Mother of the Week Q and A

Finally, here are my MOTW answers!  I am sorry for being such a crappy MOTW, I guess I should have thought a little more when I accepted the nomination. Life has been crazy lately.  Thanks again to everyone who asked such awesome questions! I hope you all find this interesting even though it took forever to get up.  Ready or not here I come!

From Jennifer D

Are you exchanging gifts with Kevin for Christmas? We recently bought a new digital camera as a present to ourselves for Christmas but normally we don't exchange gifts at Christmas because money is always tight.

Is there something special and specific that you want this year? Nope ;)

Or do you usually spend the money on the kids and family? We normally only buy for the kids in our families but this year we aren't even doing that.  We are only buying for Nathan and Austin this year and probably only 2-3 gifts each at that, money is really tight.  We are just happy to be home for the holidays :)

From Sandi

Do you really have to vote for "Kerry"? Yes I do lol :)

Do you and Kevin want more children? We may have one more in a few years, it'd be nice to carry on my middle name and my mom's middle name but if I don't have a girl, I know how blessed I am to have my 2-3 boys!

When can we meet???  Hopefully soon!

From Nikki

Will I ever lose this weight? YES YOU WILL!!!!!! You already look GREAT though!

What's your perfect vacation? probably somewhere on the east coast near the ocean or better yet Hawaii!

Besides your wedding day, what is a "happy moment" with Kevin?  When we finally decided we were going to move near family no matter what it took.

Besides the day they were born, what is a "happy moment" with Nathan & Austin? Without a doubt, one of my best moments with Nathan was his first birthday.  I had never been so proud in all my life.  It will be with me for the rest of my life. One of my best moments with Austin was when he came out of the recovery room after his hypospadias surgery.  I remember holding him for a long time waiting for him to wake up.  We were so happy and relieved when we knew the surgery was a success and he was safe and sound!

From Lisa

Did you take your boys trick-or-treating? We ended up just going to my parents house and my grandma and aunt's house with the boys all dressed up.  It got too late and it ended up raining on Halloween night as well.

Are you guys settling into the new house? Yes, slowly but surely. We still haven't put up anything on the walls but it will come eventually.

What's your favorite drink? Alcoholic or non. My fave alcoholic drink is margaritas without salt and my fave non alcoholic drink is diet pepsi and diet dr pepper.

How do you spend your typical day? That is a really great question. I will  have to think about this one for awhile. I have been wanting to do an entry all about staying home anyway ;) For now this is a great read! I am blue right now....

What would be your most perfect day? DEFINITELY a day when both me and Kevin are home with the boys and we do NOTHING at all except hang out and play.

and since I asked Becca - where is the most crazy place you've ever done "it"? :) Lets see, funny question Lisa! Probably a kitchen table when I was thinner ;) and I think a car way back when lol

From Jen

When will we meet?!  Hopefully soon!

How is your life different now than what you thought it would be like at this point when you were younger? I didn't realize how hard staying home would be.  I also didn't realize how broke we would be. I had the silly assumption with both of us going to college that life wouldn't be as hard as it is. I now know that it's like this with most people.

Did you have any girl names picked out before you found out you were having boys? Our girl name is Haley Ann, Ann after me and my mom' s middle name.

How many iP/blog friends have you met in person so far? 3 so far. 2 of them were delurkings on my ttm board (JILL AND JEN A!!!) and the other was Jennifer (VirgoJen!)

Tell us about your siblings (since I got that one wrong on your quiz!!!) I have one brother who is 3 years younger than me.  We did our share of fighting growing up but we have always been really close.  Nathan and Austin adore "Uncle Joe"  He still lives at home and is currently in between jobs and schooling.  I also have one older step brother and one older step sister.  My mom and step dad (who I consider my dad) have been married almost 20 years.  My step siblings are both married with children.

From Sue

First things first - will you ever come to Australia?? (wishful thinking here)

I truly hope so hon!!!!!!!

What's your favorite movie ever? Oh man, there are so many that are soooo good. I love Pay it Forward, Remembering the Titans, The Other Sister, I am Sam, Titanic, and many more :)

What's your biggest fear? of not living a long life with Kevin and the boys

What was your favorite thing about being pregnant? dreaming about my baby and all the attention you get when pregnant lol ;)

What was your least favorite thing about being pregnant? always feeling like I was going to throw up at any moment and the horrible pelvic pain and lower back pain.

