Encouraging Your Husband for 30 Days

I always seem to start a 30 day challenge in the middle of the month.  Don't ask my why, I just do.

When I came across this 30 day challenge, I knew I had to share it so others could participate too!  The focus of this challenge is to bless your husband one day at a time.  Each day is based on a scripture lesson that provides a simple challenge that you carry out the entire day.

I hope that many of my readers will accept this challenge along with me.  Even the strongest of men need a little encouragement sometimes!

30/30: Last One!

Don't Forget to Remember Me

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

Wow!  I got through the thirty day challenge!  I can't believe after this one it's over.  I'll have to find something else fun to write about.  Maybe another series?  Chris and I have one in the works but I'll share that with you in another post.  It's been a long time coming and we're kind of excited about it! 

Anyways, I want to thank you for going on this journey with me.  I hope you've enjoyed reading these as much as I've enjoyed writing them.  It's been fun kids, but now it's almost time to say goodbye.

Finally, I'll leave you with this: 10 things I want to be remembered for.  Enjoy!

1.  My love for God

2.   Loving wife and (someday) mother

3.  Having a caring attitude

4.  Being a good and caring friend

5.  Being kind to others

6.  Being thoughtful 

7.  Always loving and supportive of others

8.  Surrounded by loving friends and family

9.  Being charitable 

10.  Making others laugh

29/30: Misunderstood

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

What is one thing that I think people misunderstand about me?  Well, that's a hard one because I'm really not sure.  There are probably a lot of things but I'm not a mind reader so I really don't know what people think about me 100% of the time.    

If I had to pick something I guess I'd say that even though I act like I don't care what people think or if they don't like me, I really do.  I act like I have a hard outer skin but it really bothers me just like it would anyone else.  

28/30: The Language of Love

What Is Your Love Language?

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

Has anyone taken the Love Language Quiz?  It's awesome and tells you how you most feel loved (which helps you communicate that to others)!  You don't have to be in a relationship to take this quiz, you can be a parent, child, single, whatever.  I highly suggest it!  Especially if you have little tiffs with your family or significant other because you feel under appreciated or unloved.  

This is how I scored after taking the quiz:

Quality Time: 11

Physical Touch:  8

Words of Affirmation:  6

Acts of Service:  5

Receiving Gifts:  0

Let's take a look at what the five languages means for any relationship:

Quality Time:

In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there–with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby–makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

Physical Touch:

This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

Words of Affirmation:

Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

Acts of Service:

Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

Receiving Gifts:

Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.

27/30: Loving It

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

Ever girl is self conscious and if she tells you any different than she is definitely not telling you the truth.  As a kid, I was always a litte uncomfortable in my skin.  Maybe it was the glasses I wore that covered half of my face, or the fact that I was a head shorter and much skinnier than everybody else.  Whatever the reason, I was and there were not a lot of things that I liked about my appearance.    

However, I loved my hair.  I've always loved my hair.  Sometimes I wish/ed it was a lighter color or it was curly like Sam's but no matter what, my hair always made me feel pretty.  It's never been super thick but I do have a lot of it on my head.  And it always feels good.  

The other thing I take pride in are my teeth.  People always tell me I have a beautiful white smile and I take lots of care in making sure they stay that way.  Some may think I'm crazy (Chris) but I brush at least three times a day and floss whenever I need to (usually after every meal).  My smile is very important to me because I've always felt people will judge you on how your teeth look.  There are no gaps or horse teeth for this girl!

26:30: World Peace

A Notion the World Has Wrong

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

You hear it all the time, everyone wants peace.  No more wars, just peace.  Why can't we stop fighting?  Why is there so much hate?  Blah, blah, blah.  You know why there are wars?  Because people can't get along.  There are evil people in the world and the good one's who want to end their evil tyranny step in to stop them.  War will never be truly gone on our world because we will never be able to get rid of all of the evil people that live in it.  

Back during the Holocaust, I'm sure there were some of those "Make Peace, Not War" protesters out on the streets in the United States.  Did they want us to leave the Jews to fend for themselves while they were being put in concentration camps and being gased to death or experimented on?  What about the reign of Fidel Castro and what he did during his time in power?  What about the people in Syria today?  Or the innocent that die everyday all over the world because of some evil dictator?  

Peace is not an option.  It's a nice concept, and a great dream but it's just not plausible.  Even God says that we should go to war, but only if it is to protect the innocent.

