As I’m growing older (and somewhat wiser) I’m realizing how being yourself, in whatever state, shape or form that is, is so much more attractive than trying to be someone or something else. I know it’s tedious to those around me to disbelieve what they tell me about myself, and it’s fatiguing as a friend not to be believed.

Trust that God knows what he’s doing. Listen to those who love you and believe the compliments you get. Lean on your strengths and realize that everyone has weaknesses, and they aren’t all that bad if you don’t constantly dwell on them.

#3 (people pleaser) This works out well for me!

#4 (10 nieces and nephews) Everybody stop for a minute, and picture your house with 10 children running around. And a dog. And turkey on the table. All I’m saying is, thanksgiving is pretty much a rodeo.

#8-10 (girly stuff) I think God knew what he was doing when he made our first child a girl.

#11 (red wine and fish) This is directly related to #3.

#17 (10 children) I don’t understand … 10 is not a prime number.

#21 (smile everyday) I love that our house is a joyful house, and that Sophia caught that from you.

#24 (florist at 8) I refer you to my earlier post.

#27 (funeral director) Yeah, watching the first few seasons of Six Feet Under pretty much cured you of any desire to do that, huh?

#38 (sister’s homes) Amen.

#39 (reading in Santa Cruz) That’s a close second for me, behind the Getty.

#41 (backrubs) I bear witness.

#46 (better at things than you give credit) Can I get a huge “Amen” from everybody out there in blogland?

#54 (reception) Gretchen asked me while we were planning the wedding if there was anything we could add to the ceremony or reception, something that had always been a part of how I had pictured my wedding. I laughed out loud for a minute until I realized she was serious. I then, as gently as I could, explained to her that no man has ever pictured how his wedding would look until the actual moment that the ceremony starts.

#57 (fight) Oak-town! Represent!

#61 (Anne of Green Gables) So can I. Yes June, it is amazing what a man will do when he is in woo mode.

#72 (phil’s talk about boys) Anybody wanna guess how intimidating it is to have a man like that as a father-in-law?

#78 (longevity) Almost everyone in my family is dead by 58. Babe, you were asking why we have a bigger life insurance policy on me than on you? That’s why.

#82 (flirt) Why the past-tense?

#90 (white russians) I did not know that! Oh man, is that going get abused. Heh heh heh.

#94 (going to Rome!) Wa-hooo!

#98 (remembering songs) Seriously, you have to see it to believe it. It’s really, really intimidating. She’ll correct me on lyrics to songs that I WROTE!!

#99 And naked! (oops - did I say that out loud?)

#100 All of this goes into what makes you special, and I choose you; I wouldn’t want to go through life with anyone else.

My children are in need…more later.

To sum up: Yer cool. I like ya.

73. What a fun idea! Is he still that creative?
[/quote]

I’ll save Gretchen the embarrassment - No.

95. My vocabulary is lacking lately as well. Talking to a 2 year old and a 4 year old will do that to you.

73. What a fun idea! Is he still that creative?

39. The picture of that in my mind is close to heaven.

8. What a great memory. I hope our kids will have memories like that of us.

44. You DID?? Did Aly ever tell you that we did Steel Mags in High School? She was Ouiser and I was Truvy.

52. Diurnal - had to go look it up. [laughs weakly]

53. I know I’m totally not qualified to say this, but that sounds like SUCH a Michael thing to do. I love him…

61. Me too. I’d give Gil my everything. (That actor’s gay, did you know? Dammit…)

74. I love Aly…

90. Reason # 20 that Ramon instinctively liked you a whole lot when we all met, even if he didn’t know your thing for WRs.

95. I never noticed the lack of ‘big words’ when you write, but then, I’m not up there with the heavy hitters, either.

You are delightful. And much more interesting than you think.

Cerise