A list ...

Later this week, I will be celebrating my birthday. The last birthday of my 20's . Its not anything significant and it will be my first birthday away from my family. However it feels a little different to me. 

I feel like I should have a plan in place. A 'bucket list' of sorts. I know 30 is not that old. But its not super young either. 10 years ago I used to look at people in their 30's and think , they are real adults ... old even and in 12 very short months , I will be a real adult too! 

I didn't ever make a plan for my life. My plans of my future when I was a teenager was to study at university. Then nature took its course and I ended up with Glandular Fever, missing a lot of year 11, with the prospect of having to repeat the year. 

So ... while waiting to commence again I walked into a hairdressing salon and stumbled across a hairdressing apprenticeship .

I can't say it came easy. Because it didn't. It wasn't. Each day was hard work, long hours standing on my feet and a firm boss. But I am who I am today because of that time, and that lady. 

Its amazing how one event can change the whole course of your life. And every cloud has a silver lining. 

A butterfly landed on my hand in the supermarket car park the other day,
it sparked a train of thought about my 'Before 30 List'

I have fit a hell of a lot in my 29 years. I completed an apprenticeship,  I ran a business which at a point had 6 staff members, I have had 4 beautiful children who are my light , I have been lucky to find an amazing man to share my life with. I have a beautiful family, who support us to no end. They are enough family for the both of us . (My in laws are less than supportive which is a shame , their loss I say!)

We have been in our new town for 9 months now. It was a big decision but it has paid off and we are loving life. I am happy, I am healthy and I am lucky. 

I appreciate all the life has to give and has given me. 

But I will make a plan. Set some goals I would like to see through in this next 12 months My "Before 30 " plan. 

Then I may even make a 'Before 40' plan. Just places to see, people to visit, things to do and fears to conquer.  

Why not? 

If you were me, and you were making a Before 30 plan, what would you include? 

This year....

I know we are well into the year already, with it nearly being February, but the time is whizzing by, much much faster than my liking!
But lately I have been on a dead set mission to achieve some of my goals for 2012, and get those babies marked off the  list!!
Did you make goals for this year? Some call them "New Years Resolutions" others just yearly goals, whatever title they may hold in your life, I hope you all feel good about them!

So... for the process of "Putting it out there" ( did you read that Mumsy?) here are my goals for 2012
I have documented these in paper form for constant inspiration with these great printables, yet again, from the ever gorgeous Bianca at 'A little delightful!'

- To get fit, and live a healthy and active life (as in sport and exercise, I think I am active enough with my 4 kiddos) I'd love to lose 30kgs but slow and steady wins the race, so for now a goal of 8kg will do!

- To keep up to date with my Project Life album for this year

- To print and get into albums, all of the photos we have taken since Stella was born. Probably in Project Life style, but to create individual albums for each child and also for our holidays, Europe trip 2009, multiple Bali trips , Margaret River etc

- Complete each childs Baby Kit albums

- To devote more of my time each day to my children. More floor and role play, less chores, cleaning, washing etc

- Take better care of myself, expecially my feet and face. Get regular pedicures and maintain crack-less heels, etc and start using eyes creams and the like ( I am starting to look waaayyyy older than 26!!) and try and have regular facials, either DIY or in salon.

- Turn off the computer for a day a week. Sounds simple, but Pinterest, Facebook, photo editing etc, all call my name , frequently!!

- Continue with my Scrapbooking classes and try and complete at least 2 Layouts a week (this will help with the past photos memory keeping!)

- Towards the end of year I would like to take a trip away, solo. Just me (or whoever decides they would like to come with) once I have finished breastfeeding my last child. As a celebration. I have been pregnant or b/feeding for the past 4 years pretty much ,with only a small break inbetween Stella and Max and Lacey, and I would like to go to Sydney or Melbourne, and.... shop. And lunch, and wine and dine and pamper and....shop.

They sound simple, and I am one determined woman at the moment but we will see!!

Our Family Goals

- Take more time out as a family. Explore the region, and our facilities and venues , and take regular day trips , devoting ourselves to "quality family time"

- I would like for Noel and I to do a few more things as a couple, solo, childless. Even if its grabbing a movie and order nice takeaway and staying home, once the kids are in bed, but more things together.

- Purhaps letting my kids have more sleepovers and playdates ( geez, not just more but starting!!) I am not very good at letting the kids go, but its important to them, and us. It may mean relying on the Grandparents more, but I am sure they won't mind ;)

- Taking our annual trips away. I would like to continue to take these each year with the kids. They love it and so do we, and it doesn't cost the earth!

