25 Random Things You May or May Not Want to Know About Me

Seems like everyone is getting into the "25 Random Things About Me" craze these days on Facebook. I've been "tagged" (Facebook lingo) a few times, and it just seems like too much work to figure out how to put it up on FB, so I thought I'd just post it here.

Now, saying all this, I realize that even beginning to think that there would be 25 things that anyone would even want to know about me, and then actually posting them to my blog, seem a little self-serving. I mean, really, who cares?!

But just in case you do, here you go.

1. I love my life. So far, it has turned out better than I ever dreamed it would.
2. Nearly 24 years ago I married the man of my dreams. Literally. Because when I was a little girl I used to picture the man of my dreams and he looked exactly like B. Weird, huh?
3. My husband makes me laugh every day. I love that about him.
4. I have given birth to three of the most beautiful, intelligent, headstrong young women I know. I am the luckiest mom in the world.
5. The greatest compliment I’ve ever been given was when one of my friends told me, “You are the most intentional parent I know.”
6. Being a mom is the absolute best job in the world.
7. I love to cook. I dream of being on The Food Network someday.
8. I am not driven. Which is why I will never be on The Food Network.
9. I also love to write and dream of writing a book someday. I hope that one comes true.
10. I’m usually on time or early . . . for everything. Even my three daughters were all born before their due dates (3 weeks, 2 weeks, and 10 days early).
11. Speaking of the girls, they were all born on a Tuesday. Is there something to this? I’ve always wondered.
12. Being offered an adjunct position at Wheaton College (more than once!) was one of the biggest surprises of my life. I love(d?) being a teacher.
13. When I was in 8th grade I raised a cow for my 4-H project and won a blue ribbon at the 4-H fair. I’m proud of that accomplishment to this day.
14. I always felt like a bit of an outcast in high school. Most of those years were lonely ones for me.
15. College was another story. I loved every minute of it and would go back and do four more years again if I could.
16. I love to travel. My dream job would involve travelling to exotic places, learning how to cook their exotic food, and then writing about my experiences in their exotic land.
17. I have been to nine foreign countries; only about a hundred more that I’d like to see.
18. When I was in college I went on a study program to Oxford, which is when I first realized my love of travel. It’s also when I fell in love with England where I hope to live some day.
19. Being an introvert, I would much rather spend time with one other person than be in a group. Groups give me hives.
20. Losing my only brother when I was 11 was one of the most defining moments of my life. I thank God that He used that tragedy for good.
21. My family is very close, even though we live thousands of miles away from each other. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about them.
22. I hope I live near my girls when they are grown. I loved having my grandparents right down the road from me when I was growing up.
23. I have strong political opinions which I sometimes keep to myself.
24. My friends have had a profound influence on me; sometimes that’s a good thing.
25. My relationship with God is the most important influence in my life. It changes the way I look at everything.