DaY zErO

If you ever want to see progress on how I'm doing on my 101 in 1001, go here. You can always also just go to the Day Zero website. Click on "Directory." Then click on B and find blueyes (A Phair from OrEgOn). When you go to my list, some of the tasks will have a tiny yellow notepad next to. If you click on it, you can see more details about that specific task. A green checkmark means I've completed that task. I'm in love with 101 in 1001.

FiNgErPrInTs

Fingreprints. Check.

Another part of Phase 2 complete.

This was my first time and adoption better be the only time I get my fingreprints done. :)

101 in 1001

I am going to complete 101 tasks in 1001 days (around 2.75 years) - some fun, some serious, some random. So why 101 in 1001? This allows me to accomplish tasks in a realistic time frame and I can do them over a few seasons. Where did I get this idea from? My old roommate's friend. I came upon it by accident and I couldn't get the idea out of my head. There is a website revolved around this idea with people all over the world doing this. I really wanted to do this, so I came up with my own list. That's right. My 1001 days begins...now. I wanted to share my list with you, because I will be blogging about each of my tasks and taking pictures of course. Let it begin!

1. Learn how to say "I love you" in 5 different languages
2. Identify 100 things that make me happy
3. Complete a coloring book
4. Learn how to sew
5. Crochet a baby blanket and burp cloth (around the edges)
6. Lose 20 pounds
7. Get mole(s) removed
8. Sew something when I've learned how
9. Make 5 crafts
10. Learn how to change a tire
11. Blog 1 painting a day for a month
12. Floss everyday for a month
13. Go on a picnic to Lake Creek Park (where we took our engagement pictures)
14. Go camping
15. Read 5 "classics" (I have picked them out)
16. Go geocaching
17. Go fishing. I have never been fishing.
18. No soda for 1 month
19. Read New Testament
20. Write a letter to myself to read when I'm 35
21. Send "Just Because" cards to 5 people
22. Watch 5 black and white movies (I have picked them out already).
23. [married eyes only]
24. No internet for 7 consecutive days
25. Breakfast in bed (even if I have to make it)
26. Bubble bath with candles
27. Make cupcakes and deliver them
28. Hike Hogback
29. Write in my journal once a week for 3 months
30. Go on 10 bike rides (not including Sunriver)
31. Update my bucket list
32. Go golfing
33. Go visiting teaching every month for a year
34. Read an autobiography of someone I have never heard of (I have picked this out)
35. Buy a dress
36. Eat raw vegetables/fruit for 7 consecutive days
37. No sweets for 1 month
38. Learn how to meditate properly
39. Meditate for 10 minutes a day for 7 consecutive days
40. Go to Black Friday sales
41. Go bowling
42. Visit Bear Creek Park (where I fell in love with Nic and where he proposed)
43. Go to the temple 7 times
44. Do a random act of kindness for different people for 7 consecutive days
45. Say nothing negative about myself for 7 consecutive days
46. Save all of my change during the 1001 days
47. Watch all of the Star Wars movies
48. Play/dance in the rain
49. Make a blanket fort and eat a meal in it
50. Go to a drive-in movie...if I can find one
51. Ask 3 people what their fav book is and read them
52. Write a list of 50 things I love about myself
53. Sing a duet with Nic in church
54. Wear very little make-up for 7 consecutive days: foundation, blush, mascara, perfect lip color (refer to #78)
55. Go shooting
56. Go on a Ferris Wheel
57. [married eyes only]
58. Think of 101 things to do
59. Take 1 picture everyday for a month
60. Go to Build-A-Bear and build a bear
61. Eat sticky rice for breakfast for 7 consecutive days
62. Kiss Nic under mistletoe
63. Win a stuffed animal from a claw machine
64. Learn how to tie a tie
65. Write down what induces anger for me and burn it
66. Try a new flavor of ice cream
67. $.05 slot machine
68. Play in the snow
69. Make fresh wheat bread without using a bread machine
70. Learn to play a song on the guitar
71. Take pictures of each task
72. Learn how to use chopsticks
73. Take pictures in a photo booth/kiosk
74. Complete the 200 sit-up challenge
75. Learn how to drive a stick shift
76. Buy something from an Etsy shop
77. Display a piece of art in my home
78. Find the perfect red lipstick shade
79. Buy a new piece of lingerie
80. Complete the 100 push-up challenge
81. Watch 5 musicals I've never seen (already picked out)
82. Answer "50 questions that will free your mind"
83. Go kayaking on the lake with my mom
84. Buy/use a store bought hair removal system
85. Swim a 500 in 15 minutes or less
86. Go on a walk for 5 consecutive Saturdays
87. Purchase old pieces of jewelry from Goodwill
88. Buy a piece of clothing from Goodwill that I will actually wear
89. Learn how to check and change the oil in my car - write it down - keep it in my car for future use
90. Measure for a bra and buy the appropriate size
91. Find a personally inspirational quote and make it into a piece of art or home decor
92. Leave post-it notes in 7 library books
93. Write 5 prompts in my journal use creative writing prompts
94. Participate in Operation Beautiful
95. Buy 5 children's books about adoption
96. Do a 500 piece puzzle - glue it together - display it in my home
97. Watch a baseball game at Keizer Stadium
98. Go to a midnight premier showing of a movie
99. Buy a case for my glasses
100. Adopt a baby (my personal fav)
101. Celebrate when I've completed 101 in 1001

