thirty thangs [eleven]

11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have. 


1. the squeak of a straw moving up and down in a cup.
2. being bothered/pestered while i'm on the computer. being on this stupid laptop is usually frustrating enough so to add the extra bother, i want to jump off a cliff.
3. the sound of tennis shoes on a basketball court. i can't watch basketball because of that, drives me INSANE.
4. getting a phone call. i seriously hate the phone. just text me so i can get to you when i have a minute. usually i have a kid yelling or needing something so talking on the phone is just a hassle!
5. photo-bombers on instagram. i hate seeing 20 pictures that someone just uploaded. like, don't wait five days and then upload a block of pictures. it's annoying!
6. know-it-all's. argh.
7. that you can only skip like 5 songs per hour on pandora. that's annoying.
8. not getting my way. HA! ;) i can be a brat!
9. squealing kids - especially my own. i want to rip my ears off sometimes when rhys starts squealing. AH!
10. being interrupted. if you can't be quite for two seconds while i finish my sentence, then i hate you! ;)

thirty thangs [ten]

10. Describe your most embarrassing moment. 

gosh, who knows. i'm sure i've had plenty in my life - but i guess i'll go with puking on a bus full of my friends/coworkers/strangers on the way home from Atlantic city. 
to make it worse .... i was throwing up sushi. ugh. 

thirty thangs [nine]

9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how. 

1. my grandparents. 
    they are just amazing people. they've been married over 50 years and are still head over heels. they do right by each other and by other people. they are just the extreme example of GOODNESS and i hope to be like them.

2. my parents.
   well, duh. they, together, shaped me into the person that i am today and i'm thankful for them both. they taught me so many things over the years and most important, loved me no matter what.

3. adam.
   he taught me how to love someone, even with their flaws. he has come such a long way from the day we met and he showed me that people can [and do] change. he showed me what a true hard worker is. and most of all, he has helped me become the mother that i am today. 

4. my aunt jamie & uncle marty.
    i used to think they were crazy parents. having to revolve everything around their kids schedules [practice, parties, games, etc ...] but now that i'm a parent, i realize that all they were doing was being GOOD parents. they made all three of their children their number 1 priority and i love that. they've even divorced but still do things together for their kids. most recently, went to a softball tournament with my cousin and even stayed in the same hotel room. talk about  putting EVERYTHING aside for the sake of their kid. they are truly an inspiration to me, even if they'll never know it. i hope i always remember that my kids come first.

5. my MIL.
   we haven't always had the best relationship but lately, i've realized what an amazing woman she is. she showed me that no matter what your age, it's never to late to start something you want. she put herself through school and became a radiology technician. she has helped my family so many ways that i can't even count. she'll probably never know how grateful i am for her and our growing relationship.

6. my giLs - aubrey, mandee, jen & mande j.
  they showed me how friends stick together, through thick and thin. obviously, all my friends have influenced me in some way or another but these specific girls and i have been through some things - and at the end of the day, we know that we can always rely on each other. i know that in 50 years, if i needed something - i could call one of these and they'd come running - no questions asked.


 ... i can't think of any more. is that awful? everyone that i've come in contact with has influenced me in one way or another though. 

thirty thangs [eight]

8. What are 5 passions you have? 

1. music. 
      i absolutely love music. i feel like i could listen to it, especially my favorites, all day long. for reals. even when i'm sleeping! it helps me get through so much. if i'm happy, i can find a song for it. if i'm sad, i can find a song that helps me get through. if i'm mad - there's a hidden stash of gangsta rap in my arsenal to make me feel better. love it all :)

2. family.
    this one is an obvious one, i'm sure. my family means the world to me and i would do anything for them. if they hurt, i hurt. so don't mess with them!

3. friendships.
    i feel like everyone is passionate about friends, but i don't think i always was - even if i said it. my friends mean so much to me and without them, i don't know how i would have gotten through so many things. i realize how important it is to have friends that you can go to when things aren't great. i hope they all know how important they are to me!

4. food!
    fatty ;) but i absolutely love a good meal. i love it even more when i cook it and other people tell me how great it is. i love making people happy with something i've made. i mean, after all, the way to anyone's heart is through their mouth, right? or is it belly? whatev .. you know what i mean!