Now my silly question: what's your bra size? Ha!(feel free not to answer!) Since I have gained weight I wear a c cup but my true size is more like a b cup lol ;)

From Shelly

What has been the most difficult thing you ever done/gone through in your life? Without a doubt all the deaths that I experienced in 1995. I ended up having a nervous breakdown almost a year after all the deaths while I was attending college. I just never let myself grieve for all the deaths since they kept happening to me. In less than a years time, I lost a friend, my boyfriend, another friend, my dad, my great grandmother, and my best friends grandma who was always like a grandma to me.

What lessons have you learned from that experience? that life can be taken away from you at any moment and life is truly a gift. You should always tell your loved ones how much you love them. You never know when they will be gone.

What is the most important thing you want your boys to remember about you when you are gone? How much I truly loved them and the most important thing in my life is their happiness.

What is one thing you would change about the world we live in and why? I would definitely improve racial issues and try to put an end to racism. There is nothing that makes me more sick to my stomach then the topic of racism.  I find it so hard to believe that people can judge others based only on ones skin color.  I want to expose my boys to many different cultures and backgrounds.

From Cara

Where did you go on your honeymoon? Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Tennessee - it ended up not being a very good one but that is another entry for another day lol

What is the one sweetest moment you can think of in which Kevin has done something for you or said something to you that just melted your heart?

He is ALWAYS putting my needs and desires before his own.  It's the little things that really get me. Back when we were dating, we had to have a 3 year long distance relationship and he was always calling me and not saying anything at all, just playing our song to me ("Keeper of the Stars") over the phone. He is always making sure I have the better food or the better drink when we order two different things.  He tells me like 10 times a day that he loves me and he is always thanking me for what I do for the boys as a sahm.

How many aunts/uncles/cousins do you have? I only have one cousin on my moms side (Averi's mom!) and two cousins on my dad's side.  I have two aunts on my moms side and one aunt on my dads side. I have two uncles on my dads side.

What is one skill/sport that you wish you could really excel at and enjoy as often as you wish? I wish soooo badly that I enjoyed cooking, but I dont like it very much.

From Jen A

After your kids and your marriage, what is your proudest accomplishment? Without a doubt getting my bachelors degree in social work.  It took three different colleges (due to moving alot for Kevin) and many many years but I did it.  When I had to quit school for awhile in 1996 due to my nervous breakdown that I already mentioned, most people thought I would never finish but I knew I would.  I helped put Kevin through school financially and emotionally by working full time and then it was my turn.  I graduated in May of 2002 - only a few weeks after Nathan was born.

When you imagine having enough money to do anything you want, what are the first things that come to mind?  Definitely meeting all my efriends :) and building a new home.  I would also love it if Kevin could stay home with me and the boys.

Describe your dream house. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths with at least one big jacuzzi bath tub, finished basement, kitchen, living room, dining room, 2 car garage, big fenced in yard with a big deck, and a wrap around porch :) It would probably resemble this.

What is your favorite breakfast? Kevin's french toast with powered sugar and syrup with a big tall glass of white skim milk YUMMY! :)

What did/do your parents do for a living? My mom is a nurse and my dad was a draftsmen/engineer before he passed away. My step dad is a building supply manager and remodels homes as a second job. He works really long hours and is one hell of a hard worker.

From Janis

If you weren't a stay at home mom, what would be your dream job??? I know this isn't the politically correct thing to say but being a sahm isn't my dream job.  I am doing it more for my boys than for myself.  I will be joining the workforce once they are in school, if not before.  I plan to work with at risk children or disabled children once I start using my degree.

Did you always plan on two kids??? Yes, we always did. For some reason, I thought it'd be one boy and one girl. I guess because in my family it was me and my brother and in Kevin's family, it was him and his sister.

What is the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning??

Thank you God for another day and Please God help me make it through another 12 hour day with two little kids.

From Becca

What are the few things you most want to pass on to Nathan and Austin? the most important thing is the ability to show love and affection.  I grew up that way and I cant imagine not having them raised in a similar fashion.  I hope they do that as well with their own children. The other is I hope they know they can do anything they want in life.

What would be a few things you would NOT want to pass on to Nathan and Austin? Probably my mild case of OCD ;) and my ability to worry too much.

