Since the beginning of the year, I have been asked by several different people what is on my bucket list.
I didn’t have one.
When I think of Bucket Lists, I think of things like jumping out of perfectly good airplanes and wrestling alligators. I am not that kind of person.
On one of our date nights recently, I asked Mr. R to help me think of things I wanted to do. I learned something about myself–most of the things I want to “do” are actually things I want to learn. I guess I place more importance on “learning” things than “doing” things or visiting places …although there is some of that sprinkled in as well.
Here is my on-going official Bucket List in no particular order:
- Visit Santorini Island, Greece.
- Hire a professional genealogist to trace the biological ancestry of my children.
Learn to surf in Hawaii.Summer 2006.- Take the boys (when they are teenagers) to work in orphanages in Africa and Mexico.
- See E.T. all the way through. (Not emotionally ready for that yet. Still scared of E.T.)
- Go on an architectural photo tour trip with Kim and Leisha. (DC? Europe?)
- Buy a house that I love.
Tour the White House.Winter 1995Belly dance.December 2005- Have a garden.
- Be a foster parent.
- Start a fire without matches and without flint/steel.
- Have an arcade style Mrs. PacMan game in my basement.
- Tour the Neuschwanstein Castle.
Act in a play.The King and I 1997, Les Mis in Concert 1998- Take the Disney cruise as a family before the boys leave on their missions.
See O.January 14, 2012- Go to BlogHer
- Write a book.
- Write a children’s book.
- Write a book with my mom.
Have a craft room.January 2012- Go on vacation with my kids’ birth mothers.
Be in the Hill Cumorah Pageant.Summer 1998- Have my whole family participate in the Hill Cumorah Pageant.
- Learn how to play all the hymns and children’s hymns on the piano.
Serve a mission.2001-2002- Serve some missions with Josh.
Help with a Habitat for Humanity build.October 29, 2011- Get a nice family photo taken for my parents where I don’t have to set the timer and run into the photo.
- Run a marathon.
Take a helicopter ride.December 2005- Go inside a real igloo.
- Fill up my National Parks Passport.
- Teach my kids to ski.
Take photography lessons.2007- Get a beach cruiser bike. (Had one in college named Stella that I miss dearly.)
- Reupholster a wingback chair.
Learn to fly fish.Summer 2004- Learn to sew on my own sewing machine.
Visit ancient Mayan ruins.Summer 2004, January 2010- Learn to make bread …possibly with a bread maker.
- Fit into my “skinny jeans” again.
Take my kids to Disneyland.Summer 2008, January 18, 2012- Get up on one water ski.
Take a sailboat ride on the Nantucket Sound.August 2006- Catch fireflies with my kids.
- Take a sleeper train ride to a BYU @ Notre Dame football game.
- Take gun shooting classes.
Make a book about my grandfather’s service in WWII including the photos he took.November 2011- Be in the temple with all my brothers, their wives and my parents.
- Learn Illustrator.
- Win a medal or tiara in something/anything and then wear it around the house while doing housework.
- Read all the Harry Potter books.
- Read all the Harry Potter books aloud to my kids.
ReadLes Misérables.1994See Les Misérables on Broadway.1997- Take my mom to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.
- Learn to make my Grandma Dee Dee’s rolls.
- Learn to make my Grandma Dee Dee’s cinnamon rolls.
- Take a trip with my college roommates.
Graduate from college. 2003Teach elementary school.2003-2007Become a mother.2007, 2008- Run in a Ragnar Race.
- Take an educational trip to The Holy Land.
Take singing lessons and perform in front of people.1997-1998- Interview my mom and write her life story.
- Interview my dad and write his life story.
Go salmon fishing in Alaska.Summer 2000- Learn the constellations.
- Learn calligraphy.
I have someone to help you with number 2. Happy to do number 6. I can assist you with 20, 30, 40, 42, 59, and 60. Let’s do this thang!
Indeed. When my mom comes to visit this summer, let’s have a roll day!
Kim, I am curious as to who you would use for # 2. That’s something I would love to do also (I’m also an adoptive mom).
