I've Been Tagged

My friend, Katelyn, tagged me in a post quite a while. Here's how it works:

1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you've tagged them.

Here goes!

Photo Of Me:
The photo above, I feel, is an accurate representation of what my life is like. We were at playgroup and this is during the egg hunt. Notice Skylie's taken off her shoes and her hair is a bit crazy. Kaitlyn had been eating solids, so she's got a dirty bib on and it doesn't look like she's a big fan of the egg hunt. She's getting fussy because she's tired. I'm trying--and only somewhat succeeding--in keeping up with everything. But despite the tears and tantrums, we are overall enjoying ourselves.
A few weeks ago our stake had a combined Young Women and Relief Society activity. The Relief Society secretly planned a flash mob dance to perform for the girls. Three words: Super great idea.

Random Facts:

1. I had a lisp when I was young.
2. My life is far from ideal, but I can genuinely state that I'm completely content with where my life's at right now. There are aspects that I do miss about college and our years in Iowa, and I'm looking forward to some changes in the years ahead. But I really do love the stages my kids are at and Matt's residency has been pretty nice.
   
3. When the weather's beautiful I feel as though I've wasted my day if I'm not outside with my kids as much as possible.
4. Our weekly schedule goes something like this: Monday: Teach class and grocery shop (a.m.), Tuesday: Playgroup (a.m.) and teach class (p.m.); Wednesday: Story time at library (a.m.) and teach class (p.m.); Thursday and Friday: Play date with friends, stay home, or go on an outing (i.e. museum, park, etc.)
   
5. Some of the best advice I've ever received was from an advisor in college who said, "You'll have a very happy life and marriage if you learn to have very simple wants." I know I fall short at time--perhaps quite often--but I really do try to live this way.
6. I attended BYU-Idaho for 2 1/2 years and earned a bachelors degree in communication with an emphasis in journalism. Thanks to all those high school ed net classes, I graduated in time for Matt to begin medical school.
   
7. Prior to moving to Indianapolis I interned at the Ensign magazine, worked in the marketing department of a travel company, and later as a web developer for Wells Fargo for four years.
   
8. In the far distant future I want to go back for more education. Mostly, I think, because I want my kids--especially my daughters--to know that women are just as smart and capable as men.
   
9. Matt and I are currently loving the TV shows, Monk, Psych, and Parks and Rec.
10. On May 5 I'm running The Mini-Marathon, the largest half marathon in the United States hosted right here in Indianapolis. Due to the fact that I've been teaching 6-8 group exercise classes each week, my race training hasn't been as precise as I'd like it to be. At one time not training perfectly would have really bothered me, but now there are so many other things that are more important. See Skylie and Kaitlyn.
11. Recently I realized that I spend way too much time thinking/worrying, "Am I doing this right? Am I spending my time in the right ways? Am I parenting my kids in the best way?" While I do think it's needful to evaluate my course from time to time, I realized that my thoughts could be better directed into action. For example, instead of analyzing all day if going to the gym a couple times a week is best for our family life, my thoughts could be better spent thinking: "What should we do for FHE? What activity should I do with Skylie after she naps? What's a fun at-home date we could do this weekend? Who should I invite over for a play date?"

Answers to Katelyn's Questions:

1. What do you desire for your children? I want my kids to know I love them; to live happy, healthy lives; to be grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ; to feel like our home is a refuge; and to realize their true potential.
   
2. What is your favorite house chore and least favorite? Favorite: vacuuming; least favorite: cleaning showers and doing dishes
   
3. If there were no restrictions, what would you do tomorrow, this week, this month, or this year? See our extended families much more often, take a great vacation with my family and then solo with just Matt, visit distant friends, and get our house and yard up to snuff.
   
4. What is your favorite technology tool right now? Mmm... I'd have to say my smart phone is pretty handy.
   
5. Where do you see yourself in twenty years? What will you be doing? I'll be 46! My daughters will be in college and I'll have some kids in high school probably. I can't think about all that for too long--I may start crying!
   
6. Favorite vegetable? And how do you prepare it? I love a good salad.
   
7. Best book you've read lately? Or one you would recommend? I'm currently reading "Happiest Toddler on the Block." I'm not too far into it, but it seems like a good read.
   
8. What's one of your pet peeves? Lots of complaining.
   
9. What was your favorite game to play as a child? Barbies and dress up.
   
10. What is your biggest accomplishment? It's cliche but so true: Marrying Matt and starting a family.

New Questions:

1. What's the best advice you've received?
2. What's one of your favorite go-t0 recipes? Please post the recipe.
3. What do you do to find joy in parenting? Or, what do you do to find joy in this stage of life?
   
4. What's the best book you've read lately?
5. What activities do you and your children enjoy doing together? Or, what activities do you enjoy doing in your free time?
   
6. What's one of your pet peeves?
7. What do you desire for your children? Or, what do you desire for your extended family?
   
8. What does your weekly or daily routine look like?
9. What's a goal you want to accomplish this year?
10. What is your biggest accomplishment?
11. What's one topic that gets you on your soap box?
    

And I'd like these questions answered by:

1. Amber L.
2. Krista B.
3. Sara P.
4. Liz R.
5. Kim J.
6. My mom; You could email me your response.
7. Nathalie B.
8. Megan R.
   
9. Heather M
10. Nikki H.
11. Crystal S.
12. Chelsea H.