1. I'm married to my best friend. Our story is long, but here's the short version. He was my 6th grade "boyfriend", and I dumped him because he got a bowl haircut. We stayed friends all the way through high school and college. We both dated others and finally realized that we were perfect for each other. :) Thank you, Lord, for giving me a Godly man. Help me not to drive him crazy.
2. Makenna was born on Feb. 15, 2004 in Guatemala, and I didn't know it until we got "the call" on March 10. I sure wish I had had a blog then to see what we going through our minds while we were waiting. I'm SO thankful for His perfect timing and His way of answering my prayers. (Elizabeth, I will never forget you sharing Isaiah 55:8-9 with me.)
3. All of our immediate family members live within a 3 mile radius of our house.
4. I'm a Clemson Tiger through and through. I honestly thought that people who pulled for USC in elementary school had some sort of mental issues.
5. I have the most awesome parents. My dad and mom completely support and love us through thick and thin. It warms my heart to see how God has allowed my dad to be healthy enough to get down in the floor with Makenna and tickle her like he did with me when I was little. They have been married 42 year and exemplify true love. (even if their idea of a hot date is a fishing trip)
6. I love teaching! It is my calling. I get stressed out from the deadlines, etc., but I'm know that I'm doing what God wants me to do.
7. I'm not crafty. I know. Everyone thinks that teachers are crafty. Well, I'm not. I try, but I'm not very successful.
8. I love to sing. I like Christian, country, and 80s rock. I can listen to classical but it's not my favorite. I like the beat of rap music, but I hate that most rappers are using their talents to glorify the world instead of God.
9. I'm halfway to retirement. This is my 15th year of teaching. I really won't retire, because Makenna will be in college. BUT it's nice to know it's an option.
10. I really would love to adopt again. I'm not getting any younger, and lawyers fees are getting any cheaper. I'm not sure it will happen, but I still would love another child.
11. We built our own house in 1999. We hired a builder to put it in the dry, and we basically did the rest. I say we, but I should say Randy and my dad. My brother wired it for us. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law did our wallpaper for us. Randy and my dad did the hardwood floors and trim work. We did hire a few people, but not a lot. All of us painted. I gained a new respect for painters. I sure couldn't do it for a living. We saved a LOT of money doing it ourselves.
12. My favorite thing to do is read, but I don't have a lot of time to do it. I LOVE Karen Kingsbury.
13. I love to shop. I used to hate to shop until Makenna came along. Having a little one to dress makes it so much fun.
14. I love chocolate. My favorite is the Snickers Dairy Queen blizzard.
15. My favorite season is summer. I don't like being hot, but I love the beach, the lake, and the pool. I also love not having a schedule.
16. We went to Jamaica for our 7th anniversary in 2003 and LOVED it. I would love to go back one day.
17. I went to Seattle, Washington on a mission trip this past summer. It was an amazing week that I will never forget.
18. I can't cook. Really, I can't. I try, but it always turns out terribly. A lady I used to work with helped me come to terms with it by saying, "Honey, you can't be good at everything. Realize you can't do it and move on." It was enlightening.
19. I'm a perfectionist. Not surprising to some of you... :) I have a hard time delegating. I know that things will done right if I do them. It's not the most flattering character trait. I try to overcome it daily, because I set myself up for failure and disappointment.
20. I love to sit in the backyard and do nothing but watch Makenna play. It's so relaxing. I think back to the many years that I wasn't sure if I would ever have a child to watch and relish in the prayers that were answered.
21. I hate getting up early. I love staying up late and sleeping late. Morning people blow my mind. I don't get going until about 8:30 or 9:00. I've tried to change my "clock" with no luck.
22. I'm very self-conscious about my weight. I've always had a problem with it, but I started taking meds about 5 years ago that has caused me to gain a lot. I've tried to go off the meds, but so far, it hasn't worked. So, I just deal. I'm drinking lots of water, but the meds make me crave sweets. It's not even a willpower thing. It's a very weird feeling. I don't like it.
23. That brings me to a touchy topic. I've always wanted to bring it up here, but I was never sure. I've suffered from depression for many, many years. I'm not talking a few blues here and there. I'm talking clinical depression chemical imbalance. Many people would never know because I've become a good actress. I try not to let it show, but that's why I have to take the meds. Right now, I'm taking 4 different meds to control it. It scares me to death. The depression engulfs me and takes away any feelings of normalcy. I've been the person that you read about who never wants to go anywhere or get out of bed. Thank God for Randy, because he's always pushed me to not succumb to it. When I didn't want to get up, he made me. At the time, I hated it, but I'm so thankful for it. Right now, it has been about 2 years since a major setback. The meds right now are doing well, but I live with the fear that some day, they won't work. The dr.s call it "poop out". For some unknown reason, meds quit working that have worked for years. If I made a list of all of the meds I've tried, you would be scared. I'm glad that I finally decided to blog about it. I've always worried that people would think I was "crazy", but now that my blog is private, I know that all of you who read care about me and wouldn't judge me.
24. I obsess about lots of things. I obsess about germs. I have more hand sanitizer than Bath and Body. :) I worry about people being upset with me. If I see someone look uphappy, I automatically assume I've done something wrong. I know. It's ridiculous. A former therapist told me that it's called all or nothing thinking. I'm working on it, but it is a demon I fight daily.
25. I saved the best for last. Jesus Christ is my saviour. Without Him, the depression and anxiety would take over my life. Without Him, I would be nothing. I praise Him for all of the blessings in my life and for forgiving me when I fall into negative thinking. Thank you, Lord!
1 comment:
I have made it to the "down side" of the virus. It was not a pleasant experience. I am hoping I didn't spread it too far. As far the depression goes, if you ever need to talk, remember, I am right next door. And BTW I am afraid to "let my hair down" Debbie might fire me if I do. (Ha! Ha!)
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