 "So innocent blood will not be shed in the midst of your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance, and blood guiltiness be on you."

Deut. 19:10

25/30: Dinner Date

Would You Join Me for Supper?

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

I'm having a hard time choosing who I'd like to have dinner with from history.  I've narrowed it down to two but I think that's about as far as I can go.  Both people are very influential in how my life has turned out thus far and I have a few questions I'd like to ask them.

The first one would be the Virgin Mary.  I think it would be so interesting to hear her story and ask her how she felt about giving birth to our Lord.  I'm not too sure what I'd like to eat with her, and I have a feeling that if I ever got the chance I wouldn't eat at all because I'd be drinking up every word she was saying to me.  And honestly, I'd probably be too nervous to put anything in my stomach.  After all, she is the mother of God. 

The second one would be George Washington.  Anyone that knows me knows how much I love politics and history and since he is the Father of our country it makes sense why I'd want to meet him.  I'd like to know what he dreamed our country would be like in the future and how our government should be working today.  I'd also want to know what he thought of the laws being put into action today and his opinion on the political parties.  To eat?  I'd say probably something like steak and potatoes.  (haha I had that for dinner the other night so that's probably why it came to mind!)

24/30: Family Dynamic

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

If you want to find out about my relationship with my parents you can read that post here.  It'll probably help you understand more of what I'm about to say. 

My family dynamic growing up compared to now is still pretty much the same.  It might be easier if I divide up the post so let's get started!

Then....

Mom

Growing up we always argued over little things.  It could've been major or minor, it didn't matter. We got along but I was definitely Daddy's Little Girl.  

Dad

I always liked doing things with my dad and spent a lot of time with him.  If he had to go into work on the weekends I'd usually drive with him just so I could spend time with him.  We liked a lot of the same things and so we always had something to do together.  He also was the one who would be outside with Sam and I teaching us how to play soccer, baseball, or anything else we wanted to learn.

Sam

When we were very young we got along very well.  It wasn't until I hit my teenage years that we grew apart a little bit.  We would bicker and argue and get on Mom's nerves but deep down (very deep down...ha!) I still thought she was okay.  And then, once I got out of my teenage years Sam hit hers.  I guess you could say we had a little bit of an "off" period.

Now....

Mom

I think our relationship is still pretty much the same.  Nothing has really changed there....

Dad

It's hard to say what our relationship would be now if he was still alive.  I think it would still be pretty much the same, with the exception that I'm married and not living at the house anymore!  

Sam

Our relationship is the one that has changed the most.  It wasn't until the spring semester of her junior year at GMU that we began to do more things together and become closer as sisters.  Before, we'd never really talk on the phone or go out and do things together but now we like too.  It's fun to go shopping or to the movies, and Chris and I even took her to Disney with us last summer.  She's become more of a best friend to me than a sister.

Julie

I didn't know Julie until I was 19 so it's a little hard to say what our relationship would've been like when I was younger.  Now, she is someone I can rely on and she's a really great sister.  We're still learning about each other and I know that our relationship will only grow from here.

23/30: Hobbies

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

I have lots of little hobbies, but there are only a few that I've kept up with through the years so I'm going to write about those.

Piano

I love playing my keyboard.  Ever since Gran bought me a new one for Christmas a few years ago I've been playing it non-stop.  Sitting in front of it playing music calms me and makes me feel peaceful with everything around me.  

Organization

I've always been kind of an organized person but it's something I've grown more passionate about over the years.  Why is it a hobby?  It's something I do in my spare time and I enjoy doing it.  It's always fun to think of new ways to make our lives easier.

Blogging

Blogging was never something I was committed to in the past.  There used to be an old site that you could either pay for or use it for free (the name escapes me at the moment) and all of my friends would blog updates on it.  I started doing that with them around the age of 16.  Was I any good at it?  No.  Am I better at it now?  I'd say I'm better, but I'm still learning.  The whole blogging world is still somewhat new to me.

Photography

People always told me that I had a natural talent for taking pictures but I never believed them until I met Chris.  We've been to quite a few places together so far and I started noticing little things I liked about the pictures I took on our travels: how I caught the water hitting the rocks just right.  Or how the sun was shinning perfectly over a hill.  I think photography has started to grow more into a passion for me but it definitely started out as a hobby.

