OK, so forever ago Serena 'tagged' me. I meant to do it shortly thereafter, but as you can see, I never did! Surprise, surprise! First I had to think of 7 bits of info that I would actually be willing to share... and admit to myself and others.
These are the rules:
A) List 7 habits/quirks/facts about yourself.
B) Tag 7 people to do the same.
C) Do not tag the person who tagged you, or say that you tag 'whoever wants to do it.'
1. Talking is great. I love just being with family and friends and just talking about everything and nothing at the same time. I think it's important to have meaningful conversations in order to be able to improve yourself as a person, but I also think it's important to have pointless chat sessions to strengthen friendships and to truly get to know each other and understand backgrounds and perspectives that make each of us truly unique. I love hearing random memories from others because it makes me feel a part of their life even if I wasn't in it at that time.
2. Some ways that I am reminded that motherhood really is one of my greatest blessings is when Sammy sits on my lap and lets me cuddle him. He rests his head on my chest and will often put his hand in mine. I cherish our little 'conversations' that we have, even though I often only understand one word in it. I love when I ask him for a kiss or a love and he comes to me with his lips puckered (and sometimes his tongue protruding...) and wraps his arms around me and gives me a big kiss. One time when I was laying by him watching his movie he leaned down and kissed me on the forehead like I sometimes do to him. I think I got teary. Every night he softens my heart when he jumps into bed and smiles up at me. I love that he says 'sorry' by resting his head on any part of your body that it happens to touch first. He laughs so hard when we tickle him or when Jason plays with him. My blessings are visible and tangible as I watch what kind of father Jason is to him. I am so blessed to have such a special child in my home. I am also grateful for the one coming in the fall and I pray that I will be a worthy mother of two.
3. I am not a chocolate lover. Many women are shocked that there exists such a woman, especially now being a pregnant woman! I don't mind chocolate bars that have another flavor, such as Twix or Butterfinger bars, but plain chocolate... I'll pass. It's not worth it to me to have the extra calories and not thoroughly enjoy it. I'd rather waste calories on something that makes me want to close my eyes when I eat it. Or actually just something that I like more than chocolate. I don't care for brownies or chocolate ice cream. I pick the cookies with the least amount of chocolate chips, since I am a fan of cookie dough. Even in my s'mores I prefer to have the Hersheys with almonds, which makes Jason cringe... sorry, honey. I like caramel enough to eat the chocolates with caramel, but if I get a box of chocolates, I really hope there is a guide... so as to not waste those calories...
4. Grocery stores can be a place of relaxation for me... if Jason is not in it at the same time as me. I love my husband, but I do not love grocery shopping with him. He is more of an in-and-out kind of guy, where I am more the wander-up-and-down-every-aisle-and-compare-prices-and-look-for-sales kind of girl. (Not a recipe for a blissful marriage.) He gets too bored if he is there, and that stresses me out because I feel rushed. I love going by myself, or Sam can be there if he is being exceptionally well-behaved, but that is not a common occurance. I love starting at one end and casually meandering down each and every aisle to cross off my list and to stock my pantry with sales I had formerly been unaware of. I admit that I often cringe as the cashier tells me the final cost, which is probably why Jason prefers to be in and out in a flash... less time to spend more money. But I calmly remind myself that this therapy session was well worth it, and I have food to spare. (I'm only trying to build our year supply.) Fact is: I love grocery stores, but even more, I love grocery stores with great sales!
5. In my waiting or spare time I love to do word, number and logic puzzles. Like Sudoku or the logic puzzles that you narrow info down by the process of elimination. Jason calls it homework, but I call it extra credit! I love how versatile numbers and letters are, and their potential for creativity and endless entertainment.
6. There are two things that come to mind that I absolutely avoid if at all possible. It is usually not possible to avoid, but I love it when Jason is willing to do it for me. The first thing is that I don't like to carry a full milk jug. I had to carry a milk jug for a mile or two in college because the delivery option was closed shortly before I finished shopping without me realizing there was a time limit. My hands were numb from the cold milk and I had grooves in my fingers from the weight. I have hated carrying them ever since. The second thing is I really don't like to grate cheese. We eat a lot of cheese in my family, so it's nearly impossible to avoid. Jason usually will do it when he is home, but I try to have dinner ready when he gets home from work. I think I hate it because I picture part of my fingers being grated too. Sorry for such a nasty visual, but it is one of my irrational fears, and the more I grate, the less it helps me to overcome it. I know, I'm wierd.
7. I love the color red. I really wanted to paint at least one wall red in my new house. I chose a deep red as an accent wall in our living room. I must admit, it is by far my favorite wall in the house. I love it with the black framed mirror on it and the other mostly black decorations on the mantle in front of it. I will some day have a red front door. That was one of the necessities when we were looking at houses... to buy a house that would look good with a red front door. I like wearing red too. I don't necessarily think it helps me look better in any way, but I love it still the same. The infrequent times that I play on the computer with Jason or go bowling, my name is Red. However, as much as I like red, I don't want a red car. I would be ok with a deep red car, like a maroon kind of color, but not a bright or cherry red. Red just makes me happy. I like it.
The people I want to tag are:
1. Jenny Neilson
2. Rachel Hreinson
3. Megan Martin
4. Christine Harding
5. Tiffiany Robb
6. Melinda Haney
7. Jill Swenson
Let me know when you actually do it, I want to read all about you!
During the afternoon of Sammy's birthday (Friday, May 23) Jason's parents stopped by and brought him a little cake and a present. 
He loved to blow out his 2 candles... so we relit them about 3 or 4 times. He also enjoyed running his finger along the top of the cake to taste the frosting. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!
Later that evening with my parents, who had come down earlier that day, we had a little party for Sam. My sister, Leesa, and he family came as well. This awesome Cars night light was petty exciting for Sam since he loves his 'cahs' and Lightning McQueen. He got this from Uncle Dan and Aunt Leesa. From Emmalynn and Cassadee he got 2 different Lightning cars.
This is one of the gifts we gave him. He is obsessed with Cars and Thomas the Train, so we gave him another engine, since poor Thomas was having a hard time pulling all the cars himself.
He was so funny when he would open his presents. He would say a big "WOW" everytime. It was so cute. This is more Thomas stuff from mommy and daddy. He also got a few bottles of bubbles, and a big bag of mega blox and a pillow and blanket set with Lightning McQueen on them. (He's more willing now to take his nap, as long as he has his new blanket with him...yeah!) Aunt Ronda came down the week before and took the lucky-almost-birthday boy shopping! He picked out some train cars (which Thomas had been solely responsible to pull all three at all times...) and some dinosaurs and other animals, which he still sleeps with at night, even though they are hard and not so cozy, and some bubble bath that came in a Cars container. He loves all of his presents so much! The night of his birthday he was up 2 1/2 hours late playing like crazy with all his new toys. It's been a week, and he still wants to sleep with some of them sometimes. Oh well. He's such a lucky boy to have so many wonderful relatives to spoil him. We had a lot of fun that day, he definitely liked his 2nd birthday a lot more than his first!
