I've arrived!

40.  The big 4-0.  I've made it.  I've EARNED it.  Feels good!
Before I get into the bulk of this post, I must thank my husband, who gave me a couples weekend away, who plotted and planned and went against my wishes holding a birthday party for me anyway.  And, I must thank my friends who kidnapped me, trashed my house, blasted my full name and age across a highway overpass and generally made fun of me and my wrinkles in every way.  Thanks.  Really.  (I know where you live and how old each of you are.  Just sayin'.)

I decided to celebrate my 40th year by making a list of 40 things I want to do or accomplish during the year.  I started the list last month, so a few of the items have actually been finished already (yea, me!).  I've been having a conversation with myself about whether or not to post my list. Maybe it's a bit personal, but it's my blog, so hey.  I'm gonna list them here so that I will feel a bit more accountable.  Not that I wouldn't do them on my own, but this way seems to make things more official.  Feel free to comment or mention any of these things to me through the year if you want to nudge me.  Just no heckling, please.  I get enough of that from my kids.

In no particular order:
1. Read President Monson's biography (check!  Thanks Mom and Dad F.)
2. Save another $1,000 toward taking the family on a church history tour in a few years
3. Go camping at least once this year, just our family.
4. Run 1/2 marathon
5. Read the Book of Mormon again in my personal study
6. Update my will, have Spence update his
7. Transfer home movies to DVD
8. Update family scrapbooks, baby books (check!)
9. Get another article published
10. Attend the temple 12 times.  We always make the goal of once a month, but end up going 11 times. The goal is at least 12 this year!
11. Write in my journal at least 1 time each month
12. Take my three oldest children and hubby to see Hale Centre Theater's "Christmas Carol"
13. Plant a garden in our new garden area (check!)  
14. Attend a U2 concert (finally!)
15. Monthly parent/child dates with kids
16. Get all the way through "365 Manners Children Should Know" book with family
17. At least one day at either BYU Women's Conference or BYU Education Week (check!)
18. Give N. piano lessons
19. Weekly Monday night rotations teaching my kids how to cook
20. Regular Family Home Evenings
21. Go on an overnight getaway with my hubby (check! Though I wouldn't mind another :D)
22. Re-learn how to play "On Golden Pond" on the piano
23. Re-organize our food storage (check!)
24. Re-do 72 hour kits in the spring (check!)
25. Re-do 72 hour kits in the fall
26. Read "Run for Life" book (check!)
27. Run in the "Dirty Girl" race (I'm all signed up!)
28. Help J. get his Eagle Scout award (but he has to do the work!!)
29. Take my Mom to lunch (check!)
30. Take my sister Amy to lunch (check!)
31. Take my sister Jenn to lunch (check!)
32. Take my sister Emily to lunch
33. Take my sister Janet to lunch
34. Finish and publish our family 2010 book (check!)
35. Plan and carry out a fun Valentine's date for Spence (check!) What did we do?  I'll never tell!
36. Take the family on a Downtown adventure.  Trax, dinner, Clark Planetarium (check!)
37. Make and take honey candy family recipe for Christmas neighbor treats
38. Get a physical check-up (check!)
39. Write 40 letters or notes of appreciation and love to 40 different people
40. Stay sane.

I'll probably come back to this post through the year to update my progress in red italics.  Wish me luck!