30 of 30 Things

Just realized I have one thing left.  Since I can't start and not finish, I must tell you what I hope to be remembered for.  I'm supposed to come up with 10, but I'm not sure if that is going to happen.

This question makes me think about my sweet Nana, Grace. I remember her for her kindness, her cute laugh, her thoughtfulness, her silly rhymes and phrases, her delicious meals, her love of and dedication to family, her love of and dedication to the Lord, and that being with her always felt like home.  I would like to be remembered for the same things. 

29 of 30 Things

I once had someone that I would say is relatively close to me tell me I am intimidating.  This totally surprised me because I would never say that about myself.  At 5' 1/2" tall, I feel anything but intimidating.  I felt totally misunderstood by this comment and a little baffled.  Maybe my tendency to have opinions and the difficulty I have in keeping said opinions to myself led to this misunderstanding.  I try to be friendly and encouraging to all I meet and hope that I don't intimidate them.  That is the opposite of what I want to do. 

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Love Language

I'm not a huge self-help book fan, but I love Gary Chapman's "5 Love Languages" series.  They seem right on target.  You should take the quiz found on the official website HERE.  I was pretty sure I knew what my love language was, but I did take the quiz to double check.  Spot on! 
My love language is Service, followed closely by Quality Time.  This makes so much sense to me.  I have often told people that in lieu of gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Martin Luther King Day, etc I would rather have someone do something for me or something with me.  When I come home to find Jared washing my car or folding laundry when I haven't asked, I fall in love with him all over again.

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Favorite Body Part

I am not sure I can pinpoint my favorite body part.  I know what Jared's favorite body part on me is.  I'm sure you can guess.  I will just say that I like that I am short, or in to put it nicely "petite."  I never had to worry about dating anyone shorter than me.  People probably hate me because Jared is 6'1".  So, a really short girl took a tall man off the market. 
Right now, I love my pregnant belly.  Here's a photo of me at 18 weeks.

26 of 30 Things

There are a lot of popular notions that I think the world has wrong; however, one is standing out to me due to my current "family way" situation.  Overpopulation!  Where did this notion come from?  You should see the looks I get when out with my three boys and and my visibly protruding belly.  My friend, Trista, who recently had her fifth child has had people yelling at her from their cars to stop populating.  Who are these people and why is it okay for them to yell such things at random strangers?
I doubt that we are in danger of overpopulating considering birth rates continue to drop in America and throughout the world.  In the recent General Conference of the LDS Church, Elder Oaks talked about Protecting Children.  In his remarks, he stated, "The national birthrate in the United States is the lowest in 25 years,² and the birthrates in most European and Asian countries have been below replacement levels for many years. This is not just a religious issue. As rising generations diminish in numbers, cultures and even nations are hollowed out and eventually disappear."  He has some additional information if you'd like to read his talk in full, you can do so HERE.

25 of 30 Things

I think I am lame and shallow because I can't think of a single historical figure I'd like to have dinner with.  If I were ever given the power to have dinner with someone who is no longer alive, I'd have dinner with my Nana and Granddaddy.  I love those two and I miss them and I'd love to have a chance to talk to them about their lives and love for one another.  We would definitely eat black eyed peas and rice, pole beans, and fried chicken.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

24 of 30 Things

Family Dynamics

Growing up I cannot remember not having younger siblings.  We are very close in age.  Currently, I am 32, Stacey is 30, and Tony will be 28 in a month.  If anyone had something going on: choir concerts, dance performances, soccer games, cheering at a game, etc, we were all there.  Family is a huge part of who we are.  We aren't perfect and we don't always agree, but we respect one another and love one another unconditionally. It's pretty rare, I know. I am so blessed.
It's not just my immediate family either.  My extended family is also awesome! I have a vivid memory of my Uncle Tommy on the day that Josh left me in St. Augustine and the beginning of the end of our marriage was evident.  I walked into my Nana's house to just be with her and my mom. I think my mom said something along the lines of "She's staying."  Uncle Tommy was there making breakfast and he just knew.  He didn't say anything, he just came over and gave me one of his wonderful hugs.  Both of us were crying and I felt so loved.  I have hundreds of memories like this; actions of my family members have made me feel so loved.
I only hope that my own children will develop the types of relationships with one another and with their extended family as I have had.  I know that my own parents helped us to develop these relationships and that now it is my job to do the same.  I feel that the best way to do this is provide opportunities for my children to serve one another, support one another, and enjoy one another.  They can fight and irritate one another, but they can also be so sweet to one another.  I love that when we pick Ethan up from school, Grayson is first in line to give him a huge hug.  Just yesterday, Ethan quietly came over and hugged me and kissed my belly.  He said, "I love our girl baby. I'm going to take care of her."  (Not sure if you caught that, but it's official: We're having a girl!)

