Blogger 411: about ME

I'm linking up with Becky in the Blogger 411. I don't think I have done one of these get to know me things before and I always love reading them so I thought I'd join in!

1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed?

 I started blogging in January of 2010. 
I had been a blog stalker for years and was finally encouraged to start my own. 
I was going to wait until we had kids, but bit the bullet and blogged about our married life in Florida instead. I am so thankful I started when I did, I was able to connect with so many awesome women. I had no idea it would take us as long as it did to conceive and I was so thankful for an outlet, support, prayers and encourage from everyone- including others who were struggling. 
Of course, my blog has changed since having Adalyn....a lot.
 I used to write with some humor and these days I'm lucky if I can get my brain to form words to even write a post! 
I'm thankful to have the blog in each season of my life and I look forward to going back and reading it one day! 

2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?

I went to college for two years. And I got nothing but debt and great friends. 

I started out at the community college taking gen. eds, paying my way through and staying close to Mr. B {he was still a senior in High School}. After crying for months about having no friends and seeing all my others friends having fun, the college search was on for me and Mr. B. We decided on a small school in PA. We loved it. And then we hated it. My major was Communication Disorders. I had an awesome group of girls that I really connected with and loved. {Still love!} 

But we didn't feel the school was helping us grow spiritually and we really wanted to be surrounded by an uplifting/challenging environment. So we only lasted a semester. And said a tearful good-bye.

 We made our way down to FL. We went to Southeastern University. How can you not love a school in Florida?! {It's pretty easy actually- you live there and realize how hot it is.} We loved their chapels and it really seemed like everyone was there to learn and grow.

 My major was Elementary Education.

 At this school Mr. B connected with a good group of friends and I didn't like I did before. Some of my credits didn't transfer because I was dumb and took core classes for each major so I was about a year behind. I was always a good student, graduated HS with High honors, and got all A's and a few B's in college, but I was really just going to college for the experience and because I felt like I had to. I didn't like elementary education. I never felt the desire to be a teacher, I didn't enjoy lesson planning and hated speaking in front of the class. I only did it because I knew I wanted to work with kids. After much consideration and prayer, Mr. B and I decided that I would stop going to school and pursue my dream of being a nanny. Something I loved to do, I was gifted in doing and a way to make money rather than continue to put myself in debt.

 And that's what I did! 

I am thankful for each experience along the way! We always wonder what life would have been like had we stayed in PA the whole time- I don't think we would be where we are today.

 And I love where we are today, so that's okay!
 I do live the grass is greener life though and I seem to forget about all the bad times and only remember the good so I always wonder why we left and what we were thinking. Which is good and bad, I guess! 

But God knew.

Oh yeah and I only went away to school for one year and I still have $11,000 in debt. 

Paying the minimum doesn't get you very far.

3. Where have you traveled?

Outside of the US I've been to Canada, Mexico, Romania and the Ukraine

4. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?

I have a lot of pet peeves, it depends on the day. 

Sometimes it could be someone breathing.

Seriously.

But if to think of my three biggest...

1. Mouth noises. 

2. Heavy breathing

3. Whistling

I know, I have problems.

5. What is your favorite movie?

I think I'll have to go with Now & Then. 

I haven't seen it in a long time, but it was always one of my favs.

I do love the Notebook, too!

And A Walk to Remember { I couldn't listen to the soundtrack for months, because it would make me cry}

And I love Wild Hogs too.

6. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?

I don't drink any alcohol, but I do love me Diet Dr. Pepper or Root Beer.

It switches up every couple months between the two.

I'm currently in a Diet Dr. Pepper phase.

I also love water and I am particular about what kind.

I love smart water, but it's not always feasible.

I am fine with Poland Springs and Dasani.

Really don't like Nestle Pure Life.

Aquafina hurts my stomach.

I know, I have problems.

7. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?

I enjoy watching TV, blogging/reading blogs, editing pictures and various DIY projects

8. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?

I think I'd have to go with Target. I can never walk out of there with only what I went in to buy. 

They pretty much have everything I would need and I know that $10,000 would go way too quickly!!

9. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.

Way too many to share. 

I suppose my most current would be the amount of...ahem..gas I passed through the whole laboring process.

I'm not sure that was normal. 

I laugh about it almost every day.

I had no control.

10. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?

In high school I worked at a grocery store {Mr. B worked there too}. I was a cashier and sometimes bagger and I hated working on express and that is where I seemed to be the most.

I worked there for 3 years. 

Then I worked with kids- daycare, nanny, live-in nanny and  in-home daycare until I was 8 months pregnant. 

11. Show us a picture from high school or college.

"The Event" {aka Christian school prom- Senior Year}

College:

12. Show us the most current picture of you or you, or your family, or anything of meaning to you. 

{6 Month family pics that I still need to post!}

13. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?

Happily married to my best friend, living in our own home with a sibling {or two!} for Adalyn.

But I know the Lord holds our future and we can only do so much- it's in His hands! 

But these are my dreams and desires.

Here's the Thing....

To look like this....

I need to give up this...

And these...

And these....

And these...

And my all time fav., my staple....

And trade it in for this....

with little dressing, no cheese and no croutons {aka boring and gross}...

And give up this....

For this...

Hiking...

Exercise...

Sweating...

You see, it's really not my thing.

I just don't know if I am ready.

I don't think it's worth it.

