Nice Weather Bucket List

Looks like it's almost time to celebrate one of my favorite Midwest holidays...SPRING-TIME IS UPON US!  Yes... March 20th is this upcoming week already.

One swallow does not make a spring.
Bluebirds are a sign of spring; warm weather and gentle south breezes they bring.
In spring, no one thinks of the snow that fell last year.
Don’t say that spring has come until you can put your foot on nine daisies.
Spring-time sweet!
The whole Earth smiles, thy coming to greet.

Spring Folklore                           

And not only is March 20th the first day of spring, it is also our dating anniversary... ten years ago Tony and I decided to make it official, boyfriend-and-girlfriend style.  Anyways, back to spring!  Other than looking for bluebirds and daisies to step on, this is what you can find us doing once the weather cheers up:

Some things are silly (trying the cool ranch doritio taco from Taco Bell) and others are things we've been wanting to do for a long time and just haven't gotten around to yet (like riding the channel cat or going inside the John Deere Commons).  We figure we won't be living in the Quad Cities forever and we want to live it up while we are here!  And of course, other things will just be exciting firsts for Miss Presley.  She has yet to get on a swing and I just can't wait to see how she likes it.  She hasn't been to a baseball game, ever seen fireworks, or ridden in her bike seat - and I am terrified when I think about that last one.  Also, we got an AWESOME fondue set when we got married and we have yet to use it.  I know, what in the world am I doing with my life?!  I think I take a peek at it every week and let out a long sigh!  It's absolutely time to light that baby up.  Or in our case plug it in... it's electric!  I think I'm most excited about the Quad City Marathon 5 Person Relay!!!  We did the QC Marathon 5k last year and it was such a fun time - especially all the fun stuff they have going on downtown Moline after the race.  Cannot.  Wait.  We're hoping to do a family relay team which will make it even more awesome.  Especially if my cousin Breanne signs up with us... then we will have someone who can totally kick ass at the longer legs of the race!  ;)  Of course, I say this all now before I begin the actual running!  I remember when we did the C25K last year I kept telling Tony that not all bodies were made to run.  Hopefully I can change that theory this summer.

Alright... so what's going on this Spring and Summer in your town? 

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Link Up!
 Ashley Noelle @ Every Little Beautiful Piece

Make it Count.

Tony and I decided to start a "Wish List" of things we'd like to do as a family in 2013 in order to make the most out of the next year.  (Hopefully will be able to cross some of these off my on-going bucket list, as well.)  So far, this is what our list consists of:

• Visit a new zoo.
• Go to an NBA or NFL game.
• Make going to church as a family a priority.
• Go OUT on a date once a month.  (Somewhere different each month - no repeats!)
• Have weekly date night in!
• Donate blood together.
• Complete a 5k together (again)... this time, no stopping (for me)!
• Share peak/pit moments each day.  (Either at dinner or bedtime... still undecided.)

Hopefully we will add more to our list as the week goes on.  We talked about some of the goals we have individually, as a couple, and as a family and it just made the most sense to start a list of things we'd like to accomplish in order to move closer to those goals.  (For example, one goal for us as a couple was to spend quality time together to celebrate our special marriage - so we added going out on a monthly date to our wish list.)

I was talking to a married mama friend of mine earlier today about how easy it is to reflect on our blessings during the good times.  Though Tony and I have been together for a chunk of time now when you consider dating, we are still considered newlyweds to some.  We all know that things are typically well-maintained in the beginning and as time goes on you are put through many tests which can really wear and tear a relationship.  I recognize this and I don't want to come off boastful when I write about our happiness and assure you even in these early days, our relationship has so much growing to do.  I don't want anyone to be under the impression that we are perfect (because, we aren't!) - we have tempers and egos and sometimes we let them get the best of us... or that we just sit around giving each other googly-eyes at home (because, we don't!) - not every day is particularly romantic... or that I end each day completely fulfilled in my roles as a wife or mother (because, I'm not!) - somedays there is nothing more that I look forward to than just some quiet time alone!  (It's also a little harder for me to want to publicly share any of those "pit" moments of our marriage here on my blog versus the "peak" moments.)  I feel like the true test of our marriage will be our resilience through the trials... how we treat each other through the happiness as well as through the tough times... and put those vows to work! 

Side note: The friend I was talking with, Lindsey, just recently launched her own style blog offering women her personal tried and true tips on dressing themselves as well as their children and all things in between - I encourage you to check it out here and let her know what you think!

So, what are some of the things you'd like to add to your 2013 Wish List?

Here's to making it count!

Once in your life you find someone
Who will turn your world around
Bring you up when you're feelin' down
bryan adams