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Top 5 Hobbies

I don't know that I even have hobbies.  I am very busy with my time, but it seems most of that is doing things for other people.  So, I'm going to list a few actual things I spend free time on and a few others I'd hope to one day spend free time on.

Reading--This is something I always do no matter what.  I am always reading a book.  It is the only regularly scheduled thing I do for myself.  My absolute favorite thing about living in Orlando is that the public library delivers books to my house!  It's awesome.

Crafting--Not often, but I do get my craft on.  I am not that awesome, but I do enjoy being crafty.  I try hard to make birthday gifts for friends.  Last year I made kitchen towels.  This year I made magnets and bookmarks.  Nothing awesome, but something to show how much I appreciate my girls.  I dabble in crochet and might even make a Halloween costume this year.

Blogging--My blog is a hobby.  It is definitely something I do to keep track of family history and journal.  I truly enjoy blogging even thought I know my content and writing style are often lacking.  I just blog about what I want to blog about, because lucky for me, I live in America.

Yoga/Pilates/Jogging--I love all three of these things and sometimes make time for them in my busy life.  I really want to be more consistent because it is such a release for me and helps me focus and just feel strong.  I'd really like to actually take a Yoga or Pilates class.  Maybe one day.

Traveling--One day I want to travel.  I want to go and see exciting places and things.  This is an expensive hobby so not sure when it'll start happening.  If I could take at least one week long trip a year that would be awesome.

22 of 30 Things

The Future

5 years from now, I see myself in a similar state I am now.  Only difference is my children will be older and all of them will be in school!  I don't even want to think about that.  With all that time alone, I think I'll enjoy exercising more frequently and getting my house a little cleaner than it is now.  I hope that Jared is still loving his job and making more moola.  It'd be great to have a house on a quiet Cul-de-sac with enough space for our brood and our workout stuff (if you've been to our house, it is the first thing you see when you come in and it drives me mad).  Maybe I'll work a few more hours, but mostly I want my full-time job to remain "MOM."  I want to provide yummy afternoon snacks and taxi my children to various activities.  I want them to KNOW how much I love them and I want them to be happy.  I hope Jared and I will have either taken or have a concrete plan to take a real vacation to one of our top ten destinations.

10 years from now, I think life will be really different.  For one, I'll have a teenager!  What?!  Maybe we'll be frequenting high school events and I'll be making significant efforts not to embarrass any of my children.  I will be entering my 40's, which may be scarier than having a teenager.  I may even be coloring my hair.  I am so boring, I really hope that we are happy with our lives and that my children have become confident, kind individuals.  I want Jared and I to be happy and enjoying our time together.  Maybe I've even used some of my free time to learn how to play the piano. 

15 years from now, I hope I haven't developed severe anxiety over any poor choices my children may have made or may be making.  I will be dealing with an utter loss of control over their lives and from what I've observed it is going to be difficult.  I hope I handle it with aplomb. Ethan could be on a mission and Grayson will be graduating from high school.  With Landon and our new baby right behind him, I hope I've developed some new hobbies and that Jared and I are making fun plans seeing as our home is on the verge of being an empty one.  I may be working more, but right now I don't see wanting to.

Not very creative.  I want a quiet, happy life with as little drama as possible. 

21 of 30 Things

Superpowers

 

If I could have one superpower, it would be something that would allow me to manipulate time.  I have few regrets, so it's not that I would use it to go back in time and "fix" something.  I just feel that I don't ever have enough time to do everything I need and want to do.  Maybe I could just get myself a Time Turner and all would be easier in my little world. 

