My turn

Everyone else has done the 100 list, so here's my feeble attempt. I'll start out by saying, I am boring. Especially compared to Pam. This list is dull and those of you who know me well, all ready know this stuff. So I apologize to you in advance for the boring-ness of this post. Here goes:

1. I was born in Illinois

2. I am a typical oldest child

3. I have 2 younger brothers

4. Josh is 29

5. Eric is 27

6. They are both single (see picture below)

7. I wish they were married

8. Then I'd have sister-in-laws closer to my age (I still love you Donna, June, Cathy and Janet!)

9. I grew up in Iowa

10. My mom is a medical transcriptionist

11. My dad is a signal maintainer for the Union Pacific Railroad

12. They own a Bed and Breakfast in southern Iowa. Click here: Foxwood Bed and Breakfast

13. I went to the same school K-10th grade

14. The town (Russell) only had 500 people

15. If I would have stayed, I would have graduated with 18 people

16. My dad got transferred and we had to move before my Jr. Year of HS

17. I was sad at first, but so glad later. I loved my new school and friends

18. We moved to Colo- a town of 1,000 people

19. I graduated with 53. (It was a consolidated school- 3 little towns in one HS)

20. I took dance lessons (ballet, tap and jazz) for 6 years

21. I had to quit because sports became a bigger part of my life

22. I played basketball through my Jr. Year in HS (then they changed from half court bball to 5 on 5- Iowa was one of the last places to change over)

23. I played varsity volleyball through my Sr. Year

24. I ran track (hurdles) through my sophomore year

25. I had to quit because I had blown out my knee playing basketball and had to wear a brace

26. I was on the drill (dance) team my Jr. Year

27. I was in swing choir my Sr. Year

28. I was in many plays and musicals

29. I was on the student counsel my Sr. Year

30. I was even a football cheerleader one year (Mel-this was only so I could go to the away games)

31. I played the clarinet up through my freshman year of HS.

32. I worked as a waitress my Jr and Sr years

33. I had the coolest prom dress ever my Sr. Year
A sequined American flag!

34. My mom made it

35. I loved HS and wish I could do it over again

36. I went to the University of Iowa my freshman year

37. My roommate was my best friend, Carrie from HS.

38. I met Russ 2 weeks before starting at the U of I

39. We met at Bible Camp in Iowa

40. I got quite the education at Iowa

41. Most of it was not in a classroom

42. I transferred to Harding my sophomore year

43. Russ convinced me we needed to be in the same state if we were going to date

44. So site-unseen, I transferred to OC in Jan. of my sophomore year

45. We got engaged that August

46. We were married 4 mo. later in December

47. My mom made my wedding dress, 5 bridesmaid's dresses and a flower girl dress in just 4 mo.

48. My mom is very talented

49. I was just 21 when we got married

50. Russ was 26.

51. We've now been married 11 1/2 years

52. Russ was in grad. school at OU

53. I was a Jr. at OC

54. I got my degree in Early Childhood Education

Look what I found Jenny!

55. My first teaching job was a morning Kindergarten teacher

56. After one semester of that, I was moved to First grade

57. I loved teaching 1st grade

58. I taught for 4 years

59. Then I had Maddie

60. We decided I should stay at home with her

61. It was really hard at first

62. Now I can't imagine working

63. I always hoped I would have a daughter (since I didn't get that sister I wanted)

64. I NEVER thought I would have 2 daughters

65. Maddie is just like me

66. We are both extremely stubborn

67. Just ask Russ

68. I started working in the church benevolence office when Maddie was about 6 mo. old

69. I enjoyed having something to do and being around grown-ups again

70. I became a Creative Memories Consultant 5 years ago

71. I love scrapbooking

72. I think it's really important for a kid to see "their story"

73. I love to take pictures

74. I secretly wish I was a professional photographer

75. But I'll go back to teaching someday

76. I would like to teach 2nd grade

77. I love to travel

78. I have been to about 35 of US states, and 11 foreign countries

The Colosseum in Rome

Swimming with Sting Rays in Grand Cayman

Traversing through the jungle in Jamaica

79. I do NOT have a green thumb

80. I don't enjoy yard work

81. Neither does Russ

82. That's not a good thing for our yard and house

83. We built our house 9 years ago (May '99)

84. Less than a week after moving in, while building a dog run, Russ hit me in the head with a sledge hammer

85. My brother, Josh was here and he thought I was going to die

86. The sledge hammer head actually broke off of the handle

87. I had to have 4 staples in the back of my head

88. This was all the day before we were to drive to Ohio for my cousin's wedding

89. I am ready to build a new house

90. I look at house plans all of the time

91. It used to drive Russ crazy

92. He's gotten used to it now

93. The older I get, the more comfortable I become in who I am

94. I have a great family and I married in to a great family who has become my own

95. Russ is the youngest of 5

Russ (#5), Donna (#2), Russ' Mom-Inez, Russ' Dad- Ray, June (#3), John (#4) and Rex (#1)

96. His closest sibling (John) is 18 years older than him

97. All of his siblings and spouses are older than my mom (that's why I said #8)

98. I have life long friends

99. I love my church of over 600 people (I grew up in a church of less than 20)

100. I am extremely blessed

I hope you weren't too bored. I threw in pictures to break up the boredom of it all! :)