So, This is 30! (Part Two)

16. Choose what you are willing to fail at; otherwise it will choose for you! I choose to fail at ironing and yard work, to name a few.


17. Strive to treat people equally. Everyone is worth our time and love.


18. It’s amazing what you can get done in 10 minutes.


19. You can build a river on the beach. While only a select few will get that, the sentiment is aim for excellence, even when it seems out of reach.


20. Marrying your best friend makes marriage really fun.

 21. A busy mechanic and hairdresser are probably booked up and worth the wait.


22. Whether it’s the decision to not eat that candy or finding 10 minutes to pray, small choices make a big difference.


23. We are born with two innate fears - falling and noise; everything else is learned. Why teach yourself to be insecure, offended, and self-conscious?


24. Don’t let your “school-age” you define your future. Know that your coworkers, friends, and family don’t see you as that awkward middle schooler or hurt high schooler.


25. You don’t need to be an “expert” in something before you teach someone about it. In fact, I learned there is great value in passing along the knowledge that you do have.


26. Don’t put off what you should to today, unless of course frozen yogurt is involved. 


27. Training toward something you thought you “could never” do can be extremely fulfilling. For me it was running a 5K and rock climbing.



28. Celebrating people is important.


29. I've found the people who frequent the outdoors the most are smokers, dog-walkers, and stroller-pushers. It's beautiful outside; don't wait until you fit into one of those categories.


30. Finally, I never want to become unteachable.

Read Part One here: So, This is 30 (Part One)

So, This is 30!

Since I don’t have the expendable income to spurge on a 2001 Toyota Celica (I miss my little car!) or the brash boldness to jump out of a plane (yikes!), here’s my version of my early-life crisis. In the spirit of turning 30, here are some gems of wisdom that I’ve picked up throughout the decades.

1. Never underestimate the benefits of a great haircut. 

2. Where your fancy jewelry today. 

3. Don’t let your college degree typecast you. 

4. Unforgiveness really is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. 

5. After becoming a mom, I’ve learned that I need more sleep than I thought to function. 

 
6. Keep the kid alive in you. Ride on a shopping cart or get a piggy-back ride.

7. Stay relevant to your world. Don’t let yourself say, “I don’t get it.”

8. Do things that you didn’t think you could. Or at least try. 

9. Stop living for regrets and what-ifs. Learn that “mistakes” and “failing” is not the end. (Hear me through this: I’m not talking about reckless living, just following dreams you didn’t think were possible.)

10. You are not your job, your degree, your income, or your home. God sees explicit value in you beyond anything you can have possession over!

11. Fight to love giving more than receiving.

12. Playing the victim in life doesn’t get you ahead; it’s exhausting!

13. Spilled milk is nothing to cry over. Neither is lost money or a stained shirt. 

14. Learn to control your tongue. It can be a powerful weapon or a powerful blessing. 

15. Fight to see the best in people. We are conditioned to judge others by their actions and ourselves by our intentions. Reverse that.

Part 2 will be posted in a few days :)

Our Family

We had lots of fun at our most recent family photo shoot. Here are some of my favorite shots.

Enjoy!

Adventures of 2012!

2012 was quite the year! Here is a highlight of my favorite adventures of the past year.

~ Chattanooga trips ~

We took two climbing trips to Chattanooga this year. We stayed at the Crash Pad and did our climbing at LRC (or Little Rock City). The LRC boulder field is actually located on a golf course property. You pay the clubhouse for entrance to LRC and right to climb on their property. It was our first experience climbing outside and we are truly hooked! Also, we ate some amazing food in Chattanooga, including a feast at the Meeting Place and mounds of inch-tall pancakes at Aretha Frankenstein's. 

~ Corey's high school reunion ~

Our age finally caught up to us! It was time for Corey's 10 year high school reunion. It was a great night catching up with over 100 River Ridge alums.

~ Starting my Etsy shop ~

Even though I technically started my Etsy shop adventure in 2011, this year was definitely the year it began to thrive. I'm ending this year with over 400 sales.

~ Six year wedding anniversary ~

We explored St. Pete this year for our wedding anniversary, the weekend before tropical storm Debbie hit. This made for a rainy, windy weekend getaway that we made the most of.

~ My first visit to Fenway ~

We were lucky enough to have been gifted tickets to a Red Sox game by some wonderful friends and I attended my first game at Fenway!

~ Sailing ~

An impulse purchase on Living Social became a wonderful evening adventure.

~ Welcoming Reagan! ~

Our biggest adventure came at the end of the year. Our family of two became a family of three in 2012!

Reagan Love is Here!

After 2 1/2 years of prayer, 9 months of pregnancy, and about 4 hours of labor, Reagan Love is here!

Here are a few shots from her week one photo shoot. Photos were taken by my father-in-law and styling and assistance from my mother-in-law, husband, and me. Enjoy!

Baby Wolloff Nursery is Completed!

After months of brainstorming, collecting, and shopping, our newest addition's room is finally completed. With my due date only four days away, we are ready to bring this little lady home!

 

Nursery purchases: Graco Lauren Convertible Crib from Target; Mamas and Papas mobile from Babies 'R' US; Hopen dresser from Ikea; pink metal frames from Michaels (with original Shel Silverstein poems from Where the Sidewalk Ends); glider discontinued from Babies 'R' Us; small pillow on glider from Etsy, artist unknown; Eivor bird curtains from Ikea.

Homemade and family finds: Tom Thumb and Snow Drop EPs (passed down from my husband's family; 3 cardboard animals and lighting bolt (handmade props from our interns at our previous youth ministry); Baby Girl banner (handmade from my mom from my baby shower); blanket on glider (handmade from friend).

We are Helping the A21 Campaign this November!

I’m thrilled to announce for the month of November, 30% of my sales will be donated to an organization called the A21 Campaign. Pioneered by Christine Caine, who hails from Hillsong Australia, the A21 Campaign provides tangible ways for human trafficking victims in Greece, Ukranine, and Bulgaria to be loved and comforted through shelter and transition homes.

Their first shelter was opened in Greece in 2008 and now provides medical care, psychological care, vocational training, education assistance, counseling, and legal assistance. Encouraged by the words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has,” the A21 Campaign continues to expand their offices (now in three continents, including North America) and work with justice systems to see new victims rescued each month.

With the words of Margaret Mead in mind, Today is a SunnyDay will be doing its part to help this cause. The A21 Campaign has a list of ways to help here. Here is how Today is a Sunny Day will be helping and I welcome you to join me:

• Donate. 30% of Today is a Sunny Day’s profits will be collected to donate items and gift cards for the Greece transition home. If you are already planning to shop with Today is a Sunny Day this month, you are already doing your part! If you would like to donate any additional funds, donate through this listing.

• Write a letter. I’m writing at least 4 letters this month to the victims who will be rescued in Greece as an act of encouragement to let them know that someone was praying for them. If you would like to write a letter, feel free to send your words of encouragement to me and I will print them out (and make them look pretty). I must receive them digitally before Nov. 19.

• Pray. This month I’m dedicating a portion of my daily prayer time to specifically praying for safety, comfort, and hope for the future rescuees in Greece.

• Get social. I’m doing my part, through my Etsyshop, blog, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to promote for this cause. If nothing else, feel free to repost or use your social media platforms to partner with me.

• Send stuff. Today is a Sunny Day will be donating a few boxes of supplies to the Greece transition home. The excess of funds will be used to purchase gift cards for the transition home to use (since there are weight restrictions for mail). If you would like to make your own donation box, learn more about it here. 

If you would like to learn more about the A21 Campaign, visit www.thea21campaign.org.