There you have it. That's my whomping list. Seems like a lot at first, but it is spread out over 1001 days. Ending date: November 20, 2013.

I'm off to a great start. #58. DONE.

1.

PhAsE 1. dOnE.

Now that our New Year's letter has been up for awhile, I hope all of you (out there) have read it. If you haven't, Nic and I are headed down the 'adoption through LDS Family Services' road. I think it's time for an update on where we are in the process... There are 5 Phases to the online application with a variety of other documents that have to be mailed (i.e. infertility documentation, employment verification, birth certificates, marriage license, etc). We have completed and submitted Phase 1: reference letters. We had to choose 4 references that weren't family members and our bishop to write letters of reference for us. We are on to Phase 2, which I would say is the most "beastly" phase. There are a lot of "essay questions" that we have to fill out individually. This phase also asks about the physical characteristics of our parents and siblings among a myriad of other things. That's where we are as far as the application goes, but this hasn't stopped us accomplishing other things as we prepare for our little one. A couple weekends ago, we decided to set up the baby's room. For months now, we have had the crib, changing table/dresser and glider sitting out in our garage. When this furniture was sitting out in the garage, it felt as though having a baby was a dream. Something that was hard to reach. Now that the room is set up (mostly), it feels as though it's an attainable goal. Like a baby being placed in our home is in the future, not the so distant future that we can't see it anymore. It feels good to be progressing forward. Also recently, I have been checking out children's books about adoption. Nic and I always want to be open with our children about their adoption. The more we talk about it with them, even before they can understand, the more natural the adoption conversation is. I have read quite a few people questioning when they should bring up the big topic of adoption with their children. We have discussed it and decided that we always want to be open with our children. Always. So, the children's books. I have read so many cute books that I want to purchase to read to our kids. I don't know if you noticed one of my FB status' about "The Red Thread." I read such a cute book about the ancient Chinese saying about it: there is a red thread connecting us with those we are meant to be with (not the exact wording). I am just loving reading children's books. It gets me excited to read them to my children. I have also read them aloud to Nic - I think he would enjoy it more if I showed him the pictures. haha I also came across an idea that I've "tweaked" a bit. You can buy adoption memory books. $30 - $60. Too expensive in my opinion. So instead, we bought a nice journal from Ross. $5.99. You can't beat that. We want to document the adoption process for the child that is placed in our home for the first time. Write about the process, our feelings, pictures, plane tickets (if we fly to pick up our baby), anything and everything! We want to get a different journal for each child we adopt, that way they can read about our experience of how they came into our family. I just smile thinking about our kids reading about it. Learning more deeply about their parents. There is so much to write about! Yay. This is where we are at the beginning of February 2011.