Lindsey, great list!! I don’t have a bucket list either, making me think about one…
So, I have been blog-stalking you (again) recently. And I just want to say your blog is inspiring. You are inspiring. So much of what I have read on your blog has uplifted and encouraged me in down-trodden times. Thank you for sharing your views and lessons and experiences and happiness with the world around you. (And in case you’re curious about the name… Mr. R’s grandmother is/was my great-aunt… I was named after her, and my own Aunt Hila). Again, thank you.
I have a few tiaras, and have been known to wear them on bad days or cleaning days. You can come steal one of mine.
I would, but part of the allure is to EARN it. ;)
I like your list. I might get some ideas from you. Also, where in Alaska did you go salmon fishing? I lived in Ketchikan and graduated from high school there. I worked at a fishing lodge too. I wonder if you were in the same town as me? Good luck with your list!
We were mostly in Talkeetna, but we rafted down the Chulita/Susitna River as well. Really cool experience, we didn’t see anyone outside of our family (and guides) for like 4 or 5 days!
That sounds awesome. Alaska is one of a kind!
I’m 100% not kidding when I say you all can come to London and stay with me for free. It’s crazy cheap to get around the UK and Europe. I’m sure that you and the ladies would have a ton of fun. I’m not talking about sleeping on the floor either, each a proper room. It’s the perks of being an RA.
That would be seriously awesome. Will you be living there for always?
I hope so, but for sure at least another year. I’ve just been accepted into an MBA program with an emphasis on Marketing and PR. We’ll see after that.
Love this! I have run a few marathons and I totally wear the medals around my house during the week after. It cracks my husband up.
Atta Girl!
You have done more than I have and I’m nearly 10 years older than you! I bet you will do them all, if not most and the most important ones.
Katie- so cute that you wear the metals. Love that your husband laughs.
It overwhelms me to do this!! You are brave! how long did it take you to write it?
Well, I thought about it for a month and then once I started actually writing them down, they just flowed pretty quickly. :) YOU CAN DO IT, Vanessa!
I think you left a very important one off your list as accomplished- have my family sealed in the Temple!
Looks like a fun list!
This is just what I needed to read. I’ve been thinking about what I’d put on my Bucket List and have put it off because it really forces you to focus on what you want out of life, where your passions are, and what truly matters. I’m ready to take the plunge and accept the challenge. It’s comforting to know you took a month to think about it. The ideas are coming. Thanks for being brave and sharing this!
p.s. I have to say that I stood in line by you at the Arizona FSA Conference this past Fall. I was a bit awestruck with you and didn’t know what to say so I didn’t say anything. I find your writing to be very uplifting, honest, and insightful. I regret allowing my shyness to take over and missing out on an opportunity to chat with you. Perhaps we’ll meet up again someday. Something tells me you’ll be coming back to Arizona FSA sometime!
We totally should have chatted! I hope we will be going to the AZ FSA party for years to come! :)
1st. I have a beach cruiser at home in Cali that I adore and need to get it sent to me. Those things are the best.
2nd. I’ve already read hp but I too plan on reading them to my kids someday. Love those books.
3rd. If we lived closer I’d teach you how to made bread (if you wanted). Making bread rocks and it tastes soo good.
4. Les Miserable. Seen the play 3 times. Obsessed. Need to read the book.
Great list!
I love that you included big accomplishments from your past – those are important too! I agree – bucket lists shouldn’t be about “seeing” things/places.
Ha Ha, when I read number two I read it “Hire a professional Gynecologist” I’d say that should be more urgent than a bucket list, you should ALWAYS see a PROFESSIONAL when it comes to that.:) Anyway, I loved your list. Good luck achieving your dreams.
P.S.-Please don’t think I’m illiterate, it’s been a LONG day! :)
Great list. Inspiring and fun to see what you’ve come up with and included.
I LOVE your list. Glad you made one. ET I used to like now it’s kinda creepy. My mother-in-law gave me a VERy large Et that now lives under the stairs with a photo of brian as a child around its neck. (there’s a story there :) maybe for a date night) Do you want me to give you the Et? I’m dying to get rid of it for now he lives under the stairs.
CHRISTINE! A giant ET in.your.house? OVER MY DEAD body! The photo of Brian around his neck??? LOL! I am dying of laughter! I must hear the story! Double date it is!
Lol. We have many items in common. :) Fun bucket list!