proof.

At the beginning of this year, I set 12 goals for myself.  Since life has tended to be more routine and repetitive than it used to be, I wanted this year to have something to show for itself.  And oh.  It does. Here's the proof.

ONE

Perform a piece on the flute.  2.1.2014, for my grandmom's 80th birthday party. I'm proud to say this piece was written by my older brother, PJ Cornell. 

TWO

Have a slumber party with girls from YP Austin.  2.28-3.2.14, at Middle Creek Ranch.  AND another one tonight!!!  How special am I to get to hang out with these girls, who keep me young and make me love the Lord more.

THREE

Buy a crock pot and food processor.  Check.  So boring, but hey.  Life isn't all sparkles and sleepovers.  Food processor was actually a gift, even better.

FOUR

Take a fun vacation.  6.13-17.14, to Los Angeles with my buddies Joanna and Deyla.  Trip hashtag #chocolatericemilk.  We had such a wonderful time, mostly eating and singing TLC songs.

FIVE

Read 6 New York Times Bestsellers.  Done and more!  I read a lot this year, mostly via audiobook.  16 year old Lydia rolled her eyes at audiobooks.  28 year old Lydia can't get enough.  I loved reading new books and catching up on some oldies but goodies.

SIX

Take a roadtrip to visit a friend, 1.19-20.14 and 9.5-7.14, Houston both times.  Some of the bests live in Houston. :)

SEVEN

Pay off credit card debt.  This is my only fail.  But I'm taking it down in 2015.

EIGHT

Finish and frame my needwork project - still in progress!! 13 days left!  This has been so therapeutic and I'm so excited about it. Here are some pics of the various stages, that last one is from last night.  I'm so close!

NINE

Go apple-picking in New England, 9.20.14.  I didn't make it to New England sadly.  But I discovered an apple orchard in my own little corner in Mason, TX.  A tiny little quaint town, the kind where folks say "y'all aren't from around here" and read the newspaper all day in their antique store.

TEN

Care for my spirit, soul, and body.  This one is harder to pin down and describe concisely, but I've certainly made progress.  I participated in a study at UT called the Texas Body Project, focused on women's body image, and it made a significant different about the way I view and talk about my own and others' shape and size.  Here is an excerpt from one of my assignments, a letter to an adolescent girl:

"The true beauty of a person is in her virtues, in her attitude, in her confidence. How much more attractive is a woman with a contagious smile and a love for life than one who is so anxious to maintain her slender figure and flawless skin that she cares for little else!"

I believe this.  I want to live by this.

Another assignment involved these pictures, with the hope that I could be an inspiration and example that gumption is beautiful. :)

ELEVEN

Have a tea party, 12.13.14.  Oh we had so much fun and watched all 199 minutes of Anne of Green Gables.  It just seemed right.

TWELVE

Babysit for friends, 6.11.14.  I thought this would happen more than it did, which makes me sad.  But I successfully enabled one date night for Sam and Vanessa.

I'm closing this year with a sense of content, accomplishment and joy.  I lived a full and happy year!

There were other big things that happened too.  I got a promotion at work.  I was a homeless vagabond for the summer, and then moved to a new house with new roomies.  My dear grandmother Vinson passed away on 10.14.14, and celebrating her life surrounded by my family was bittersweet and special and hard and joyful.  And I believe I've grown in the Lord a full year's worth.

Much more in 2015.