When mommy was in college (after I turned 21), I liked to go out with my friends and have too many a few drinks. Sometimes I thought my Irish ancestry made me invincible to the effects of alcohol, and I would drink too much. On one of these occasions, your Aunt Katie and I had the brilliant idea to drink cheap tequila before we went out to the bars...where we continued to drink cheap tequila and vodka and rum. The night ended with your aunt Katie passed out under a truck and with Mommy in handcuffs. It was very embarrassing and we are lucky that no one was hurt or arrested. Maybe one day I will fill you in on the details (what I can remember, at least), but for now, that's all you need to know. The moral of this story is obviously that tequila is never a good idea. Remember that.
Out with Aunt Shannon and Aunt Katie during our junior year of college.
#11. Describe 10 Pet Peeves You Have
Seriously? Only 10?
1. When people bite the bottom of their ice cream cone and suck the ice cream from the bottom. (Why?!)
2. When I let someone over and they don't wave.
3. When people don't buy off the registry.
4. Popped collars.
5. Facebook game invites.
6. People who use the express lane at the grocery store when they clearly have over 15 items.
7. People who don't share their baby names.
8. People who ask if you're "for sale" when we're out shopping. (You'd be surprised at how often this happens. Granted, we're usually at Goodwill, but still.)
Narrowing this list down to ten people is pretty much impossible. So many people have influenced me...from my kindergarten teacher to the president of the United States. (Let me be clear...I'm talking about Bush, not Obama.) Some of these people I've never met, some I've known my whole life, and some I knew for only a short time. But the one thing that all of these people have in common is that they possess qualities that I admire. They are hard-working, selfless, courageous people. There are the usual suspects, like my parents (Yes, your grandparents influenced me, how could they not? They practically raised me), my college professors, and Kate Middleton. (She makes me want to dress better. And speak with a British accent.)
But mostly, my influence comes from everyday people with extraordinary strength, devotion, and dedication. Qualities that I hope to pass onto you. To me, there is nothing more inspiring and influential than someone who devotes their life to a cause that they truly believe in. I don't have to agree with the cause to find that kind of dedication admirable. Selflessness is something I struggle with, so I truly admire those who put others before themselves.
Hard work is another character trait I admire. I love hearing stories about people who overcome unbelievable odds to accomplish their goals, like marathon runners who were told they would never walk or a Harvard graduate who grew up on the streets. People who use setback and rejection as motivation serve as the best role models.
I'm all about cheering for the underdog (unless the underdog happens to be the Dallas Cowboys), and I love all sports movies, even though the plot is always the same: A rag tag team who no one believes in ends up winning the gold medal/super bowl/world series/little league championship with the help of an inspirational coach and some old fashioned hard work. Gets me every time. (If you've never seen Cool Runnings, Miracle on Ice, or The Mighty Ducks, stop reading this right now and go binge watch all three.) These stories don't make me want to train for the Olympics (I mean, seriously, have you seen me throw a ball?), they just inspire me to work hard and help me realize that nothing is impossible.
Okay, okay, get to the list, already.
1. Soldiers, Fire Fighters, Police Officers, etc.
I greatly admire anyone who has ever served in any branch of our military. There is nothing more selfless than sacrificing your life for the freedom/safety of others. I feel so strongly about this that if your school doesn't make Veteran's Day a holiday, you will be staying home that day in honor of the men and women who have died for our country.
2. Anyone who has worked hard to achieve their dreams.
I know this includes a lot of people, but I can't narrow it down to a few specific names, because I have been influenced by so many stories of single parents, immigrants, and people born with disabilities and financial hardships who overcame obstacles and persevered. Rory, never ever underestimate the power of hard work.
3. Those who stand up for what they believe in.
There are lots of examples of this: People who defied their parents/religion/culture to do what they believed to be the right thing. It happens everyday, from teenagers standing up to bullying, to citizens of war torn countries risking their lives to protect the rights of others. Not everyone can change the world, but I admire those who strive to make a difference in even just one person's life.
4. Parents
Except for the few awful parents out there, I admire anyone who has raised a child, especially those who do it alone. I realize now how difficult it is to bring a child into this world and mold them into productive members of society. Being a parent means you are always putting someone else before yourself- it is the ultimate act of selflessness. To say that you would die for someone and actually mean it, well, that's pretty admirable.
