Product reviews, parenting articles, and advice for first-time moms from the experiences of real-life mommies.

Thanks to my facebook friends (yes I just joined) for making me write this list…

1. I’m a native Houstonian. and proud of it. and dislike Dallas. and never want to move.

2. I have 2 websites that I maintain. 1 is for moms: http://www.TheMommyJournal.com and the other is for homeschooling: http://www.Homeschool.Me

3. I’ve never had a cavity, broken a bone, or been admitted into the hospital.

4. I LOVE to organize (especially other people’s stuff). I HATE to clean. (Thanks, sis, for this one. We ARE related, aren’t we?)

5. If I could, I think I would read all day long. I’m not even terribly picky about what I’ll read. I’ve been known to read the back of a shampoo bottle just to entertain myself.

6. I taught 8th grade Earth Science for 5 years. I still have nightmares about showing up to class naked or not being able to get the class under control or the principal walking in while I’m yelling. Let’s just say that while I love the art of actually teaching and watching the light bulb go on in someone’s head, the rest of the stuff that goes with the profession wasn’t my cup of tea.

7. Speaking of tea – I like hot tea with cream and sugar. I blame it on Shawn and his proper English grandmother. Of course, I like a good latte from Starbucks even better…

8. I adore Tex-Mex food. The cheesier, with more sour cream and salsa, the better. Oh, and don’t forget the avacado!

9. I’ve only dated 4 men in my life. This means that all my repressed sexuality and romanticism from my teenage years has been reserved for Shawn. We’re both still enjoying the benefits of that.

10. I smoke cigars on occasion. I love a good, mild, sweet wrap, Dominican.

11. I drink red wine. Can’t stand white or blush. Enjoy a chianti or a good spanish merlot the most.

12. I lived in the same house from the time I was 3 until the day I married Shawn. I still have dreams about that house. There were some great memories made there.

13. Our honeymoon was a 10-day road trip around the SouthEastern US in Shawn’s little blue Miata. Hot Springs, AK; Chattanooga, TN; The Great Smoky Mountains, TN; Pensacola, FL; and New Orleans, LA. It was the perfect trip for us.

14. I took classical piano lessons from 2nd grade through 12 grade. I still love to play from time to time, and miss the outlet that used to represent for me emotionally.

15. I was a choir geek. I live for that moment of dischordant harmony that finally resolves – it sends chills up my spine. I was a 2nd Alto and even sang Tenor a few times. In HS, all the 2nd Altos called ourselves “Viking Women” because we could sing so low. In fact, the last time I auditioned for anything, the director was determining my range and finally stopped when I got to an octave below middle C.

16. I’ve had 3 children. All 3 naturally with no meds. All 3 water births. And this from the girl who once told her mother she would never have children of her own because child birth scared her so much. Who’d have guessed? Certainly not me!!

17. Shawn (my husband) and I met on the Praise and Worship Team at our church. Our first date was a group trip to Galveston after a P&W rehearsal. He’s says I asked HIM out on our first date because I asked if I could ride with him to the beach. I say he asked ME out, because afterwards he took me to Applebee’s for dinner by ourselves.

18. I have a BS in Elementary Education from Baylor University with a specialization in Earth Sciences. I like to say that I combined the best of my mom, a teacher, and my dad, a petroleum geologist, when I did that.

19. I do not like raw tomatoes. The slimy snot inside mixed with the tiny seeds just makes for a very unpleasant experience in my mouth. I also do not like seafood. If it looks like it did when it was alive, I can’t put it in my mouth. Gross.

20. I had a strict curfew growing up. In fact, I even had a curfew the night before I got married.

21. I go out with a group of moms for dinner once a month. We have the best times sharing kid stories and husband stories and just sharing life together. Every mom should have these kinds of friends in her life.

22. I am an introvert by nature. I was a wall flower during Jr High and High School. I’m only loud and obnoxious with my true friends (aren’t you all so lucky?). The rest of the time I’d rather be curled up with a good book or movie.

23. I love Indy Racing. I’ve inherited my husband’s family’s passion for racing and disdain for all things NASCAR – hello, anyone can make a left hand turn, but can you run a road course? in the rain? That’s the true test of a good racer! Go Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan!

24. I dislike the color pink. In fact, when we found out that Kate was a girl, I ALMOST had them put on the baby shower invitations, “No pink, please.” (Of course, she is the MOST pink-loving-ist girl I’ve ever known. God has a terrific sense of humor, huh?) I love the color blue – have since I was a little girl. My favorite shades are midnight blue and cobalt blue.

25. I’m 5 feet tall. I cannot stand the song “Short People Got No Reason” and think this is why I’ve never liked any other Randy Newman songs or his voice. Of course, this all stems from childhood issues of being teased for my short stature sung to the tune of that song. But, I’m totally over that now… Okay, mostly over that now. In fact, I will quote you from my favorite tshirt (Thank you, Sara!), “I may be small, but I’m very influential!”