#12

#12 tackle old photos 

Some 4.5 years after I ordered them, 2007 & 2008 photos are officially, 100% printed, organized and saved for posterity in 4 different albums.

Photos, consider yourselves tackled.

The First/Last item on the list

#1 make a recipe from the Pioneer Woman

Not just any recipe. I've made multiple Pioneer Woman recipes; but this one looked like everything I want in a meal...namely because it's mexican food. And I <3 Mexican food. Like nobody's business. I might should have been born in Mexico, or at the very least, California or Texas.

Blog readers, meet, "My Brother's Chicken Tacos."

Fried chicken tacos? What's not to love?

I was hesitant to do this particular recipe because she mentions it's messy and best done in a group. Yeah, well, my "group" is a bunch of little people and hot oil isn't exactly my idea of kid-friendly cooking. So...solo it was.

chicken & green chilies

fry babies fry!

And it was a piece of cake.

Totally easy to do on your own.

My one tip, really make sure they are good and golden brown so you get that fantastic crunch factor. Also, I totally agree with the Pioneer Lady, they are not at all greasy.

They are delicious.

Mr. 30x30 ate seconds. He never eats seconds.

YUM.

#1 make a recipe from the Pioneer Woman

The Good, Bad, & the Ugly: Progress, Failures & Procrastination

*PROGRESS*

 #3, #12

#3 get current on "currently reading" books 

I didn't notice until after I shared this photo of my stash, 

to be continued...

but every one of my not-quite-finished-novels, are NON-FICTION. Isn't that interesting? Okay, boring maybe, but given my addiction to self-help books, it's not exactly astounding that all these titles fall into my favorite category.

I decided to wait until  I'd finished all the books in my favorite fiction series before embarking on my quest to completion. That means I waited until January and then I got cracking.


Searching for God Knows What  by Donald Miller, resumed on page 66...and completed in less than a week.

Financial Peace: Restoring Financial Hope to You and Your Family  by Dave Ramsey, resumed on page 190...finished in one evening.

The Highly Sensitive Child by Elaine N. Aron Ph.D., honestly, this one shouldn't have even counted, my book mark was still on the roman numeral pages of the intro! But whatever, it made the list and I read it in 8 days.

The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy, Organized Home: Fast Solutions to Hundreds of Everyday Dilemmas by Kathy Peel, picked up in January with 80 pages remaining. Read here and there (mostly waiting for the  last few minutes on the oven timer) and had it finished by early February.

The remaining four titles, I actually did read more of...just didn't finish. But I will...eventually.

#12 tackle old photos


I started this? Remember? Fingers crossed, just maybe, maybe, I'll finish in the next 36 hours...

*FAIL*

 #7, #10, #20

#7 10th anniversary trip AND #20 pay off the van


This duo truly goes hand in hand. Thanks to financial failure in my past, we had to use the money we intended for the above to meet a more pressing need (um, hello, judgement). 
It seemed ridiculous and frivolous to go on a trip when we had bigger financial needs, so while I can't redeem our 10th anniversary (trip for our 15th maybe?), our van WILL be payed off no later than next March. So there. Done BEFORE I turn 31...do I get half credit? ;)


#10 get within 15 lbs of ideal weight

I'm no better, and sadly, slightly worse, than where I started. I made a bit of progress back in November, and kept it off until February. Then, not so much. What I know about myself, I eat when I am not in control. I double the portions, purge, and just fall into the abyss of tasty goodness when I feel defeated.

My two reasons for feeling out of control are:

1. medical crisis
2. financial upset

Anything else and I can push ahead and at least maintain my weight. But throw one of those two bad boys in the mix and I give up. Thus, when the financial drama flared in February/March and our little guy had medical  issues in May/June; I gained weight.

I will reach this goal. I must. Or there will be no 40 by 40.

*PROCRASTINATION*

 #14, #21, #25

#14 get a complete physical 
See #10.


#21 take a non-traditional family photo
See #10.


#25 go to the dentist


pro·cras·ti·nate (pr-krst-nt, pr-)

v. pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing, pro·cras·ti·nates

v.intr.

To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness.

v.tr.

To postpone or delay needlessly.

#29

#29 make master packing list for trips


Whew, for someone who LOVES lists, I've never been one to write out legitimate packing lists (think scribbles on a notepad the day before we leave...). SO, I needed to do this one for my sanity.  
I took notes from a frequently- found- camping friend; okay, I took her list and modified the heck out of it to suit our needs. I printed this list twice, made multiple changes/additions and finally...the ultimate camping list for our family is born.

draft two

I posted this one all by itself because I totally forgot to include it in the last post  ,as the culmination of all my thirty years, I thought, let's try something totally new to ring in the new decade.