Writing

I love writing.  It helps me get out feelings that I need to deal with and it's also fun just to see where my imagination takes me.  I don't do it as often as I should but looking at all the unfinished short stories I have leaves me feeling a little frustrated.  Maybe I need to take a few writing classes to turn this hobby into a passion (maybe a moneymaking passion?  Yes, please!)

Hello St. Thomas!

  

22/30: Where You'll Be

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

Do you remember writing essays in school on where you'd be in 5, 10, and 15 years?  Did any of you end up where you thought you'd be?  Or did only some of your predictions come true?  I used to love writing those types of papers because I always knew exactly what I'd say:

"In five years I'll have graduated high school.  In ten years I'll already have graduated college and will be on Broadway as Belle from Beauty and the Beast.  In fifteen years I'll be married with kids and live in a nice house in the country."

Well, let me tell you that only part of my predictions came true!  I definitely got married right on time with the schedule my ten year old self set, but no kids yet (and you'll be waiting at least another year or so for that to happen).  It's funny looking back on that and seeing how naive you were, and how you thought your life was going to turn out.  Nothing ever goes quite according to plan, does it?

If I had to make predictions now...I'd say that in 5 years Chris and I would be in a home with one kid, but hopefully two.  Or, one kid with one of the way...I'm not too picky!

In 10 years Chris and I would be all done having kids (only 3!) and I'd still be a stay at home mom and Chris would still be a working dad.

In 15 years (ugg...I'll be in my 40's!) our first born will be almost ready to drive (and I'll be having a slight heart attack every time I think about it).  We'll be busy, running from soccer practice to dance lessons and whatever other sport our kids decide to do.  We'll be constantly on the go and tired but loving every minute with our family.  

I think that about sums it up.  And I've left lots of wiggle room in case something changes.  It'll be fun to look back on this post and see if any of these predictions came true.  Hopefully they all do. But you know what they say, "God laughs when we make plans."

  

21/30: I'm SuperGirl!

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

"I'm supergirl and I'm here to save the world..."  The topic of this post really reminds me of that song from The Princess Diaries (I was kind of obsessed with that movie when it came out).  

There are so many super powers you could pick from that you'd think it would be hard to pick just one.  But, I've said for a long time that if I did have a power I'd want it to be speed.  Then I wouldn't take so long to get ready (gotta love being a girl!) and I wouldn't have to sit in the car to get somewhere.  How nice would it be to take two seconds to get to the grocery store and two more seconds to get back home?  Just imagining that is making me yearn for it!

However, there are drawbacks so I'd set a few limitations for myself.  

1.  No abusing my powers to speed through life.

2.  I could only use it for three things: (a) Get chores done faster, (b) get to places faster, (c) get ready faster.

I feel as though a set of ground rules would be best that way I don't start taking advantage of the power or missing out on things by using it.  What do you think?  Are there any powers you'd like to have to make your days smoother?  Or would you want a power just because it sounds like it would be cool?  I'm interested to know what others would choose!

Best friends at my Bridal Shower

20/30: Memories

Oh Those Good Old Days...

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}


I'm supposed to write about three significant memories from my childhood.  All three of them make me laugh and I hope they do the same for you.  And if you know the boy from memory number two, you'll understand why it was so great when he finally left me alone.  ha!

1.  One Christmas, when Sam was probably no older than four, we were living in our old house in Culpeper.  Sam and I had a tradition where we always slept in the same room (either on the floor or in a bed) and woke up together the next morning.  This particular year, neither of us could sleep because we were so excited.  I told Sam that we could go see if Santa had been to our house yet as long as she was quiet and she agreed.  We snuck down the hall into our playroom and lo and behold there were tons of presents!  I went poking around a little bit and then all the sudden I heard, "LOOK AT ALL THE PRESENTS!"  Sam had yelled out and I was positive we woke up Mom and Dad.  And sure enough, they came in the room at 5am and let us open our gifts.  