5. moving out of this state.
    don't get me totally wrong, maryland isn't awful - but i don't want to plant my forever roots here. i would like my kids to grow up in a better place ... a warmer place ... a prettier place. i am very passionate about getting out of here, and sooner rather than later! 

thirty thangs [seven]

7. What is your dream job, and why?

assuming that i didn't have the life i do now [husband and kids ...] my dream job would be being a musician. i would love to get on stage a few nights a week and sing my heart out in front of my fans. i would love to make people happy with just my voice. i would love to be rich and see the world. let's face it, who wouldn't? 
i always dreamed of/thought i'd be famous. i didn't care how - model, actress, singer ... i just wanted to be in the spotlight. surprised?

in reality though? my dream job would probably be becoming a sonogram technician. this goal is absolutely attainable and i plan to achieve it someday soon.  
:)

thirty thangs [six]

6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?

I had an entire post drafted up but after yesterday, decided to scratch that one and repost.

the hardest thing I've experienced is losing a baby. or, finding out that im losing a baby. how do you hurt so much over someone you've never met? or even felt or seen? how do you feel like a part of your family is missing when it was never here?
I have to say that im very lucky that I have two amazing boys that force me to keep smiling and moving because without them, I don't know how I'd function right now.
this does go along with my original post of the hardest thing I had experienced (before yesterday) - which was death but this is so much worse for whatever reason.
death alone is likely the hardest thing anyone will experience but I do believe it's how we deal with and grow from the experience that will make us or. break us.

I do intend to post more about what is going on with me and my family but until then, just say a few prayers for us.

thirty thangs [five]

5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now? 

1. being a SAHM. i am so grateful and appreciate that i am able to stay home with my kids, especially during the summer! after working my entire life (well, since i was like 15!) and ESPECIALLY having to leave my kids while i worked, being able to stay home with them is the most awesome thing, ever. words can't even express how grateful i am for that.


2. summer/pools! even if my little rhys doesn't do so well in the heat, i LOVE going to the pool with the kids. even if it's only for an hour or two. being outside, next to a body of water, is my total happy place. for reals.


3. friends! i really have the best of them. (and i know we all say that but i really feel that way!) i have such a diverse group of friends - each of them satisfies a (friendship) need in their own way. i'm so blessed to have so many GREAT girls in my life. 


4. my boys. there isn't words to explain how happy those kids (including the hub) make me. even after a day of attitudes and crying - at the end of the day when they snuggle and love on me - it makes it all worth while. 


5. quiet time.  - you know - after the kids go to bed every night and it's just QUIET! when i get to watch adult tv and relax 100%. ahh.

thirty thangs [four]

4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could. 

1. go to radiology school right after high school. being a sonogram tech would be AMAZING!


2. stop wasting your time on *those two boys*. 


3. keep in touch with davedude after high school. (then you won't wonder if things would have been different)


4. don't exclusively date anyone in high school. ;) have fun but don't get hung up on any boys. 

5. don't take your eyes off the road, ever.


6. don't lie to your dad. well, not unless you have done your research! *ex: don't tell your dad that you're going to a movie without checking to see if the movie is even PLAYING! durrr.*


7.  do good in school. yeah, school work sucks but its only 4 years of your life. it's not hard to study and do homework. believe me, it'll pay off in the long run.


8. don't be mean to your sister. always make her feel like she's welcome and wanted - even if having an 'annoying little sister' around isn't COOL. and furthermore, don't take her to places that she shouldn't be. if she's with you - just don't go. you'll have your entire life to do what you want.


9. save your money. 


10. enjoy your youth. don't be in such a hurry to grow up. appreciate your parents cooking dinner for you, and cleaning up after you. appreciate them giving you money or buying you things. most of all, appreciate life!

thirty thangs [three]

3. Describe your relationship with your parents. 

hm - both my parents read my blog so i have to be careful here. ;) just kidding!
i am a pretty even mix of my dad and my mom - or at least i think i am - so that explains why i have a good relationship with them both. but it wasn't always like that.


growing up - my dad and i were not friends. he was always the bad guy. my mom and i always had a good relationship. the only time i remember her being really mad at me was when i got my tongue pierced. haha! ;) it didn't last long. most of the time if i misbehaved under her watch, she would make my dad handle it when he got home.
as a teen - my dad and i hardly ever got along. i felt that he was too nosy/involved and i was constantly lying about where i was or what i was doing so that just made for trouble. of course, at sixteen, i didn't see it that way though.
not to mention - my parents were going through issues of their own at that time. most of which, i knew of, and it put me in a bad spot. i felt i understood my moms actions because my dad was so controlling sometimes but didn't understand his need to control stemmed from his issues with my mom.
i felt for my dad because he was breaking before my eyes and that's never an easy thing.


