The Last 1001 Days - Things that didn't make the list...but should have

Today, June 28, 2012, was an ordinary day.  The kids and I woke up late and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast around 10am.  They played on the waterslide in the backyard while I cut the grass.  Then we went to the dentist.  It was as ordinary as it gets...except that 1,001 days ago, I decided that today was going to be the last day I had to complete my list of 101 (mostly random) tasks.  So this seemingly arbitrary day carried with it the air of finality.  I opened the letter that I wrote to myself on Day 1 without much anticipation.  I remembered thinking when I wrote it that it was going to be very anti-climactic to read because I hadn't put down anything "profound."  That was mostly true. 

Jennie,
If you are reading this, you have reached the end of 1001 days.  You are now 28 years old.  Your children are 8,5, and 3.  Hard to believe, no doubt.  I hope that as you completed the 101 things, you learned a little (or a lot) about yourself.  Today, on October 1, 2009, you are stressing over trivial things like if the boys in Abby's class will want to wear princess tiaras [the next day was her birthday party at daycare] and if I'll get ANY sleep tonight.  Hopefully 1001 days from now, you'll be wound a little less tightly.  Congratulations for completing the tasks that you did.  As for the ones you didn't, evaluate that.  Do not forget to make these habits: hug more, say I love you more often, and leave the dishes in the sink.

Love,
Jennie

1001 days is kind of a long time.  I can honestly say that I think I am less tightly wound than I was on October 1, 2009.  I don't stress out like I used to.  I sleep better.  I am contented, no matter what.  And I don't know if I give more hugs or say I love you more often.  Those things are hard to quantify.  But I do know that the dishes are regularly piled up in my sink.  And I spend some serious time loving on this family of mine. 

There were a lot of tasks that I did not complete.  As many as 40, but the official count has yet to be tabulated.  I'm not stressed about this.  I gave it a good go, and if the task is important enough, I'll get to it sooner or later.  For all of those 40 tasks that may or may not be important to me anymore, I "balanced" them (if you will) with some unlisted, totally awesome adventures.  It's been a rollercoaster of a 1001 day period - I wouldn't say the most tumultuous of my life, but it ranks up there.  I wouldn't have changed it for the world.  Before I get to the official count (sometime soonish), here are some of the things I did these last 1001 days....that were not on the list...in no particular order whatsoever. 

Adventures of Jennie 10.1.09 - 6.28.12

Rode a super-stylish mini "Go Car" all over downtown San Diego all the while Sam "beep, beeped" at everyone we passed

Carried and delivered our fourth blessing after being induced on the coolest due date ever (3.6.12).  Leah came out in the posterior position weighing 8lb2oz.  And I did it without pain meds - I knew I could.

Had a kidney stone shattered by lasers, Star Wars-style...twice.

Read more books than "just" 10:
Little Women
The Case for Christ
Family-Driven Faith
Well-Trained Mind (twice)
Redeeming Love
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Took over a dozen meals to friends with new babies or away husbands.

Helped Sam build a bombin' backyard playground.

Helped Sam build a set of bunkbeds so our girls can share a room...or, so all of the kids can cram together into the bottom double bunk...whichever.

Lost my job only to become a "permanent" stay-at-home-mom.

Paid off our debt on a single income.

Learned to listen to the urging of the Holy Spirit in my life rather than do my own thing.

In the process of that, decided to homeschool our kids, even though that idea was completely and totally foreign to me like...15 minutes ago.

Got involved at church by teaching four year olds in Sunday School and 2nd graders in VBS and attending Ladies Bible study on Thursday mornings.

Attended my first homeschool convention in Spartanburg, SC...with a 10 day old.

Successfully drove 4 hours by myself with the four kids from the beach to get to their choir musical dress rehearsal...ON TIME!  It helped that they were exhausted...

Went to Disney World, a place that's just as magical for the adults as the kids, if I might say so myself...

Dipped my toes in the icy Pacific Ocean for the first time.

Tiled the laundry room floor.

Drove my profusely bleeding child to the doctor for stitches without having a nervous breakdown.

Went to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Water Country USA, and Colonial Williamburg (twice).

Went to SeaWorld San Diego & the San Diego Zoo.

Made Chocolate Delight.

Hung out with some fabulous ladies in Atlanta for my first-ever Girls Weekend.

Successfully operated an edger and weed-eater.

Ate real sushi...the raw fish kind.

Procured super awesome free samples in the mail, including Philadelphia Indulgence (chocolate cream cheese) on dry ice and a Keurig coffeemaker and free K-cups for a year.

Learned to french braid (well - it's a start anyway, I'm hardly a pro!)

Stepped out on the Sky Deck of the Sears Tower in Chicago.

Went to Petco Park and saw the Padres WIN a game.

Rejoiced as Ben gave his life to Jesus in VBS.

And many more...

These next 1,001 days will bring about Sam's 30th birthday, our first year of homeschooling, a trip to New England, our 10th wedding anniversary, my 30th birthday, Ben's 10th birthday (what?!), and all sorts of adventures I can't even begin to imagine, provided we're blessed with each and every breath to carry us through them.  I don't know what the future holds, but if it's anything like these past 1,001 days, I'm ready.  And I am so willing.

What I was greeted with first thing this morning: Day 1001

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ~Mark Twain