Food, Fun, and Fotos

Hey everyone! It's time to announce our new Date!

This week, I would like to introduce you to Adena from, "Food, Fun, and Fotos", which can be found under the "Food Blogs" tab!

Here's what Adena has to say about her blog:

I am a SAHM to 5 kids, homeschooling the whole way thru. I also help do bookkeeping for hubby's job, part time college student, serious hobbyist photographer, cake decorator, blogger, and crafter when I can find time. Whew. Just thinking about it all makes me tired :) I blog about life, and whatever hits my fancy at the time.

And...the "interview":

1. When you were a teenager, what was the worst trouble you got into?

OH NO!!! Seriously? This is going to be confession time for me because although I never really did bad stuff as a teen, when I did, I just never got caught. So is it considered "trouble" if you're not caught doing it? The worse thing that I did (that I would flip if my kids ever did!!), was skip school. (Hmmmm, maybe that's why I homeschool?!) I didn't just skip class either. I'll tell you all about it. I was in ninth grade and it was the last day of school. As everyone knows, nothing is accomplished on the last day. Now, our school was not exactly in the best area of town and it was right on the bus line. And it just so happened that the bus went to the mall. Seriously? Who would even put a public bus in front of a high school that went to the mall?? They were just begging for it to happen. So..... a few friends and I decided we could get much more accomplished at the mall than we could at school. We jumped on a bus, went to the mall for a few hours, got back on and made it back in time for catching the school bus back home. Shhh....don't tell on me, my mom still doesn't know. And it's been years ago!!!

2. Are you a glass half empty, or a glass half full kind of person?

Definitely a glass half full kind of person. Don't sweat the small stuff. Pick your battles. I just think life is too short to be miserable. Besides, there are usually other people around that wouldn't mind trying to make you miserable, so why would you do that to yourself too?? Worrying about things does not change the situation. I believe you have to be proactive. Look at problems as a challenge and remember, you can't have a testimony, without a test. In the end, things will workout exactly how they should, so just sit back and enjoy the ride.

3. Tell us about your family.

I got married when I was only 19 and had our first child when I was 20. (Don't really recommend that to anyone, but it worked out. Should've gone to college first, instead of going now.) We were best friends and had been dating for 3 years. I love that he can make me laugh to get my mind off things. Like when I am in labor. But then he can also read my expressions well enough to know when to stop cracking jokes and just hold my hand. Like when I am in labor.
Together, we have five kids. Yup. Five. I had always planned on three, three years apart but God had other plans for me. And turns out, I like His plan better.
Our oldest daughter is Megan, who is 21. She is an aspiring pastry chef. She has gone through some culinary training already and is currently in charge of all baking at a local college but she still wants to further her training. Meanwhile, she has been having alot of fun lately traveling. Last fall she went to Ireland and then just this month, she went on a Disney cruise to the Bahamas. She is very determined and opinionated. I always tease that I never want her to get into politics because if she liked it, there would be no stopping her in taking over the whole world.
Next daughter is Tara, 18. We have always called her our flower child. She is a little hippie at heart. Very artistic and dreamy without a care in the world. A friend of mine nicknamed her Oblivia. She has super long natural curly hair that went every which way when she was a toddler. She loves anything Japanese and draws constantly. If there is a blank white space, watch out. Just ask the toaster. Yep, she drew a mural on the side of it. When she was younger, she would draw with both hands at the same time, ambidextrous. Now she prints better with her left hand but cursive better with her right. I love that she could care less what people think of her and dresses to whatever is her whim at the time....even if it sometimes embarrasses me.
(Then there was a miscarriage that is a whole other story in itself but life changing. Also, the reason why I don't trust doctors. Ugh. And that's how my 3 kids 3 yrs apart plan changed.)
There were complications and I wasn't even supposed to be able to have anymore kids. Then a miracle happened. Literally. And I got pregnant with our first son who I refer to as my man-child. Connor is 14 going on 20. He just recently turned 14 and for his birthday I told him I would finally admit that he is now taller than me. And his voice is deeper than his dad's and he shoe size is already bigger too. His siblings call him the golden boy. Seems no matter what he tries to do, he can do, and do well. He loves to play football and hang out with his friends. He is wanting to take up electric guitar and don't tell him, but I am thinking of buying him one this month if he promises to keep up with his schoolwork/chores. He is a great big brother to Jeremiah...not so much to Jared. They are at that age right now where there is a huge difference between being 11 and being 14. Please pray for me. LOL.
Now if we thought Connor was a miracle, Jared really is. First, Jared did not talk until he was almost 4 yrs old. No one ever figured out why. (Had some breathing problems when he was a baby too, no diagnoses there either). But when he started talking, well, let's just say he has more than made up for any lost time. And then several months after finally start talking, he was diagnosed with lymphoma. I cannot tell you how scary that was. I remember it too clearly but it would take a book to go over it all. Long story short, God healed him miraculously and I thank God for it continually. Jared is the sweetest boy and very sensitive. He has a great imagination and wants to be a chef and a construction worker when he grows up because he wants to build me a big new house and fix me fancy meals. What a great kid! He is now 11.
Then there's the big surprise - Jeremiah. While we were all comfortable with our family size, and had been for 8 years, we hit a bump in the road. Yup. Surprise pregnancy. (FYI- as you get older, when you ovulate can change. Drastically. Like instead of the middle of the cycle, try immediately at the beginning!) I will tell you raising another baby after most of your other ones are older is totally different. You stop and enjoy everything. I suggest everyone do this. I am thoroughly savoring every aspect of his life. He is so funny too. He is all boy, loves trucks and dinosaurs. He plays video games with his older brothers (something btw, that I do not like!) and has beaten people online that are MUCH older and cannot believe that they just got beaten by a toddler. He also loves to dance. Always has. I keep trying to video him but when he says me with the camera, he stops. He will watch a video and mimic whatever they are doing. We recently watched Step Up 3 and so now he is doing the robot. Cool little kid. And he gives the best kisses in the world. And I know because he is still in that wonderful stage where the only girl he loves is mommy and he wants to marry me when he grows up. LOL.

As always, I asked Adena to send me her three favorite posts...here they are!

Tutorial: Making Vanilla Extract...I don't know about anyone else, but when I see a vanilla bean, I want to lick out all those little beans. Do you think they taste good?

Frugal Recipe: How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent...amazing! I am now tempted to try to make my own detergent...just to see if it works as well as my good ol' standby: Tide! Incredibly impressed, Adena.

2010 Reflections and 2011 Resolutions...a great post that looks at progress of the previous years resolutions and the new ones for this year!

Alright everyone...will you head on over to "Food, Fun, and Fotos" to pay Adena a visit? Oh, and tell her Mama sent you! ;)