32 Things About Me

Today is my 32nd birthday!  So, as part of the celebration...which I like to last all day long...I thought I'd share 32 random things about me.

1. I was born at 11:55 am
2. I was born in Missouri 
3. Grew up in SoCal
4. Met my husband at school in San Diego
5. Had three babies by the time I was 25
6. Started drinking coffee when I was 27
7. Have three tattoos
8. Use to have body piercings...children and role-model got the better of me!
9. Love to go on dates with my husband
10. Love reading to my kids
11. Love a good girls night out
12. Over 12 years,  I've become a skilled packer/unpacker
13. I like to craft when I have time....and space
14. Love a clean home....don't necessarily like to clean it :)
15. I've become a bit of a p.j. snob
16. I enjoy helping people whether its organizing their home, cleaning for them, taking over stuff to make their lives easier, etc.
17. In college, I use to swim in the ocean at night with my roommates!  CRAZY! 
18. Today...I would never swim in the ocean at night!
19. I like to ride my bike around town in the summer
20. I love to cuddle with my children...
21. And put my cold feet on Kendall's legs at night ;)
22. Have a screaming, running fear of bees or any flying insects with stingers...just ask my neighbors! 
23. I will be the first to host a happy hour on my deck.  Come on over!
24. If I could, I'd live in my p.j.s  That's how much I love them.  
25. Something about a full fridge and pantry calms my heart and makes me smile.  
26. Something about an empty fridge also makes me smile... like nothing's gone to waste.
27. I like to cook for people who like to eat...and don't complain.
28. I won't put candy canes on our Christmas tree - Ever!
29. I like to read blogs...lots 'o blogs
30. Started a non-profit this year! Very Exciting! 
31. I will be in my late 30's when my oldest child goes off to college
32. I am a very very blessed woman!  

In the words of my husband "there are alot of I's  in this post."  Its my birthday.  I think that's ok for today.

A Year In Books

I've got a strange habit. I keep a running log of the books I've read. Do you do this too? I remember starting it one year, when I could not remember what I had read the previous year. Is my memory failing me in my old age? Maybe. Most certainly. There are only so many things a girl can remember on a day to day basis. All the books I've consumed over the past year is not one of them. Hence...the list became necessary. With 2010 almost over, here is what I've read this year. And yes, kid's chapter books count...since I did read them out-loud every night to my babies. I've also included any bible study books. Please forgive me for not adding the links to each book. I did include the author.

1. Stepping Up - Beth Moore
2. Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed - Moore, Shirer, Arthur
3. A Voice In The Wind - Rivers
4. Echo In The Darkness - Rivers
5. As Sure As The Dawn - Rivers
6. The Choice - Gabhart
   
7. A Reliable Wife - Goolrick
   
8. Indian In The Cupboard - Banks
   
9. The Missing - Lewis
10. The Capture - Lasky
11. The Journey - Lasky
12. Hattie Big Sky - Larson
    
13. The Promise Of Morning - Shorey
14. Handle With Care - Picolt
15. The Help - Stockett
16. The Red Thread - Hood
17. The Telling - Lewis
18. The Secret - Lewis
19. Blood Of The Prodigal - Gaus
20. The Hole We're In - Zevin
21. Year Of Wonders - Brooks
22. The Centurion's Wife - Bunn/Oke
23. The Concubine's Daughter - Pai Kit Fai
24. A Lost Wife's Tale - McGilvary
25. The Rescue - Lasky
26. Redeeming Love - Rivers
27. Just Do It - Brown
28. Hidden Wives - Avery
29. A Matter Of Class - Balogh
30. Sun and Spoon - Henkes
31. Fields of Grace - Vogel Sawyer
32. Dangerous Surrender - Kay Warren
    
33. The Well and The Mine - Phillips

Wow! 33 this year! I just started What Is The What by Dave Eggars this week. However, it will be on the 2011 list, because I will finish it sometime next week.

So, what have you read this year? Any suggestions for my 2011 list?

The Last Week Of The Year

Its hard to believe that we are in the last week of 2010. It literally feels like we were just at the New Year's Eve party across the street with all the neighbors. Now here we are...a whole year later. Time is flying by.

So, what has happened in this last year...

• Everyone is a year older.
• We celebrated our 1st anniversary in our home.
• My sister and her family moved closer...only a 6 hour drive away!
  
• Jennie learned to ride a two-wheeler bike.
• We tried to sell our house...but God had other plans :)
• Visited DC a couple times.
• Jennie started full time school.
• Kohl moved up to the intermediate school.
• The boys started walking to school together.
• I became a crossing guard.
• Kendall made a job change...and has never been happier!!!
• I started a non-profit! www.kidsofsudan.org
• Kohl joined a basketball team!
  
• Parker and Jennie earned yellow belts in Kuk Sul Do!
  
• My parents came to visit for two weeks.
  
• We hosted 21 people for Thanksgiving in our little 1890s house...it was fun!
  
• We've spent alot of time with our friends and the families we've come to know from Sudan. We are even learning a little Dinka(tribal language) along the way.
  

Now in this last week of the year, I'll be taking some time to outline goals for the New Year. We will sit down as a family and come up with goals together and individually. Things we'd like to accomplish as a group and on our own. So, look for another post this week!

What are some of your fond memories/accomplishments from 2010? Now is the time to list them, brag a little...its okay...toot your own horn.