But I do.

But I don't.

I really don't want to {and won't} give up on all that deliciousness.

So instead, I complain that I don't have that body because I would match rather it magically appear than to do all that. It's a lot easier.

So any secret tips on how to look like that without exercising and giving up all the goodness are welcome. =)

Sidenote: Yesterdays' post was not supposed to be a poor-me-negative-nancy! My life is wonderful, I thought those little things were comical. I appreciate all your kind comments though! If crumbled bread, burnt breakfast and a bright purple wall is the worst part of my day- I'm doing pretty good!

Double Sidenote: Let's talk So You Think You Can Dance for a sec. There is just way too many contemporary dancers. Sometimes I get it and like it, sometimes I don't. It's getting to be a little much- where are the hip hop dancers??

Wishful Wednesday

I wish it was May.

I wish we lived close to family.

I wish we would find out about a job for Mr. B. now.

I wish we could get our little boxer pup. now.

I wish we had a baby. now.

I wish I never had to leave my most favorite nanny job. ever.

I wish the weather would warm up.

I wish we had more money so I didn't have to work.

I wish we could eat out whenever I wanted or didn't feel like cooking.

I wish my hair would grow faster.

I wish I never cut it.

I wish I could cut it short again.

I wish I wasn't SO indecisive.

I wish we had cable and a DVR.

I wish I could be on What Not To Wear.

I wish Ellen was on at 9 in the morning instead of at 4.

I wish I got out of work in time to watch Oprah.

I wish, on the rare occasions that I am home by 4, I wouldn't have to choose between Ellen or Oprah.

I wish I could have the 30 Day Shred body without the 30 day exercise part.

I wish...I wish...I wish...I can wish all I want, but where does that get me besides not being thankful for what I do have? If anything, it makes me focus what I don't have which puts quite the damper on my mood. Not sure that I had a good mood to begin with, hence this I wish life was how I wanted it and then I would be happy post, but we can pretend I was. So enough with the wishing and on with the the waiting. I will try my best to be content where God has called Mr. B and I to be right now. Knowing He has a plan and purpose and works everything in His perfect timing. Romans 8:25 is a verse I came across the other day that is so imperative during this time of planning our next few steps and future plans, "But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently."

I am 1,000% sure my mom will comment and say, "You know what my dad always said, 'If you wish in one hand and spit in the other, all you'll end up with is a hand full of spit'". So I will beat her to it and put it out there. I do realize this is true statement, and I also realize wishing is still fun to do. But most importantly, I realize who holds my wishes and what I need to be doing with those wishes...

Delight yourself also in the Lord,

and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass ...

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him ..."

(Psalm 37:4-5, 7)

I guess I like to wish because it gives me something to look forward to, a goal, something to attain. That is where my problem is. My wishes have replaced Jesus. They have replaced the thought of what does God have in store for me, for us, right now and in the future. They have replaced the act of fully running the race for His kingdom because I am distracted by running the race to eventually be living a "happier" life filled with babies, a house, a puppy, friends, our home church, and family just a short drive a way.

Key word in both scriptures: patiently. I have a one track mind. Put something in my head and it is all I think about. I am s.l.o.w.l.y (like super slowly) starting attain this attribute. It's hard. But's it's also hard impossible to get this chapter in our lives back--these moments of just Mr. B and I, alone, together in Florida, extremely limited funds, seeking after God, living in the unknown and pressing on to what the future holds. So although it's nice to make a list of a million wishes. It's important to be patient. To wait in confidence. To commit our ways to the Lord. To take delight in where he has us. NOW.

I thought I would like this Wednesday theme and then it took a totally different turn as it made me sound like a complaining brat and the realization that I really need to just live in the moment, stop dreaming about how our life is going to be better, and stop believing that the grass is always greener. I heard a saying once that the grass is always greener where it's watered. So from now on I will water our grass and make it the greenest. With only 2 and half months left (Thank you Jesus!!! I didn't know this time would ever come!! Oops, ok that was my last time....maybe second to last. Actually, I think it's ok to be excited for a countdown, right?) in FL, I am going to soak in this time with my husband, and look forward to our future rather than dwell on it.

I have been dealing with this issue from when first got married. I remember driving home one day listening to the words to Trace Atkins song, You're Gonna Miss This and it hit me. Now, I have heard it a million times before (it's even my ringtone!), but there is one verse in particular that Trace wrote about me (without my permission, but I forgive):

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride

In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by

He tells her It's a nice place

She says It'll do for now

Starts talking about babies and buying a house

Daddy shakes his head and says Baby, just slow down

You're gonna miss this

You're gonna want this back

You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast

These Are Some Good Times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you're gonna miss this

And since this post ended up being so serious, here's a picture to lighten the mood a little. I can't mention him in a post without adding this picture. He may know how to right good songs, but he might not know his pant size....or maybe he does and he likes to show off his goods. Or maybe I am a perv? I know Mr. B and the guys in my family think so, but c'mon now, how can you not notice??

Bahahah :) You're welcome.

Thanks for putting up with this roller coaster of a post. Now that I officially have 35 followers (woot woot! Blogging self-esteem raised a few notches) and other invisible stalkers, I am held accountable to my words and actions more than ever. Not gonna lie, I was hesitant to post it. But I know it will be good for me!

Happy Wednesday! We have made it half way through the week!!