Bucket List

I've been thinking alot about a "bucket list" and what things I want to accomplish during this earthly adventure. A coworker of mine has a bucket list that she slowly crosses things off when she accomplishes them and that has inspired me to do the same. At this point in my life, focusing on a bucket list is a little overwhelming because quite frankly I barely have time to even put a meal on the table for my family, but I am going to start something small and hopefully one day I will cross these items off and maybe even add to the list.

In no particular order....

1. Matt and I always talk about things we want to do with our children. Matt told me last week that he never went to Disney World as a child and this is something that he wants to do with our family. I couldn't believe it...never been to disney world ?!? This is a must in my book ( I think even more for Matt than our children) is to get the family to Disney World.

2. Matt and I both have a love for baseball. I of course am an avid Red Sox fan and he is a Chicago Cubbies fan. Thankful they only meet a few times in a decade but we had made an agreement ( a long time ago) that one day we would visit every MLB stadium to see a baseball game. To add to visiting every MLB stadium, we would love to get tickets for a Cubbies vs. Red Sox game (whether in Fenway, Chicago, or for a World Series it needs to be done).

3. I am probably one of few people who would never ever have to visit Washington DC ever again. My grandparents lived in Washington DC for my entire pre adult life and we visited there several times a year. My grandfather worked for the federal governement at the pentagon and I can say that I have pretty much visited every historical site, attraction and museum that it has to offer. Yes I have been up the Washington Monument countless times, went in paddle boats in front of the Lincoln Memorial, been to Ford's theatre, strolled the Patomic River, viewed fireworks from my grandparents condo on the 4th of July and to top off waited in line for 6 hours to hunt for easter eggs on the White House lawn. I can't even tell you all the places we have seen and gone to...but I can tell you we had the best tour guides possible...my grandparents. Unfortunately my husband who is a history buff, has never been. This another must...take my husband and family on a trip to Washington D.C.

4. This is probably the most attainable at this point and actually focuses soley on me and that is to finish graduate school. Oh what a glorious day that will be!

5. Our first Christmas we were married, Matt bought me Reader's Digest book titled "Off the beaten Path". We had agreed that we would visit all of America together in one way or another and try to tackle some of the "off beaten path" places that are still uncrowded and inviting.

6. Matt and I look at houses and real estate all the time. It is a passion of ours to dream at what our next house would be like. We go to open house periodically and the real estate agents probably hate us because tell them we are honestly just looking. We love looking at layouts of houses, getting decorating ideas etc. (weird I know, but we find it fun). The next item on my bucket list, is not to own a dream home because that is clearly not attainable, but a home where we can host my family, friends, or missionaries and they can come and stay comfortable for as long as they would like. We would like to have an apartment in the basement or an apartment off the house that has a bedroom, bathroom, living area, and a small kitchenette for our guests to come visit or needs a place to stay.

7. Contribute to our child's college account and Matt & I's retirement accounts yearly. We hope to have nest egg available for when our children are ready to start their post education we are able to help them. Matt & I also have said that when it is time for retirement (which is years away) that we hope to have ourselves set up so that we will never be a burden for our children. I know this sounds boring, but rather this is probably one of my greatest aspirations for my family.

As I reflect on this list, Lord willing I will accomplish much of this with His blessings. My greatest desire is that as our family grows, we follow the Lord's plans for our lives and listen to Him.

Rachel