10 Surprising Things About Me Meme

Colleen tagged me and this is probably a good way to get back into blogging. So here it goes!

1. I didn't learn English until I was almost five. Today, none of my kids speak fluent Spanish. :-/

2. I prefer to always wear skirts. But about 4-5 years ago I never thought I'd own enough skirts to wear them fulltime. I only take a break when I'm pregnant since I don't have enough maternity skirts. My kids now think I look funny in pants/capris. LOL!

3. When I pick up a good fiction book, I can't put it down. I will stay up until 5am to finish if need be.

4. I don't read much fiction since starting homeschooling and having so many kids. See #3.

5. I wish I had prettier cursive writing. My handwriting isn't ugly. It just isn't as pretty as I'd like. I notice handwriting when reading cards. My friend, Beverly, probably has the prettiest. I'd link to her but she isn't blogging at her blog!! *hint ... hint* ;-)

6. Growing up money was very tight. We NEVER ate out. NEVER! No drive thru, restaurants for special occasions, etc.

7. We eat out way too much. My 22 mos old can "read" take out signs. "M" is the first alphabet letter my kids learn.

8. Growing up my dad took my sister and I to the library every week. I love books and love to read.

9. I don't take my kids to the library at all. We amass to many fines. My goal is to build my own library. We currently have 10 bookshelves full of books. If Dave Ramsey, Laura Schlessinger, Gregory Popcak, Ray Guarendi, Rush Limbaugh, etc. recommend a book, I probably have it.

10. My favorite store is Half Price Books. Some of Craig and mine's/my/our first dates ..... (just learned about nouns in the collective possessive ... how do I write Craig and I .... besides saying our??) Some of our first dates were to Half Price Books. We would spend hours there. I usually hit the out of print books while he stayed in the how to/wood working section. Now, I'm lucky to get 30 mins.

I tag:
Jennie at Far Beyond Pearls,
Brenda at Life As We Know It,
Michelle at Familia Hinckley,
'Neen at All This and Heaven,
and
Kristin at A Catholic Riddle.

Thanks for getting me back here, Colleen!

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!!!

Christmas Meme

This looked like a fun meme to play. Thank you, Melissa, for sharing.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, of course. I even color coordinate for the children. Each child gets a different wrapping paper. That way, no one opens someone else's presents on Christmas morning. And they are decked out with ribbons and bows. I spend lots of time looking for just the right wrapping paper since I really want it to be religious in nature. I LOVE wrapping presents and making them beautiful!!!
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? About a week after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? After Epiphany
5. Do you like eggnog? Nope.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Menudo Christmas album. You remember about my huge crush, don't you?!? I'm still in love with them, you know. LOL! In case you don't know who Menudo is ............. Here they are singing the same song as adults for a reunion. Aren't they the cutest!! I loved Johnny the most. Yeah, that was my favorite gift ever. Maybe I'll have my parents bring it over this year (along with their record player). Moving on ....
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Mom
8. Easiest person to buy for? My kids
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Several! Both indoors and out.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Ha! Ha!! Ideally, mail. But its been a few years ....
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmm, I can't remember. ;-)
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas with Bing Crosby.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? About a week after Thanksgiving. I start thinking about ideas as early as summer but don't actually purchase anything until 2-3 weeks before Christmas.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Honestly, YES!!! LOL!! But don't worry, I followed the gift recycling rules. You didn't know there were rules?!?
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My father's traditional Puerto Rican Christmas Eve dinner which includes pernil (Puerto Rican pork shoulder), arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), pasteles, tostones (fried plantain with garlic), and templeque for dessert. YUM!!!
16. Lights on the tree? Clear colored.
17. Favorite Christmas song(s)? Pat a Pan, Do You Hear What I Hear?, and of course, all these songs!! ;-) Actually, I love ALL Christmas songs!!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Stay at home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Nope! LOL!!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Presents from my parents on Christmas Eve, presents from us and Craig's parents on Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Secular Christmas songs and tv shows and commercials, to name a few.
23. What theme or color are you using? Pink and Purple (for Advent) with gold.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? See #15. Also, I LOVE my mother's bunuelos. They are crispy and flaky and just YUMMY!!! And tamales. Gosh, I'm getting hungry! LOL!
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Good health, time with my family and to hear screaming & laughter on Christmas morning. I already got my Christmas gift in having my precious Veronica.

