Q&A Wednesday

Jenn asked:


Have you begun to think of baby names or do you feel like that would be a "jinx" on the whole process?

I have the girls name picked out - I'll let it be a surprise... but I'm sure a good number of people out there already know what it is. The first name is my maiden name... and the middle name is chosen as well, but I'm still negotiable on that one.

For a boy - I'm not as sure - that one we will have to talk about and decide on... I know that John has said a couple of different things on what he'd like to name a son, but I'm not entirely sure how he feels about that now. But really - until the ink on the birth certificate is dry - we reserve the right to change our minds.

Does your family know that you are now doing treatments to try and become pregnant? If they don't know, do you plan to tell them?

I'm pretty sure that everyone knows - some family members know more than others - namely in the case of my Dad... he doesn't really want to know details - so I fill in my stepmom and let her give him the information that he wants. Otherwise he reads the blog and skims where he doesn't want detail. My Mom is aware that we're seeing the specialist and getting serious about it, but isn't kept aware of all the details unless she is reading it here on the blog. My older sisters are also aware of it as well... and are keeping up with things on the blog too.

In terms of John's parents & sister - I let him tell them what he wants to - and it's up here on the internet for them to read as well... so you know - the information is out there for those that want to read about it.

I pretty much feel like anyone out there that knows me well enough to know that I have a blog - has the ability to be as aware of things going on in our lives as they want to be... it's sort of a choose your own adventure type situation - because it's out there if they choose to follow it and keep up with us. If they don't - that's fine too, but they certainly have been invited to read.


Christi asked:


If you could tell your earlier self something (like when you graduated high school) when would that have been, and what would you say?

This question reminds me of the Brad Paisley song - Letter to Me

If I could write a letter to me
And send it back in time to myself at 17
First I'd prove it's me by saying look under your bed
There's a Skoal can and a Playboy no one else would know you hid
And then I'd say I know its tough
When you break up after seven months
And yeah I know you really liked her and it just don't seem fair
All I can say is pain like that is fast and it's rare

[1st Chorus]
And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night
She wasn't right for you
And still you feel like there's a knife sticking out of your back
And you're wondering if you'll survive
You'll make it through this and you'll see
You're still around to write this letter to me

At the stop sign at Tomlinson and Eighth
Always stop completely don't just tap your brakes
And when you get a date with Bridgett make sure the tank is full
On second thought forget it that one turns out kinda cool
Each and every time you have a fight
Just assume you're wrong and dad is right
And you should really thank Mrs. Brinkman
She spend so much extra time
It's like she sees the diamond underneath
And she's polishing you 'til you shine

[2nd Chorus]
And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night
Tonight's the bonfire rally
But you're staying home instead because if you fail Algebra
Mom and dad will kill you dead
Trust me you'll squeak by and get a C
And you're still around to write this letter to me

You've got so much up ahead
You'll make new friends
You should see your kids and wife
And I'd end up saying have no fear
These are nowhere near the best years of your life
I guess I'll see you in the mirror
When you're a grown man
P.S. "go hug Aunt Rita every chance you can"

[3rd Chorus]
And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night
I wish you'd study Spanish
I wish you'd take a typing class
I wish you wouldn't worry, let it be
I'd say have a little faith and you'll see
If I could write a letter to me
To me

There is so much that I'd say to myself back then... things like:

• Don't worry so much about keeping up with your friends... they won't be the most important influences in your life. Some of them you won't even remember in 5 years.
• Believe me when I tell you that every single time your parents said "no" to something... it was because they love you...and were shaping you into the person you will become. This doesn't work out so well for those that were never told "no." You WILL see the error in that later in life.
• DO NOT GET A CREDIT CARD - you'll think that you know better than everyone else, but the moment that you figure out that it takes 30 years to pay them off by paying the minimums - you will see the error of your ways. Also know that it IS possible to max out a credit card on Spring Break - but again DO NOT DO IT!
• Know that even though it's the hardest thing you ever did - going out of state to college that first semester was one of the most influential periods of your life. You will survive it!
• When going through your first breakup - it's ok to not try to be friends... sometimes it is just to painful to do that... and it's okay to not be friends with an ex!
• Coming home won't turn out as you originally planned... but it will lead you to the first encounter with your future husband.
• When said encounter happens with your future husband - think long and hard about which photo you mail to him... if you choose your favorite - you won't encounter him again for a year. (HA! Love you, John!)
• While waiting for the second encounter with that same future husband... don't let yourself get trapped into an abusive relationship... it takes a lot of time and heartache to dig yourself out of that hole.
• Try to find a way to God before you get married... he is the most influential force that can keep your life and marriage on the correct path.
• Don't get too focused on your life plan... you may not have children before you are 30... and honestly that's okay... it's all in God's plan.
• Above all else... even if you do make some of these "mistakes" again... live life to the fullest, don't live with regrets - and know that each and every one of these mistakes makes you turn into a woman that... I for one am pretty happy with.

And then the hard question is, what is your favorite color?

I'd have to say Purple as a stand alone color... but as a combination... I like brown with pastel colors... brown & pink, brown & baby blue, brown & lilac, brown & yellow... you get the picture.