If you could live another life (just for fun) what would it be? It'd be FUN to be Oprah right about now :)

What is your biggest pet peeve? people who are very judgmental and critical of others and rich snobby mothers who don't even look at me at the park. While I am at it, people who assume we are rich since I stay home. Also people who assume staying home is easy, its the hardest job I have ever had! Sorry, I couldn't pick just one! ;)

What is a cause you believe in? I believe in working towards racial equality and helping at risk children. I used to work in a treatment facility for children who basically never knew what it was like to grow up in a good and loving home.  It really breaks my heart that not all children even grow up in homes.

What do you admire most in Kevin? his love for his family. Also I admire his intellect. He is so very caring and nice to others. He is always wanting to help those who he doesn't even know. If he sees an old lady trying to unload her groceries he will go help her, that kind of thing.

Are you officially done with kids barring any surprises? not sure, we may have one more in a few years.

Aside from being the wonderful, fabulous person and friend you are to all - what hidden talents do you have? oh man, how funny! I wish I had more talents in life. I guess you would have to ask Kevin that one ROFL! ;)

What is one thing you have NEVER told ANYONE before? Like Jen A, Kevin knows everything about me!

THANK YOU FOR READING! I hope it wasn't too boring! Ignore the small purple font on some of this, it isn't supposed to show up like that.... silly typepad!

PLEASE excuse all the grammar mistakes as well, I am too tired to care today.

Comments

[Kelly]

((THANK YOU ALL!))

[Stephanie]

It was great reading your answers. It is nice to get to know you better.

[Jen_Jake'smom]

I loved reading that! I admire that you want to work in the social work field -- it's so challenging and emotionally draining, but you really can make a difference!!! And I didn't know you had Nathan while still in college! I totally know what you mean about college degrees and still being broke -- how is it helping me to be smart and educated if there are STILL no decent jobs around? Dude, whatever. ;o)

great answers!

jen

[Ninotchka]

Enjoyed reading your answers, Kelly! :)

[Janis]

Good answers,
That was fun to read. I know what you mean about SAHM not being as easy as people assume that it is. I've done both, and although I truly enjoy the closeness I felt with my children when I was home, I feel I appreciate them so much more when I come home from work. I'm just not cut out to be a SAHM. I wish I had the patience. No matter what decision we make in life regarding our children, somebody will always have something to say to second guess it.
Sorry I was rambling......can't wait to read your entry on the weight loss blog
Janis

[Sue]

I had a great time reading through all your answers - thanks, that must've been a marathon session at the computer!! It's great to be able to get to know you even better :)

Sorry you mood is 'so-so' - bring on the margaritas, I say!

[Deanna]

Thanks, Kelly.
Sorry I didn't ask any questions! I am having a temporary brain fart (for the last few weeks, ha ha)
It is amazing how alot of your answers (and what I am inferring from your answers) line up with what I would say in response if those questions were posed to me. I appreciate your honesty, and respect your choices.
Best,
Deanna

[CaraH]

I'm in shock; I learned things about you I did not know. Enjoyed this entry a bunch, hon; thank you for taking the time to write!

Love, Cara

[Sandi P.]

Reading that wasn't boring at all hon! I still can't get over how you remind me of myself in so many ways/beliefs!

Thanks for commenting on my "Calgon" entry. Your prayers mean so much!

Love ya lots,

[Jennifer D. (Mom to 4 darlings!)]

Oh how fun that was. Thanks for taking the time answer all of those great questions. Now I know you a little better. ;0)

Much love~
Jennifer :0)

[Holly]

Kelly,

Thanks for the answers. I found them to be interesting and what a nice way to get to know someone - not exactly questions that would come up in typical conversation.

God bless you, my friend. And if you want to work, then I say work! What a good mommy you are to stay home with your boys, though. Says a lot about your and Kevin's priorities. (NO ATTEMPT AT BASHING WORKING MOTHERS HERE.)

Love you.

[Shelly]

Great answers! I think it is really neat you want to work with children and your thoughts about Racial judgements. My parents made sure we looked past the color of the skin. Unfortunately, My In-laws are not the same way.
You are a great SAHM. Don't feel like anyone is judging you for wanting to work. There other children out there that need someone like you to advocate for them.

Have a super Day!

[Nikki]

Good morning - loved your answers. This is such a cool thing to do!!

Have a great day!!!