25 Things

I know my blog has been running dry lately. There's a good reason. I'll get to that later.

Anyway, some of you who read my blog are not connected with me on Facebook. There was a little tag going around on Facebook which tells you to write 25 things about yourself. So, I'm posting it here to keep you entertained. For those of you who read my blog rather than my Facebook profile, I'm throwing in a bonus. A #26. If you care to stick around to read all 26, you're pretty awesome!

25 things. No, 26 things about me.

1. If I am on Facebook or blogging, it means I am procrastinating doing something else that really needs to be done.

2. Sometimes it takes me four days to do the laundry. This week, it has taken me five days. I like to beat my own personal records like that.

3. I firmly believe that less is more in every circumstance in life: when you dress up for an evening out, when you decorate your home, when you cook, when speaking in public, when disciplining your kids, etc.

4. I love dogs, but I don’t think they replace kids.

5. I can’t stand Kate’s haircut on Jon and Kate plus 8. I call it "the big bird." It bugs me that they commercialize (and profit from) having a big family.

6. I’ve learned so many great things from my husband. He’s taught me new things about cooking, skiing, communication, parenting, traveling, the list goes on. Shhh, don’t tell anyone, but I got the better end of the deal when I married him.

7. I love to decorate. It is a creative outlet for me and I have so many visions and ideas for things I’d like to try. But I don’t spend a lot of time or energy on that because, HELLO, I have four kids.

8. I can’t wear lipstick. I just look really weird in it.

9. If I had extra money, I would choose to spend it on my husband, my kids or my house rather than on myself. Not because I’m extremely self sacrificing. If my house or my kids look good, it reflects well on me. So, you see, I have very selfish motives.

10. I make overly ambitious to-do lists.

11. I love my children fiercely. I’m proud of the work I do as a stay at home mom.

12. I hate green peppers. Their flavor is too strong and takes over the whole dish.

13. If awakened in the middle of the night, I can usually fall asleep again quickly. But when sleep doesn’t come easily, obnoxious songs go through my head and I can’t get them out. Not even good songs. Dumb ones. Like the dramatic theme music from The Biggest Loser. And then the song repeats in my head over and over and then I really can’t sleep. Who could with all that music going on in the background?

14. Speaking of sleep, I can not sleep when there is a full moon, or when it is really windy.

15. I think black nail polish on short nails is a fad that must die. It makes your fingers look like short, stubby sausages. Really, people.

16. I heart my minivan. There, I said it.

17. Running and weight lifting is the most effective exercise for me.

18. I am very conservative and I love listening to talk radio. I find myself saying, "YES!" out loud to what the hosts are saying.

19. I do not hate George Bush. I do not love Barack Obama.

20. I am not spontaneous. I thrive on structure, schedules and routines. I get anxious when things are out of sorts.

21. Years ago, my husband and I went to Africa for a humanitarian project. One year after the trip, I got Malaria - and I was pregnant at the time. It just about did me in. After my baby was born the Malaria showed up again, and I lost an obscene amount of weight. But after everything was resolved, I loved being super skinny. I know that’s bad, but I blame society’s obsession with looks.

22. When I am sad, retail therapy works wonders.

23. I am not big into hugging. I hug my kids all the time. But with adults, I’d rather smile and wave.

24. I have seriously considered becoming a vegetarian, but I’m too busy and lazy to make the switch over just yet.

25. I am completely devoted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

26. I am expecting baby #5.