10 Things You Don't Know About Me

You may have seen some of my photos and might even have the sometimes awkward experience of sharing small talk with me in person but here are some tidbits I don't often share...

10. When I'm on the other side of a camera, my face looks a lot like Chandler's from Friends.  I usually try to avoid that and just take the photos, but I want to have a documented history for myself and my kids, that I was there doing life with them, and experiencing adventures.  So this year, we are getting our photos done as a family and I will be putting them all over my house.

9. I did not know how to cook when I got married.  In fact, I secretly was so insecure about not knowing how to cook (not so much a secret but I didn't know it!) that I just didn't do it.  It wasn't until my third baby came along that I started picking up some tricks in the kitchen and paying attention to the food we were consuming. 

8. I looooove me some starches.  Surprisingly, they don't so much love me! (I miss you, potatoes!)

Yay starch!

7. Christmas is my favorite holiday.  And I love snow until Christmas is gone and after Christmas is over, snow for me is similar to that cheesy potato casserole dish you forgot to let soak overnight: it smells bad, makes you feel tired and stinky when you are near it, and you'd like to avoid it at all costs.  Binge watch Netflix, anyone? 

Christmas sunrise.

6. I turn into a four year old girl when I see big hairy spiders in my house.  They don't bother me as much when I see them outside because I reasonably understand that's their habitat....not true - I want all bugs gone.

5. I was a terrible student and didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up.  Until after I paid for my college degree...which was recent (the paying part, not the college part).  I wish I would have had someone see me and say, "you should look into ____" or "here are some other ideas of what you could learn to do..."  My kids think I'm crazy but I try to be there for them in the out-of-the-box thinking for their futures.  I want them to see their parents living their dreams and desire that for themselves.

4. I am not a feminist.  I did refuse to do the dishes for most of the first year of marriage (sorry, honey) because I didn't want to take on the assumed dish cleaner role.  I still don't like doing the dishes but I am getting more comfortable with what my roles are in this season of life and am so thankful that I have the privilege of these roles because of and alongside what my husband's roles are.  Also, I like to eat off of clean plates...

3. I want to travel!  I have only been outside of the U.S. to visit our friends to the south, in Mexico and Belize.  Gorgeous places and wonderful people!  But I want to see almost everywhere!  And you can bet I will have my camera along for the trip (plus mace, so don't try to take it from me!).

Younger versions of Justin & I in Belize.

2. My four kids are the greatest accomplishment I will ever have had the honor of being connected to.  I am so thankful for them.  That feeling starts to fade around dinner to bedtime each day but once they're all sleeping like angels in their own beds, that grateful feeling returns.  God is good and I am thankful for His blessings.

1. "I'm not a typical pastor's wife," says every pastor's wife! :-)  But seriously I could not have pursued any of my dreams without my husband, my best friend.  One day when we're all again experiencing the forgotten practice of sleep, we may get to travel and live out all the adventures that wait for us.  Until then, we get to live out the dream and adventure that includes our four littles and one hairy rabbit-eater named Jager.  

Thanks for reading!