I tag anyone who wants to play. Leave me a comment if you decide to play.

Fun Meme

Shannon has tagged me for this fun meme. Here it goes .....

Rules of the meme:
1. Post these rules of the game first.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names. Then the tagger goes to the blogs of those who have been tagged & leaves a comment letting new players know they’ve been tagged. The tagger asks them to find the meme and instructions back at his/her blog.

What I was doing 10 years ago:
I had a 2 month old baby and Craig was getting ready to defend for his Master's. We were also trying to decide whether he should finish his Ph.D at t.u. in Austin or Texas A&M in College Station. I was rooting for Austin because we would be closer to home. But Craig fell in love with A&M. I'm glad he didn't listen to my wishes!! (whew)

Five things on my To Do List today:
1. Homeschool
2. Piano lessons
3. Laundry
4. Take Isabelle to swim store for new team swim suit
5. Swim practice for Belle and take Sophia to Starbuck's/Barnes and Noble to catch up on school work and just to get one-on-one time. She loves these "dates" and doesn't seem to mind the schoolwork. We do this once a week. Not that she schools once a week. ;-)

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Give money to Catholic charities.
2. Give money to good Catholic Colleges and/or campus ministries
3. Pay off debt
4. Have Craig retire
5. Take the family to Italy

Three of my bad habits:
1. Not setting an alarm clock. In college, my roomate dumped me because I would "snooze" my alarm and drive her bezerk (sp?) Now I just don't set it unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. Which means I don't have a set wake up time. Some weeks I can do it, but most weeks I wake up when I wake up.

2. Putting my clothes away (in closet or hamper) at nighttime.

3. Interrupting when someone is talking because a thought has just come into my head.


Five places I have lived:
1. Prum AFB in Germany
2. Victorville, California (George AFB)
3. Clovis, New Mexico (Cannon AFB)
4. Boston, Massachusettes
5. College Station, TX

Five jobs I’ve had:
1. Sea World - The Midway (high school & college)

2. Office Aid to Chair of History Dept. (St. Mary's University in San Antonio)
*Quick Story: This was supposed to be just work study where no real work happens but lots of studying. At least that was what I was hoping. Poor guy didn't know how to turn on his computer, much less type. I ended up typing letters of recommendation for EVERYONE (including my own). Of course, he wrote them but I typed them. And it was VERY normal for him to call me AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK at around 6am to ask me if I could give a test for a class he didn't plan on attending -or- to type a letter for a student that he forgot about. Interesting job. No studying got down, which was a shame. I hated those early morning calls. I AM NOT a morning person. I also had to make sure NOT to see the tests since I was in his classes. I'm proud to say I never peeked. Not once!

3. Theology Dept. at Boston College (office aid-I was on fellowship. I admit that one day me and my fellow office workers looked in our files and read our recommendations from our teachers!! **GASP** LOL!)

4. Part time Campus Minister (St. Mary's in College Station) (Isabelle, and later Anna, went to work with me. Isabelle made AA#57. WHOOP!)

5. Part time Breast Feeding Peer Counselor for W.I.C. (I was trying to work on my hours to one day become a certified lactation consultant. You need a gazillion hours and I think I got around 25 hours. Maybe in another lifetime.)

Well, I hesitate to tag anyone since I've been blogging less myself and don't want to impose blogging on someone else. So please see this tag as completely optional!!!

Kristen, Jennie C., Michelle, Angoraknitter, Emily (because if you can bake a cake 10 hrs. after birth, you can do this too!),

I've Been Tagged!

Jennie tagged me so here it goes!

1.Grab the book nearest you, turn to page 18 and find line 4.
"..exploration of language in a written form." from Montessori Read and Write by Lynne Lawrence. I'm currently working on making new sandpaper letters for Anna. By mistake I threw away the one's I had made for Isabelle. ARGH! They take a long time to make. This book is FABULOUS!! I hope to do more from it for Sophia (4 yo).