5. Teachers
Maybe I only feel this way because I was a teacher, but no one works harder than them. Teachers spend hours upon hours planning, grading, and worrying about the well-being of their students. They get paid next to nothing, but they love what they do. It's been said that the difference between resilient and non-resilient children is having one person who believes in them, and most of the time that one person was a teacher. A teacher's main job is to relay information, but they also inspire, encourage, and challenge. I hope that you have teachers who you will remember long after you leave their classrooms.
6. People who take action
Anyone can talk about the injustices of the world, but it takes a bigger person to actually do something about it. Starting a non-profit, donating time and money, or traveling to impoverished countries to help others with less resources are all actions that can be taken to help others. I am amazed when I hear about people who dedicate their entire lives to help others or champion a cause. Take Jane Goodall, for example. If she had chosen to simply complain about our lack of knowledge and treatment of the chimps over biscuits and tea (she's British), we wouldn't have the information or conservation efforts we have today.
7. People who have treated me badly
People can either have a positive influence on you, or a negative one. Unfortunately, there will be people in your life who treat you badly and make you question your beliefs, but it is up to you to turn negative experiences into important life lessons. Going through some of the hardest times in my life have helped me realize how important it is to treat others with kindness and respect. I have realized what kind of person I don't want to be, and more importantly, what kind of person I don't want to raise you to become. Every experience and every relationship, whether it be good or bad, has the potential to help you grow.
8. Positive People
I am very much a cynic realist, so I truly admire people who see the glass as half full and turn awful situations into positive experiences. People who view terminal illness, physical handicaps, or tragic events as an opportunity to make a positive impact on the world definitely have my respect and admiration.
9. George W. Bush
I mean, come on....
10. You
Rory, you more than anyone, have influenced and inspired me. I pray everyday that I can be someone you admire and look up to. I hope to be an example of kindness, courage, and perseverance.You make me want to be a better person and make the world a better place. And I hope that one day when asked who has inspired you, I am the first person who comes to mind.
I think I included 99.9% of the world population in the list above, so if I didn't mention you by name, don't worry, I'm pretty sure you fit into one of these categories.
*I seriously contemplated skipping this 30 things post. The first 5 things that popped into my head were chocolate croissants, binge watching on Netflix, napping, finding bargains on Craigslist, and rainy days. Don't worry, I eventually dug a little deeper.
1. Healthy Living
I wasn't always passionate about leading a healthy lifestyle. As a child growing up in the time of Lunchables and Pop-Tarts, weeks would go by before anything green came inches from my mouth. My school lunch consisted of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on white bread, Doritos, a banana, and an oatmeal cream pie. I threw the banana away. But, the older I became, the more I realized that I'm not going to live forever, but I can take steps to make sure I'm around as long as possible. I began exercising and changing my eating habits, and I quickly realized that a healthier lifestyle had its benefits. I felt more energetic and confident and I was sick less often. I slowly phased out processed foods and began eating a diet composed mostly of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. I was a psuedo- vegetarian for four years before I became pregnant with you, but it was difficult to get all of the necessary protein I needed during pregnancy, so now I eat organic meat a few times a week. I've done a lot of research regarding preservatives and food additives and the negative impact they have on our health, so I'm going to go ahead and apologize now for the lack of junk food in our fridge and pantry, but I promise you will thank me one day. There was a time when I was a bit too obsessed with being healthy, but I've since learned that moderation is key. I no longer care as much about counting calories as I do about consuming "real" food. So, I still see lots of cookie-making in our future...as long as they're from scratch.
Hiking with friends in New Hampshire.
2. Family
It's true that you don't always know what you have until it's gone, and I didn't realize how important family is until we moved to Denver and you were born. It's hard being so far away, especially during the holidays. I never realized how lucky I was to be able to drop in at Gammy's house whenever I wanted during college. She would send me home with groceries and clean laundry, and I'm ashamed to say I took this for granted. Now there are days when I would give anything to have a home-cooked meal and a babysitter I know I can trust right around the corner. When we moved to New Hampshire, we were only a few hours away from your Poppy and your Mom-Mom, but we didn't make the drive to see them as often as we should have, and now we're a four-hour plane ride away. Now that you're here, I understand the phrase "It takes a village to raise a child"....I just wish we didn't live so far from the village. It's easy to take family for granted. They have to love you, no matter what. The important thing is to realize how lucky you are to have them before it's too late. It is my hope that eventually we will live close to family and you will grow up around lots of aunts and cousins and grandparents. Until then, thank God for Facetime.
