I spent my birthday in Mozambique Africa, which will be a big long post or a few.  I decided to go last fall when I was looking for a humanitarian trip for the twins to experience serving other people.  I had the brilliant idea that I would maybe skip this birthday if I were on a different continent.  I had a few doubts but I have none now, it was divine intervention!  Other than turning “fifteen” (thanks Aub) EIGHT hours earlier than I would have had I been home (ironically) – it was really an amazing and memorable place to spend a major milestone.

Lelu made me the most delicious cookies I’ve ever had: salted caramel chocolate chip, decorated the house and made me a yummy salmon dinner the day after I got back.

1. What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

 The “Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do” trait – but it’s also my oxymoron because it’s helped me a ton too.

2. What’s your favorite family tradition?

Decorating the house with balloons and a birthday banner and making everyones favorite cake and meal for their birthday.  

3. Would you travel to space if you could?

 NOPE 

4. Would you choose to be the worst player on a winning team or the best player on a losing team?

I’m not really sure about this one.  I would be uncomfortable in either setting.  I’d feel stupid if I was the worst player and I was letting my team down. On the other choice, I think my team would be really depressed if we lost every game – so they wouldn’t be very fun to be around and they might resent me being the best.  I wonder what that says about me? That I am bad at the game “Would You Rather?”

5. What would you like to learn to cook?   Really delicious homemade Italian pasta and panacotta

6. What are ways that you have grown and changed in the last year?

 I’ve lost my faith in humanity too many times and I realize that’s not a good way to be, I know I don’t want to feel that way …so I guess I’ve grown in that I am much more empathetic to people who go through really hard things and found it easier to just stop caring.  

7. What was a time in your life when you had to be brave?

 It depends on what brave means, I guess. I had to be brave having Aub as a teenager not knowing anything.  I had to be brave when the twins were born and they each had their health problems and Ari had surgery – I couldn’t fall apart.  I’ve had to be brave many times when B was out of town and our alarm went off.  I had to be brave when I traveled alone in Europe.  I had to be brave jumping off a 27 foot cliff in South Africa into a hippo and crocodile infested river.  Sometimes I feel that just living life and trying hard everyday is brave. 

8. What qualities show a person’s maturity?

 Responsibility (not making excuses when you do something wrong) Honesty especially when it’s uncomfortable, When their actions match their words. 

9. Who had the most influence in shaping your work ethic?

My mom 

10. If you could take a class on any subject, what would it be?

 I have a list of them.  To just name a few: Geography, Financial planning, excel spreadsheet, life coaching (I took a leave of absence and will be back in September), David Hume, CS Lewis, creative writing.  I could go on and on

11. What are your top three hopes and dreams for your kids?

 Good health/long life; Honest and hardworking; Developing a family that gives them great joy. 

12. What actor would play “you” in a movie about your life?

In my wildest dreams, I’d say Jennifer Lawrence because she has small eyes and a tiny nose but she’s too beautiful; maybe Michelle Williams – except she has a really big beautiful smile; some people have said I look kind of like Renee Zelwegger – but I think she’s really weird.