I Am Forty

I'm not so sure how I got here.  Well, I know, but forty?  When did that happen?  From a clumsy, trip over my own feet, kid to a rebellious teen to a young lady with a heart hard after God to a wife to a mother, four decades of history.  My history.  

I threw out on Facebook last week that I would answer forty questions about myself on my fortieth Birthday.  So without further ado....

1. What is your natural hair color?
 My current medium to light brown IS my natural color.  Shocking, I know.  I have not colored my hair in 3 years.

2.  Favorite TV show?

Hands down, PARENTHOOD!  I am so heartbroken it has ended.  So much, I haven't watched the finally yet.

3.  Favorite book?

Tough.  I should say the Bible, but if I was honest, I don't desire to read it as much as I should.   I'd have to say, "Redeeming Love," by Francine Rivers.  The amount of grace shown throughout this book is amazing!

4.  How did you meet your husband?

Short answer, Tabby introduced us at Lake Geneva Bible Camp in Alexandria, MN.  

5.  Where did you get married?

Emmanuel Christian Center, Fridley, MN

6.  What was your favorite Disney character growing up?

 Winnie the Pooh

7.  What is your favorite Disney character now?

 Tough one...Mickey

8.  What question do people ask that you hate to answer?

When are you coming back to MN for a visit?  Because I'd love to say NOW, but my bank account says...I have no idea. Our goal is this summer.

9.  What is your favorite joke?

Knock Knock jokes told by kids.  They think they are so funny.

10.  What is the best way to cheer you up when you are down?

Give me a hug!  And then say something to make me laugh.  Starbucks and chocolate help too!

11.  Have you ever rode a mechanical bull?

Have I gotten on one, yes.  Rode it, not so much.  It's harder than it looks.

12.  What is your favorite musician/band?

Of all time, I'd have to say Tim McGraw or Garth Brooks.  I listen to all genres though.

13.  Who is the person that has most impacted your life and why?  Family member and non.

Family: Aaron.  He has loved me unconditionally. He's not afraid to correct me or challenge me. God has used him to test me in many ways. He has taught me to speak my mind, not walk away from an argument, not to worry what others think, confront when it's needed, and to do it all in love. He also taught me to say soda instead of pop. 

Non-Family: Angie Maxson. Her and Terry took me under their wing as their own.  She has taught me to love God, how to pray, reading comprehension as it pertains to the Bible, how to be crafty and thrifty, that date nights are important and consist of grocery shopping or a Target run. She has taught me to love others without judgement, have fun at all times, to serve others, to hang in there no matter how tough it is.  She assured me God is my defender. Terry, I have to give him props, he has taught me..."you do the possible and God will do the impossible." I would not have made it to where I am without their unconditional love and care for me.

14.  What is the most life-changing or memorable sermon you have heard?
WOW!  That is tough!  I'd have to dig up sermon notes.  I've been blessed to have heard the best preachers.  Pastor Mark G. Denyes, Pastor Nate Ruch, Pastor Dwight Denyes, Pastor Steve Finton, Pastor Scott Finton, Pastor Joseph Walser, and many more.

Because I'm old and have a horrible memory, I'd have to say one from last year from Pastor Joseph Walser on how we are nothing without Christ.  On your best day, you are nothing without Christ! On your worst day, you are nothing without Christ!  Scubala, which literally means crap. That is what we are without Him! There is nothing good in us. Good that is in us, comes from Him alone.  It's a tough pill to swallow, but swallow I do on a continuous basis.  I need Him everyday.

15.  What is your biggest regret?
Ok, so this may be a question I hate.  I'd probably say, decisions I made from 21-22 years old, I was wasted every night and quite promiscuous.  There's much I would take back.  However, I wrestle with saying I regret this time, because it helped shape me into the person I am today.  

16.  What is your biggest accomplishment?
Thus far, raising my kids.  Granted, they haven't made it through their teens yet, but considering all we've been through with them, I think we are doing a pretty darn good job of not totally wrecking them.

17.  Unforeseen struggles of moving away?
Culture and finances.  The internet paints a much different picture.  The cost of living is more, pay is less.  Culture, the lack of professionalism was overwhelming to me at first.  

