10 Day Challenge: Day 2

Day 2: Nine things I LOVE! 

Number 9: Disney World!!

 As a family, we were truly blessed be able to go to Disney World about once every few years. For me, it is a reminder of all of the innocent, pure, fun and crazy things about being a kid. It is an escape from adult life and an adventure into the mind of a child. I can't wait to take my kids there one day. 

Where Dreams Come True

 

My family likes to look for "Hidden" mickeys while we are there. Can you see the one in this picture?

JMan's first visit to Disney World!

Number 8: Animals

When I was a little girl all my friends loved the Disney princesses. Even still today I some times am asked "Which Disney princess was your favorite" and I always say "I don't have a favorite, I loved the movies with the animals!" Lady and the tramp and Dumbo were my favorite movies. I believe from the moment I was born I was an Animal Lover. Elephants are my favorite but as I got older I fell in love with Horses. I took riding lessons and LOVED going to the barn at the crack of dawn on Saturdays and Sundays to feed the horses and clean the stalls. When I went to college, I became deathly allergic to Horses (I think it was from not being around them 24/7). So I have taken a liking to small animals like my Kitty!

Me with the Elephants at the Ren-Fest

Kitty!!

Number 7: Swimming

I love love love swimming for many reasons. First of all it reminds me of my childhood and growing up at ILBC, a local boat club. All summer long my brothers and sister would live "at the pool". We would be dropped off with a babysitter in the morning for swim team practice and we would stay there ALL day long. My parents would pack dinner that they would grill at the club and when the pool closed at 9, we would take showers, put our PJs on, drive home and do it all again the next day. For YEARS this is how I spent my summers. I hope this is how my kids grow up too. It was amazing because the whole day we were outside, making friends, playing in the woods, building forts, going canoeing, playing foxes under, playing ping pong..etc. I know so many other kids who spent their whole summer inside watching tv. Not my family. It was ingenious on my parent's part. I also love swimming because it is so relaxing. I am currently taking a Masters class and while it is a good workout, I mostly enjoy it because it calms me after a long day of work. 

Number 6: The Weather

I originally wanted to go to school to be a Meteorologist. There is something that has always excited me when looking at the radar and seeing a big storm headed our way (whether it was a snow or thunderstorm!) Who knew that the people on the weather channel are actually really really smart! (Don't get me wrong, I didn't think they were stupid..but..they actually took upper level physics, math and chemistry classes to get that position). And as much as I love science.. I couldn't pass the math courses in college. So I looked in other career directions. Still, to this day, I love the weather! 

Number 5: "Crabs and Football Baby thats what Maryland Does!" 

I love the state of Maryland (not the university). In my opinion, there is NO better place to live. We have great weather..not too hot, not to snowy. We are close to lots of places..baltimore, annapolis, DC. We can be at the beach in 2 hours or the mountains in 2 hours. We are not "Yankees" but we are not "Southern". MD summers are spent drinking beer and eating crabs. Words can't describe it. I just love my home state. 

Number 4: Technology

Where would we be without it? 

Number 3: Country Music

I love how every song tells a story. I seem to find connections to the songs and they always seem to touch me in a way that no other type of music gets to me. Some of my Favorite Country lines: 

   - "I'm Captivated by you baby, like a fireworks show"- Taylor Swift "Sparks Fly"

   - "She got whatever it is, I don't know what to do, Cause every time I try and tell her how I feel it comes out I love you"- Zac Brown Band "Whatever it is"

   - "I Thank God for my life, for the stars and strips, may freedom forever fly, let it ring"- Zac Brown Band "Chicken Fried"

   - "Remember when, we vowed the vows and walked the walk, Gave our hearts, made the start , it was hard, We lived and learned, life threw curves, There was joy and there was hurt" -Alan Jackson "Remember when" 

  - "Do you wish somebody had the nerve to tell that stupid boss of yours to shove it next time he yells at you? Well This is country music and we do" - Brad Paisley "This is Country Music"

Number 2: My Family

We don't aways get along. Yes Sometimes there is drama and Yes, Sometimes there are arguments but at the end of the day I love them. 

Number 1: My JMan

We are in NC visiting his family and at dinner his mom was telling us a few words of wisdom. She basically said "go into this wedding knowing divorce is not an option. You are going to have hard times. But remember why you fell in love with each other in the first place and don't ever stop being best friends. Listen to each other." So after that I got to thinking..Why DO I love my Jman? So here it is.. There are three main reasons why I know I want to be with this man for the rest of my life. 1. He is the best listener out of anyone I know. He listens to every word I say and remembers it. He remembers the smallest details about our relationship.  2. Jman gives great advice. He is not afraid to tell me when he thinks I am wrong (but has a perfect grace about saying so without hurting my feelings). He tells me his opinions and lets me know when he thinks I am being too emotional or irrational but he is always by my side no matter what decision I make. 3. He thinks I am beautiful (and makes me feel beautiful) even on my worse days. No make up, crying, allergies, sick. It doesn't matter. He loves me and lets me know it. So he made it to the top of the list.