on being 27

this has been a pretty fantastic week!

i'm not 27 and i don't feel any different, just more special!

this was a great birthday.

simple, calm, and special.

i keep using that word, but that's how i feel!

i don't think i really took any photos on my birthday. 

but here are my birthday goodies!

From top left to bottom: scrap-booking cards, birthday cards, Practical Paleo cookbook, leather jacket, leather journal ESV Bible, Amazon Kindle gift card, Rifle Paper Co notebooks from target, statement necklace, Starbucks gift card. (not pictured: vera bradley wallet/phone holder)

I have such wonderful family and friends!

Have a wonderful weekend

25 Before 26

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1. Create a work space in my room so that I can: Spend time with God Effectively, Craft Efficiently, Sew Effortlessly, and Read Easily.
2. Not waste time during my days wishing for things, but actually making them happen.
3. Spend daily time with God in prayer and Bible reading.
4. Read the Bible in a Year  or less (I was so close to my goal last year)
5. Keep my life clean of distractions, my room and car free of clutter, and my workspaces not littered with chaos.
6.  Be out of the red and the $$ in my savings to grow tremendously.
7. Start a journal and write in it with honest updates (at least once a week)
8. Work on a diet plan and stick with it even when it is hard and inconvenient. (Vegetarian/Vegan)
9. Keep a water bottle on my person at all times and go for water before I grab a snack.
10. Exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes a day, there is no excuse for a flabby-out of shape-overweight body!
11. Create playlists of music for different parts of my day to motivate me in my tasks whether it is: cleaning, working out, spending time with God, doing the dishes, sewing/crafting.
12. Finish projects that I start.
13. Learn how to crochet and share what I learn.
14. Learn how to play the guitar proficiently, so that I may play at church.
15. Schedule "me time" once a week where there will be: no cell phone, no distractions, a time for pampering, or leisure.
16. Participate in some sort of club, guild, running group, etc. (something that takes me out of my comfort zone.
17. Read at least 100 pages a week.
18. Start photographing 50 photos a week via fisheye camera, cell phone, ipod, and digital.
19. Purge my life of unnecessary things. Tangible and intangible. 
20. Respond promptly to emails, rsvps, and letters and pay all bills before due, as well as return calls and library books promptly.
21. Write lists and finish them in a productive manner.
22. Learn how to knit and share what I learn.
23. Use my sewing machine constantly to make clothes, gifts, and to re-create items.
24. Create a wardrobe that reflects my style and the style I want have.
25. Make new traditions and memories!

25 Before 26 (16-20)

16. Participate in some sort of club, guild, running group, etc. (something that takes me out of my comfort zone)

17. Read at least 100 pages a week.

18. Start photographing 50 photos a week via fisheye camera, cell phone, ipod, and digital.

19. Purge my life of unnecessary things. Tangible and intangible. 

20. Respond promptly to emails, rsvps, and letters and pay all bills before due, as well as return calls and library books promptly.

25 Before 26 (11-15)

11. Create playlists of music for different parts of my day to motivate me in my tasks whether it is: cleaning, working out, spending time with God, doing the dishes, sewing/crafting.

12. Finish projects that I start.

13. Learn how to crochet and share what I learn.

14. Learn how to play the guitar proficiently, so that I may play at church.

15. Schedule "me time" once a week where there will be: no cell phone, no distractions, a time for pampering, or leisure.

25 before 26 (6-10)

6. Be out of the red and the $$ in my savings to grow tremendously.

7. Start a journal and write in it with honest updates (at least once a week)

8. Work on a diet plan and stick with it even when it is hard and inconvenient. (Vegetarian/Vegan)

9.Keep a water bottle on my person at all times and go for water before I grab a snack.

10. Exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes a day, there is no excuse for a flabby-out of shape-overweight body!

Expectations // 25 Before 26

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Wow, I can't believe today is the big day. It seems so surreal to me and I don't know how I feel. On the one hand, I'm overjoyed that it is MY DAY! But, then I remember I am a quarter of a century old tomorrow! I'm so nervous. . . Why should I be nervous on the day of all days? Because, I want to make sure I have lived my life to the fullest. And to think that in only 25 years I will be fifty... Ok, I'm done thinking about that.