20 of 30 Things

Three Significant Memories from Childhood

1. Yearly family vacations to Hiawassee, Georgia to stay at Ms. Ginny's cabin.  We would drive 8 or 9 hours from our little home in St. Augustine and stay for up to two weeks. Often we would find neighbors had left brown shopping bags full of fresh picked corn on the porch and we would feast on delicious foods all week!  Seeing as we weren't rolling in the dough when I was a child, this was the perfect vacation.  All it cost was gas and food.  And back then, gas was about $1 a gallon.  Ah, the good ole days.  The cabin was on a hill and at the bottom of the hill was a lake. We spent the weeks boating, jet skiing, hiking local mountains, looking for Brasstown Bald mountain, hiking Ruby Falls, enjoying the Georgia Mountain Fair, day trips to Helena for tubing or to Mark of the Potter, and every night we'd play games!  It was awesome and I have the fondest of memories of those trips. 

Rear view of the cabin from the lake.

Lake Chatuge.  I remember thinking it was so cool that when we crossed to the other side of the lake we were in North Carolina.

Best Friends: Ms. Ginny and my Nana, Grace.

2. Skit nights!  Every year in high school during Homecoming week, we would hold skit night.  There was always a theme (chosen by the current junior class) and you had to incorporate school spirit, the team we were playing on Homecoming night, and find ways to make fun of other classes and teachers and hot topics of the time.  We'd get our theme about a week before performance and have several days to put it all together.  Proudly, the Class of 1998, won all four years were at St. Augustine High School.  A fact that we like to rub in whenever possible.  Here's a photo from our Senior year when we did our own version of Rocky Horror Picture Show and it was awesome. 

 

Yes, Kenton is wearing one of my old dance skirts over his jeans.  Awesome.

 

3. It's SHOWTIME, tonight! The time spent dancing and singing in my dance group, Showtime, USA also provides many significant childhood memories.  I gained tons of self-confidence, made great friends, participated in fun activities that didn't always include dancing (think video scavenger hunts, service projects, and trips to fun places), and had a blast doing it. 

 

Stacey (9), Me (11), and Valerie (10) before a performance.  We were very patriotic in the early days.  I think that skirt would probably fit my thigh now. 

 

My Sophomore year we started incorporating a much for authentic musical theater vibe.  Here I am wearing a very tight dress (I think I cried when I found out I had to wear something that showed off my butt so clearly) and singing Can't Buy Me Love.



19 of 30 Things

If I could live anywhere it would be Stars Hollow! I know this place doesn't really exist, but I love it. I love that it has seasons and isn't far from fun, big cities in which to play. I love the small town feel of it where everyone knows you and is looking out for you. I love the quirky residents and festivals. If this place existed, I would love to live there.

18 of 30 Things

You can read about the thing that was the most difficult for me to forgive Here.  Following this experience, it was less difficult to forgive Josh and more difficult to forgive myself.  I spent a lot of time wrapping my head around what I could have done differently and other thoughts along that train.  I did come to the conclusion that given my experience and knowledge at the time, I truly did everything I could.  In a way, the biggest step I made in moving forward was a type of forgiveness of myself. 

17 of 30 Things

The one thing I wish I was the most great at is dancing.  I LOVE dancing.  I danced regularly, taking classes from the time I was very small through my college years.  It helped me get through some of the most difficult times of my life and is a source of great joy for me.  I watch shows like So you Think you can Dance and Dancing with the Stars and it makes me long to dance again on a stage.  I wasn't as spectacular as the stars of these shows, but I sure wish I could be. 

16 of 30 Things

Greatest Accomplishments

 

My Children! I know they are no where near raised, but just being pregnant, giving birth, and raising them these last (almost) 5 years is an accomplishment in and of itself. Being pregnant for me is not a surreal, mild, pleasant experience. It is hard and full of sickness and discomfort. I simply don't feel like myself when I'm pregnant. It is really hard for me, but I love the babies that come as the reward at the end. Here are two of my three during last weekend's indoor campout.

I made a huge blanket for my mom for her birthday in 2010.  It is nothing fancy, but it is the first of, hopefully, many more blankets in my creative future.  Making something gives one an amazing since of accomplishment.  (It is also great that two years later it is still in good shape.)  Mom and I snuggle up in my blanket creation below.

