Our “Just Us Two” List

Planning, creating lists, and setting goals not only brings me joy, but also makes me feel most like myself.  Everyone is different, but I’m the type who feels a sense of purpose and also excitement and anticipation for the future when I can dream about it and plan the things I’d like to do.  Jamie and I are in this season of life where we’re (almost) past the newlyweds stage of marriage, but we’re not quite ready for the “having children” part.  And even though we both greatly look forward to the day when we do have kids, we have some things to do first!  I like the idea of making a pre-baby checklist to help set goals and hopefully accomplish them, since I hear that having kids is a bit of a time-suck (in the best sense of the word!).  Here’s our little list for “just us two,” if you’re interested:

• Get to know our neighborhood!  Our condo is in such an amazing location, and we plan on enjoying every bit of our ‘hood while we can.
• Eat balanced, homemade meals during the week.  I’ve been on a role with this one, and we’ve been focusing on less red meat and more vegetarian options.  And a lot of Mediterranean dishes!
• Drink less.  I enjoy a fun craft cocktail, a glass of wine, or a cold brew as much as the next guy, but I’ve been realizing lately that I’m past the point of enjoying the over-indulging – or at least the morning after.  Yes, there is the occasional wild night, because hello, we’re not dead.  BUT we’ve been keeping those nights to a minimum because honestly it’s not worth the hangover.
• TRAVEL, of course!  New York City is on the books, Europe is in the works, and some other trips have been discussed.  Stay tuned.
• Stick to our prayer schedule every night!  I created one for us when we first got married, but I’m not going to lie – sometimes it’s tough to keep up with.  I know we can do better!
• Read before bed.  Jamie isn’t much of a reader, but I started reading aloud to him a few weeks ago – just a small quote, excerpt, or thought (which I’ve been collecting in journals for six whole years!).  It takes no more than 30 seconds, but it’s kind of wonderful to end the day with.
• Get settled in our jobs.  There have been lots of changes recently, so we’ve been taking some time to develop routines.
• Find a church.  This is really important to Jamie and me, and we know it’s going to take time and lots of church-hopping, but we want to be intentional about it.  We had such an amazing church in Denver!  We’re still trying to find the right church home for us in Dallas.
• Discuss parenting and what’s important to each of us when we have kids.  It’s never too early to have the convos.
• Get more exercise.  Yes, running and weight training, but also yoga, core exercises, and taking walks.  We have found walks to be such a stress reliever and a time to catch up after work.
• Start family traditions and holiday traditions.  If you could only see the list of traditions that I want to start… you’d probably think I am crazy.  I eat this stuff up!  Better get started now…
• Find a home, but also make our home.  We are waiting on our condo to sell before we buy a house, and it is taking forever!  Amidst the frustration of wanting it to sell SO BAD and the anticipation of someday having a house and yard, I’ve come to also realize that the making of a house into a home is so much more than the house itself.  (Thank you, dear condo-that-we’ve-lived-in-for-so-long-while-trying-not-to-live-in-it, for helping to teach us this invaluable lesson!)
• Plan financially/save $$.  I’m hearing that kids cost money, yeah?  …There’s no time for saving for them like the present!
• Have a garage sale and get rid of things.  It is time.  I’m surprisingly very excited to do this.
• Blog more!  This not-having-enough-time in the day situation is only going to get worse when I have little kiddos to tend to, so I guess the time to blog is now.
• Have fun and enjoy being just us!  This might be the easiest item on the list.  Being married is fun, and I pretty much pinch myself every day because it’s way too cool to get to have dinner dates and sleepovers with my best friend every night!

What was/is/will be on your “just us two” list?  I’d love to hear.  Let us know if there’s anything we should add!

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