Melani, Age Three and Two-Fifths Decades (as Brishen points out)

I don't have a picture of myself, but I thought I would do a blog about myself at this point in my life. I don't think I will give my height, weight, and clothing size, but I'll tell other facts about myself on this, my birthday.

Favorites: Restaurants--Si Senor, International Delights, Zaffiro's; Foods--ice cream (Caliches is the best!!!), enchiladas, soups, OK-I could go on and on; color--red; games--Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, Blokus; books--I'm still a Jane Austen fan, and it's pretty hard for me to pick a favorite; movies--Jane Austen again, at the theaters, I like romantic comedies best and hate anything without a happy ending (same with books) and don't even like to much drama or suspense because life has enough of that already, I like the escape; soda--Pepsi One or Diet Cream Soda; dream destination--in US, New York City or Seattle (I also really want to go to great national parks with my family), in world, African Safari or Greece or Italy

Occupation: Now that I watch three kids in my home, I officially consider myself a home childcare provider as well as a homeschool mom. I love that I can make a little extra money for my family while staying home with my own kiddos. I also love the children I watch!

Hobbies: Hmm, I suppose I consider walking to be a hobby. I enjoy reading and hiking and now Tae Kwon Do. I love lifting weights, but I'm having too tough a time fitting it into my schedule for the time-being. Browsing our used book stores is the perfect way to spend a quiet afternoon alone!

Friends: I have great friends from our homeschool group. There are several who now have their children in schools, but I am so fortunate to have chosen the group I chose and gotten to know those other women who stepped out of the box to teach their children at home. There are so many on whom I could call in a second with no doubt that they would be there for me. I'm excited that there are so many new homeschooling moms this year, and I look forward to this transition of getting to know them as those with older kids move on to new phases of their lives in the next few years. I get to be a bridge between the two groups, and I'm already making good connections.

I am so fortunate to have great friends at church. I learned in just the last year how important it is to be involved, even with events and groups that I didn't think fit me, because it's all about the people. I feel surrounded by friends this year, and it is because I went to events when I would rather have stayed home. I stepped out of my comfort zone, and it made all the difference. One year ago, I knew a lot of nice people at church, and now I now I know without a doubt how many great FRIENDS I have there. They were there all along. I just didn't take the time and energy to be with them where they were. What a difference a year has made.

I guess I have to mention facebook! It is amazing to me how much fun it is to reconnect with people from various times in my life and also to better connect with those right here and now. The guy I had a crush on in 6th grade is a facebook friend as well as other ministers' wives from around the conference who I am just now getting to know. Crazy stuff.

I also feel blessed to count my family members as my dearest friends.

New experiences in the last year: I joined a bell choir, even though I can't read a single musical note. I'm so glad I did! I started Tae Kwon Do simply because a friend asked me to be a guinea pig. I never in my life had a desire to do martial arts, but I agreed to help her out. I'm so glad I did. Life is so much more interesting when you take new challenges that come your way!

Fears: I'm petrified of praying in public and doing devotions--I blame this on marrying a man who does too good a job at it. I am afraid of all sorts of slithery things. I'm afraid of chaos taking over. I'm afraid of letting people down.

Dislikes: I hate mingling and small talk. I never know what to say. Onions are of the devil! I even decided to get over myself and start eating them again, but that did not even last one meal. There were onion bits on the bread, and it was just disgusting. I have not grown out of it. Sorry.

Goals: I don't know if you know this about me, but I don't set goals. I take things as they come at me and try to make the most of them. Some would say that's a big mistake, but it seems to work for me. I don't think I become stagnant or refuse to change. I just never know how I'm going to change until I see an opportunity and go for it.