 



Graduation from college at BYU and from grad school at UCF.  Both were hard, but for drastically different reasons.  I survived both and am so proud of my education.  No one can take it away from me. 

 

Receiving my LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Work) certification.  This is a two year process following graduation.  It requires a certain amount of hours of professional experience coupled with a certain amount of hours of licensed supervision and a huge, hard test at the end.  I took that test 8 months pregnant with Ethan.  I did not procrastinate, I promise.  I took it as early as I could.  I passed! And, five days later Ethan was born.  Glad I didn't wait seeing as he came three weeks ahead of schedule.

Launching a pilot program for Deseret Industries (a division of welfare services for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).  I had the privilege to launch a pilot program here in Orlando for DI that helped bring services found in DI Stores to an area that did not and would not have a store.  Thanks to Heavenly Father, amazing local support and colleagues, I was able to get the program off the ground.  Today it is very successful part of the LDS Employment Family (another division of welfare services) and is found in many states in the United States.  Also, a lot of what we discovered has been beneficial in implementing new programs in the stores as well.  I know I played a small part, but seeing what a little seed can produce feels like a significant accomplishment in my life.

15 of 30 Things

If I could be any animal, I think I'd be a dog.  That may seem lame, but dogs are awesome.  They are playful and happy and snuggly.  They like to run and jump and sleep and eat.  Sounds pretty good to me.  Plus, all dogs go to heaven. 

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Strengths and Weaknesses

Not going to spend too much time on this one because it was kind of difficult for me. 
Also, I don't like the word weaknesses, so I'm substituting the word challenges.

Strengths

1. I think I'm a pretty genuine person.  What you see is what you get.
2. I am intelligent and love learning new things.
3. I am resourceful and enjoy problem-solving.
4. I am willing to take another's opinion into account and know that my way isn't always the "only" way.
5. I am loyal to those that I love.

Challenges

1. I can be judgemental, something that helps me in my job (helping others recognize challenges/strengths and finding ways to improve those things in their lives), but something that can get in the way of my personal relationships. I tend to be hard on those I see so much potential in that I love.
2. I always have an opinion and haven't quite learned when to keep it to myself.
3. I have a tendency to be too hard on myself.  I could be doing a pretty good job on any particular thing and focus on the one or two flaws that exist instead.
4. I raise my voice too much at home.  Sometimes I do really good with controlling this one, but then I forget to do the things that help me be better. 
5. I don't always prioritize the things that really matter most.  Meaning, I get caught up in the details and forget the big picture. 

12 of 30 Things

A Day in the Life

I haven't had many typical days lately, but maybe that is what makes them typical.  Hmmmm.  Anyways, here is a peak into our little life. 

6:45 AM  Rise and Shine.  Ethan "wakes up the sun" every morning.  This is actually a little later than usual, so 6:45 counts as sleeping in.

7:15 AM Breakfast is on the table and we are all eating it.  Today was cereal day because I was feeling lazy and cereal is like having dessert for breakfast.  Jared and I read the paper and the boys eat, eat, eat.  Except for Grayson, he didn't want to eat today.  He begged for chocolate milk, so I made some and he didn't drink it.  Landon didn't eat either, but his excuse is that he's got a fever and no appetite. Blergh!

8:00 AM I've cleared the table (well E and G clear their own dishes), taken a shower, and Jared is headed out the door.  Smooches and hugs all around.  Grayson has already asked for three snacks.  Denied!

8:30 AM Chores are started (laundry, putting away things that never seem to get put away, etc), TV comes on so I can be productive, and I feel light-headed so I sit down and eat some almonds.  Finally give in to Grayson and he eats some almonds too.

9:30 AM TV off, everyone is dressed and ready to go, load up the van and head to Freshfield Farms (meat and produce) AKA The Barnyard.  Note: there are no live animals at the barnyard, but there is a tractor parked in the lot.  Do produce and meat shopping and drop $45.

10:30 AM Head to Grandma's house.  Grandma heads to our house.  We both got confused, so she came back to her house.  Left G and L at Grandma's.  Took E to preschool open house to meet teacher and see classroom.

