30 in my 30's

Today is my thirty-first birthday, and if you've been keeping up, you'll know that I've spent a good bit of time thinking about how I want to spend today.

Here's what I've come up with (for real this time, not like yesterday): 

 I want to spend today celebrating this one life I've been given.

I want to think about the things I'm proud of, things I regret, moments I would love to relive, and moments I wouldn't repeat if you paid me with a lifetime of unlimited Starbucks.

And I've made a list.

You see, for the longest time, I kind of felt like thirty was old.

 And...well....that just can't be true. I certainly don't FEEL old.

And there are still so many things I've never done and things I want to do one day.

In short, I've still got a whole heaping lot of living left to do.

And I'm hoping this list will help.

After being inspired here, I've composed a list of thirty things I want to accomplish while I'm in my thirties.
Obviously, this isn't EVERYTHING I want to accomplish, just a few specifics I hope to check off my even bigger life list.
Some are going to be easier to cross off than others,

which is why I'm glad I still have nine years to work on them.

So, without further adieu, here are my thirty things: 

1. Take Libby to see a play.

2. Find and purchase a pair of jeans I absolutely adore.

3. Spend a day at the pool with my mom.

4. Keep my whole house super clean for one week straight....and the kids have to be here all seven days.

5. Take Libby to her first concert.

6. Get a dog.

7. Have a Friends marathon.

8. Go camping as a family.

9. Learn to actually play my guitar.

10. Spend a day reading at the beach.

11. Get an awesome tan.

12. Read Ramona Quimby: Age 8 with Libby.

13. Be comfortable with my after-baby body.

14. Have a family photo shoot and be happy enough with how they turned out that it's hard to choose which ones to buy.

15. Laugh until I cry.

16. Be able to run around the block without wanting to keel over and die.

17. Send a postcard to PostSecret.

18. Do something that's completely out of my comfort zone (in a good way, of course).

19. Give someone I love a fabulous gift for no reason other than to say 'thanks for being you'.

20. Send a different card to a different friend every day for a month.

21. Learn the Single Ladies dance.

22. Eat dessert first.

23. Have a family game night.

24. Have a girls' weekend.

25. Reach 500 blog followers.

26. Start making some dolla dolla bills y'all from my b-l-o-g.

27. Write something and have it published.

28. Learn some more about my grandmother's childhood.

29. Do something to help the people suffering in Africa.

30. Decide what I want to be when I grow up.

***I'll be highlighting them as they are completed. ***

Happy birthday to me and good luck, right?

Well, if you're inspired as well, which would be so totally cool, do tell.

And share a link. It would make my day to read your list.

And don't worry, as I complete them I promise to share

....and I have a feeling one of them will be crossed off very, very soon.....

Oh, and one more thing before you go:

I still have two giveaways going on through the end of the day, as well as a linky party.

You can find them here, here, and here.

Wish me luck as my mom and I head out on our adventure today, and worry not- I promise to share all about it.

And I'd LOVE to know which one of my thirty things you're most interested in or most looking forward to reading about one day.

 And comments sound like a GREAT birthday present (hint, hint).

   

If I Could Do Anything....

We've survived one birthday this week, and tomorrow there will be another.

Seriously, how is it possible that I'll be thirty-one in a matter of hours?

I remember when I used to think thirty was SO O.L.D.

And I don't feel thirty.

By that I mean, when someone asks me how old I am, it's all I can do not to blurt out "twenty-four" without thinking.

What exactly did I DO in my twenties that makes me feel like I'm eternally stuck there?

It's not that I MIND being thirty+, it's just that I don't FEEL thirty+.

Regardless of how I feel, however, tomorrow is a-comin'.

And I'll be spending it with my mom...going on a mystery date of sorts.

For basically the first time in my life, my mom has managed to keep a secret from me.

She's got something planned,

 and I have absolutely no clue where we're headed or what we're gonna do once we get there.

So, today I'm imaging and pretending.

And if I could spend tomorrow doing ANYTHING I wanted, with no time or money or reality to stop me, here's what I'd do:

I'd go back to the place where I spent most of childhood:

Isn't this church beautiful? It's where I went to school from pre-k to eighth grade. I spent nine years there and met some of the most wonderful people I've ever known during that time. And I haven't visited since 2004. Unfortunately, a piece of my heart broke when it burned down in November. And if I could do anything tomorrow, I'd spend some of my time visiting it one last time.

I'd also sit and watch these two play for a bit.

And by play, I mean no fussing, no fit pitching, and no having to say 'no' and 'stop that'.

They would just sit, and smile, and laugh, and be my precious little angels.

After that, I'd spend some time at a place that looks a little something like this....

...and I would call my grandad, who died just after Libby's first birthday.

I'd talk to him about when he was young and when he met my grandmother.

I'd ask about his undeniable faith and tell him over and over again how much I love him and how thankful I am for him stepping in as my father figure during that time in my life when he was the only one I had.

Then I'd find a place that serves these. They'd be fat free, of course.

And packed full of vitamins, obviously.

Just like this would be:

You see, tomorrow I'd have a bottomless cup of warm peppermint mocha.

 I'd drink it all. day. long.

And it wouldn't bother my not-so-great after almost dying from e-coli kidneys one little bit.

And all day I'd feel like this:

And I'd take a little trip here, coffee and good book in hand.

And when I got tired of reading, I'd sit, stare at the waves, and do some of this:

And at some point tomorrow, I'd see or hear something that's as funny to me as this is:

And then all of my best friends would join me at the beach.

We'd play in the waves, look for seashells, and laugh and laugh and laugh.

In fact, we would smile so much that on a REGULAR day, this is the point when my face would officially hurt from over-using my smile muscles.

There's also be a point (or several) during tomorrow when I'd be rocked to the core with inspiration to do and be and live better.

And undoubtedly, I'd spend some time doing some of this:

And, at the end of the day, I'd sit back with a full belly and a full heart and a face filled with a smile and stare out at something that looks like this:

And I would feel overwhelmingly.....

p.s.) Love the pics in this post? You can find them and tons more that are equally as great here.

This time last year....

At this very moment last year, I was in surgery, surgery that would result in one of the best gifts I've ever known or ever even dreamed of: my Hollyn.

And while this little girl was a surprise, she has been nothing more than a blessing since the moment we first met and I saw this precious little face.

Her birth was the easiest birth ever,

 which I think was nothing more than an indication of the kind of baby she would be.

And while I believe God gave me Libby to change me and challenge me and teach me, I believe God gave me Hollyn to be my sunshine, for she is the greatest source of joy I've ever encountered.

Loving her is the most natural thing I've ever done.

And if I didn't already believe in God, seeing her and knowing her and loving her....well, I think it would make a believer out of almost anyone.

And while I would love nothing more than to freeze time and keep her this age forever,

I also can't wait to see what all God has in store for her.....

...because there is no doubt whatsoever that it's gonna be something great.

And God picking me to be her mother....

...well, that's just one more way He has shown me just how much He loves me.

Because even though I didn't know she was missing before she came,

I now seriously can't imagine living another day without her.

So here's to the first year of this little life, the life that has taken love to a whole new level for me and blessed me in more ways than I ever thought possible.

Happy first birthday, Holly Belle.

Happy Almost Birthday, Holly Belle, and I Kinda Need Your Help

In honor of the Holly-belle's first birthday tomorrow, I made a little somethin'. Hope you enjoy.

And don't forget: two giveaways and a linky party need your attention.

And, seeing as how I'll be the big 3-1 in three days, I'd love to know:

how did you spend your best birthday thus far?????

This birthday absolutely, positively, without a doubt has to be good, seeing as how I feel like it's my thirtieth AND thirty-first rolled into one since I was in the hospital having just birthed a baby last year.

A lot of pressure for Friday, I know, but my hopes are high. 

So, send your amazing birthday ideas my way...I can't wait to hear and be inspired.

The Almighty Cookie Dance

Happy Monday to you and you and you.

So far, mine has consisted of drinking coffee and watching Toy Story 3 for the 467th time.

Productive?

 Why yes, of course.

In my defense, I do have big plans to work on Hollyn's birthday party.

Speaking of Hollyn, she is the stinkin' cutest. kid. ever.

Don't believe me?

