27 Things to Do

 As mentioned in my previous post, I wanted to make a list of 27 tasks to accomplish during the 27th year of my life! Some might take more time than others, some might be completed in a day, but I love nothing more than making lists to keep me accountable! 

1. Develop and stick to a skin care routine

2. Take vitamins regularly

3. Make a running playlist of my favorite songs

4. Train for and run a 10K

5. Move into our forever home

6. Decorate! 

7. Plant 3 new trees

8. Redo our landscaping

9. Volunteer in the nursery at church

10. Go on a vacation

11. Rid closet of clothes I no longer wear

12. Rid closet of shoes I no longer wear

13. Have a garage sale

14. Make one new recipe a month

15. Find and wear my retainers

16. Get my hair trimmed two times

17. Read 10 books

18. Make a home gym area

19. Don't let little things bother me

20. Celebrate each moment

21. Do more crafts

22. Send one card each month

23. Become a licensed appraiser

24. Send flowers to a friend

25. Try 3 new restaurants

26. Take more pictures of things that make me smile

27. Plant tulips!

Hopefully these all are enjoyable, memorable tasks that bring a smile to my face when I do them!

Xo,

My Birthday!

It's my birthday! I can not believe it honestly, and I don't feel it is possible, but I am SO thankful to God for giving me 27 years of life full of love, joy, blessings, and happiness!

Today has been full of love from my favorite people and friends near and far. One of the reasons I love my birthday so much is because it is so special when people reach out to me to wish me a happy day.

Another reason I enjoy my birthday is because it gives me a chance to reflect on the past year of my life.  I admit, I always get very sentimental and always end up crying on my birthday. It makes me so emotional, but in a good way.

Matthew woke me up this morning with cuddles and the sweetest card and gift, and then after he left for work I ran 2.7 birthday miles, one of my favorite birthday traditions! I took a bubble bath and got ready for the day, then went to visit with my mom before my Grammy took me to lunch! I picked a bouquet of roses, lit every candle in the house, turned on Hallmark, and I am enjoying a relaxing afternoon at home before my family comes over for pizza tonight! 

I am working on a list of 27 things I want to accomplish in this next year of my life and I look forward to sharing it with you soon! 

Xo,

Fall Feels

The time changed on Sunday, and now it gets dark by 5 o'clock each evening. It's only been a few days but whew I feel sleepy as soon as the sun sets! I have been trying to get outside to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.  One of the perks of this has been looking at all the gorgeous colorful leaves! 

And afternoon coffee has become one of my go to treats, because if I succumb to the nap that always calls my name, I know I won't sleep good that night! 

I shared this photo below on my Instagram the other day with the caption: 

here's to seeking out joy in the waiting, beauty I the ordinary, and hope in unexpected places. 

This is a quote from Morgan Harper Nichols that I found so fitting for my life right now.

In the background of this photo, you can see the tops of two red barns.  These are from the property my husband and I bought from his grandfather.  On this property are the most beautiful trees (that seem ordinary any other time of year), quintessential red barns, a handful of cows, and our adorable home-to-be! It is the cutest farm house that I have always always always loved, even before I knew my now husband. What are the odds that it was in his family and that we would someday get to live there?!

 However, we are currently in the process of remodeling, and I am starting to get really antsy. I keep reminding myself to be patient and that it will all be worth the wait, but I am just so ready to move in and get settled and make our forever home a place full of love and happiness for many many many years to come!

I am constantly having to remind myself to seek out the joy in the waiting. God is helping me be patient, although I really am just so excited! We have been doing a lot of the work ourselves, and our contractor will come to do the finishing work, hopefully soon. My prayer is that we will not run into any surprises or too long of wait times for materials. I keep reminding myself that good things take time! I can't wait to write about this journey of making our house a home.

Xo,

Hello November!

 It's NOVEMBER! My favorite month, not to mention my birth month! I started off the day having coffee with my momma! 

I am so excited for all the fun, food, sweater weather, and blessings this month will bring! 

I am challenging myself to be active every day this month, whether I go for a crisp outdoor run or do a living room workout video! 

I hope your November is off to a great start! 

Xo,