Dear me,
Happy birthday! You are blessed to have two beautiful and talented children, a husband that makes you laugh and a mother who is there for you anytime you need her. Be sure to thank God every single day for your grandmother who is 84 and looks more beautiful today than when you were a child watching her dance across the kitchen floor. You have stunning friends, an incredible family and cuddly pets who warm your heart and teach you to get out the door and live life.
In 2017, blog often. Set intentions. Remember, that in the midst of the most difficult struggles there is almost always an opportunity for growth. Drink more water. Eat more kale. Travel. Create. Sparkle. Paint. Get messy. On the hardest of days journal, read scripture or an inspiring book, go to a yoga class or have coffee with a friend. My hope for you in the new year is that you continue helping others in need. Up your game. Pray daily and often. Surround yourself with community. Meditate. And sing louder.
This year, embrace wisdom and celebrate often. My desire for you is that you become more present with your children and your husband. The Lord is working in them and He knows what He's doing. He has big plans! My hope is also that your priorities become clear so you will gain a wiser perspective. May you continue to be blessed with many more friends and live life filled with laughter and flair. Be sure to embrace your parents and grandmother while you still can. Remain open. Celebrate each day like it were the last. Cherish all the breathtaking moments (even the most difficult ones).
With love and high expectations,
Yourself
"I sustain myself with the love of family." ~ Maya Angelou
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A sister shares childhood memories, jumps on a plan to surprise you and shares big girl dreams.
“We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives.” ~ Maya Angelou
***
My Birthday Bucket List
2. Commit to a daily yoga practice. Break out in pigeon pose by the end of the year! ✓
3. Pack lunch for the homeless and pass out with the kids (not just once, but regularly).
4. Put flowers on my grandaddy and brothers graves.
5. Visit my dad in Terre Haute, Indiana. ✓
6. Visit Rock City.
7. Become more involved in Grounded Yoga. ✓
8. Take in the good and bad days with my grandmother. ✓
9. Have a date night with my hubby at least one night a month.
10. Snuggle with my kids as much as possible. ✓
11. C-O-M-M-U-N-I-T-Y. ✓
12. Tell my mom and my grandmother I love them as often as possible. ✓
13. Have a spa date with my sister.
14. Read the children's "Storybook Bible". ✓
15. Study therapeutics with Martin Kirk.
16. Take the kids to Piedmont Park for a picnic and a performance.
17. Garden.
18. Drink more water!
19. Read more. And stick to one book at a time.
20. Sit out the "technology basket" for all cell phones during family time. (Actually keep phone in the basket.). ✓
21. Rise with the sun and meditate.
22. Rest at sun down. This can include sipping on tea or warm Almond Milk and/or reading a good book, taking a soothing bath, yoga, meditation, etc. ✓
23. No technology after 10 p.m.!! (This allows for more snuggle time.) ✓
24. Sneak up and love on my man more often.
25. Go away for a weekend adventure with my mom. No kids! (I rarely make time for alone time with my mom and it is so important.)
26. Be a part of a newly planted church. ✓. (I'm super excited about this! If you are looking for a church or just really like newly planted churches check out The People's Church here or here.)
27. Be patient with myself. ✓
28. Make more time for "girlie time". (I'm really working hard on this! I'm going to check this off in 2017! I promise myself.)
29. To challenge myself after knee injury, hike a level I trail by the end of this year. ✓
30. Live more colorfully! Draw and paint more!! And, yes mama, this may mean I'm getting a tattoo. ;) ✓
31. Walk Janie Girl daily! (I missed this the most when I injured my knee.)
6. Visit Rock City.
7. Become more involved in Grounded Yoga. ✓
8. Take in the good and bad days with my grandmother. ✓
9. Have a date night with my hubby at least one night a month.
10. Snuggle with my kids as much as possible. ✓
11. C-O-M-M-U-N-I-T-Y. ✓
12. Tell my mom and my grandmother I love them as often as possible. ✓
13. Have a spa date with my sister.
14. Read the children's "Storybook Bible". ✓
15. Study therapeutics with Martin Kirk.
16. Take the kids to Piedmont Park for a picnic and a performance.
17. Garden.
18. Drink more water!
19. Read more. And stick to one book at a time.
20. Sit out the "technology basket" for all cell phones during family time. (Actually keep phone in the basket.). ✓
21. Rise with the sun and meditate.
22. Rest at sun down. This can include sipping on tea or warm Almond Milk and/or reading a good book, taking a soothing bath, yoga, meditation, etc. ✓
23. No technology after 10 p.m.!! (This allows for more snuggle time.) ✓
24. Sneak up and love on my man more often.
25. Go away for a weekend adventure with my mom. No kids! (I rarely make time for alone time with my mom and it is so important.)
26. Be a part of a newly planted church. ✓. (I'm super excited about this! If you are looking for a church or just really like newly planted churches check out The People's Church here or here.)
27. Be patient with myself. ✓
28. Make more time for "girlie time". (I'm really working hard on this! I'm going to check this off in 2017! I promise myself.)
29. To challenge myself after knee injury, hike a level I trail by the end of this year. ✓
30. Live more colorfully! Draw and paint more!! And, yes mama, this may mean I'm getting a tattoo. ;) ✓
31. Walk Janie Girl daily! (I missed this the most when I injured my knee.)
32. Skype with my cousin, Jenny and her boys at least once a month. ✓
33. Visit the "7 Places You Have to Visit That You Didn't Know Existed" (I grew up going to Callaway Gardens and Jekyll Island and so I have replaced them with two other locations.)
33. Visit the "7 Places You Have to Visit That You Didn't Know Existed" (I grew up going to Callaway Gardens and Jekyll Island and so I have replaced them with two other locations.)
- Bellwood Quarry
Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Ga.Rocktown ✓Brasstown Bald✓- Fricks Cave
Talulah Falls✓- Cumberland Island
Jekyll Island, Ga.Providence Canyon (a.k.a. Georgia's Little Grand Canyon). ✓
34. Get a haircut! ✓
35. Take a class at Country Gardens.
35. Take a class at Country Gardens.
36. Write a cook book with my grandmother's recipes.
37. Organize a book of poems in memory of my grandmother.
38. Write a "love note" to my dearest and closest friends and family the old fashioned way... snail mail.
39. Plan a Cousin Reunion!!!
37. Organize a book of poems in memory of my grandmother.
38. Write a "love note" to my dearest and closest friends and family the old fashioned way... snail mail.
39. Plan a Cousin Reunion!!!
40. Visit all of Atlanta's Best Kept Secrets: (Check out Secret Atlanta on PBS!)
- Goat N Hammer
- Grocery On Home
- Monastery of the Holy Spirit (I can't wait to visit again! I have so many wonderful memories visiting with my dad as a child.)
- ATL Rollergirls in the Temple ✓
- The Seed & Feed Marching Abominable
- Tiny Doors ATL (I've come across one here and there when I'm out and about, but I think it would be fun to go on a sort of scavenger hunt and find all the doors.)
P.S. As a birthday bonus, thank you to Maggie Parker, a student at Agnes Scott College for interviewing me for Gaia's Journal. I enjoyed being featured in Neurofem: Women's Mental Health.
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