Well, feast your eyes on this:

Seriously, she's the most laid back baby EVER, and I absolutely adore her.

Moving on....

Don't forget I have two giveaways going on this week (here and here),

as well as a linky party that doesn't end 'til Friday.

You should link up; all the cool kids are doin' it.

5 Thanks: December

December was a great, albeit super long, month. And despite the fact that at times a certain six-year-old who shall not be named almost pushed me to my breaking point on several occasions, it was a great month....and a busy month. One that included traveling, celebrating, and eating galore. And for that, I am very thankful. Here are five of the many things I have to be grateful this month:

1. Taming the Beast

Oh, you just don't know the joy in my soul now that the hair is gone. Donating is truly a gift of love for me because it means I have to live with at least three months of hair that I simply cannot fix. And being able to jump out of the shower, blow dry it in less than five minutes, and straighten it in less than ten is TRULY something to be thankful for this December.

2. The Bestie

This month brought not one but TWO adventurous night with my best friend. One of which happened just last week when I spent the night with her before she moved. While I'm sad that she's now over four aways instead of one, I am very thankful for our fun night spent with no cable and no Internet--- only us, her giant dog, and her neighbor, who likes to hammer at all hours of the night.

3. She Walks

I could not be more thankful for this little girl. This month included not only her first Christmas but her first steps as well. And will someone please tell me how it's possible that she'll be one this week? Seriously-- where did last year GO?

4. Our Adventure

In case you missed that post what with all the New Year-ing, the fam and I took a trip this week to check out the new Mississippi Children's Museum. It was a great day, the kind that doesn't happen often, and for that I am truly grateful.

5. Grow, Blog, Grow

I could not be more thankful for the way that this little blog o'mine has grown lately. In December, I hit the 200 followers mark. While I realize this isn't all that grand in the big scheme of life, it kinda sorta made my day...ok, I'll be honest-- it made my week.

And I'd promised myself that I'd try to take it to the next level when that happened. So, in an attempt to take it to the next level, I'm hosting my first linky party and offering a super cool giveaway. You should join the party and link too and enter my giveaway, which I'm hoping will help someone with a new blog get her feet wet, but established blogs are more than welcome to enter too; I'm not picky.

Speaking of giveaways, I ALSO have this giveaway from Always Elyse going on this week.

That's probably because this week is gonna be monumental at our house.

For you see, this is the week that H turns one and I turn thirty-one.

This means lots of super fun, and possibly even funny, posts for you.

Are excited?
That makes two of us.

Always Elyse Giveaway: Jan. 2-7

I hope your 2011 is off to a great start.

And what better way to kick off the new year than with a new giveaway, hmmmm????

So, in true Lee, Me, and the Girls form, I'd like to introduce you to Always Elyse.

This super adorable Etsy shop focuses on making some of THE CUTEST frames out there.

I mean, seriously, feast your eyes on this:

Pretty darn precious, yes?

And I know it's not Halloween, but I sure am loving this little number.

Anything with candy corn is always in season at my house.

Speaking of season, now THIS is more right this moment appropriate:

And I love this Tiffany's inspired frame:

And for all your peacock lovers out there:

And this one would look so great in my den:

And this one would look so great absolutely anywhere:

What's that you say....you love them too?

Then this giveaway is for you.

The owner of the shop is offering a $15 STORE CREDIT, which basically means you can get any frame or other goody of your choice.

Sounds pretty fabulous, right?

Want to know how you can enter to win?????

Well, here you go:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Visit Always Elyse on Etsy, drool of all the super cuteness, and then come back here and leave a comment telling me what you'd choose if you win.

OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

*Heart Always Elyse via your Etsy account and leave a comment telling me you did.

*Buy something from her shop and leave a comment telling me what you purchased.

*Become a follower of my blog or remind me that you already are one (leave a comment either way though).

*Enter my first ever linky party, which you can find right here, and leave a comment telling me you did.

*Share this giveaway on your blog, facebook, or twitter and leave a comment telling me what you did.

Please leave a separate comment for every thing you do.

The winner will be chosen via random.org first thing the morning of January 8th, which happens to be Elvis's birthday, just in case you forgot.

Good luck and enjoy your last holiday weekend!