Maria is my real life friend.
She started out in our youth group way back in 2003-I think she is a little psychic because she told me I was having twins several weeks before I found out I was having twins. She was my first phone call.
She has gone from the girl in our youth group to a good, close friend.
We like to vent to one another about how we just don't feel that we fit in anywhere. {we're just cool like that}
She has become quite the blogger- we decided it would be fun to do a swap post for the day.
Here's my interview with Maria . . .
1}Why do you blog?
Here's my interview with Maria . . .
1}Why do you blog?
I initially started blogging so that our family could see pictures and get quick updates of the boys. Although the boys' grandparents live close by, all of our extended family lives out of state.
Over the past year or so, I'd say my blog has evolved a bit. Instead of of exclusively posting pictures, I've written a lot more. I've come to realize how therapeutic writing can be for me. I've also really "gotten into" reading other people's blogs as well. Its pretty incredible to be able to get to know other people, feel their sorrow and find encouragement.
2} How do you manage family & school?
It's really pretty simple...I have 5 internet classes this semester so I'm able to stay home without having to go to campus. I spend the weekdays doing the same thing any other SAHM does-caring for my kids and cleaning house! But when they take their nap in the afternoon (about a 2 hour stretch) I sit down and do schoolwork. And every evening after they go to bed, I spend 3-4 hours doing the "bulk" of my workload. I work so hard throughout the week so that I can have my weekends "free" to spend with Kane. It's very important to me (and Kane!) to be able to have that time together.
I get asked a lot about how I stay so motivated. Right now, I'm caring for my family as they will ALWAYS come first. But one day...one day my kids are going to grow up. And recently I've realized that I have a passion. A real passion. My heart burdens for broken people. For the underprivileged and neglected. I have to do something. Even if the at the end of my life, I have only helped one person/family- I'm okay with that. So hopefully within the next 2-6 years I'll finally have my degree in Social Work (who knows what life will throw at me? ;).
3} What is your ideal 'night out'?
Any night out {sans kids} with my husband is ideal! Honestly, we really aren't too picky. We love to go out to eat and have normal adult-conversations, and typically we'll go see a movie afterwards. It's really not about where we are or what we do, it's really just getting out and spending time together.
4} As a follower of Jesus, what are some stereotypes that you wish you weren't labeled as?
I'm going to answer this a bit differently because I have the following on my mind. ;) The biggest peeve of mine that I see Christianity being stereotyped as (by fellow Christians, no less) is the "having it all together" facade. More recently, I feel as though Christianity has become synonymous with perfection. Perfect marriage. Perfect kids. Perfect home. Everything is just perfect. And I think that's a major turn off to non-Christians. (I feel) as though Christianity is such a spiritual, mysterious, life-long, Jesus-seeking state-of-mind that has been shortchanged to judgement and hypocrisy. I'm going to end my rant on this note...A while back I was going through the motions of church one Sunday morning, and during prayer requests, a member stood up and announced he had "fallen off the wagon" and desperately needed prayer for his alcoholism. That event remains so distinctive to me because I remember thinking, that is what church should be like. Raw and open honesty.
Okay, now my rant is over.
5} What are someways you cut cost for your family?
Off brand everything. Store brand is just as sufficient-I use to buy my boys' when they were babies "brand-name" items like Swaddlers, Enfamil, Pampers...you get the point. But then I wised up and starting saving lots of money by using the Target brand items. We also just keep our bills to a minimum. We literally have only necessity bills- rent, electric, car payment, car insurance, cell phone. Lastly, I always buy clothes for the boys' ahead of season. Jeans, shorts, sweaters, swim trunks, etc. for ridiculously cheap (as in less than $3 an item).
Thanks for sharing Maria!
{loved your insight on #4- totally with you}
You can read more from her at:
