29 and Lookin' Fine!

(Betsy-A week late!):Happy Happy 2-9 to my wonderful fiance! Although I think he looks even more studly (is that a word?) than he did at 28, Scott argues that there is something about being 29 that makes him feel old. I, however, will be the first to admit that he has more energy than this 24-year-old. Not only does he work hard at his job, but he is an amazingly hard worker at home--cleaning, cooking, you name it. I admire his work ethic, dedication to his job and to me, and I have so much respect for this wonderful soon-to-be 30-year-old!



To celebrate, Scott and I enjoyed a date night on Friday beginning at Conseco Fieldhouse to watch the Indiana Pacers. While we wouldn't necessarily go out of our way to buy Pacer's tickets, we appreciated the gift (from Todd C.) and enjoyed spending some time downtown. We also scored $25 dollars off our meal at Champps thanks to a mystery coupon Scott received from dining out there a week or two prior. To top off our great night, we came home to enjoy some amazing cheesecake from Ruth's Chris Steak House which was given to me free of charge from the very kind manager! Scott's a cheap date!

On Saturday, Scott's mom and dad drove down from Logansport, and we all hauled over to the west side of town and met my parents (all four of them) for a night of fine dining at Rick's Cafe Boatyard. Um, yum. Not only does this place have to-die-for-seafood, but it also has a beautiful view of the Eagle Creek Reservoir. I inhaled my steamed salmon, but nothing compares to Scott's crab-stuffed halibut. Heaven. In. Your. Mouth. If anyone is trying to come up for a place to wine and dine his or her honey for Valentine's Day, this place is it! Thank you, Mo and Eric, for a delicious dinner!

Speaking of birthdays...my terribly cute cousin, Christopher, turned 6 this month, and despite blizzard-like conditions outside, I made my way to Monkey Joe's where dozens of screaming toddlers and out-of-control pre-teens jumped chaotically though bouncy playhouses. Three words: free birth control. In all honesty, these guys are pretty stinkin' adorable...here are some pics:





Moving on...I wanted to revisit the purpose of this blog because I think it is important to constantly remind yourself of goals so you do not lose sight of what is important. And clearly, the items on our 30-list are important...if not, we would not have created a blog about them! So, new readers/followers...Scott and I have come up with a list of thirty things that we want to do before I am thirty and he is thirty-four (Get it? "Thirty Before Thirty (Four)" Clever, huh?) Here is where we stand:

1. Go skydiving.

2. Volunteer: frequently, consistently, long term. (Work in progress; we hope to actively pursue volunteering for Fresh Start)
3. Go to Hawaii.
4. New York City: Tavern on the Green, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty.
5. Go camping: hardcore camping. Legit, no b.s. camping. The real deal-tents, fire, etc.
6. Learn to snow ski.
7. Visit wineries in Napa Valley.
8. Zip Line: We prefer Costa Rica, but we will settle for anywhere!
9. Make a lobster dinner.
10. Read 10 or more books together. (Work in progress; we read all the time together, but we aren't quite to ten books!)
11. Play a round of golf together.
12. Road trip out West together. (Don't worry, Teta! I'm still going to road trip out West with you too!)
13. Scuba Dive.
14. Take at least one guitar lesson together.
15. Play put-put.
16. Visit Wine Tastings Downtown.
17. Join a church. (We have found a church we absolutely LOVE, Christ Community Midtown in Broadripple)
18. Anonymously buy an old, cute couple dinner (must be someone we do not know).
19. Throw someone a surprise party.
20. Get Married (to each other of course :) ) (10.15.2011)
21. Go to a Cubs game.
22. Take an all day bike ride.
23. Take a cooking class.
24. Run a mini marathon (RUN the whole 13.1 miles).
25. Attend a dating and/or marriage conference. (We are going this weekend!!!!)
26. Take a train to Chicago.
27. Grow a garden.
28. Have NO debt except for a house.(Al..most...there....)
29. Go white water rafting.
30. Visit Colorado.

Boy, did that feel good to cross some things off! And it sure is nice to reevaluate to see where we are. Not bad considering we have 5 more years, right?
Ok, last but not least, a book update...we have been really all over the place when it comes to reading, and, once again, we have stopped mid-book and have gone to another...we are currently reading C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity but plan on coming back to A Case for Christ.
 
Gary Chapman's Love Language Conference this weekend with great friends, Lauren and Jordan! Will post after the conference to share what we learned.
 
Have an amazing weekend!