Thankful: #51-#70

As part of my "30 things to do before 30" list, I'm keeping a running list of everyday things I am grateful for.  It helps me be more fully aware of the daily gifts that God gives, and all the sacred moments in a normal day.  Inspired by Ann Voskamp's 1,000 gifts project and my friend Kit.

51. Playing chase with Ellie
52. Finding NPR on the radio
53. Finally being able to record again after being sick for 3 weeks
54. Opportunity to sing for the women at church
55. A talk reminding of why it's important to write songs
56. Unexpected flowers from my sweet dad

57. Laughing at a stupid movie with my husband - "I love lamp." & "Loud noises!!" - do you know which one it is?
58. "His nearness is our good"
59. The way Ellie waves bye-bye, floppy hand style
60. The way she's needing her mom lately
61. The all-day anticipation of a date night
62. Unexpected flowers from my husband

63. Handmade Valentine's cards

64. The way she rests her head on me in her shy moments
65. The clutch of a little hand on my arm as she sits on my hip
66. A breakfast & lunch date - all in the same day
67. Saturday lunch in the park
68. Ellie's smiles as she swings
69. Playing with the band yesterday morning
70. The hard lessons I learned in the year after college, and the way they can encourage someone now.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year was Feb. 3, and we had some friends over to celebrate the next night.  Asian food potluck = deliciousness! And I got to check off #17 from my 30 Before 30 list too!  Of course, we couldn't resist dressing Ellie up in her Chinese New Year best too.  

30 Before 30

As I mentioned in my last post, I (Caroline) am going to be 30 on 11/11/11!  This amazing date, with all of its digital repeating singularness (I totally made that up and - no - I do not think it makes any sense at all), along with the fact that this date will bring me from my 20's to my 30's, calls for some special kind of action.  Hence, the "30 Before 30" list which I present to you today.

I'm in a very goofy mood, by the way. I'm sure you can tell?

I've seen these around on a blog or two, and I thought it would be fun to make my own!  I don't actually have a full thirty things yet, but I'm sure I'll add them as we go along.  And here she is in all her glory and in no particular order....   Anything you think I should add???

1. Take Ellie to the zoo
2. Write a song for every book of Bible & send them to The Scripture to Music Collective
3. Plan at least 2 fun girls' nights out
4. Plan another college girls' trip
5. Plan a fun surprise date for Nick
6. Try out for kerrville folk festival
7. Do a 10k (er... maybe just a 5k?)

8. See both HP movies in the theatre, and preferably dressed up as Hermoine at the midnight showings with the Hicks (SO EXCITED! And so lame for a 29 year old?)

9. Plant a garden
10. Go to Frontier with YL kids
11. Snowboard
12. Go camping
13. Learn basic HTML
14. Learn basic Photoshop
15. "Unplug" Sundays - I want to start a habit of "unplugging" from Facebook, Twitter, and the internet on Sundays!!!
16. Make a running list of things I'm thankful for

17.  Host a Chinese New Year Party

18. Host a really special first birthday party for Ellie 

19.  Make Ellie a nice 1st year iBook

20-30....?