2.  When I was younger I used to swim for the Rec Club during the summer in Culpeper.  After swim practice, a lot of my friends would stay and play and hang out at the pool.  I was there every single day, even on the weekends.  One weekend (I was in middle school around this time) both of my parents, my friend Laura and her family, and I think John and his family were there with a bunch of other people we knew.  All of us kids liked to play sharks and minnows in the deep end when it wasn't too crowded, and that is what we were doing on this particular day.  I used to swim on the very bottom because the "sharks" liked to go for all the people who swam towards the surface first.  One boy, Alex Parr, figured out what I was doing and decided to come after me.  I had figured out long before that if I put lotion on my arms and legs the "sharks" couldn't catch me.  So, when Alex grabbed my leg his hand slid right off and I just kept swimming.  This happened a few more times before I was able to reach the other side safely.  The second go around Alex came after me again, more determined to catch me than before.  He pulled my hair, I kicked him in the knee.  He grabbed the back of my bathing suit, I kicked him in the knee again.  Then, he took his ridiculously long nails (for a boy) and scratched my back up.  It hurt like heck and I'm pretty sure I screamed under water.

After the game was over I got out and my dad caught a look at my red and swollen backside.  He asked me what happened and I told him what Alex did.  The next thing I knew, he was over at the side of the deep end calling Alex over to him.  I knew what was about to happen and I inched closer to hear what Dad was going to say.  He told Alex that if he ever caught him coming near me or hurting me again he'd pull him out of the water so fast he wouldn't know what hit him.  There was probably other things that we said but I truly don't remember.  After that, Alex was too scared to even come talk to me when my dad was around and he rarely bothered me.  I'd never been more thankful for my dad at that moment.

3.  When I was in the 5th grade I was at my school really early to go on a field trip.  We were all in the bathroom before loading the bus and all the girls were talking about when they found out there was no Santa Clause.  I didn't believe them (and told them so) but they continued to tell me there wasn't one and I should ask my parents.  That got me thinking....the writing from Santa did look an awful lot like my mom's handwriting.  And there was always a closet that was locked downstairs only during Christmastime.  I then resolved to stay home the following day and ask my mom about it.

The next day I faked being sick so I could stay home with my mom.  She was folding clothes in her room on her dresser when I came in and stood beside her.  She looked down and asked me what was wrong, and I told her I had something important to ask but she had to promise to tell me the truth.  She smiled and said yes, but her smile faded quickly once I asked her about Santa.  She paused before answering, and I knew what she was going to say before it came out of her mouth.  When she confirmed my suspicions, I began to cry and demanded to know why she'd tell me something like that.  Then, my over-dramatic self took over and told her that she ruined Christmas for me and I ran into my room and flung myself on the bed (<-- that was an oscar winning performance if I do say so myself!)  

19/20: Home

There's No Place Like Home

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

In the past three years I've been a lot of different places.  It's hard to choose just one where I'd like to settle down and live...but I'll try.  There will be quite a few people who read this that are probably hoping my answer will be California.  Chris and I have lots of family and friends there and it would be nice to have our kids grow up around that part of our family.  There will be others who will expect my answer to be Florida.  Why?  Well....we love the fact that we could be close to Disney World and go anytime we wanted.  When I was younger I always wanted to live in Tennessee.  I couldn't tell you the exact reason, but it just always felt like home.  Plus, I love the south.  

But, if I had to be honest there is really one place that has stolen my heart:  Wyoming.  Why?  It's just an absolutely gorgeous state.  We'd be a lot closer to our family and friends in California out there and we'd still get the four seasons like we do in Virginia.  

At Yellowstone National Park

18/30: Forgiveness

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

Forgiveness can be the hardest thing we do in our lives.  Some people like to hold grudges for years and never seem to let go of the hatred holding them there.  I know a few people like that so I strive to always forgive (but never forget).  I believe that you should remember the hard times because if you don't, you won't remember how you got where you are today.  

One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was forgive myself for fighting with my dad before he died.  Dad passed away on Friday, September 29th, 2006 and we fought the Sunday before (the 24th).  We were standing in the kitchen arguing about me getting a job.  I was lazy and would sleep in during the week instead of going out and looking for work since lifeguarding was over for the season.  Dad was not having my lazy attitude and he wasn't shy about telling me so either.  I don't ever remember my dad and I yelling at each other but we definitely did that day.  Then, later that night I went in my parents bedroom, laid my head on Dad's chest, and said I loved him before turning in.  

When he died that Friday I was so torn up by the way I had acted when I last saw him.  I blocked out the memory of interacting with him later that night because I was so upset by my actions.  It took a long time of my mom telling me what actually happened for it to sink in.  It took even longer for me to actually believe that Dad knew I loved him even thought I was mean to him that Sunday.  And it took a few years to realize that even though I had acted like a butt Dad had forgiven me right after it happened.  That's what unconditional love is.  No matter how ridiculous I acted or how much attitude I gave him he still loved me.  