3. Travel
Before you were born, your dad and I traveled to lots of places, including Romania, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Austria. We had a lot of fun and had the privilege of experiencing many other cultures. I learned a lot about myself during our trips abroad, and I hope that we are fortunate enough to continue traveling now that we have you. I want you to realize that there is more to this world than Highlands Ranch, CO. Traveling abroad helped me realize that different doesn't necessarily mean better or worse. It encouraged me to be grateful for what I have and to strive for more. It broadened my horizons and helped me view the world from a different perspective. Traveling has made me a better person. There are so many beautiful places in this world, and I can't wait to experience them with you.
In Molveno, Italy. One of my favorite places.
4. Simplicity (The best things in life are free.)
This is a new one for me, and one I often struggle with. I've noticed that many people are so busy with work and other obligations that they hardly have any time to simply enjoy life. I don't want to fall into this trap...even if that means having less, because I'm beginning to realize that sometimes less is more. We have everything we need and more, and rather than focus on things, I'd rather focus on providing you with meaningful and lasting experiences. Your dad and I made the choice to live on one salary so that I could stay home and raise you, so I guess you could say this "passion" stems from necessity. We've have to be more careful with our money and watch our spending habits, but it's been worth it. I wouldn't trade these past 9 months with you for anything. Even though we have less money, our lives feel more full. Our society is one based on consumerism, and it's easy to become caught up in the materialistic trap, but it's your character that defines who you are, not what's hanging in your closet. Don't get me wrong, I see no problem in owning an expensive purse or designer jeans. We all like nice things, but I hope to raise you to find joy and happiness in serving others and in being a good person. I want your self-worth to come from who you are, not what you have. Simplicity doesn't mean saying "no" to everything or avoiding spending money at all costs, it's simply a reminder to enjoy the little things and focus on life's simple pleasures.
5. Learning and Discovering New Passions
I wish I could go back to my college days for many reasons...sleeping until noon, flip-cup tournaments, and One Tree Hill marathons, just to name a few. But I also miss the learning and research and the seemingly endless amount of papers I had to write. I miss feeling challenged. I enjoyed going to class, and I was eager to learn as much as I could about child development and teaching before graduating. I consider myself a life long learner, and I love discovering new interests and passions. As strange as it sounds, I'm passionate about having a passion. Everyone needs something that drives them and promotes growth and change. I pray that you will discover many passions in your lifetime...and I have a feeling that I will develop a passion for supporting and encouraging you during your own journey of self-discovery.
Growing up, I was always referred to as "the smart one" while your auntie Whitney was "the pretty one". (Although auntie Whit is pretty smart, and I would like to think that I'm not so bad to look at, either.) Whenever your poppy would introduce me to one of his clients or golf partners, he would immediately delve into a detailed list of my academic accomplishments and extra-curricular activities. His rote memorization of my grades and test scores always reminded me of a baseball fan reciting a player's stats.
Everyone, including me, thought I would become a lawyer or a doctor or something that required at least 6 years of college. So, you can imagine their surprise when I decided to become a teacher...and not even a high school teacher, but a kindergarten teacher. I remember someone telling me that becoming a primary teacher was such a "waste". That comment really stuck with me, and I wish I could go back in time and punch them in the face explain to them just how grueling of a profession teaching really is.
It's true that I never discussed the symbolism in an Edgar Allen Poe poem, or solved theorems with my kindergarteners, but that doesn't mean I wasn't challenged. I was constantly reworking my lesson plans in a way that accommodated and engaged all 20 of my very different students who all came from very different backgrounds. I worked way over 40 hours a week and took work home almost every night. I had to deal with countless behavioral issues, difficult and absent parents, and standardized testing. I thought constantly about my students and quickly realized how difficult it is to "leave your work at work" when you're a teacher. Especially when over half of your students come to school hungry and wearing the same clothes as the day before.
So, is teaching my dream job? Yes and no. I enjoyed it, and I was good at it, but it was all-consuming, and every year required more of me than the last. After my fourth year of teaching, I became burned out and frustrated with the education system in general. I wanted a change, and boy did I get one, because I became pregnant with you almost immediately after I had made the difficult decision not to return to the classroom. Divine intervention? I like to think so.
