A Few of My Favorite Things

In attempt to be a better blogger and because I'm a geek and like this sort of thing... A few of my favorite things; 

1.  Names names names - Yes, it's true.  I've owned more than 10 baby names book since I was a freshman or sophomore in high school.  In the 3rd or 4th grade, I named all of my trolls (a large collection) and talked my beloved bff into naming all of hers too.  I suggested we write their names on the bottom of their feet! lol  Naming my children was a nightmare for my husband.  I made lists and lists and even then LISTS.  I'd have him go through them only after I had labored over them for hours, days, sometimes weeks.  Then, the names that he liked I'd go back and analyze and re-analyze.  Did the initials look ok?  How'd the name flow?  The name didn't mean "Ugly Pimple" or something, did it?  What about the spelling?  Nickname potential?  Teasing potential?  The 2nd child was only worse...as then I asked all of the above questions with the added "Does it flow well with Eden?".  All who know me also know that my pregnancies are slightly torturous...as we historically don't find out the gender and don't announce names.  And yes, that means even from my bff and especially not my mother!  (ask them!)

My favorite book?  The Baby Name Wizard :)

2.  Fall Festivals - Fall is my most favorite season of all and the thought of yummy food, crafts, hay rides, face painting, and now free kid events is just irresistible!  I can't think of anything I'd rather do on most fall Saturdays than enjoy it with my little family.  We enjoyed many this year.  I think we did 4 total and really wanted to do more, but couldn't squeeze them into our schedule! lol 


This is a picture of Eden enjoying Boyd's orchard, 2008.  Still one of my favorite pictures.  Oh and can I combine orchards and fall festivals?  It's my list, after all.  lol 

3.  Crock Pot Recipes - Some that know me in real life may be surprised that ANYTHING to do with cooking made the list, but I've developed quite a love of all things EASY.  haha.  I've come to really enjoy throwing 5 ingredients in a large pot, turning it to high, letting it sit all day, and bring it out around 5:30p for my family to rave over!  It's quite rewarding!  

Let me make a disclaimer that this isn't my crock pot.  Mine doesn't look this nice! 

4.  Office Supplies - When I walk into a store, I just gravitate towards office supplies.  No matter what job I have, I've always wanted new office supplies.  As a kid, I longed for the day when I got to go school shopping at the beginning of the school year and was so excited to get crisp new pencils, crayons, etc.  I admit it - I have a box of crayons that I have labeled "Mommy" that I don't allow Eden to use! LOL And if truth be told, I probably have way more office supplies than any one person needs...especially now a SAHM.  :) 

Still, there's not much better than a blank planner, a cool pen, and a crisp stack of post-it notes.  Ahhhh :)

5.  Black Friday - OK, so this could possibly be summarized by saying that I love shopping, or maybe that I love a deal.  All in all though, Black Friday might be announced as my favorite holiday, except that I feel like a snotty little selfish troll when I say it out loud.  So I concede and go with Thanksgiving when asked.  lol 


There's nothing better than sharpening your elbows and getting up at 3am to hit Target.  I mean, really.  It's like a drug or something.  The night before, getting all the ads out and getting your "game plan".  It's like preparing for battle!  I love every piece of it!  Fabulous!!! 


I've seen women in packs with special shirts on pridefully declaring their group and I have to admit...I'm slightly envious.  LOL

6.  Small Dogs - I'm a sucker for small dogs.  I love dogs in general and have gone through spurts in my lifetime of liking one breed or another.  (Everyone remember when I was obsessed with dalmatians?!)  I have to say though that for some time now, I've longed to have a "dog that could fit in my purse".  For a while, it was a chihuahua that I wanted, but my husband wouldn't hear of it.  I argued that our children wouldn't learn how to treat and love animals and that they might be afraid of dogs if we didn't have one.  He finally caved and now we have the lovely Miss Daisy.  

7.  Doodling - Maybe it goes back to my love of crisp paper and a great pen, but I can't help but doodle.  If I'm listening to something I often like to take notes, as I find that helps me remember things...well I have to doodle a little too.  I've always done it and recently read something where people that were doodling actually took in more than the people that didn't.  Who knows! lol 


This isn't my doodling...mine almost always has swirls and flowers and NAMES! lol

8.  Travel - I could have easily said 'Spanish' or 'Languages' as well, but I think that kind of ties into names and Travel as well.  I really do love learning about other cultures and this is the best way, for sure!  Whether it be missions or vacation, love love love to travel.  If money grew on trees, I'd plan a vacation every 3-4 months!  :) 

One of my favorite places... 

Troyan, Bulgaria 

9.  Crossroads Christian Church - We're currently worshiping here.  I say 'currently'...as we haven't officially moved our membership from our beloved Woodford Community Christian Church, but with two small ones, a 45 minute drive to church is just something to be used as an excuse!  I say it that way because I know it could be done, but we're currently really enjoying the 5 minute drive to CC where we feel like we're being blessed.  So we're open right now, but love the warm feeling of 'home' there.  

Crossroads Christian Church 

10.  Diet Mountain Dew - Again, I could probably encompass Diet Mt. Dew with "Food" or even "treats" as a girl always loves chocolate, but there is something special about Diet Mountain Dew.  No, not that it has more sodium content than you might need for the week, but the taste, the caffeine...ahh.  I call it my liquid crack.  Surprisingly, I've weaned myself!  I used to have at least 1 a day...if I was home, I'd drink 2-3, but soon realized this was EXPENSIVE!  I had to wean myself with each pregnancy, but just recently weaned myself again.  Still, my favorite 'pop'.  :)