after i graduated and started the 'real world' thing, most things improved. my parents finally decided to divorce and i had begun my relationship with adam which consumed most of my time. i didn't have to lie about things because i would just tell my dad that i was with adam. 
my dad moved out and adam moved in. we moved from our old house into a new house and things were good. my dad was still local and i would see him. things continued to happen with my little sister  and divorce issues (both with my parents and my moms boyfriends ex) and i think it brought my dad and i closer together. my mom and i stayed close during all this - after all we lived together and worked together! 


my dad moved to connecticut with my little sister shortly after i turned 21. he began dating (get ready for your head to spin) my childhood best friends (who lived across the street from us) mom! -they are currently married!- 
once my dad was happy and in a good place again, things drastically improved with us. it was so easy to get along with someone who is happy! i was an adult now and he knew that i was doing good so there was no need to fight anymore. i know that all of his 'controlling' and 'sheltering' was out of love for me. he wanted me safe and wanted me to be a good kid and i'm thankful for that. (even if i at the time i 'hated' him!)


so, all in all, i have a fantastic relationship with my parents. i can talk to them about anything and everything - and i do. i can be myself 100% around them and never feel bad about it. they love me and i love them and that is all i could ask for in a parent/daughter relationship!


-still reading? (and not my parents! haha) - you've upgraded to best friend status if so! haha!

thirty thangs [two]

2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.

- bridges.
I do not like them. there for a while, I could hardly go over them without nearly having a panic attack. I have gotten a lot better and can even drive over them BUT I keep my hand on my window the entire time (so I can roll the window down if we fall off). I am not sure how I got the fear, I believe I used to think bridges were neat when I was kid?!

- something happening to my kids.
this is a fear that every parent has, I'm sure. I think my fear really increased after kullens seizures though. every time he falls down or acts lethargic, I over react for sure. and poo Rhys, I an constantly checking his temperature and dosing him with mess at the very onset of a fever because I don't want another one of my kids to go through what kullen did!

- stink bugs.
I don't know WHY I fear them. seriously, they're stupid bugs but I cannot even see one without freaking out! for a while, there were a hundred in my attic and I couldn't even go up there! lucky for me, my hub isn't afraid of bugs! haha ;)

thirty thangs [one]

first up in the 30 things is '20 random facts about myself' - so here goes!

1. most fruit makes my tongue/throat itchy. specifically apples and cherries.

2. I lost my high school ring and it still upsets me :(

3. I was born without one adult tooth. I had to have an implant once I lost my baby tooth (about 5yrs ago).

4. I live in Maryland but don't want to 'plant my roots' here. unfortunately, I think I will have too because of my hubs job.

5. I crack my knuckles :(

6. I like most foods. except Lima beans. DISTUSTING!

7. I totaled my first car less than a month after getting my license. I had a concussion, stitches in my eyebrow, in my knee and a couple cracked ribs.

8. I love Marilyn Monroe.

9. my husband and I technically eloped. we did tell our parents a few days before what we were doing and our Moms were able to make it.

10. I've never owned a dog. only cats, rabbits, birds, hamsters and fish!

11. when I was young (maybe like 6) - I was at a pig roast and stepped on a tent peg. I had to get stitches in the shape of an X in the bottom of my foot!

12. I am very impulsive. I typically get an idea and act on it immediately!

13. I was born in Tennessee, lived there for 4 years. I partially grew up in Connecticut, living there for 6 years. and I've been in Maryland for the last 17 years.

14. my husband and I have been together for almost 10 years. married for almost 6!

15. I have 8 tattoos.

16. I love to cook! I tend to go a bit overboard when I host parties! ;)

17. I'm a total collector (some say it's border-line hoarder). I 'collect' owls, Marilyn things, willow tree figures and mustache things - just to name a few!

18. I can braid strands of hair with one hand. I do it when I'm bored or thinking.

19. I love to crochet. it's relaxing to me. after I finish a blanket for ronin, I am thinking of starting an afghan for my bed!

20. I love my kids breath! especially when they wake up from sleeping! :)

30 thangs!

straight stolen from heather but love the idea!
it's rare I get to sit down with the laptop to post but these writing prompts will be easier since I can do them from my iPhone and/or iPad!

here's the list of 30:

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 parents.
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 the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
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. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
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 is your love language?
29. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for

I'll try to do one per day for 30
days but I ain't makin no promises ;]