The truth is, quitting teaching and having you gave me the opportunity to realize my true dream job: being your mom. I love that I am able to see you change and grow everyday. I am there for every important milestone, every fall, and every dirty diaper. For the first time in my life, I can't wait to "go to work" everyday. (Although, it would be nice if work started a little later than 5:30.) If you had asked me 10 years ago if I would ever be a stay-at-home-mom, I would have told you absolutely not. But now, I can't imagine doing anything else. Most people would agree that being a SAHM is the hardest job there is, and they're right. Most days are not without its challenges, but I think going to work is the harder job. For me, nothing would be more difficult than having to drop off my baby at a childcare center while I went to work for eight hours every day. So even though there are days when I don't shower or leave the house or have any adult interaction, I consider myself one of the lucky ones.
There may be a day when I choose to go back to work, but for now, I am living the dream, dirty diapers and all.
If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?
1. A Personal Chef
Rory, I'm sure if you're able to read this, you know by now that not only do I not enjoy cooking, I'm also not very good at it. I love eating good food, but making it is an entirely different story. Every few months, I get on a cooking kick, and you're dad gets really excited, but it usually doesn't last long. At this point, there are two things I do well: chocolate chip cookies and kale chips. (Am I the only one that sees the irony in this??) So, I would love to be able to come home to a healthy, home-cooked meal every evening prepared by anyone but me.
2. Unlimited Airline Miles
I love living in Denver, and I know it will be a great place for you to grow up, but it's hard being so far from family. You have the most amazing aunts who live all over the world and have so much to teach you. (Mostly about fashion and binge drinking, but these are important life lessons.) We've made some great friends, but friends are not obligated to come babysit when you have a massive hangover on Sunday morning or don't feel comfortable taking your toddler with you to get a papsmear. I would especially love to be able to take you to Brasil more often. You come from an amazing culture, and it makes me sad that you won't be able to experience it on a daily basis. There's no place like Brazil during Carnival. Although, maybe we should wait until you're 21 before you experience that first hand.
At the Carnival parade in Sao Paulo, pre-Rory.
3. World Peace
What? I didn't want to seem selfish. (But really it would be to eat anything I want without getting fat.)
1. Sleep
Even though you are beginning to sleep through the night, I never feel well-rested. I don't think I've slept deeply since you were born, and I probably never will. Today I was able to nap when you napped, and it was glorious. Every night after you're asleep, I'm faced with the same decision: Go to sleep or stay up and read/blog/clean. Sleep usually wins...Unless I'm reading a really good book. (See number 3.)
2. Blogging
I've always enjoyed writing. In fact, I started college as a journalism major,but quickly switched to education once I realized how much I enjoyed children and teaching. As much as I love you, you can't provide me with the intellectual stimulation I need at this point. And I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but reading board books and singing nursery rhymes all day gets old fast. So, when I feel as though my brain is beginning to turn to mush, I write. It's a great outlet for me and I love that it provides me with the opportunity to record all of your major milestones during a time when you are growing and changing so quickly. As soon as I put you down for your morning nap, I am already looking forward to working on my newest post. Unless, of course, I decide to nap instead. (See number 1.)
3. Reading
Reading has always been my escape of choice. When I move to a new place, one of the first things I do is get a library card, and one of your first public appearances was story time at the Highlands Ranch library when you were three months old. About a week after you were born, I decided to take advantage of the fact that pretty much all you did was eat and sleep. One of my first solo-trip after you were born was to the library. (I also stopped at Target on the way home for nipple cream.) I stocked up on novels and parenting books, and I couldn't wait to read them. But when I opened the first novel, recommended to me by your auntie Whit, a funny thing happened. The words just seemed to blur together and I found myself reading the same first paragraph over and over. As a lifelong reader, this was quite worrisome. Had pregnancy and childbirth affected my ability to read and absorb information? Would I ever be able to focus on anything but you? Fortunately, within a few months, I was back to reading several books a week. I don't read as quickly as I used to because you demand most of my time and attention, but I look forward to those thirty minutes each evening when you are asleep and daddy is watching soccer highlights and I am able to just read. Most of the time I read several books at once. Here is a picture of my nightstand right now:
I still enjoy reading birth stories. They remind me of the day you were born.
Books in waiting.
4. Margaritas
Your dad makes really good margaritas...and when you are 21, you can enjoy them with me. Until then, it's juice for you, my friend.
