The ABC's of me...

Accent: I’ve started to pick up on Alicia’s Jersey girl speak……
Books I like: Too many to list, lately anything crafty.
Chore I don’t care for: Laundry & dish washing.
Dog or Cat: One of each. I’m trying to convince Alicia we need a second dog. It’s not working.
Essentials: My family, knitting, gardening, creating, and what Alicia calls my inner “granola crunchiness.”
Favorite Food: Burritos
Gold or Silver: Silver
Hardest Subject: Chemistry
Insomnia: It’s gotten better.
Job: Mental Health Counseling when I finnish my masters.
Kids: Four: Luis, 8; Johnathan, 6 ; Arturo, 5; and Miss Aaliyah, 3
Left or Right: Left
Most Admirable Trait: Alicia says it’s that I’m compassionate.
Nickname: Not big on them for me, had a ton of them for my sister, and I call my daughter Mima.
Overnight hospital stays: Once, for one night for a serious kidney, urinary tract infection with kidney stones. (I went in at night and was released the next day though so not sure it counts…)
Phobias: Can’t think of any….
Quote: “To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world,” a spin on the idea, make everything you do matter.
Religion: Grew up Catholic, Unitarian Universalist now.
Siblings: Three; two brothers and a sister.
Time I wake up: Somewhere between 7 & 8 most days.
Unusual Talent or Skill: I can create an amazing meal using only odd things leftover in any fridge.
Vegetable I Refuse to Eat: Peppers.
Worst Habit: Obsession with whatever is on my mind at the time, and I’m horrible at remembering names.
X-rays: Twice, that I can remember, once when I was a kid, and thought I broke my ankle, but sprained it (watch out mom, those bunnies really do look like deer), and another a few years ago when I sprained my ankle again.
Yummy Stuff: Almonds, jelly belly jellybeans, cheese, and ice cream, and children that smell like the outdoors.
Zoo Animal I Like Most: Elephants, they’re family creachers.

Birthday Surprises, Dirt, and Water Fountains

I thought I would post a few pictures from this past weekend. 

Thanks everyone for the surprise party!

I also wanted to add some pictures of what I got with my gift certificates..... leave it to me to buy dirt.  I was so excited though, because I was waiting to be able to go out and get some organic fill so that I could finnish preparing the new vegetable bed.  (Who made the rule that vegetables had to be grown in the back yard anyway?  Obviously someone who had lots of sun!! Obviously, I break all the rules.)  




Thanks to Alicia, and on Uncle Stubby's suggestion we also decided to get a water fountain. I love it. Thanks y'all!

30 Accomplishments in 30 Years

So, for those of you who know me, you know that today is my 30th Birthday.  I generally don't do birthdays well.  I'm not sure why, except it seems to make me reevaluate every choice I've ever made since, well, conception.  This year I've decided to take stock in the spirit of positivity. With that, here are 30 accomplishments in 30 years.  If anyone can think of any others don't be afraid to let me know....

1.  Learned to talk (and never stopped)

2. Learned to walk (not my favorite past time)

3. Graduated Kindergarten 

4. Survived Childhood

5. Survived teenage hood

6. Graduated high school a semester early

7. Got first Job

8. Moved out, and made it on my own

9. Learned to drive

10. Bought my first car

11. Got lots more Jobs 

12. Learned Sign Language

13. Came out 

14. Accepted into college

15. Maintained a high gpa

16. Got my Associates degree

17. Became a mother 

18. Parented 6 kids at once

19. Parented a newborn, a 7 month old, a 20 month old, a 3 year old, and a 4 year old all at once

20. Went to college full time while having 6 kids, most of the time with 4

21. Learned (learning) to be a great friend

22. Psychology research accepted and shown at a national conference 

23. Survived statistics, and chemistry

24. Got my Bachelors degree

25. Learned to make quilts

26. Relearned to knit

27. Accepted & enrolled into graduate school

28. Maintained a healthy relationship for 7 years

29. Learned (learning) to be a loving partner

30. Learned from most of my mistakes

Thanks to all of you who have helped me along the way.  Happy Birthday to us all, as I am sure the best is yet to come.