20 Random Facts

I guess I'll start with #1~ which is 20 random facts about me. Enjoy!

1. I've only lived in 2 different cities- but have lived in 11 different houses.
2. I met my husband in college, while we were both working at Pizza Hut.
3. I love music! Good music makes my heart happy.
4. I read all the Twilight books and loved them all. I also love reading Jodi Picoult and Amish books (long before the silly shows on TLC).
5. I'm on the laptop or ipad way too much. Don't know why I think it's necessary to check Facebook or play Candy Crush as often as I do.
6. When I was 12, I was diagnosed with scoliosis. I had an 85 degree curve and 45 degree curve in my spine. Had a big ol' long surgery and got to be on the news when my doctor decided to try a "new innovative approach." Was out of school for a month, which was great for a 6th grader!
7. I dye my hair because I have had gray hairs since my early 20's. 
8. I've been friends with my BFF since I was 5 years old....25 years of friendship is pretty special.
9. I really, really, enjoyed my years at community college. They were both spent differently (with different friends and in different houses) but I wouldn't change either year for anything!
10. I wish I would have played sports in school. I always loved playing at home, but never thought I was good enough (or skinny enough) to try out.
11. I've had 4 serious relationships- 2 in high school and 2 after high school. Again, I was not very confident in myself, and I guess I liked the idea of hanging on to someone when they liked me. The 4th one never got to get away though, he's kinda stuck with me!
12. I wish I had long hair- I've never had it grow much longer than shoulders. Maybe I should work on that.
13. I like for things to be organized and easy to find. Less stuff around my house makes me very happy.
14. I've always been jealous of people with big families- they seem like they have so much fun and are always together.
15. My parents had a small band when I was younger. They called themselves "Many Others" so they were always listed on flyers for concerts. Clever, aren't they? 
16. I get carsick pretty easy. I can't read while riding in a car (what a big waste of time!) and if I have to sit in the backseat, I'll get sick. 
17. I don't really like to watch a movie more than once- there are very few that I will. Titanic, The Notebook, Elf (but only at Christmas time), Taken, Pitch Perfect, and Tangled. Most others I think it's silly. You know what's going to happen.
18. I know I said I spend too much time on the computer, but I am so grateful for Facebook- I love watching my friends' kids grow up, keeping my family up to date, and staying connected with friends/family that are not close to me. I feel like I am closer to them just by "seeing" them every day.
19. I have a passion for teaching. Even when I have a bad day, I love the fact that I get to spend it in a classroom. I could never imagine having to sit in a cubicle all day and only talk to adults1
20. I love my family. The 3 people that live with me, the people that raised me and grew up with me, the people I gained when I got married, and all the other relatives in between. I absolutely, totally, completely love them.                  


Maybe that was all too much information?? Hopefully it was just enough. Try it sometime though- it takes time, and thought, and looking closer at yourself. I tried to write things that were about ME, not my kids, or husband. That is no easy task, as they are such a connected part of me. But it's nice to remember that I am more than just the mom and wife.

Digging a Little Deeper

Totally stole this idea from a sweet friend! Hope she doesn't mind!!!

Things I want to share/talk about in the next year:
1. List 20 random facts about yourself. Done: Read all about it here!!
2. Describe 3 legitmate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your spouse. 
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year old self if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is your dream job and why?
7. If you had 3 wishes what would you wish for?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. What's the hardest part of growing up?
14. Describe 5 strengths and weaknesses you have.
15. Describe when you knew your spouse was the one.
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What do you think your spouse loves the most about you?
19. How did you feel the moment you became a parent?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. Describe your relationship with your parents.
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. What's your favorite holiday and why?
24. What's your favorite and least favorite thing about parenthood?
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What's your favorite quality in your spouse?
29. What are your hopes and dreams for your prosperity?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

I know this list is long, and I know most people won't really care, but I would love to spend the time blogging my answers, if anything, just for my own self awareness.

What an accountable, true-to-self testimony I will have to share for my family. And some day they'll probably laugh at the whole techy blog thing too! It will be so ancient I'm sure. =)                

What's Your Perfect?

Yes, I know.
It's been over a month since I blogged.

I guess I've lost some motivation. Some desire. Some courage. 

But this morning, I woke up early (early for Christmas vacation anyway!) to take a shower and get ready for my annual Fun Friend Day Trip. I'm way too excited to spend the day shopping and eating in another town with my BFF!!

But I guess God had a few different ideas for me first. I can feel Him pulling on my heartstrings to get these next few words down. So I'll obey and listen.

I know it's hard not to be jealous of my "perfect" family. My husband and I have 2 kids and of course one is a boy and one is a girl. Perfect right? We only have each other- no ex-husband or ex-wife to fight with over our children. And it's great. And someone (even someone I care about very much) is probably extremely jealous. And I probably take this situation for granted way too many times. 

But it's ok. You can be jealous. Because I'm jealous of all my friends that do not have to fight the demon of weight. It's what I have to struggle with every single day. While others never once think twice about eating that 3rd piece of pizza, I'm fighting with myself for even eating one. I'm jealous of you.

So what's your perfect? What is it about you that makes other people jealous? 

Of course today's lesson is not to rub it in their face and boast about it. Instead, be grateful! Be so overwhelmed with happiness about it, that you share your enthusiasm with everyone around! We are all fighting our own demons daily- some struggle with divorce, or addiction, or money. But there is something that you have that others don't- and they want it! 

It's ok to be jealous- it drives us to want to change something in our own lives.  It can motivate us to become better.

It's ok to be grateful- it humbles us and makes us more aware of the wonderful, special things we have.

Take some time today to find your perfect. Then say a few words of thanks to the man upstairs. Then, think of what you are jealous of- and make a plan to make it better. 

Happy Saturday friends!