5. Watching You Grow
Everyday you do something that amazes me. Just yesterday you learned how to sit up in your crib on your own. I looked into the monitor...and there you were sitting up and looking around, waiting for me to come and get you. It's such a privilege to be able to spend everyday with you and see you change and grow. You are gaining new skills on a daily basis, and being your mom has helped me learn to appreciate the little things. Before you, I was constantly focusing on what could go wrong. I was filled with anxiety about what the future held and I never took the time to enjoy the here and now. But now that you are here, I look forward to the future because I can't imagine it being anything but great with you in it.
"I didn't know how much I loved your dad until I saw how much he loved you."
- a hormonal, first-time mom
Rory,
To be honest, I've put off writing this post for awhile now. And not because I didn't know what to say about your dad and my's relationship, but because I have so much to say that it's difficult for me to narrow it down. I've told you countless times how lucky you are to have such a wonderful dad. I even wrote a blog post about it. You are only a baby and I want you to stay that way for as long as possible, but when you do grow up and realize that you're ready to find a partner and start a family, I pray that you will find a husband as loving, supportive, and kind as your father.
Your dad and I have had our ups and downs like any other couple, but I've never once doubted my decision to marry him, even at such a young age. We met in college where we both worked at the computer lab in the education building. When I first began working at the lab, I had a boyfriend who I had been dating for 4 years. We broke up a few months later, and eventually I began to see your dad as more than a friend. Our first "date" was actually a weekend trip to Austin to visit our mutual friend, Tony. The 4 hour drive passed so quickly because we talked nonstop the whole time. That's how it's always been with us. We can tell each other anything, even the hard stuff. He was the first man who I truly felt like I could be myself around.
Our relationship isn't particularly romantic or extravagant. But it's comfortable and it's strong. I think what makes our marriage work is the fact that we balance each other out so well. I'm organized, high strung, and cynical. Your dad, on the other hand, is care-free and a bit of a procrastinator. He is always telling me to relax and I am always reminding him to be on-time. He supports me but also puts me in my place, and I try to do the same. We love each other because of our flaws, not despite them.
After being married for five years, I've realized that romance isn't what makes a marriage strong. A solid marriage is built on acceptance, trust, and most importantly, laughter. It's the everyday things that count. Like when he brings me coffee in the morning or I cook him brisket, even though it disgusts me. It's about me making sure his soccer socks are washed every Wednesday and it's about your dad letting me sleep in on Saturday mornings. It's about encouraging each other to be our best selves and helping one another through tough times.
You probably won't see your dad and I hold hands or kiss in public, but that does't mean we're not in love. You may not see him bring me flowers or chocolate, and I probably won't write him love notes, but that doesn't mean that I don't get butterflies in my stomach every day at 5 when I hear the garage door opening.
You may even see us fighting every once in awhile, but please don't worry or think that we don't love each other anymore. Arguing is a part of every healthy relationship. It makes us stronger and helps us realize that marriage is hard work. We'll go through ups and downs, but we'll always come out of a slump stronger and even more dedicated to one another and our marriage than before.
Going through life with a supportive, loving partner like your dad makes me feel like I can do anything and overcome any obstacle that comes my way. I pray that one day you will be lucky enough to find someone as caring and selfless as your dad. No matter what happens, remember that just as I love you more and more each day, my love for your dad also grows with each passing day.
He is everything I every wanted in a husband and more.
I've always been a worrier. When I was in elementary school, I worried so much that I would get stomach aches almost every night. I really hope you don't inherit this from me, especially because worrying about something never changes the outcome. Even though I know that worrying is a waste of mental energy, I can't seem to stop. Unfortunately, if left to their own devices, these worries often turn into fears. And just when I thought I couldn't possibly worry about one more thing, you were born, and my worries seemed to multiply. Sadly, the most difficult part of writing this post was choosing only three fears. But, eventually I narrowed them down, and here they are:
1. Fear Of Flying
I haven't always been afraid to fly. I've been flying on a regular basis pretty much since I was born. Your gammy and poppi got divorced when I was only a little older than you are right now, so I would fly with your auntie Whitney and auntie Courtney to go visit poppi in Connecticut about three times a year. I used to love flying. I even remember feeling slightly disappointed each time the place landed, signaling the end of the flight. I'm not sure when my fear of flying developed. Perhaps it started on our way to get married in Mexico when we experienced sudden, severe turbulence. Perhaps it's because in the past few years there have been several flights that seem to have just stopped flying. All I know is that now when I get on a flight, my palms get super sweaty and I panic whenever I feel even the slightest bit of turbulence. I realize statistics are in my favor...I have a much greater chance of dying in a car accident; but that doesn't change the fact that I am trusting a pilot I don't know to fly me 35, 000 feet into the air in what looks like a giant metal can.
