100 Things About Me

My friend Stacy passed along a blogging challenge to post 100 things that many people might not know about me. I honestly don't think there is 100 things that most people don' t know about me but here goes.
1. I once wanted to be a teacher when I grew up.
2. then decided in 4th grade that I wanted to be a school psychologist.
3. I almost graduated community college when I graduated high school
4. I loved being the baby of the family(it had perks)
5. I have 2 nephews and 1 niece
6. I also have 2 great neices
7. I had a midlife crisis at 25
8. I've taken way too many IQ tests in my life, mostly for fun
9. I enjoy music of every kind
10. I've seen 3 broadway musicals including Phatom of the Opera, Hair Spray, and Lion King
11. My kids are my life
12. I picked my daughter's birthday so I would still be 30
13. I met my husband when I was 14
14. He drove me to my first day of high school
15. I hit a lot of orange cones in driver's education
16. Ryan and I dated for 6 years before we got engaged
17. I got married on July 4th
18. which is my second favorite holiday next to my birthday
19. I am 12 years younger than my brothers
20. My husband and I are both one of 3 children and we have 3 children together
21. My favorite color is yellow
22. I am very competitive, even in the smallest detail
23. I enjoy working out when I see results
24. My favorite musical artist is Chris Daughtry
25. which I saw in concert 3 times
26. I was touched by the Last Lecture and wish I could lead my life that way
27. I named my son after Tom Cruise's character on Mission Impossible
28. I think best when I'm in the shower or during the middle of night
29. My favorite movie is Ten Things I hate about you
30. I mourned Heath Ledger's death
31. I don't add salt to my food
32. I love to add pepper
33. I don't eat green veggies unless absolutely necessary
34. I hope that I can be my kids' hero, but not their friend
35. My earliest memory of doing biographies in school was on Carrie Nation
36. Ironic since I now work in drug prevention
37. I was a girl scout for many years
38. I miss my Jeep Cherokee but still like my new car
39. I miss all my friends who have moved away and I don' t get to hang out with any more
40. I hate science
41. I picked my college major based on the amount of math classes required
42. I love my job working with kids and adults
43. My husband is my best friend
44. I use Sunday football to snuggle with my husband and take a nap
45. I love board games
46. I used to roller skate pretty good
47. My favorite vacation was to Hawaii and wish I was there now
48. I don't like change but know it's sometimes good for me
49. My first job was helping my grandma at the farmer's market
50. I once managed the toy dept at Wal-mart and ordered all the christmas toys

well that's the first 50 to digest, more to come as I think of the next 50.

One Last Lecture

I had heard the hype about this "One Last Lecture" last year after Randy Pausch gave it at Carnegie Mellon University and thought what a wonderful reminder that time is too precious. Sadly, he has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on July 25th. Check out his website, listen to the download, and check out his book. It's a great tribute to live life to it's fullest.
www.thelastlecture.com

Lending a Helping Hand

One of the most important things you can do to is to lend a helping hand with others in need. Locally, the Habitat for Humanity project in town has been the dedicated project of our church's mission team. Unfortunately with the kids in tow, Ryan and I weren't able to grab a hammer and join in. So to support those who could bring a hammer, hang sheetrock or hold a truse, our family baked cookies and made lunch for the volunteers. My ultimate goal was teaching my children that giving not receiving is the best feeling you can have! Well tomorrow is another day to serve lunch, so it's off to bake cookies!

Are we staying in the Hocity?

Kaleigh was so excited about going on vacation in Kansas City and staying in a hotel that she kept combining the words to "hocity" instead of hotel in the city. It made for some inquisitive looks from people who passed by.

We headed to Leavenworth to see Aunt Tamara and go swimming at the local Aquatic Park. It was awesome! Ethan and Kaleigh both enjoyed the water slides while Makenna took in the fountains and sprinklers along the edges of the pool. Of course, the most painful part of the trip was Ryan's continuous attempts to relive his childhood on the diving boards. I didn't expect to need band-aids for the oldest member of our swimming party!

Next we headed to Cabela's to look at all animals and do a little shopping. A yummy lunch at Cheeseburgers in Paradise was worth the trip! Then we headed to Wonderscope, the local children's museum, for some afternoon hands-on fun.

We had so much fun at the Hyatt Place in Overland Park. The kids loved the pull-out sofa bed, refridgerator, and swimming pool. Ryan loved the 52" Plasma Flat Screen on the wall and all the electrical amendities. The dream sleep bed didn't hurt either!

Lastly, we ended our trip to the city with a day at the Kansas City Zoo. We got to see the new baby monkey, Koja, and watch the gorilla work with his trainer. After a short afternoon siesta for Makenna, we headed out for the real reason we went to Kansas City---High School Musical at Starlight Theatre. Kaleigh and Ethan, along with about 2,000 other kids, all sang along and had a terrific time. It was a good show and a great opportunity for our kids to be exposed to the arts. One of the perks of the big city!

We were all sad that vacation was over, but glad to be home again!

My Baby Turns 10 on July 13th!

So July 13th, 1998 started like this: wake up feeling like crud and wonder how much longer this baby is going to continue to take residency in my body as today is my due date! I try to sleep off the cruddy feeling until I head to the Dr. at 3 pm. Dr. says "you feel like crap b/c you're in labor so go directly to the hospital, not back to Parsons." So off Ryan and I go to Wal-Mart, visiting his aunt, and grab a bite to eat at Sonic then off to the hospital. Only a few hours later, much to everyone's surprise Mr. Ethan Skyler makes his appearance with gusto! After grabing onto the clamp the nurse had on the cord then peeing on the dr. within the first few moments outside the womb, I should have known life with Ethan would never be boring. He always has a smile for everyone and is a walking encyclopedia.

Happy Birthday, Ethan!

Happy Birthday Stacy, You Dork!

To my show choir singing, 80s music loving, NKOTB fan, no longer a Kansan friend- Happy Birthday! Since you're not in the state, I'll celebrate without you but it's on come November baby! Hope you have a terrific birthday

Happy Anniversary Ryan!

I can't believe it's been 11 years already! Everyone who hears our anniversary is July 4th is always surprised. I guess it seems like a strange day to get married. When you come from large, extended families who both love the 4th of July like we both did, it seemed like the most logical choice of days to get married. What better way to spend our first day as husband and wife than to enjoy a BBQ with family and friends and watch the fireworks! Who cares that my cheesy husband promised I'd always see fireworks on our anniversary :) He was right! An added bonus that it's a national holiday and we haven't had to work on it since! So 17 years after our first date, married 11 years, and 3 kids later, I couldn't feel more blessed to be married to my best friend. I love you Ry!