thirty one

Here is the rundown of my birthday:

I broke a chair. I got an overdraft charge ($32!!!) simply because I wasn't paying attention enough to transfer money from another account. I washed, dried and folded four loads of laundry. Still need to put them away. I went visiting teaching. I took Emma to Irish and violin. I ate dinner at my sister in law's house. I watched helplessly while Nathan stopped breathing (sidenote: he does that awful silent scream until he turns blue far too often but not usually as bad as tonight). I made cookie dough (to be made into cookies tomorrow) for some of my Primary kids. I let the kids watch too much TV. I got asked on a date to see Little Women.

Good times!

I never did get around to posting my 100 things. I couldn't finish the list. Instead, since it is my birthday, how about 31!?

1. I am the middle child of seven, three brothers, three sisters.

2. I have lived in 22 different homes/apartments. In high school my friends used to joke about taking the Slade House tour in Ft. Collins.

3. My life has been filled with and shaped by performing arts. I play the piano and cello. I sing. I dance. I have performed throughout my whole life. I met my husband on the Folk Dance team. I always dreamed of being a Broadway star. I still thrill every time I am in front of an audience.

4. I am addicted to reading of any kind. Books. Magazines. Blogs. I feel an immediate lift when I walk into a bookstore or library. I read very quickly but sadly forget much of what I read.

5. My favorite color is red. Shocking, I know. I also love green, golden yellow, and black.

6. I have visited 12 different countries—Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, China—all with the folk dancers. The place I dream of going to is Israel.

7. I flew on an airplane for the first time when I left for college.

8. I hate to shop for clothing. My wardrobe most definitely reflects that.

9. I graduated from BYU with a degree in History.

10. My favorite season is fall.

11. I hate being hot. I cannot function in heat.

12. I am a homebody. There are many days when I don’t step outside even once.

13. I dated my husband for a year and a half.

14. I broke my nose in the airport in Indonesia while on tour with the folk dancers, six weeks before my wedding.

15. I broke my arm when I was five. I fell off of a trampoline.

16. I lettered in swimming in high school.

17. I am in my fourth year of homeschooling my children.

18. I love cloudy, chilly days and stormy weather. It makes me want to curl up on the couch with a good book.

19. I haven’t had a job outside the home since I got married, even before we had kids.

20.My dad has been telling me since I was a teenager that I would have five boys. When I had Emma first, I thought I had shown his prophecy to be false. Then I had three boys. I am terrified (though somewhat resigned) that I am going to have another boy next. Then I will feel that my dad must have been right all along and we’ll have another boy after that. Then, we will want to have another child to try for a girl and I will have seven children. AGH!

21. I am an introvert though not shy and with some extrovert tendencies. I love alone time but still crave close friendships.

22. I want to be a professional photographer someday.

23. My favorite food is Chinese food.

24. My favorite dessert is cheesecake.

25. I am frugally-minded. Some in my family call it cheap. I prefer frugal, conservative, a saver.

26. I love all sweets—ice cream, candy, cookies, cake. During my pregnancies it is the only thing I crave. Oh wait, sweets are the only thing I crave when I’m not pregnant too. Yes, I have a problem.

27. However, I do not like chocolate ice cream.

28. I cannot sleep with socks on or wear them without shoes.

29. I do not see well in the dark. I hate driving at night.

30. I have had a goal to make getting up early a habit for two years now. I know it would make a huge difference in my life. I prefer to stay up late though and so I am getting nowhere with this goal.

31. I hate seafood and squash.