Taking a little 'me time'.

It's no surprise that I rarely find a minute to myself in life right now. It seems like there is always someone or something that needs me. I am normally pretty good at juggling everything, but lately, and most likely due to this new pregnancy, I feel more like I'm drowning than swimming through most of the day. Early pregnancy for me means I am tired. A lot! I have been able to get to bed early a few times the past couple of weeks and I try to sneak in an occasional nap when Crew takes one. I am queasy almost every morning and every night. Which doesn't help my energy level. But this should all be fading in the next couple of weeks as the second trimester approaches. By the way...how do the weeks go so quickly when you're counting down to number 7?!
I'm looking forward to the sun shining more as spring approaches too. I'm not the kind of person to enjoy winter. I do wear a hat most of the time and if you see me around at Target or getting groceries, I probably look something like the photo here. Stop me and say hello. =)
I have not felt like blogging, nor have I had the 'spare time' to do it even if I wanted to. However, today I came across a question and answer post that I've seen a few times on the internet since the new year rolled around and thought, why not! So, here is a little bit about me. And feel free to share a little bit about you in the comments or blog it and link me up! Sometimes the little details are what make people the most interesting. I hope you enjoy learning a little bit more about me.

1. What is your current obsession?
Just trying to keep my kids' stuff picked up and feeling frustrated that our mealtime isn't more mellow. It seems like the most 'dramatic' time of the day. Maybe I need to hire Alice from The Brady Bunch. =)

2. What are you wearing today?
black yoga pants (that I've never done yoga in) and a gray sweatshirt that says "Minnesota Athletics"

3. What’s for dinner?
That's a good question- last night Chip made braised lamb shanks with tomatoes- delicious!

4. What’s the last thing you bought?
diapers, wipes, Lean Cuisines and boxes of Valentines/treats at Target yesterday

5. What are you listening to right now?
the dishwasher running, Crew playing on a Little Leap Pad and Max & Ruby on tv in the corner

6. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
Someplace warm all year long; it would be nice to have family nearby too!

7. What is one thing you want to change about yourself?
Find a way to stay on top of clutter that piles up; or be able to part with "stuff" easier!

8. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
I think it would be heartbreaking, but life-changing to be able to spend an hour on a street in Port au Prince Haiti...Even if I can't give medical aid, I think it would be enough to even hold some orphaned, hurting kids in my arms for 60 minutes. Love changes people.

9. Which language do you want to learn?
I'm still learning sign language along with Wyndham. I wish it was taught in school curriculums- it's sort of universal!

10. What’s your favorite quote?
"Faith is... believing in advance that which only makes sense in reverse."
by Charles Swindoll

11. Would you cook for me?
I'm a better baker than cook, but the answer is YES! Come on over! =) Actually, I wish I could have my mom's cooking right now. I took meals for granted all those years I was growing up!

12. What is the right way to avoid people who purposefully hurt you?
Hopefully there aren't too many out there- but I have had some negativity on my blog from time to time. I try not to "avoid" them, but instead be gracious to them in response. That usually ends it. I have to say, extending forgiveness in life when it wasn't warranted changed me too. For the better.
I could write a lot about that. =)

13. What are you afraid of the most?
The pain my kids will experience in their lives. Everyone feels it sometime or another. It's just the way it is. I hope they are strong enough to endure it, and that they will have sense to lean harder on God when it comes.

14. Who do you want to meet right now?
Kate McRae and her family- she's battling cancer right now and I pray for them everyday. I wish I could give them all hugs and let them know that despite unknowns, God is bigger than what they're going through. I hope they feel His peace and comfort in a tangible way right now.

15. What is your favorite color?
If the Vikings had beaten the Saints on Sunday I would have to say purple and gold until the SuperBowl. But after their disappointing loss I'm going back to aqua right now.

16. Give us 3 styling tips that work for you.
Me? Styling tips? I'm lucky if I wear make-up once a week! I will say that short hair has made my life much easier as I had more and more kids. I think using shampoo that doesn't have Dr. Seuss names and pictures on it (like Horton Hears a WhoBerry) would make my hair look better. But most the time I just grab what's nearby!

17. What is your dream job?
I think Duff Goldman from Ace of Cakes has my dreamjob. He makes cakes, hangs out (works) with his friends and even gets fun side-gigs like doing cartoon voice-overs. I'm all about buttercream, friends and adventures!