- Completing the few big jobs we have on our never ending wish list for around our home.

- Cherish each and every day with our gorgeous little people and amazing little/big family!!

I have also made a list of "Blog Goals" which also include;

- Posting on a more regular basis

- Starting our "Theme weeks" again with the kids and posting them for people to join in

- Completing the posts that have been requested by Followers

- Partake in more "Linky Parties"

- And post more frequently on my Facebook page

There you have them. My Goals. I am sure to have forgotten something, but for now, thats it.
I am so excited yet totally anxious about this coming year, particularly the School year. Our baby heads off to Kindy next week, and I just can't believe how time has flown. Stella has grown and matured so much over the past 12 months , its quite remarkable, and I have cherished every moment I have had with all the kids, since becoming a Stay at Home Mum. I has been the best year of my life, testing , yes, but I wouldn't have wished for it any other way!!
Bring on 2012 and all it has to offer. I see big things in our future, and this year is just the beginning!!

Top 10 of 20 -10

So I thought I would carry on from everyone else on their blogs for my favourite things of 2010!! Most people are doing on their blogs, projects, makeovers etc, however I thought I would do moments and/or events for the past year! It has been such a big one for us , as a family and for me as an individual. As a mother, wife, business owner, boss and all round person . The year has brought with it plenty of laughs, but plenty of tears also. You don't have twins and get away scott free now....

So here are my Favs of the year 2010!!

1) Obviously would have to be the amazing birth and arrival of our dear babies, Max and Lacey. On the 29th April 2010, at 8:47am and 8:49 am , we were doubly blessed with our amazing babies.
It has been both an honour and privaledge to have had twins, and I cherish them so very very much.
2) Noel has finally found a job that he is happy at, and you all know what they say... Happy Husband, happy wife!! haha but he is happy, and so are we. Love you babe!
3) Stella mastering nappy free nights-  toilet trained from December 2009, out of sheer laziness by a very pregnant me, she was still in nappies at night, and mastered a nappy free life in Early May of 2010
4) Trip to Perth for Upmarket, my oh my, I LOVED IT!! Will definately be making it an annual adventure, such a whirlwind trip to Perth for 24 less than 48 hrs but oh so worth it!!
5) Attending all the amazing markets I have, with my Bizzy Dayz Products, meeting new people and loving creating things
6) Creating a new team and working environment at the salon, it has been a HUGE year of restructuring but so so worth it!!
7) Spending time with my dear Husband, taking an amazing journey of self discovery and strength by parenting our 3 children, when times were tough, we stuck together and go through it, I am feel so lucky to be living my life out with Noel, and for us to be entering into our 9th year together, and its only getting better!!
8) For the start of the year it would have to be the feeling of growing and caring for 2 amazing little human beings, complete with complex personalities from inside my tummy. They are no different today as they were inside and it was so amazing to feel them both kick and move at the same time (and it hurt, ALOT , of course!!)
9) Taking our very recent trip away to Horrocks. Our first family holiday as 5, and it was just what we needed. Its been over 14 months since we have taken a holiday and it was very much enjoyed!!

10) My very favouritest (made up word I know) , part of 2010, to me, has been spending time with my amazing children. Watching and helping them to grow, and learn has been such an amazing privaledge that I do not take lightly or for granted. Being  a Mother is the greatest gift on earth, and it is my my favourite thing about the past year, expanding our family from 3 to 5!!

So there you have them, corny and very predictable I know, but hey, thats my life and I am LOVING IT!!

I have made some New Years Resolutions again, and this year I am determinded to stick to them, so I believe by putting them here in writing, and before you all, that they will be set in stone and they will happen
Obviously the first one and definately the most common for everyone is losing weight. I  have struggled with my weight forever and a day , and this year was no different. However I didn't have time for myself before, let alone after the arrival of the twins. So I am setting a goal to be 20kg down by Christmas next year, I am determined to take time out for myself to exercise, play sport and shed the bubba flubba!!
Next I would like to start attending Scrapbooking classes,well not so much classes but maybe a free scrap night once a week, where I make myself go, have time out and get a few Layouts done at the same time!! I am like 3 years behind and it is grating at me!
And lastly, it would be to make a few changes around my house , things that have been on the list for forever and a day , will be happening!! Yay
What are your New Year Resolutions?
As for 2011, what does it have in store? Well I do not know, hopefully the future is bright but really aslong as we are all together, my family of 5, I am a happy little lady!!