29 Things About Me

In honor of my 29th birthday- here are 29 things about me...... A mix of things you may have not known and things that I just really like about me!!!



1-I have never dyed or highlighted my hair. (I'm scheduled to get auburn highlights on Nov 5th-we'll see if I go through with it)

2-I have lived in Taiwan and the Philippines and have visited: Canada, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia. Still really want to visit: Mongolia, Hong Kong, and Switzerland

3-I love making people laugh

4-It's important to me for people to know that I care about them

5-I spend more money on sneakers than any other item of clothing


6-The first book I reccomend to people to read is: Letters for Emily

7-I love running because it requires less athletic skill to be able to do it!!!!

8-My favorite childhood book: Calico Cotton (probably out of print by now, it was an OLD book)

9-I have run 6 5ks, 2 10ks, 1 half marathon- and plan to do more!!!!

10-I love being an aunt to 28 nieces and nephews, 29 in December!!!!!

11-My dream job is a motivational speaker for teens with disabilities and their parents

12-I (tried) ballet for four years when I was younger. Loved it, but never made it past the beginning ballet class

13-I enjoy eating BBQ squid on a stick but detest jellyfish

14-My favorite movie is: Remember the Titans (I love most any movie based on a true story)

15-Diagnosed at 21 with having sustained a brain injury at birth

16-Have 28 journals

17-Completed life histories for 3 of my grandparents

18-Theme songs for my life? Two of them: Defying Gravity (Wicked) My Little Girl (Tim McGraw/Flicka)

19-Never ate sauce with my spaghetti until I was 12 years old

20-Played the violin and piano. Piano stuck (kind of) vilion didn't)

21- In my last year of grad school (For real!!!!!)

22-Have been in 2 car accidents (only was my fault)

23-Have yet have my own car (borrowed or bought)

24-See life optomistically

25-So grateful for my friends!!!!

26-Have dated several young men, have yet to become officially engaged or married

27-Love different colored pens (more fun to write in my journal that way)

28-Have a thing for stilettos and high wedge heels

29-When I was little, I was convinced that "bad guys" lived behind the hot water heaters in the basement and would grab me whenever I went down to the basement to get something. So..... after I retrieved the item from the basement, I would barrel up the steps (loudly) and sing "I am a Child of God (also loudly) to scare off any would-be "child grabbers"

And as a bonus......
30-Have started writing a book about my experiences of living with a disability, "The Ultimate Poster Child for Optimism" Hope to give it out at Christmas time-so if you don't want one, let me know!!!!

Love to all my family and friends!!!!!!

Book of Mormon Teachings Applied in Preschool Settings

There is a boy in my parents stake who also happens to be in my Head Start class. He's a lively child so on occasion I try to redirect him with comments such as, "What would Jesus do?" However, while telling him "sit like you sit in Sharing Time" has got him to stop kicking under the table, it has backfired in other situations....

A few days agao when he hit a friend, I asked him "what would Jesus do?" His response: "Jesus wouldn't do anything. He's up in heaven with all the old people waiting to be resurrected."

Today he and a friend were playing with plastic linking cubes, he wanted some of his friends cubes. Asked the friend, friend said no. Boy took them anyway. His explanation for his behavior? "It's just like when Nephi took the brass plates from Laban." (They say no, take it anyway) I don't know what my response was- I think I was too shocked to respond!

Another story, non-gospel related, but equally entertaining! We were making popcorn at circle time. I was doing everything wrong- putting in only one kernel, forgetting to put the lid on, putting the bowl in back of the popper instead of in front. It was fun and kept them engaged. But a boy appeared to have reached his "teacher entertainment quota" when he turned to his neighbor and said, "She doesn't know anything!!!"

It's moments like this that keep me going- I love my job!!!!