Eight Down, A Million To Go...

This week Rusty and I celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary on June 30th. Sometimes it is strange to think it has 'only' been 8 years, since we have technically dated for over 12... Anywho. I thought it would be funny to list 8 things I never thought growing up I would EVER do or try---and thanks to my sweetheart I have not only done, but loved, mostly...

1. Swimming with dolphins. Rusty took me to Miami last year, it was so much fun. Just the two of us for 5 days. Nothing better. I am not going to lie. I totally screamed and freaked out right before we got in the tank, but by the time it was our turn to ride them I was all in it. I even kissed the cute little, fish smelling thing. We also held alligators that trip, I was breaking all kinds of barriers!
2. Visiting Disney World. Hey, that may not seem like a big thing, but I only went to Disneyland once as a child, so getting to go to Disney World for 8 days was amazing. It was so fun to ride all the rides and have Rusty let me buy all the stupid nick-nacks I couldn't live without. I think the best part though, was watching Braden experience it all.
3. Lake Powell. I know I just posted this, so you are thinking, What? But I get very, very motion sick, in cars, planes and especially boats. So for me to not only go to Powell, but LOVE it and look forward to it, shows just how much fun we really have (and how great Dramamine is).
4. Biking down a volcano. Ok, so technically, this was before we were married, but it still counts. Rusty took me with his family on his senior trip to Hawaii (BAMSanFran, I don't wanna hear it) and while we were there we biked down the Haleakala. I can't say I was looking forward to it, but I did enjoy it-after.
5. Babies. Ok, so of course I didn't aim to be single and never have kids, but what I didn't expect was that for one; how hard it would be for me to actually get pregnant (both times). And secondly, how much I would hate every minute of each pregnancy. I am NOT one of those lucky girls who has no problems in pregnancy, and looks great the whole time. I eat and puke, I think about food and puke, I sleep and wake up to puke. The ENTIRE nine months. I truly believe that Rusty is the single person on this Earth that is capable of understanding my quirky needs and ensuring I endure the pregnancies. I really think he would take my place if he could. It think that's why I love the actual birth so much- it means I am DONE.
6. Skiing. If you are cringing because you know I grew up in the ski-nation of Utah, with a family condo at a Snowbird Ski Resort, so sorry. I actually never learned to ski until I was 18 and a long time Arizona resident. Of course, Rusty grew up skiing so when we went, he skied backwards showing me what to do. I guess when Braden picked up snowboarding at 4 years old, I shouldn't have been shocked.
7. All things sports. Not that I am not a sports fan, I just would prefer to do other things, given the choice. Thankfully, through his persistence I have learned to love watching football, basketball, baseball and even (gasp) Nascar. Thanks to Rusty I have watched more games from the suites at Chase Field than I have seen from the seats. I have even watched a game from the pool (remember that?). I have even been to the World Series Game 6 the year the D-Backs won.
8. Traveling. I never thought as a kid, "I would love to go to on a cruise through Europe." For two reasons, the flight and the boat. I used to hate the 90 minute trip to Utah! But again, Rusty grew up flying everywhere, big planes and small (I cannot tell you my happiness that his family sold their plane before I ever had to ride in it!!!) so he has been so encouraging about getting me in the friendly skies. Slowly we have worked me up to longer and longer flights, so I really don't hate flying anymore. I can hardly believe the trip we have been planning for over 6 months will be over before school starts! Italy, France, Greece, Croatia, Spain-here I come! I really think once I have this trip under my belt, I can go anywhere! But I won't lie, the Zanax & Prozac help a lot too...

Rusty, thanks for opening my eyes to new things, for making those things not so scary and for not laughing when I still think they are terrifying! Despite all my worrying and planning, I know we will have the trip of a lifetime! Thanks for putting up with me for all these years, and still loving me despite how well you know me! Happy Anniversary! I can't wait to see what gifts we buy each other on the trip...