25 Random Things About Me

1. I met the love of my life when I was 14. Craig was "just a friend" all through high school.

2. I love making lists. I used to make lists of the boys I liked and would even rank them! LOL! Craig topped the lists several times .... but he was "just a friend." ;-)

3. I listened to Christian music in high school. I attended concerts for Steven Curtis Chapman, Bryan Duncan, Morgan Cryar, Sandi Patti, and Twila Paris before I ever got to college and before Christian music was cool. I don't care for today's Christian music. I can't understand the words with all the band sounds in the background. I like listening to my old tapes and cd's or classical music.

4. I'm scared of the dark, especially when I'm alone.

5. I'm scared of scary movies. I've NEVER seen the popular scary ones like Friday the 13th, etc.

6. I learned to crochet when I was 5 yo.

7. I started piano lessons when I was 8yo. In high school I used to make $350 in one month accompanying band members for their solos. I started "playing for profit" in the 7th grade.

8. I didn't learn English until I went to Kindergarten. My father is Puerto Rican and my mom is Mexican.

9. I always wanted to have lots of children. I never learned geometry in high school because I was always busy making lists of names for my children. I never named any of my "real children" after my "fake ones." My two favorite names growing up were Andrea & Alexandra.

10. I love to bake. I especially like baking sweets.

11. I only have a sweet tooth for baked goods. I pass on ice cream, chocolate, and candy. I especially LOVE orange scones. Starbucks no longer makes them. I ate my very first scone in Boston from Au Bon Pain and fell in love. I wish there was one close to me. Seems like they are mostly in Dallas and two in Houston. None near me.

12. I love to read. And I love to buy books. I could spend hours and hours at Half Price Books. New bookshelves are always on my list for the new school year.

13. When I was younger I had TONS of stuffed animals. Okay, maybe not a ton. More like 40+. Each had a name that was entered in a log book and I took attendance every day!! And I rotated who slept with me and kept track so no feelings were hurt. I used to play school and they were my pupils.

14. I read the book, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, 2 months before getting married. It changed my life.

15. I was accepted into the Ph.D. program in history at The University of Iowa, studying medieval history under Dr. Katherine Tachau. She was the nicest feminist I ever met. She "encouraged" me to put my career ahead of my upcoming marriage and tried to persuade me to move to Iowa for my senior year in college. I accepted the fellowship but then declined after I realized I wanted to eventually become a stay-at-home mom. I had just finished reading the book in #14. My undergrad professors had a fit and tried to get me to change my mind and ask for the offer back. I was probably being impulsive at the time but God was guiding me to the right place. I ended up studying under Fr. Lamb, Fr. Cessario and alongside good friend Dr. Levering. And today I homeschool six kids and stay home. Grad school put to good use. ;-)

I miss those days but have no doubt I was called to be hidden and at home with my kids. Just don't be surprised when I get excited to have Mormons or JW's knocking at my door. I get to dust off parts of my brain. I enjoy a good theological discussion over coffee ANYTIME!!!!

16. So, instead of going to Iowa, I got married and headed for Boston where I had been accepted into the master's program in theology at Boston College. During that first year I was reading Lonergan and Rahner along with Dr. Sears and Mary Pride.

17. I don't remember when exactly we felt called to homeschooling. I've thought and thought about this and I just can't remember. I can remember defining moments that pushed me towards staying home, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, cloth diapering, etc. But I just can't remember about homeschooling. I know I already knew when Isabelle was 2-3 yo. Maybe earlier??? I can't remember. This really bugs me because I can't answer people's questions when they ask me.

18. I'm afraid of needles. All kinds. My birth plan specifies to hit me over the head with a hammer should I need an epidural and c-section. I purposefully go to birthing centers and midwives so I can avoid c-sections. This last time I didn't even have to get an I.V.!! Woohoo!! However, I did end up getting a shot of methargine and pitocin in my bum. :-( She knew my history and so didn't give me any warning and just did it ..... you know it didn't really hurt. But I would have worked myself up had I been given a chance.

19. My dream is to live on a farm. But, within 10 minutes driving distance of my church, parents, and a good bookstore. So far, I haven't been able to find a farm with those specifications.

20. Favorite foods for breakfast are fruit w/cottage cheese, yogurt parfait or veggie omelet.

21. Favorite type of pizza is with mushrooms and black olives. My entire family hates my pizza so I don't get to enjoy it often.

22. I'm shy when it comes to making friends but talk non stop once I've made one. I need someone to just invite themselves over and decide they're going to be my friend.

23. I'm still homesick for all my friends from Boston, College Station and The Woodlands. It makes my day when I get an email asking if they can come visit. So far, I've seen friends from College Station and The Woodlands. We're going to the Dallas area in May for our Goddaughter's 1st Communion. I CAN'T WAIT!!

24. I loved college and miss it dearly!!! I loved studying. Loved rewriting my notes. Loved reading in the library (especially this one) and really enjoyed lively discussions. In College Station I loved being around college students and secretly felt like I was still one of them.

25. My husband is truly my best friend. He was one of my best friends all through high school. He knows me so well. I can tell him anything. I love praying with him. I love hearing him pray. I love being near him. When he works from home (which is anywhere from 2-5 days a week), I tend to sit on the sofa in our room so I can be near him. The kids just come up to me when they have questions with their school work. He's not terribly romantic and doesn't like to talk alot. Opposite of me. But that's okay. I'm romantic and talkative enough for the both of us. He's my rock. He's the perfect father for my children. He's missed whenever he leaves.

I remember telling a close friend that I could never be married to someone who traveled for a living. At the time I was referring to her situation. I never dreamed it would be me. But I'm genuinely happy (most of the time) that he loves his job and is successful at what he does. I can't imagine him doing anything different. I'm so glad I've known Craig for as long as I have (21+ years).

Well, I didn't think I'd have 25 things to say about myself. Looks like I did. Tomorrow is my firstborns bday along with a dear friend's. Happy birthday Isabelle & Blair!!!