With everything, I have expectations about my birthday. I just know that everyone will remember, and there will be surprises around every corner and it will just be this magical day...

Wait, that dream wont come true? It's unrealistic, but every year I'm disappointed. This year is the first year I haven't asked for something that sounds selfish (I asked for work clothes), and I haven't even picked where I want to go out to eat with the family, I haven't planned anything with friends and I didn't take off at least part of my birthday.

I'm not complaining, just growing up! I will make tomorrow just as exciting even if there aren't any "surprises." My day will be what I make it... So, what's on the agenda for tomorrow?

November 11, 2011 - Agenda
6am - Time with God (What a great way to ring in a "new year" on this earth.
  :30 - Get ready for the day (pack for both jobs) And CLEAN (my room is such a pit)
8am - Breakfast (what should I have on my birthday??)
10am - Work at NWU (have I not told you about my new part time job??)
12pm - Lunch with Candice (how sweet is she, we're having sushi!!)
1pm - Meetings with prospective students for the rest of the afternoon
5pm - Get ready for work at the PNON (That's The Parthenon for short)
  :30 - Serve my little heart out with an extra big smile
10pm - GO HOME AND RELAXXX!!!!
11:11pm - Make a wish, c'mon... only twice in my life time will it be 11:11 on 11/11/11 (unless I live to be 125!).

Not the most  exciting day, but I'm going to make it fantastic!!

I'm not going to even go over what I did or didn't accomplish last year. But, my expectations are going to be a little bit different for my 25th year on this earth...

So here goes, my 25 before 26 (1-5)

1. Create a work space in my room so that I can: Spend time with God Effectively, Craft Efficiently, Sew Effortlessly, and Read Easily.
2. Not waste time during my days wishing for things, but actually making them happen.
3. Spend daily time with God in prayer and Bible reading.
4. Read the Bible in a Year  or less (I was so close to my goal last year)
5. Keep my life clean of distractions, my room and car free of clutter, and my workspaces not littered with chaos.

The rest will be posted throughout the day!!

Kisses From Katie Giveaway

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I finished this book two days ago, and it really gave me a lot of insight. I know one day (hopefully sooner then later) I will be called to missions in africa and/or south america, but I'm not sure when, but I want to be ready.

Also, I was so inspired by this book, that I'm giving a free copy of the book!
Your choice of hardcover, kindle, nook or ibook edition.

FYI, this is a book about a missionary!!

What do you have to do?

Just comment on what your calling is. Mine is to be a missionary and worship leader. Yours may be a school teacher or whatever. What has/is called you to? Also, leave your email address so I can inform you if you won.
Extra entry if you tweet using: #kissesfromkatie and my handle @ren_was_here

The giveaway ends: NOV 11th, 11:59pm (Pacific Time) That's my birthday.

Also, starting the first of the year, I will be re-reading the book, and would love for anyone to join me. I'm thinking the His Daughter's Reading Club. What do you think? Share this with everyone you know! I want to share the miraculous love of Christ with everyone I can, so please spread this around!

Also, check her blog out!! The Journey!

Countdown to my 25th: 8 Days! 11-11-11

Changes - Welcome November

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There have been many changes over the past few months.
Good and bad.
But, all to better me in the areas I need growth.

I've seen a new job.
I've seen God provide, when there was no way for me to provide for myself.
I've seen new relationships.
Even a new blog url/twitter handle.
But, most of all I've seen a big change in me.

November marks my birthday month!
I will be celebrating all month long. With tutorials, giveaways, inspirational posts, and much more.

I have some big plans for this blog, but I really have to commit to writing and contributing. I also have to commit to reading my bible everyday. I need to realize that God wants my full attention all the time, not some attention a part of the time.

I am truly blessed, Happy First Day of November!

Countdown to my 25th: 10 Days! 11-11-11