Bucket List

For my Marriage and Family class I'm asking my students to write a bucket list of 50 things they want to do before they die. I thought it's only fair that I do the same. Here's what I came up with.

1.       Ride a mule down the Grand Canyon

2.       Do a cartwheel

3.       Touch my toes without bending my knees

4.       Go to Spain

5.       Visit Thailand

6.       Go fishing

7.       Run a marathon

8.       See the Northern Lights

9.       Earn my Master’s Degree

10.   Have children

11.   Open a homemade ice cream ice cream shop

12.   Scuba dive

13.   Be able to retire comfortably

14.   Ride in a hot air balloon

15.   Go on an African Safari

16.   See the architecture  in Dubai

17.   Shopping spree in New York City

18.   Ride an elephant

19.   Meet the U.S. President

20.   Visit every major amusement park

21.   Learn to Golf

22.   Attend the Miss America pageant

23.   Learn photography

24.   Drive a race car

25.   See a volcano erupt

26.   Win a pie eating contest

27.   Ride in a submarine

28.   Hold a mouse

29.   Ride on a dog sled

30.   Visit all 50 States

31.   Be in a food fight

32.   Live a month with the Amish

33.   Water Ski

34.   Downhill Ski  

35.   Milk a cow

36.   Keep a daily journal

37.   Learn self defense

38.   Have a recipe named after me

39.   Spend the night in an igloo

40.   Learn to crochet

41.    Go snow shoeing

42.   Learn to love to read

43.   Leave a huge tip

44.   Attend an Olympic sport

45.   Learn another language fluently

46.   Be an extra in a film

47.   Send  message in a bottle

48.   Learn to cut hair

49.    Know everyone of my neighbors

50.   Win Plinko on the Price is Right

#1 Reason I love Iowa

My favorite thing about Iowa is the beautiful architecture and houses that they have here. David and I have gone on lots of walks and drives around the neighborhoods and here are some pictures I've taken.

Iowa city has really showed up Provo it it's cool houses.... Sorry Provo

"There's nothing halfway about Iowa way at all"

A couple of weeks ago, David was taking out the trash and hurried back in the house in a panic. I had thought someone had died! He took me outside and we saw something so wonderful... FIRE FLIES!!! I can't tell you how excited we were. It had been years since had seen anything of the sort. We then continued to spent the next hour or some catching them. It was a lot of fun. 

David then did what David does best. He studied fire flies. You would think he studies enough right?

(Also notice we bought him an Iowa T-shirt)

...No fireflies were harmed in the development of this adventure...

He's so old!

David celebrated his big 25 here. He had really really really really been craving Cafe Rio since there are none within 800 miles of where we live; so I made him burritos for his birthday. They were yummy and feed us for the next week. I also made this Resse's pie which tasted yummier than it looks.

"You really ought to give Iowa a try"

Iowa really has been an adventure for David and I and each day of our excitement starts in home sweet home.

We were really fortunate to find this place without ever stepping foot in Iowa we didn't know what to expect or if we'd even know where we were going to sleep at night. But we found a great apartment through Craig's list. It was an answer to our prayers. We were only bringing our car with us and minimal belongings. And this beaut came furnished which means were didn't have to sleep on a foam mattress. It's a mansion and full of character split into nine apartments. Every time I walk through the doors I can smell Disneyland... not the churros and cotton candy but the mildew and musty mixed with fresh cigarette smoke. 

Everyone take not of the little fridge! This little guy gives me grieve everyday. it's too short to stand up a gallon of milk in. Using my awesome detective skills, I have figured out that Walmart's milk has the best cap so it doesn't leak laying down in our fridge. I'm sure when we leave I'll miss this little shorty though. 

The plant picture is for my mom because she knows very well how awful I am at taking care of house plants. I about cried when I saw that the women renting to use has entrusted me with her plant. but I stress over it everyday and tada!!! It's still alive and looking good I might add.

When life gives us lemons.... I have someone to make lemonade with

 

My husband really is the best guy in the entire world. really. I know everyone says so about their spouse, but really, he's the best. Our marriage is passionate, loving, creative, hilarious, and cute. Here's some of the many things I love about marriage and David....

• Companionship
• Love
• Laughter
• Connection
• Dancing with my husband
• Shared adventure and dreams
• Passion
• Friendship
• Watching a movies together all the time
• Deep conversations
• Simple conversations
• Hearing someone say “I love you”
• Knowing the little quirks of another human being
• How he cleans the house every Saturday
• Being authentic
• All the inside jokes between us
• Memories of past experiences together
• Trust
• Shared values
• The silly disagreements we have with each other... I still think the oven door should be left open after making cookies... you didn't win that one
• Holding hands
• Lazy mornings together
• Shared responsibilities of life
• Sleeping while David watches basketball
• Someone to challenge me to be a better woman
• Seeing him smile
• Silliness together
• Being out of the “dating scene”
• Entering a room or restaurant together
• Long kisses
• Knowing I have a perfect partner to go through eternity with

I can go on forever about him. it's just that good. I love my husband, I adore my marriage. I couldn't ask for anything or anyone more. I truly am the luckiest woman in the universe.