31 for 31: 31 Highlights from my 31st year of life

Today I officially kick-off my 32nd year of life, but before doing so I made a brief list of 31 highlights that happened in this past year. It’s really been quite an awesome year! I may have forgotten something, and the order of the items doesn’t necessarily show their importance.

1. Celebrated 5 years of marriage to my best friend; Nicki.
2. Found-out that we’ll be expecting our first child (a daughter) in April 2013.
3. Ordination
4. My Grandma gave me a Bible that belonged to my Great-Great Grandfather (who was a pastor) as an ordination present. What an amazing gift!
5. Started running again.
6. Ran my first 5K in a very long time.
7. Ran another 5K.
8. Ran my first Half Marathon.
9. Signed-up & began training for my first full marathon (March 16, 2013).
10. Marked the 10th year of being on staff at Community Church. Love the team & people I get to work with.
11. Attended Redskins Training camp.
12. Went to a ‘Skins game with my brother.
13. Family reunion with my mom’s side of the family.
14. Celebrated Community Church’s 30th anniversary & received this video from Pastor Rick Warren.
15. Lost about 15lbs of weight.
16. Visited Miami with Nicki to celebrate our anniversary and have a little “babymoon.”
17. Went to a Miami Dolphins game at Joe Robbie Stadium. I grew-up a Dolphins/Dan Marino fan, so this was amazing!
18. In our quest to become more generous people, Nicki & I were blessed to able to give away just over 20% of our income to charity.
19. Visited Sacramento/San Francisco for a family wedding. Ate In-N-Out. Drank Blue Bottle Coffee.
20. My brother-in-law & long-time friend, Mike, got engaged to a great girl. I’ll have my first sister-in-law, and our child will have another aunt.
21. The Reskins season. RGIII. What a year!
22. Nicki’s cooking (not unique to this year, but always amazing)
23. Nicki launched a blog about cooking.
24. My coaches in the Distance Training Program are awesome.
25. Great friends. New ones & long-time ones.
26. My dad celebrated 30 years working at the same company. I’m proud of him & also thankful; this job is what caused my family to move from Florida to NoVA. I’m sure thankful that happened!
27. Twitter. Seriously, it continues to be an awesome tool to develop networks, share ideas, learn, and have fun.
28. Saucony Kinvaras. I love these shoes! (between a pair of 2s, a pair of TRs, and a couple 3s, I’ve been working 4 pairs this year).
29. This book inspired me.
30. This book opened my thinking.
31. Locally roasted coffee is awesome. – LoCo Beans

What a great year! I’m excited to see what this coming year holds.