18.  Are you a true Floridian now?  

YES! I was my first "winter" here.  I hated the cold in MN.  I dress like it's 0 when it's 60!

19.  Dream date night?
Aaron's come up with some good ones!  To add to those, a day at Disney World, a day at the beach, or a day at a spa.  For an ultimate, for him to call into work for me, pack our bags, and take me on a cruise.

20.  Favorite song?
Amazing Grace

21.  How did the pudding end up in my shoe?

Well, Jennifer, Kathie and I, long story short, decided to have a full blown pudding fight in your mother's kitchen while babysitting you and Jesse.  

22.  Favorite/most effective parenting tactic?
 Finding what works for each child and knowing their love language. Ex. Allie is a words of affirmation girl.  If I tell her how much I appreciate her room being cleaned and focus on how proud I am of her, chances are, her room will be spotless in an hours time.  With Jonathan, he is a quality time kid.  So, if I take 30 minutes and play a game with him, he will do his chores without complaint.  Discipline, one would cry with just a raise of your voice, the other needed time outs. Also, rather than counting to 3, we counted backwards from 5 (thanks, Sarah).  Worked like a charm. 

23.  Favorite dessert?

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolatey cupcakes

24,  Favorite place to take the kids for fun?

Currently, Busch Gardens.  Though, an ice cream date with Allie or Starbucks date with Jonathan is heavenly too!

25.  Favorite date spot with hubby?

Beach to watch the sunset or Dunedin Brewery.

26.  Most embarrassing moment?

This would be one of the questions that made me scared to do this.  I played softball in middle school and we wore white pants.  I'm a girl, fill in the blanks and call me Flow Jo!  Laugh away, you are welcome!

27.  What is your most memorable childhood memory?

Hanging out in our neighborhood!  We had THE most fun!  Ding dong ditch, kick the can, firefly catching...FUN!

28.  What part of your personality do you see in your kids?

Daughter, determination and argumentative.  She will not take no for an answer and if she thinks she is right, you will know she is right.
Son, OCD!  We thrive when things are in order and we are given clear instructions/expectations.

They are both very intelligent and strive to do their best, I'm sure that is from me!

29.  What's one thing you'd change if you could?

My weight. Which I can change, it just takes a lot of discipline.  

30.  Anything you'd do differently?

Honestly, no.  My circumstances, good and bad, molded me into who I am now. 

31.  What's the thing you've done for each child you are most proud of?

Son, he has generalized anxiety and we never let it define him.  We pushed him to persevere and overcome!

Daughter, we encouraged her to the point she may be a bit conceded.  However, she knows she can be anything she wants to be!

32.  Who is your celeb crush?

I was in love with Eric Estrada in about 3rd grade.  Now, Vin Diesel, in Fast and the Furious.

33.  Blended or on the rocks?

Blended.

34.  Who was your first crush?

Gosh, I don't really remember.  I think there's a tape of me saying I liked Shawn when Barbie was babysitting one time.  Kristy may remember better than I do.  LOL

35.  Do you have a tattoo?

Winnie the Pooh on my right ankle

36.  Do you have any piercings?

My nose and ears

37.  What smell makes you want to vomit?

Dog crap

38.  What's your top 5 pet peeves?

1. Toilet seat left up
2. Cupboard doors left open
3. When there are two lanes and someone going straight is in the right lane where I could make a right turn if they weren't there!!!!
4. Slow drivers in the left lane (it's for passing in case you didn't know)!!!!
5. Fake people (you don't have to like me and please do not pretend you do)!

39.  Favorite smell?

Newborn baby

40.  Most rewarding moment that doesn't involve family?

Tough!  Probably the day I realized I was in a really bad relationship, went to his home, broke up with him, and never looked back.  I took my life back! It's funny though, this is how I saw it. Chatting with him years later, he said, "I let you go, I didn't want this life for you."
That and the day I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior.

Phew, that took about two hours and an awesome walk down memory lane.  Thank you to all of you who participated.  A special thanks to all my family and friends for putting up with me for 40 years!