We're going camping.

In a tent.

With six kids (the oldest boy is at the beach for the week).

And my siblings.

I'm stoked.

and a little nervous.

But, mostly stoked.

Tidying up Loose Ends aka the (nearly) final pre-birthday round up

How's that for a title?

Alright, a few of my list items just lacked a certain lack luster blogging quality. I mean, do you really want to see screen shots of my search efforts for a replacement mixer part? That's what I thought.

#27 do something about my mixer


The something I did turned out to be multiple searches to find my two replacement parts only to realize I do just fine without them. I mean, why waste money on something I don't actually need and isn't any fun anyway right? Exactly.


#23 make final decision on amazing grace tattoo 


Decision made.


I've decided to just let it go. At thirty, do I really want to wear two wrist bands to work to cover up my body art? Nah. Sorry Mom; I'll just have to remember you without permanent ink.


#4 update email address


This one was a total drag. I always hated the nondescript this-is-my-name email addresses. Until I realized that silly, way-too-much-information-for-the-checkout clerk/teacher/child's best friend's mom style email addy didn't really work long term either. 


SO, when I became the proud owner of one oh so fabulous iPhone this spring, I jumped on the chance to create my own email via apple. And now, thanks to the advice of my sister, I just forwarded all my old email to the new address. Grown up-ish email address, done.


#11 find fun & funky pillows for downstairs couches


Pillow hunting should truly be a national past time. This took me forever and I'm still not certain I actually achieved it, but it is most certainly NOT from lack of trying on my part! My first purchases ended up on my front porch, my second purchase worked so-so, until we got new couches spur of the moment like...last weekend!

I tried people, I really tried.


#17 define my style
#18 learn how to create (and execute) a polished look


While I had hoped (perhaps dreamed) of achieving this powerful duo while wearing a drastically smaller size and minus one double chin (see #10), it didn't happen.


Correction, defining my style happened.


Learning how to create (and yes, even execute) a polished look, happened.


Getting withing 15 pounds of my ideal weight? Epic fail.


But back to the good stuff.


It all started with a little book, 


Good Girls Don’t Have to Dress Bad: A Style Guide for Every Woman by Shari Braendel


that taught me everything I needed to know and more about my clothes and accessories. 


However, the make-up, hair and skin care thing really threw me. I had to call in reinforcements...and I may or may not have quizzed every woman I know about her hair care routine. Sorry about that.


Lucky girl that I am, my reinforcements happen to also be generous and as part of my 30th birthday, they arranged a little sit down with a make-up guru. 

I should add, it took significant product experimentation to learn how to create both "curly" and straight styles on my hair. Tip, crank up the heat on your flat iron if you want to really make it work.

While it's certain I won't be stopped for my fashion achievements, it's also pretty safe to say I can pull off a decent grown up look now days. TLC's What Not to Wear...I think I've eluded you, for now. Score.

Two for One

#26 take a hike (or two)


RESULTED IN


#30 sleep for 8 consecutive hours


Who would have guessed it?


For Mother's Day, we hit up the White Water Center, in the rain, to go hiking.

holy crap, is his body thinner than my arm???

p.s. I swear our little platform flip flop wearing princess snuck in under the radar.  

genuinely happy

The trail had to be beyond easy so that this out-of-shape mama all the little ones could handle it.


I think the incessant rain upped the ante a bit, don't you?


We had a ton of fun.


So much so that we upgraded our parking pass so we can come back many a weekend over the season.


Awesomeness.


Nice and tired from our adventure, the many little people slept. Which meant I slept.


11:07 pm- 7:10am.


8 hours and 3 minutes.


Score.



#26 take a hike (or two)
#30 sleep for 8 consecutive hours

#24: complete a DIY home project

Double Whammie.

First, Mr. 30x30 and I tag-teamed the giant 3 hour effort that is re-upholstering our kitchen chairs. I've had this table for six years, this is the second re-upholstery attempt. Normal? Or life with lots of children? I digress.

My chairs were practically begging for the attention (like everything else in this house!).

After nagging from my sister and BFF, I thought I'd at least look at fabric, seeing as how I was in a fabric store and all.

Behold the clearance corner/section/box.

$13.95 for 3 yards (enough to cover 10 chairs...we have 8).

Out with the old, in with the new.

HOWEVER,

That didn't seem like a true DIY project, I mean, afterall, Mr. 30x30 helped and all.

Then there was the little fact that in my head, since I started this here journey, I had in mind to tackle the ugly country-fied goodness that is our craft table.

This table has been hit HARD my friends. Five little girls that love all things messy and creative have beat worked this table to the bone and the table has the scars scribbles to prove it. 