18. What’s your favorite magazine?
We don't get any subscriptions at our house, but I love to flip through my old Martha Stewart Living, Weddings, Kids and Baby magazines and Cooking Light too.

19. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
I'd line up a babysitter and take Chip out somewhere- it's been too long since we've been out just the two of us! Who wants to babysit tonight?!

20. What do you consider a fashion faux pas?
Anything I did before 2004. Including home perms!

21. Who, according to you, is the most over-rated writer?
I am so out-of-the-loop when it comes to popular literature right now, but can tell you when I was a kid I loved any book about horses or dogs. I also LOVED Calvin and Hobbes and The Far Side comics. Does that say anything about me?

22. What brings a smile on your face instantly?
An unexpected cup of Starbuck's from Chip every once-in-awhile, handwritten cards or letters, and seeing my kids get along while they play or eat a meal. No wonder I've been grumpy lately!! {wink}

23. What is one word that you say a lot?
Crew!!! He's constantly doing something or climbing somewhere he shouldn't be.

24. What kind of haircut do you prefer?
On me? See #16 and #20.
I do normally like my hair best about weeks 2 & 3 after my cut.

25. What are you going to do after this?
Start some laundry and get Crew down for a nap. Wish me luck!

26. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed?
I stop blogging because I feel like I have nothing to offer. I also quit answering the phone. Poor Chip. I do other stuff too and I think I really drive him nuts when I'm in a funk!

27. What makes you go wild?
The dancy-dance parts on Yo! Gabba Gabba! That and carrot cake. =)

28. What are your favorite movies?
I love family classics- like Sound of Music, The Parent Trap, Old Yeller... and lots of others too. Although I am not a big movie fanatic. In fact, most of the time I've never even seen the movies nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.

29. What inspires you?
Hope in the midst of hopelessness. Oftentimes the most simple things can be the most inspiring- I never want to look past beauty around me.

30. What do your friends call you most commonly?
Crazy... at leat those closest to me do!

31. Would you prefer coffee or tea?
Coffee... but it has to have cream in it! I will tell you that I've hardly had any coffee since becoming pregnant again. It just doesn't sound as good as it used to. I've been drinking Sprite Zero and orange mixed together in the morning. The fizz is a good thing.

32. Which other blogs do you love visiting?
One of these days I plan to make a long list of my favorite blogs. There are a lot of them. I will share these 5 with you now....and more later!

Becky Novacek's blog- She's a friend of mine who seems to have it all together. She has great insights on food, home decor, photography, balancing life and I just hope to be more like her when I grow up!

100 Layer Cake- This is such a great inspiration blog... you know how much I love weddings! Plus, I love all the links they have on their sidebar. Bonus.

oh, hello Friend- There is always something pretty or simple on this blog. I love the "tone" of it and all the fun links to the cool things Dani finds. She seems so sweet and down-to-earth too.

Sheye Rosemeyer's blog~ The photos are amazing, but her words and life-story get me even moreso. She has experienced the loss of a little SuperPrincess girl and so I feel like our hearts connect- even if it is only through a computer screen.

Simply Breakfast- The art of breakfast blog... I could eat breakfast 3 times a day. Sometimes I do. Everytime I stop by this blog I wish I was eating whatever it is that's pictured. Simple and delicious-looking without fail- every time!

33. What is your favorite dessert/sweet?
Carrot cake! And Cream Puffs. And Chocolate Bread Pudding with Spiced Whipped Cream. And Pumpkin Cheesecake. And T.G.I.Friday's Pie-in-the-Sky from back in the day. And old-fashioned malts. And fresh fruit. This question obviously struck a chord with me! I guess I love breakfast AND desserts. =)

34. How many tabs are turned on in your browser right now?
Just this.

35. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
I need to start using wrinkle cream.

36. What is your favorite season?
I love something about every season, but there's something really great about summer... warmth, sleeping in and eating outside!

37. What is one wish that you really want to see come true?
That Wyndham could be potty-trained. She wants to wear big-girl underwear so badly! It has to do with her brain sending her body messages. Things just don't work the way they should for her... but we still can hope!

38. What breaks your heart?
Knowing that people hurt and suffer without Hope.

39. What's one thing you really want to do in life?
I would love for my gravestone to read, "She lived what she believed." and that in simply doing that people around me would know that God is real and believe in Him. I want my legacy to be one that shows people God is enough for whatever it is that life sends your way!