Day Twenty-Three

A picture of my favorite book:

This is complicated, because I'd like to be glib and say "The Bible."  But the sad fact is that I don't read it as much as I should, if at all.  I think maybe I just need to say I'm going to read a chapter a day, and then actually do it.  It might take me forever to get through it, but at least I WOULD get through it, eventually. 

So I don't have a favorite book.  I read a LOT of Christian-type fiction.  Romance, historical, etc.  But my favorite subject has to be these wunderbar-gut people:

Day Twenty-Two

A picture of something I wish I was better at:

Music!  I wish I could read it.  I wish I could sing.  I wish I could play an instrument!  Those are not my God-given gifts.  Hopefully music appreciation is a form of gift, though.

 Art!  I wish I could draw or paint--just create.  I like to write, but I like form and color.  My 2nd graders certainly think that my art is fantastic, so God bless them for that.  :)

Day Twenty-One

A picture of something I'd like to forget:

Need I say more?  Too many loved ones....

Day Twenty

A picture of someplace I'd love to travel:

Okay...how do I pick just one?  I'll pick two of my favorites.

The first is obvious.  I've been dying to go to Hawaii for quite some time.  I love that I don't need a passport to go to a tropical paradise.  One day.  It's on our list of places to go.

The second probably isn't as obvious.  I would love to go with my husband and his in-laws to the Gargano region of Italy.  Ryan's dad and aunts and uncles have already been there, but one day we want to go to this little chunk of heaven on the Adriatic Sea.

Day Nineteen

A picture of my nicknames:

The original Marcie nickname:  Skeeter.  I guess I don't really know why I have it, but my Grandpa Matson gave it to me, and he and my dad used it regularly.

Another one:

My aunt Fern gave me the nickname "Marce-ahontas" after a family vacation we took together.  It was on this vacation I took my first turn around the lake in a canoe.  And it was tough to get me out.

I have had several other nicknames over the years.  Ry generally calls me "Smooch" or "Smoochie Poo."  I don't know where he got it from, but it's cute.  :)

Day Eighteen

A picture of my biggest insecurity:

This is a picture of my chunky belly.  It's always been an issue, and my guess is it will be an issue until the day I die.  I kind of wish I would carry my weight elsewhere, just for health reasons. 

So this what I'm insecure about.  It's been something that people have teased me about since I was little.

Oh, and the permanent marker is from my acupuncture appointment.  The doctor puts those points on me each week where he wants me to do some at home heat therapy.

So there you have it.

Day Seventeen

A picture of something that has made a huge impact on my life lately:

About a month or two ago, Ryan and I purchased Zumba for the Wii.  I had been to a Zumba class this past fall and loved it, but at the time, my feet were absolutely killing me.  My feet are better, and now I get to do Zumba in my skivvies in my living room where no one but my husband can see me and laugh at me (although during my Zumba class experience, I was among friends, and honestly, everyone was so busy dancing, sweating, and having fun to notice how horrible a dancer I am).  I actually sweat, which is something difficult for me to achieve.  Its fun, and I've learned the steps to the dances.  I think I might be about ready to move up to the "expert" level and learn those steps as I've mastered the beginner and intermediate levels.

So its exercise I like.  And even though I haven't lost a whole lot of weight, I can tell my cardio condition has improved a bunch.  I feel more energetic.

I still can't wait for the weather to turn, however, because I want to get outside after school and enjoy.

Day Sixteen

A picture of someone who inspires me:

This is a picture of my mom with my cousin Bryant.  My mom inspires me because life hasn't been easy for her.  She was widowed in her mid-40's and had two teenage girls to take care of.  The physical pain she has had to endure is extreme, due to her arthritis.  Yet she's still one of the most considerate, compassionate, loving people I know.  She doesn't say alot sometimes, because we won't shut up.  She's encouraging, and proud.  I love her more than I can put into words.  I hope when I grow up I can be like my mom. 

Day Fifteen

Something I want to do before I die:

Have a baby and be a mom.  Preferably with our own...and not a borrowed baby.

Day Fourteen

A picture of my "i-pod" on shuffle and the first 10 songs that play.

Unfortunately, I don't have an i-pod.  I have a $5 mp3 player I got at the dollar store.  And I like it.  So there.

1.  Awful, Beautiful Life ~ Darryl Worley
2.  Big Girls Don't Cry ~ Fergie
3.  Basketcase ~ Green Day
4.  Mmmbop ~ Hanson
5.  God Love Her ~ Toby Keith
6.  Blessed Be Your Name ~ Tree63
7.  I Like to Move It
8.  Shine ~ Newsboys
9.  Don't Stop Believing ~ Journey
10. Start Me Up ~ Rolling Stones

Day Thirteen

A picture of my favorite band or artist:

(Oh...you'll never guess who I'm going to pick...lol)

You get Brad Paisley.  He's been my favorite artist for about a decade.  I love the mix of humor, love, and spirituality he infuses into his music.  He writes most of his own songs, and I think that's also very impressive.

These photos are from my most recent concert with Brad in September 2010.  He's going to be at the Stadium of Fire in July in Provo, Utah, but tickets are really expensive and we've got a lot to do this summer, so unless he's back in Utah in September again, I'm not going to be able to see Brad this year.  Boo.  Boo.  Boo hiss!

Oh...and the last photo?  Easton Corbin's lovely backside.  As a bonus.  :)

Day Twelve

A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?

Last year:

 

This is myself with Ryan's (and mine...love ALL of them so much!) Aunt Clare, cousin Domenica, Aunt Kathy, and stepmom, Peg when we went to Frisco, Colorado in July 2010 to visit.

This is me about 30 minutes ago:

How I've changed?  I guess I don't know if this means physically or whatnot...

1.  I've gotten more haggard-looking, I think.  You can tell I've aged a bit.

2.  I have a few more grey hairs, although unless you're really looking, you can't see them.

3.  I've lost a few pounds, but not anywhere anyone would actually look.

4.  I've grown to love and respect my husband even more.  We get on each other's nerves, but I appreciate him SO much more than I did at this time in 2010.

5.  I am now an insulin-dependent diabetic.  At least until I have a baby.

6.  I hope I've become a better communicator in both my personal and professional lives.  I hope I'm taking more of a leadership role at my school, too.  As much as I can, anyway.

I know there are some other things I'm forgetting, but I guess that's just too bad for you.  ;-)

Day Eleven

A picture of something I hate...

 

Unfortunately, if its green and leafy, I probably don't like it.  I can handle peas, green beans, and spinach if its cooked and in something...but the thought of broccoli makes me want to hurl.  I wretch when I look at salad...

Day Ten

The person I do the most messed up stuff with:

 

This is my little sister.  And good heavens, we have done some stupid crap together, but it's been fun!  "There is no I in T-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-AM!!!!!!!"

Day Nine

A picture of the meaning behind your Facebook status:

"Women are angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly....on broomsticks. We are flexible. :)"

 That little saying is posted above our copy machine at school.  And its sooooooo true! :)