some upset times, but overall he's pretty easy going and happy most of the time. He is a little more leery of strangers now, but still goes to just about anyone.

Speaking of upset times, I currently have a crying infant and demanding toddler (she "wants to type!"). And a mom that's kinda losing it (no, not because of the kiddos -- although I think anyone with small children is on the verge of losing it at any moment). Off to see if I can find my sanity...