Tagged

I was tagged by Christine and because she's a super sweet blog friend, I'll pass on the joy!

Rule #1: the tagged person must write their answers on their blog and replace any question they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.
Rule #2: tag 4 people to do this quiz; they cannot refuse (ok, so nothing bad will happen if you don't participate but I would love to see your answers).  The tag-ee must state who tagged them.

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals or are they members of your family?
Our two sweet kitty cats are member of our family. They are my babies. I do have to draw some sort of line distinguishing them from my children though, so the cats sleep in the laundry room. The kids sleep in bedrooms. Ha!

2. If you could have a dream come true, what would it be?
We would have family living close to us. I miss my 4 nieces and 3 nephews and I am sad I don't get to be part of their everyday lives.

3. What would you do with a billion dollars?
A billion dollars? There are so many organizations I would like to help, such as World Vision, FamilyLife, and ovarian cancer research. And how fun would it be to buy a few new cars for missionaries, or help make rent payments for a single mom, or pay off a pile of doctor bills for a struggling family with a sick child? I would also save enough for my kids' college and our retirement. And I would buy a home in the country. Oh, and I would go on the NASCAR race circuit for a year. Go to every race and have great seats. And one more thing...I would put a fat chunk of money into an account earmarked for spoiling my grandchildren many years down the road when I have grandchildren.

4. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
Doing something crafty. I find crocheting and sewing to be extremely therapeutic. After I am out of the funk, I read my Bible to restore my heart a mind to the proper perspective. 

5. What is your bedtime routine?
My hubby does the bedtime routine with the kids, and then we usually have a quiet few hours together. Right now we play Rock Band on the Wii almost every night because we got it for Christmas and we have lots of fun when we play it together without children. Once I am actually in bed, I play Sudoku until my eyes feel heavy. Then it's lights out.
6. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your significant other?
We will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary in June! But we have known each other since I was born. Our moms were best friends from the time they were in 7th grade until my mom died 8 years ago. Matt and I grew up together.

7. What kind of books do you read?
I really love children's lit, and I have a huge collection. I read the same books Snapper is reading, and I often re-read my childhood favorites. I also love the classics. 

8. How do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years...I really don't know. The path of my life has taken so many dramatic twists and turns in the last 10 years that I could never even begin to guess what will come next. I hope there is another child or two in our family by then. 

9. What's your fear?
I'm not typically a fearful person. I guess my one fear would be that my hubs or kiddos would have to go through an illness with a lot of physical suffering. Seeing them in pain makes me feel sick inside.

10. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to see outer space?
No way Jose! Though I don't eat much junk food, I sure do love it, and I have no desire to give it up permanently. Outer space is just space, and I can see photos of it and enjoy it without having to go to outer space.

11. What's the first thing you do when you wake up?
Bathroom, baby! Having children ruined my bladder stamina.

12. If you could change one thing about your significant other, what would it be?
I really wish he had an easier time building deeper friendships. Though he is friendly with just about everyone, he tends to keep his friends at a very surface level. In our 10 years of marriage, I have only seen him allow himself to get close to two friends. This is an area we are focusing on together, and we are asking God for a great friend for Matt here in Florida.


13. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
Ethel. Or maybe Vera. How about LaVerne? If I pick one of those, I'll be named after one of our grandmothers!
No thanks, though! I'd probably go with Jordan Elizabeth, because that is what my birthmom named me before she gave me up, and I love it. But it doesn't fit me, so I'll stick with Emily.

14. If you had to choose between six months of sun or six months of rain, what would you choose?
Sun. Definitely sun. I shut down when it is gray for more than a few days at a time. But I do love a good rainy day.

15. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?
Ugh! Only one thing? I can't pick just one. Here are a few. Massaman curry (Thai), guacamole with chips and melted cheddar cheese, Ranier and BIng cherries, and chilled watermelon.
16. What is the thing you enjoy about blogging the most?
Preserving memories and having an outlet for my thoughts.

17.  Do you prefer salty or sweet foods?
Definitely salty! Since I was a kid, one of my very favorite snacks has been a slice of cheese, a dill pickle, and a glass of milk. Strange, yes. But my favorite.

18. What items are in your purse right now?
My wallet, a few coupons, Carmex, and a pack of gum.

19. If you had to choose between vacationing at the beach or in the mountains where would you go?
The beach. Our family loves the beach. But if you count Yosemite as the mountains, Yosemite would overrule the beach.


20. What do you watch on television that you know you shouldn't?
The only thing I watch on television is NASCAR. I will watch So You Think You Can Dance if it comes on again.


And now I am supposed to tag 4 friends, but I'm only going to tag 2. I'm a rule breaker...mwahahahaha! Here you go, ladies!
Stef @ eat sleep and run
Tammy @ Tam's Life In Fast Forward

A Matter of the Heart

I have received some emails asking if I'm okay and where I have been. It has been over a month since my last post. Yes, I am fine. I have just been uninspired. I think all the stress of our big move has finally caught up to me. I have hardly been on my computer at all. So what have I been up to?

Obviously, Christmas was consuming. It was worth every bit of effort, and I actually got all my cards and packages mailed in plenty of time. After New Year I decided it was time to break out of my funk and to reclaim my life. I have been starting each morning off right...by spending time with God. I am staying on top of house chores by working at it each morning right after my quiet time. Giving to our ministry was wonderful at the end of 2010, and I have a pile of people to thank. It has been really fun spending a couple of hours each morning reviving the lost art of writing thank-you notes. In the afternoons, I have enjoyed down time to myself. I have been catching up on some books I have been wanting to read, and I am making a quilt for my nephew, Little A, who should make his grand arrival into the world sometime in the next few weeks. I have also been spending more time with my kids. Pepper has developed a fascination with books, and he would have me read to him all day if he had his way. Snapper has been more conversational than usual, so we have been doing a lot more talking together. Lots of time consumed on non-electronic activities.

Just as important as all those other things is the addition of two new friends to my life. Their names are Laura and Tracie, and our families are in a church small group together. I really can't begin to express how thankful I am for them. Our husbands really enjoy each other, as do our kids. We are all transplants to Orlando, and none of us have family here. We have decided to be family to each other, and we are all loving it. Much of my former computer time has been consumed with building relationships with my new girls. Coffee dates, shopping, family brunch, and church group have taken greater importance in my life. If any of my Little Rock Bible study girls are reading this, I want to thank you for praying for friends for me over the last year. God has answered your prayers in the form of Tracie and Laura.

So I am feeling more comfortable in Orlando. More secure. More relaxed. And I believe that this increased sense of well-being will re-inspire my creative thoughts. I think this means new life for the blog!

As a total side note, Beautiful Nest is a really fun blog filled with great ideas for making your home a beautiful place. I was a guest blogger at Beautiful Nest earlier this week. If you are looking for ways to bust clutter and help your kids get control of their bedrooms, check out my post.

And now I will leave my friend computer and get some work done on my quilt. It is currently taped to my living room floor because I am in the middle of basting it. I am SO over having a quilt blocking my living room. I will leave you with a photo of my cuties on Christmas. Have a great day!