25 Random Things About Me

Normally I don't take the time to do these kinds of things when people "tag" me, but I decided to go for it this once. I spent a ridiculous amount of time writing this and was mercilessly honest, so enjoy.

1. I love to travel. If I had all the money in the world, I would travel to every continent. I want my children to travel because I think you get a singular education by experiencing different cultures. Traveling makes you grateful for everything you enjoy at home too.

2. I feel like I forged most of my closest friendships prior to graduating high school. I didn't realize how much I cared for these people until the last couple years and now I'm out of touch with most of them. Once you're married, it gets a lot harder to become good friends with people because it's a package deal—Bryson has to like the guy and I have to get along with the wife. Most of the time I barely notice because I spend nearly every spare minute with Bry anyway, but sometimes I miss my old friends.

3. I hate the apathy I see in people with regards to the events occuring in our country. Sure, everybody is aware that the economy is bad, but how many people understand why or the precursory events that got us to where we are now. Politicians are going to use this crisis to promote an agenda that no sane person wants to see implemented in America. Do you know who your representatives are? Google it! Then pick up the phone and make your voice heard.

4. Yes, I listen to Rush and Glenn. And I'm currently reading Ann Coulter's book Guilty. I hope that clears up where I stand politically.

5. I have this thing called a Beaba Babycook that I make fresh baby food with. It is amazing and I feel like Supermom when I use it.

6. I only had four college professors that really challenged me: Brent Latimer, Lauri Haddock, John Beeson, and Eric Huntsman. I’m grateful for each one of them.

7. Folding laundry is my most dreaded household chore.

8. Most of the time I don’t even think about Hunter’s disability. That is just the way things are. However, I’ll never forget being at a gas station one afternoon and watching a little boy walking in to the store with his dad. The dad appeared to be in a hurry, but the oblivious toddler was holding his dad’s hand and jumping along instead of walking normally, slowing the whole thing up. I don’t know what it was about what I saw in that moment—maybe the fact that I will never witness that in this life—but I sat there and cried for a long time.

9. I love to cook. I’ve entertained the idea of culinary school for a while now.

10. Two different times, anonymous individuals have picked up our tab at restaurants while we’ve been eating out with our children. Not hard to guess why—we do have the cutest kids ever.

11. This summer I am going to plant and harvest a garden, square-foot style.

12. Bryson is my best friend. Really. I walked around for twenty years minus my other half and it is wonderful to finally be complete.

13. Giving birth naturally to Eleyna is one of the proudest achievements of my life. I am amazed by the bodies God created for us.

14. I was kind of abrasive socially during my teen years. I feel especially bad for the boys that I dated. (I really could have used an older sister to help me out.) I wasn’t intentionally mean, but I think I ended up walking all over a few of them (i.e. Crim). I am grateful to all of my old boyfriends for helping round off the "rough edges" so I was actually a semi-nice/normal person by the time I met Bry.

15. I get really bugged at people who dislike Utah for whatever reason and complain noisily about aspects of living here. Move already if you are that unhappy. Utah has tons to offer, like Lake Powell and lots of Mormons!

16. I miss my sister Laura that is on a mission. However, I’m really glad that I’ve gotten to know my sister Heather better while Lar’s been gone.

17. I love good food. Pizzeria 712 is my favorite restaurant right now. VERY good food.

18. People who won’t give cultural phenomenons like Harry Potter or Twilight a chance are missing out. Is it really better to abstain to make the point that you have more sophisticated tastes than the masses?

19. I’m trying to find joy in the journey as a wife and mother. I know I’m giving up other things to be a stay-at-home mom but I also know I won’t ever regret not being there for my kids or for Bry.

20. I think taking an adult ballroom class with Bry would be a blast.

21. I love my Honda Odyssey—respect the van!

22. I love that I have good hair that withstands lots of color changes and grows back quickly.

23. I hate winter. We go to the Parade of Homes in St. George every February and I look forward to a respite from the cold so much.

24. I want to learn to snowboard so I can go with Bryson. Maybe if I get good it will help me like winter more. (I doubt it though.)

25. A teacher told me once never to lose the “hum of perpetual noticing”. I think about that a lot and try to notice new things in the midst of my routines.