11:00 AM At preschool Ethan shares how excited he is in the parking lot.  In the classroom, he immediately becomes overwhelmed by how crowded it is with 10 students, their parents, and some siblings and grumps out by the front door.  After about 1/2 hour of coaxing (and after the room clears a bit), he is interested and playing and doesn't want to leave.

12:00 PM McDonald's stop.  Treat yo'self!  Head back to Grandma's and do lunch.  Feel guilty she can't eat fries on her diet since they're her favorite.  She's so nice, she sits and talks to me anyways.  Visit with Grandma.

1:30 PM Still at Grandma's because Ethan doesn't want to leave.  Ask Grandma to keep boys through their naps so I can hit my final shopping destination (that's right, I shop at three separate stores for the bi-monthly grocery extravaganza).  COSTCO!  Going to Costco with three kids is awful.  Going by yourself is awesome.  She agrees and I lay down G and L and head to Costco.

3:00 PM Costco conquered!  Made several phone calls on the to/from trip that needed doing since I was alone on a day I don't work.  Unload groceries and decide to check on neighbor, Sara, because I am worried I haven't seen her for awhile.  Visit with Sara for 1/2 hr.  Turns out she hurt her back and can't really get around.  Remind her we can help anytime and leave our numbers again.  Also get hers, finally.  I always forget. 

4:00 PM Back at Grandma's.  E and G up and playing.  Snack time.  Visit more with Sabra.  Finally wake Landon up and head home to make our dinner.

5:00 PM Start cooking dinner.  Cheated and got smoked chicken at the Barnyard earlier in the day.  Cook quinoa pilaf and honey-glazed carrots.  Fancy dinner! Kids happily watch some TV and play while I cook.  This only happens on days we've been gone all day.  Typically, they are running around like banshees and I have to stop cooking a dozen times to investigate when it gets too loud and when it gets too quiet.

6:15 PM Jared home.  Dinner on table.  Eat dinner and try to have convo with Jared, but we are interrupted a lot.  Kids finish and play together while we have a real convo.

7:00 PM Boys having Bithy-Bath Time.  I'm blogging.  Jared is chastising the boys again for standing in the tub (every night, people).

8:00 PM All boys will be in bed, Jared will do the dishes since I'm a nauseous mess, and I will fold some laundry and read my book.  Probably will be in bed soon so I am ready for work in the morning.  Shut it down!

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10 Pet Peeves

1. People who don't try. 
2. People who shuffle their feet when they walk.  The sound just kills me, although the advantage of not getting snuck up on can be a perk.
3. Know it all's who don't really know all that much.  If you are super smart, then being a know it all isn't a problem.
4. Pornography.  I definitely am shaped by personal issues that hurt very deeply, but all in all this is not healthy and it is not okay, in my opinion.
5. Celebrity gossip.  Why do we care?
6. Huge, I mean HUGE flowers on a newborn's head. Maybe it's cause I don't have a girl, but I just don't get it.
7. Scantily clad children and tweens.  Little girls shouldn't look like streetwalkers.
8. Cigarettes.  Clean Air Acts are the best idea ever.
9. Dogs wearing clothes.  Except for Elvis in his booties.  That was hilarious.
10. Simple grammar errors. They're, their, there; your, you're; etc. I am not saying I am perfect and never make a mistake.  If I do, I am peeved at myself and fix it ASAP. 

Share your pet peeves in the comments section.

10 of 30 Things

My Most Embarrassing Moment

Anyone who knows me knows I get embarrassed pretty easily.  So I feel like I have many embarrassing moments to choose from; however, there is one that really stands out as the most embarrassing.  At the young age of 14 my friends threw me a surprise birthday party.  I was lured to the surprise with the ruse that an extra dance practice had been scheduled last minute. This was totally legit as we often had extra practices in the summer to prepare for our summer tour each year.  So, I showed up ready to dance.  Black leotard, pink tights, no underwear, and walked in.  I was surprised, flattered and embarrassed in that I walked in scantily clad and had to wear my red bongo jeans over my tights and leotard for the remainder of the party which also included a video scavenger hunt through town.