My Bucket List

When time on earth isn't a given, and one can only think that these bills, these kids, and this home require ones full and undivided attention, it is very easy to become overly focused on the here and now.  But I found peace in allowing myself to glimpse beyond the day-to-day and dream, just for a minute though, because seriously, I have to get dinner ready.  I jotted a "bucket list" of sorts and I decided for the first time in my life to go ahead and share them.

1. I want to complete a half marathon.  Believe it or not, this may be a reality *if* I get the scholarship I applied for.  We don't have the money to cover the expense out-of-pocket, but I very much want to do the "long" race.  Yes, I know it's going to kick my butt, but I love the brutal butt kicking of running.  The race is scheduled for September.  So, pray I get it :).

2.  I want to visit Europe.  Italy specifically.  I think I could eat Gelato for every meal while walking around the Italian coast and drinking thick red wines.  I love vineyards, and I can cook an amazing spaghetti sauce.  I think I would fall in love and never come home.

3. I have GOT to get my book published.  I am well on my way, with the second draft finished, but there are so many components that it would blow your mind.  Who would have thought something could be SO complex!  I have enlisted the help of the facebook world, so hopefully, we will have a finished product soon enough.

4.  I want to renew vows and try on wedding gowns.  Okay... I know, I know... If you have been married 14 years, WHY do you need to renew your vows?  Here is why: We were poor college students when we got married.  I was given my perfect wedding dress, and MOST of the wedding supplies were free/donated/borrowed, or purchased very inexpensively.  I want a day to not just renew the vows, but to celebrate the union we rushed into.  (No.  I wasn't pregnant.  We had not even had sex, just for the record).  Yes, it worked out, but what other couple do you know that dated 20 weeks to the day and is STILL married?  That is what I thought.  Our wedding costs were less than $5,000.00 for absolutely everything.  And at the time we didn't drink.  This time, there will be champagne, and white wine.  Why did we not drink?  Well, for starters, I was 19.  There will be a beach, and everyone of the male variety will wear Hawaiian shirts.  Because tuxedo's are good for the first time only.

5. I want to stuff as many "awesome" memories into my kids brains as physically possible.  I want to take them to places like Sea World, Disney World, the Caribbean, and back to Camp Redcloud so they can also climb a 14er.  They are getting older, and now with only 5 summers until my oldest graduates High School, I have to make the time count.  We are doing lots of camping, and hiking this summer, so at least I have a GREAT start :).

6. I would love to become a professional speaker.  I know this takes time, and if it's even a little bit like writing a book, it will happen after I turn 40.  It has been a desire of my heart for over a decade.  Mom told me I would be a "wonderful" speaker.  God continues to use my life in amazing ways.  I can't wait to see what the rest holds!

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