Being slow to jump on the bandwagon, this is the very first chalkboard-inspired AND aqua-colored project I've to put my hands on.

But I did it.

pretend you don't notice I haven't painted the chairs yet...

Oh yes. DIY goodness at its join-the-crowd finest and I'm in love.

It looks so good rocking out the stacks of coloring books/old envelopes/junk mail/worksheets that my kids cover it in. And just think of the endless possibilities when you throw some 3D chalk into the mix. Score.

 #24 Complete a DIY project

Dear #10

get within 15 lbs of ideal weight

Dear #10,

You are officially not going to happen. In fact, I kind of hate your guts for even making it onto my decidedly joyful and fun list. You have no place here. All you do is incite anger and rebellion in my soul. Or maybe not you exactly, but what you represent.

One year ago I had a baby. My fifth baby.

After baby #1, skinny again.

After baby #2, skinny again.

After baby #3, a little thicker, but hey, I wasn't 19 anymore either.

After baby #4, target weight.

But what?

Baby #5. FATTY mcfatty pants.

Seriously. 10 lbs UP from post-partum weight.

20lbs up from pre-baby #5 weight. I gained 20 lbs in the year AFTER #4 was born. Opps.

124343 million pounds from post every other kid weight. 

No, seriously. 

55lbs people. 

That's a lot.

That's more than my seven-year old and a few pounds shy of my nine-year old.

That's my three year old and my one year old combined.

It's a lot of weight.

And it shows.

I'm officially that fat mom.

This is the part where I give my self a motivational speech and what not, but I'm just not feeling it. Instead, I'll just be pissed off and angry at you number 10. Because, clearly, it's your fault and not mine that I'm obese.

Clearly.

Okay. 40 lbs need to fall off of me in three months.

Uh, not likely.

So. 

I need to at least try (again).

My blood pressure has been in the "pre-hypertensive" range since having baby #5. I've had gestational diabetes 3 out of 5 pregnancies. My parents both died from massive heart attacks.

Diabetes and heart disease will find me.

But...I probably shouldn't be handing them a formal invitation to dinner either, huh?

Now what?

15o0 calorie days forever?

Forced exercise?

That's what it's going to take.

I don't want to be my mother. And, I'm kinda tired of my husband giving me dirty looks every time I complain about my mcfatty status as I shovel my self into big-fine-woman-size jeans.

sincerely,

mcfatty 

p.s. I refuse to become crazy. Daily effort Katie. Daily effort. No charts, online groupies, or progression pics. Just put down the food and walk away. and keep walking so it'll count as my exercise for the day.

weaned.

I have been pregnant and/or nursing since July of 2009.

For the last decade (give or take a few early post-partum months after each of my five babies), I've been pregnant, nursing or trying to get pregnant.

As of March 21st, I am none of the above.

And I'll stay that way.
Weird.

All it took was dropping one feeding. After his first birthday 2 weeks ago, I dropped his mid-morning feeding. One week later, J dropped the rest; for 36 hours. Then he reconsidered. So he nursed one last time. That lasted another 24 hours. So he nursed one last time (again).

That time he meant it.

And...weaned.

Baby J, consider yourself a big boy. *sigh* 

#19 wean baby J

#5 paint stripes somewhere in the house

Don't pretend like you don't love my non-staged, nor fixed and pretty post-painting photos ;)

Yeah, that's how real we keep it around here. It was now or never for taking a picture...I swear we have toilet paper in there now. And a place to sit and do your business. Why, yes, I did just go there.

I mean, it IS a bathroom after all. And now it's a noticeably more beautiful one.

Even if I chose the most insane weekend to complete the project (we might have been celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary, hosting a 5th birthday party AND battling strep throat and stomach viruses in our house at the same time).

I really wanted cream and white stripes, but the difference just wasn't enough to satisfy my rather overstated design tastes, so I borrowed from the beige landing paint supply and whipped up these chocolate and vanilla inspired stripes.

I love it.

Like for real.

I might be making excuses to go to the bathroom.

Wait, that would be weird...

#5 paint stripes somewhere in the house--all kinds of finished!

#2-write our 'love story'

Just a note, this post, this 30x30 to-do, was inspired by my own parents' love story. For my 18th birthday, I asked my mother for one gift. I wanted her to write down hers and my  father's love story. When she wrote it down (by hand no less), she wrote it in a journal, inviting me to write my own story in it one day for my future daughters. 

I was 18.

He was not. 

More like over-thirty.

Okay, fine, he was 32.

And I was interviewing, on the suggestion of my sister-in-law, with an agency that provided services for special needs children and adults. 