I think I still carry a certain amount of guilt around with me and I'm not sure if it will ever go away.  There wasn't a day where I woke up and decided that I was over what had happened and decided not to carry the guilt with me anymore.  I think I just woke up and realized that I wasn't thinking about it as much.  And as the days passed by the feeling went away more and more.  

Sometimes, the guilt comes back when I'm really missing him.  Sometimes, I don't think about what happened at all.  It all depends on the day, how I'm feeling, and what I'm doing.  I always have to remember that I had a great childhood and a great Dad and that one day and one hour of bad behavior doesn't rewrite our entire relationship.  I have to forgive myself for what I did because if I never did, it would eat me alive.  And I know my dad wouldn't want that.

17/30: I'm Wishing...

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

There are a lot of things I wish I was better at:

-better at the piano

-better writer

-better Christian (working on it!)

-etc....

But if there was one thing that I have no talent for what-so-ever that I wish I could do...it would be to draw.  I've always envied people that had a talent for it.  The ongoing joke is that my stick figures could win awards they're so good.  I mean, I've had plenty of practice at doing them!  But...I guess I'd better keep perfecting those stick people because that's about all the drawing "talent" you're going to get out of me.  I'll leave the good stuff to the professionals.  

16/30: Greatest Accomplishments

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

This one is really hard for me because I don't really feel as though I've done anything worth boasting about.  Chris is trying to reassure me that is not true, but I'm having quite a hard time believing him.  So, I'm going to let Chris write this post.  I can't think of anything and he's been sitting behind me giving me suggestions on what to write.

{Chris's POV}

I've only known Teresa for a little over three years so these accomplishments are from that time period.  I keep telling her she has a lot of things she should be proud of from before me that she probably hasn't told me but she disagrees.  

1.  She's visited most of the country (with me).  At least 30 states now that we've driven down to Florida and back.  And even though our goal is to visit all 50, I'd say getting a little over half that in this point of our lives is pretty kewl. (<---inside joke)

2.  She moved to the other side of the country (Seattle) to be with me while I worked for Boeing.  I think it's an accomplishment to live somewhere else because not a lot of other people would be willing to do that and there are also a lot of people who would never get the chance.  

3.  Getting Married.  I think because it takes a lot of planning, effort, and it's a huge accomplishment.  And finding the right person is something to be proud of and excited about.

4.  She's a great housewife.  I don't want to use the word housewife but it's the only one I can think of to describe this.  She's really been excited about making the house a home for us.  Pinterest comes up daily in our conversations and she uses what she learns to make life easier.  I think Teresa has really jumped willingly into her role at home and she's good at it.  

5.  She took over the finances.  A year or so ago I gave Teresa the responsibility of handling our finances.  We weren't engaged at the time, but I thought it would be good for her to see how much was coming in vs. going out.  She took it over willingly and has gotten really good about keeping us in check spending wise.  Handing the financial responsibility over to her was one of the best things I ever did (besides marrying her!).   

{Teresa's POV}

Okay, I thought of a good one!  I taught myself how to play the piano.  I'm not great at it but I'm also not terrible either.  I also taught myself how to read music (playing the flute helped a lot with that).

17 Mile Drive in California

15/30: I Could Be an Animal

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

Most people would probably go for strong, fast, or fearsome animals when choosing which kind they'd like to be.  Me?  I just want to be a cute one.  I'm really not that picky.  

  

And I obviously can't choose which one I like more!  ha!

14/30: Strengths

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}


After feeling a bit down and out due to my weakness post, I'm going to take a few minutes and build my ego back up again.  :-)


Strengths.  Strengths.  What the heck are my strengths?!  And why is this post harder to write than my weakness post?  Chris gave me his list of my strengths last night but they were more skill (like writing and crafting) instead of personality.  My original plan was to have him write his post for me (how fun to have it from a husband's point of view!), but he wasn't following on what it was actually supposed to be about.  So...I guess I'll be taking a stab at it.  Here I go!

I'm an Optimist
Even though I have my "off" days, I stay pretty much positive all the time.  I get excited by the possibilities of something new and I always try to see the good in things.

