{25 random things about me}

1. My Mom and I have the same middle name, Kay. I feel a little bad sometimes that I didn't carry that on w/Emma, but Emma Kay just doesn't sound near as good as Emma Grace.

2. I hate, hate, hate the fact that my little brother and his family live so stinkin' far away. I've never even met my niece, Bea...isn't that horrible?! But, they'll be here soon...I can't wait!

3. I grew up only having 2 cousins, Scott & Andy, on my dad's side of the family. Now Eli is the only boy on my side surrounded by 5 girls. Ironic, huh?

4. I have freakishly small hands. It's a Rooks thing I'm sure.

5. One of my most favorite thing in the world is Andes Mints straight out of the freezer. I don't keep them in the house b/c I'd eat the entire package in one sitting.

6. I used to have a very short fuse. I would blow up and yell at just about anybody over anything. Anger is still my first response, but God sure has done and is doing a good work in my life.

7. I don't like to be told what to do, how to do it or when to do it.

8. I went to a small high school...33 in my senior class. I loved it!

9. It hurts my heart that my kids are growing up in the middle of the city with a 15x20 plot of "yard" to play in. I grew up in a small town where I could walk to the park, the store, my friends' houses and not worry about anything. The rule when leaving the house for the day was to be home when the street lights came on. There were always adults around keeping an eye out for the kids of the town. They didn't hesitate to yell at us if we were doing something we shouldn't and they also would call our parents.

10. I did not carry any of my children full term.

11. I never in a million years thought I'd ever homeschool my kids. It's one of the hardest things I've ever done, but it's also the most rewarding.

12. I'm pretty transparent...what you see is what you get.

13. I've never understood the purpose of having a favorite number. I think it's just weird. A favorite color, I get. A color can do things for you...bring out your eyes, cheer you up, etc. But a number, it brings nothing to the table for me.

14. I lock my children out of the house when they continually run in and out. My mom did the same thing to my brothers and I when we were little.

15. I got chased by an angry goose when I was about 4 and I couldn't get in the house b/c my mom had locked me out. Thanks Mom, that's probably why I don't like to be chased.

16. There were 8 "T" names in my wedding...Tonya, Tonya, Travis, Travis, Travis, Tim, Toni, Thad.

17. I was offered a scholarship to play tennis at a dinky college in SW KS after high school. I wish I'd gone.

18. I've only thrown up one time in my life and it was not pretty!

19. I'm fiercely loyal to my friends and family. I'd be tempted to gut you like a fish if you talk trash on someone I love. And just forget it if you hurt one of them...I'll never be your friend again.

20. I procrastinate like the day is long...I always have. It's my very least favorite thing about myself.

21. I had 3 goldfish in college...boB...who died after about 2 weeks. Then I got Calvin & Hobbes...they lived several months and died within hours of each other.

22. I pray daily that my kids will desire and develop a personal relationship with Jesus at an early age and avoid some of the mistakes, heartbreak and consequences I suffered.

23. I cherish the relationship my Dad and I have now. It wasn't always so pretty when I was growing up b/c I was rebellious, disrespectful and I always had to have the last word. God has done an amazing thing for my Dad and I.

24. I hope to one day be as gentle-spirited, peace-minded and loving as my Mom. I've some pretty big size 6's to fill. If God can change Peter, He can change me!

25. I have 1st hand knowledge of where the magic scarf comes from.

Making this list was a little hard, which totally surprised me. I guess I don't normally sit down and just think about myself. Anyway, feel free to take this to your blog and share 25 random things about yourself with others. It's fun!