2. Fear of Losing You
From the day I found out you were in my stomach, I was terrified that I would lose you. So many things can go wrong in a pregnancy, and I was convinced that every pain or strange feeling meant that I had miscarried. Needless to say, it was a long nine months and I couldn't wait until you were safe in my arms. Little did I know that my fear of losing you would only get worse once you were out of my womb and in the real world where you seemed so helpless and vulnerable. Even when you were asleep right next to me in your bassinet, I was convinced that you were going to stop breathing. I still check the video monitor several times a night, and I have finally accepted the fact that I will not get a good night's sleep for at least 18 years. Every day I fall more in love with you, and every day the fear of losing you grips me just a little tighter. Every time I hear about a child's death on the news or read about an accident in the paper, that fear resurfaces and I am forced to imagine what life would be like without you, but I can't. I barely remember life before you, and I pray to God each night that I will never have to live my life after you.
3. Fear of You Hating Me
Becoming a parent is both the best and the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. (Besides flying. See above.) All of a sudden I was in charge of another human life. I remember coming home from the hospital and thinking, "What the hell do I do now?" But even though your survival depends on me until you can feed, clothe, and bathe yourself, I realize that these are the easy years. Soon you will be looking to me for guidance for things like friendships and boys and peer pressure. I know I won't always get it right. I know there will come a day when you hate me and you feel as though I don't understand you and you will wish that you had been born to a different family. I know this because I went through those years with my own mom. But the older I got, the more I understood why my mom said what she said and did what she did. She was just being a good mom. And now that I'm a mom, I am terrified of what's to come. What if I don't say the right thing? What if I pass up opportunities to tell you how beautiful and smart I think you are? What if I don't have the sex talk soon enough? What if you end up hating me? Fortunately, I have a few years to think about these things, and hopefully when these situations arise, I will be ready. Hopefully I will say the right thing and you will understand the reasons behind my actions. But, if I screw up every once in a while, please know that I always have your best interest in mind...and please, please don't hate me.
I write this blog for a variety of reasons, but I consider the most important to be chronicling life with Rory. I want her to be able to look back at any point and see herself as a baby and read about both our struggles and triumphs. She won't remember her first word, the first time she ate solid food, or her first steps, but she will be able to see pictures of and read all about these important milestones on this blog. Sort of like an electronic baby book. But, I also blog about other, more personal things. So, when Rory is able to read, this blog will also be a great way for her to get to know me as a real person and not just her mom.
I stumbled upon the 30 Things Challenge while reading another mom's blog, and I knew immediately that I wanted to try it. As part of the challenge, I will write 30 different posts, each with a different theme, but all of which reveal something about myself that I feel Rory should know. Here is the list:
1. List 20 random facts about yourself. 2. Describe 3 legitimate 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. If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for? 7. What is your dream job, and why? 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 and weaknesses strengths you have. 15. Describe when you knew your spouse was the one or how I fell in love. 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 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.
The first of the 30 things posts requires me to list 20 random facts about myself. So, here goes...
1. I'm scared of space.
2. I didn't have curly hair until high school.
3. I used to want to be a journalist.
4. I graduated 5th in my high school class.
5. I didn't get my driver's license until I was 18.
6. I still get nervous when I drive on the highway.
7. I couldn't swallow a pill until my senior year of high school.
8. I hate nail polish.
9. I don't know how to whistle.
10. Or do a cartwheel.
11. I'm scared of throwing up.
12. I hate action movies.
13. I won't drink anything hot. Even in the winter, I get iced coffee.
14. I am a morning person. I prefer to go to bed early and wake up early.
15. My favorite thing to do is curl up on the couch in my pajamas with a good book.
16. Breakfast is my favorite meal. Eggs? Good. Pancakes? Good. Donuts? Realllly good.
17. I love vacuuming. I especially love the sound the vacuum makes when it picks up dirt.
18. One of my favorite things to do is take off my bra clothes after a long day and put on pajamas.
19. My mood is deeply affected by the weather.
20. I never knew I could love someone as much as I love you.