Chris Says I'm an Awesome Planner and Organizer
Let me explain why I think this is a strength.  I love organization.  And planning.  And both of them together just make me incredibly happy.  It makes my life run much smoother and I am not the kind of person that enjoys chaos.  Structure all the way baby!  But...that doesn't mean I can't roll with the punches.  I can definitely adapt, but I do much better if I know things are going to work out according to my original plans.  (<---does this make me sound like a little bit of a control freak?!)

I'm a Good Listener
Yes, I do talk a lot but I'm also a really good listener.  I'm not just saying this to feel good about myself though...I've actually had a lot of friends confirm it!  I do tend to give my opinion (sorry...I'm a little assertive) but I also will be there even if someone needs a shoulder to cry on.  I just feel that you will always have better friendships that way.  :-)

I Am Extremely Outgoing
I guess I view this as a strength because I'm pretty good in social situations (I'm not trying to sound cocky, I swear!).  I'm able to bring people into the conversation who tend to be a little more shy and get them talking with a group.  I've also always been able to make friends in situations where I'm the outsider because of my openness.

I Like to Research Things Before I Talk About Them
Okay, so this may be a weird one.  Everyone knows that one person who just likes to spout out random information without doing any research about the topic and ends up sounding like an idiot.  Am I right?  Seriously, there is one in every group.  I have never wanted to be that person, so I always try to make sure I know at least a little bit about a topic before I start talking about it.  I also don't pretend to know everything so I am able to sit back and learn something from others when it's their time to speak.  Why is this a strength?  Because I am able to listen to others and value their opinions, while being able to add something to the conversation myself.  It's a win-win!

Sam and I in DC to see all the Christmas lights!  (2009)

13/30: I'm Not Perfect

This Is Me

Weaknesses and All....
{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}

I'm Way To Stubborn:  

I don't forgive easily and I have a hard time admitting I'm wrong.  Chris is helping me with this!

I Don't React Well To Stress:

Sometimes I just sit there and cry or I get angry.  Chris gets very confused and doesn't know how to help me.  But, once I cry I feel loads better.

I Care Too Much About What Other's Think of Me:

This is pretty self explanatory.  I get really upset if I think I've hurt someone or if I've done something I deem "stupid" when I'm around them because I don't want them to not like me.  It weighs on my mind until I've thought of someway to "fix" it.

I Speak Before I Think:

I blurt out really stupid stuff....like, a lot.  Most of the time it comes out wrong or it ends up hurting someone's feelings by accident.  I don't mean to, it just happens.  

I Judge People Before I Get to Know Them:

I'm embarrassed to admit this one!  Although, I think a lot of people do this and they just don't want to admit it.  Nine times out of ten I realize I've wrongly judged someone and I actually really like them.  What's the old saying?  Don't judge a book by it's cover?  :-)  

12/30: A Day in the Life

{If you missed the beginning of the 30 Day Challenge you can find it here}


I'm sorry to have to put you all through this post.  Since I'm not going to school right now it may be a little boring so I apologize for that.  But....here it goes!

9-9:30 am:  Get out of bed

9:30-10:00 am:  Fix and eat some breakfast...and have a cup of coffee.  Can't forget my coffee!!

10:00-10:30 am:  Remind Chris of the time (constantly) so he's not late for work.

10:30-11:30 am:  Watch the news while checking up on e-mail, my blog, and anything else you can think of!

11:30 am-1:00 pm:  Clean the house.  Usually I'll pick a room or two.  And I'll eat lunch somewhere in there too.

1:00 - 2:00 pm:  Get ready for the day

2:00-3:30 pm:  Run errands.  Whether it be grocery shopping, going to Target, or whatever else.  I also run the roomba so it vacuums while I'm gone.  :-)

3:30-4:00 pm:  Get home and put everything away.  Go outside and check the mail.  Then sometimes take a brief walk (weather permitting) around the parking lot of the apartment complex.

4:00-5:00 pm:  Rest.  Usually I'll turn the tv on again and watch the news or some other program.

5:00-6:00 pm:  Make dinner and wait for Chris to get home!

6:00-8:00 pm:  Eat with Chris, talk or watch Netflix before he has to get on his game at 8:00!

8:00-11:00 pm:  Me time!  I clean, read a book, watch a movie...whatever I want.  And, bother Chris while he's on his game (<---my favorite part!  ha!)

11:00-11:30 pm:  Get ready for bed and bother Chris until he gets off his game.

11:30 pm-1:00 am:  We talk for a little bit before finally falling asleep.

Cherry Blossom Festival in DC.  April 4, 2009