It was June of 2001 and hot. I was wearing a purple shirt, black pants and driving my sister's Toyota Four-Runner (David said he thought I was a spoiled rich girl when I drove up in that...as opposed to my own trusty little green Geo-metro).

I was nervous.

Truth be told, I was nervous that this single-dad to three I was meeting with was going to be hot. I was relieved when he wasn't.

haha.

My boss, Mary, met me at his apartment to meet with the two kids (Adriana, age 3 and Jacob, age 17 months) I'd be working with. 

Did I mention I was nervous?

The kids were adorable. Especially that little brown-eyed boy. I could tell even then the little girl was trouble.

About 15 minutes into the interview and the dad walks out, leaving me with two very needy little kids (he confessed later that this was a test).

I rocked it.

My job was to work Monday-Thursday from 6-8pm with Adriana and Jacob on their goals.

David asked me to babysit one night; he was going out to celebrate his divorce being final.

He called the apartment totally wasted (in the eleven years since, I've only seen him like that one other time). I was un-amused.

Perhaps I should mention that David is somewhat difficult to understand (read: significant speech impediment); well add alcohol to that and I was like, "What?"

Anyway.

The next month, I went to the beach with my girl friends. I got my first and only speeding ticket on that trip. A few weeks later, I went back to the beach and David, trying to be cute, wrote me a note that read, "Watch your speed." Or something like that.

I kept it on my dash.

That was probably my first clue.

You see, I was dating my on-again, off-again high school boyfriend  at the time.

By August, I knew something was different in my interactions with David in the evenings. Enough of that something was enough to convince me that I called it quits with my boyfriend.

A few days later, my friend and I were in a minor car accident.

I went to work that night, but my back was killing me.

And, well, I'm a sucker for a good massage.

David offered.

I accepted.

*

A few nights later, I met David's mom and step-dad; only David didn't tell them we were dating. Yeah, that was every shade of awkward. But his mom loved me.

My mom loved him.

Everyone else? Not so much convinced of our fast and non-traditional coupling. It was hard. Mostly because I couldn't quite explain it. I just knew. Yep, in that cliched, tried and trued tradition of yesteryear, I just knew David was right for me. I could feel it.

And I've never been one to hesitate when I know something is right.

By November, we were "casually engaged." I say casually because when he asked me it was so nonchalant that I thought perhaps he wasn't serious. I called him the next day from my mother's kitchen to make sure!

We married March 2nd, 2002 in a very small ceremony. It was beautiful and perfect.

I loved him then.

I loved him in that 19 year old girl kind of way.

But I'm in love with him now.

In love with him in that we've persevered and laughed our way through tragedy after tragedy and now celebrate our marriage as God-inspired.

In retrospect, I know I loved him because of the proof. I could see he was (and IS) an incredible father. Like, one-of-a-kind. That kind of man is few and far between and I KNEW that any man that can be that good of a father has to be one heck of a man.

Turns out I was right.

Less than one month from now, we'll celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. If I could go back to the 19-year-old me on her wedding day I'd tell her it's all good. David and I have endured tragedy like no other, but    we also share a love so genuine I cannot fathom for a second any other man that could end this story with me.

I love you David.

January 2012

#15 attempt to appreciate A (as in singular) football game

Technically.

And I do mean, technically, I did this one.

I attempted.

Half-heartedly.

More than once even.

But, alas, and all those other words...

This nearly-thirty-year-old just doesn't do football.

I did learn a few things along the way.

For example, I now know that a down is the same thing as saying a try. As in, 2nd down (out of 4, thank you very much) is the second attempt at securing 10 yards. That brings me to my next piece of pigskin-playing knowledge. I know that the goal is to score 10 yards during your 4 given downs.

That's about it. The teams take turns doing something simple, but calling it something fancy.

And I still don't understand all the positions.

Or how you find the ball on the field. I mean, that thing is tiny and there are so many big men all around it. Why bother? It's like trying to play Where's Waldo but he forgot to wear his stripes.

*sigh*

I even tried to go to a Panthers game when we scored free tickets on Christmas Eve...but the football hater, I mean, good mother in me, won out and I let Mr. 30x30 take three kids with him instead.

I was not here. But people who share my DNA were. Totally counts.

So...I did say attempt to appreciate right?

Do I get credit?

I say yes.

This is the way we paint the house, paint the house,

paint the house.

Or, in our case, landing.

#22 paint upstairs landing


Painted.


Six years worth of little girl scribbles with pencils, markers, crayons, and yes, even sharpies, are all covered.


I'm sure a certain little boy will add his own scribbles one day. 


But for now, bliss.

the before

the after

It's all beige and beautiful like. 

As for me, I'm tired.

and covered in paint,

and my knees hurt.

and I'm only 29.

for now.