Welcome to the Family, Billable Hours!

For several years, Jon and I have jealously watched family and friends around us buy a boat.  Every time we saw a boat for sale, Jon and I would talk for 30 minutes about the kind of boat we wanted and how we could trim our budget to afford one.  This year, I was so serious about making that dream a reality for Jon, I added to my 30 before 30 bucket list.  And, I am proud to say that on Saturday, we received the title to a 2000 Fish Hawk Crestliner.  It is 16' long and has four seats, two live wells, lots of storage and the hull is deeper in the middle to keep the kids safer.  We plan on taking it to be painted soon - Wabash Red, of course.  We'll probably replace the carpet next year, but it's in pretty good shape for being 12 years old!  Jon and Jonathan spent four hours power-washing the boat yesterday and getting it ready for its maiden voyage (with us).  Jonathan is so excited about going fishing - and Jon is so proud to see his son so excited.  We can't wait for nice weather!  We tossed around a lot of names over the last week, but we have decided to name the boat "Billable Hours".  Now, when you call Jon on his cell and he says he is working, don't be fooled - listen closely for the sound of a reel turning in the background!

Learning to Use Chopsticks

So, one of my 30 by 30 bucket list items was to learn to use chopsticks when eating Chinese food.  I tried once a long time ago and couldn't figure it out.  I ended up stabbing my chicken with the chopstick because I couldn't pick it up any other way, a method I recently learned was impolite and reflects poorly on the parents because it is their responsibility to teach their children to eat properly.  So, while I was home for Thanksgiving, we decided to take a break from leftovers and order Chinese.  Ty, my brother-in-law, is very good with chopsticks and gave my sister and me a lesson on proper handling of the chopsticks.  (Jon watched and laughed at us, using a fork!)  So, I think we did pretty good for our first time.  Apparently, the English word "chopstick" may have derived from Chinese Pidgin English, a pidgin in which "chop chop" meant "quickly".  Well, I certainly didn't eat my food "quickly"!  By the time I was done eating (and helping Jonathan), those last couple bites were cold.  But, I never touched a fork and the food tasted great, so I think I took a great first step!

Yesterday, Jon and I had chinese for lunch.  I am proud to say I never touched a fork, remembered everything Ty taught me, and finished my meal before it got cold!  I think I have officially "learned to use chopsticks" - CHECK!

A hard, but amazing year ahead!

"In the end, it's not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away." Shing Xiong

So, I turned 29 years old last week, which means I am a year away from turning 30.  Now, it's not that I think 30 is old, but most of my life, it seemed I was waiting to be older, and suddenly, I don't know where my 20s went!  As I was approaching last week's birthday, I came across The Dash poem and realized that I want more "moments that take my breath away" - to show more love and appreciation - to not be so busy that I forget what is important. 

Thus, I finally put my bucket list into writing.  I have already accomplished 21 items on my life's bucket list, but I have 79 to go.  The first 30 items on my to-do list I want to complete within the year - by my 30th birthday.  It's a nice size list considering we have a busy law office, a very energetic toddler, and a beautiful baby girl arriving within weeks, but a year from now, I am determined to be more healthy physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

I am very excited about year 29 - it's going to be a hard but amazing year!