2. Stretch out your left arm as far as you can. What can you touch? Actually, nothing. But when I first read this ques. I didn't notice it said "left arm" until Craig pointed it out. So here's my original answer: My bookshelf, which holds my homeschooling how-to books, syllabi, math manipulatives, board games and puzzles.

3.What is the last thing you watched on TV? Hmmm ....West Wing Season 6 episode 5.

4.Without looking, guess what time it is. 9:30pm

5.Now look at the clock. What is the actual time? 9:32pm

6.With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? The air conditioner running. All the kids are asleep and Craig is working on his RC Car which takes lots of concentration.

7.When did you last step outside? What were you doing? 6:30pm tonight. I went to the mall and Barnes & Nobles. I brought Isabelle and Catherine with me. Isabelle came along to get some shoes (she's grown 1 1/2 sizes!! .... poor girl ..... I didn't believe her at first when she said her shoes were tight). I went to pick up some books for 3rd grade history and ordered the ones they didn't have in stock. We also had an ice cream from Marble Slab. Lots of fun!

8.Before you started this survey, what did you look at? My email, Aggie Catholic website and some blogs.

9.What are you wearing? White and green striped tee shirt with denim capris and new sandals.

10.Did you dream last night? I'm sure I did but I can't remember.

11.When did you last laugh? About an hour ago. Isabelle was taking her bubble bath and wanted all the baby toys in the tub. I laughed because I think its so adorable how she is still a little kid at heart even though she tries so hard to act grown up.

12.What is on the walls of the room you are in? Mostly the children's artwork. My computer is in the homeschooling room. So lots of saint coloring sheets, Isabelle's Reading Rainbow certificate, a slogan from Leading Little One's To Mary, "Mary always did things with a smile." That's about it. I'm actually trying to clear the walls as we get ready for the move.

13.Seen anything weird lately? We were just at the mall!!! Of course I did!

14.What do you think of this quiz? It's fine. I'd ask different q's if I were making it.

15.What is the last film you saw? See Dick and Jane Run? or something like that with Jim Carrey. Its been a very long time since I laughed uncontrollably like that!! I didn't think I'd like it. I'm NOT a big fan of Jim Carrey like Craig. We were both laughing so hard its amazing none of the kids woke up.

16.If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy? A vacation with the whole family, a pony (and I guess a farm to go with it), and LOTS of anonymous donations to Catholic organizations, convents and churches (especially St. Mary's in Aggietown ... WHOOP!).

17.Tell me something about you that I don't know. I'm VERY afraid of shots and needles so I have had natural childbirth to avoid shots, I.V.'s, etc.

18.If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt and politics, what would you do? Other than sin in general? Keeping it light I'll say library fines ... I owe a ton!! On a heavier note ... abortion.

19.Do you like to dance? YES!! Tejano, Salsa, Merengue. I don't go out dancing anymore but the kids wear out the living room floor with their dancing and Craig and I usually join in.

20.George Bush: Daddy Bush--; Baby Bush-- Anheuser Busch? Not exactly the same "Bush." I don't get this question.

21.Imagine your first child is a girl. I'll imagine my first three and fifth are girls! Isabelle, Anna, Sophia and Catherine.

22.Imagine your first child is a boy. I actually wanted my first to be a boy. I imagined he would protect his baby sisters. I like the way it worked out instead. My fourth is a boy and he's spoiled by his older sisters ... and father .... and mother ..... and grandmother ....Kolbe James is his name. And that's Kolbe after St. Maximillian Kolbe. NOT COLBY as in the cheese.

23.Would you ever consider living abroad? Definitely! I would want to live in Italy. I lived in Germany from ages 4-7.

24.What would you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gate? "I forgive you and I love you."

25. 3 people who must also do this quiz in their blog: Well, I still don't know too many people. I'm the new kid on the blog. I tag Karen at Cirque de moi and Carolyn M. at Guilt-Free Homeschooling (unless they're on base, of course). Unsure about the third. I need to get to know more blogging people!!