We like lists. We find happiness in crossing off things on our lists. If things aren’t getting crossed off the list, we will add things we’ve already done to the list for the sole reason of crossing it off. These things include, but aren’t limited to: “wake up”, “turn off alarm”, “get out of bed”, “brush teeth”, “take a shower” (although that is sometimes difficult!), “put on clothes” (as opposed to pj’s), “drive kids to school”, “pick kids up from school”, “tell kids ‘Goodnight’”, “put on pj’s”, or “set alarm”.
Call us organized. Call us anal. Call us OCD. Lists keep us sane.
In accordance with our love of lists, we thought we’d tell you a little about ourselves in list form:
Julie  | Jen  |
1) I am overwhelmed by how much I love my three kids. I knew I would love them, but they can really take my breath away! They amaze me every day, and I feel so blessed that God decided to make ME their Mom. WOW!!! (Click here for pics of my kids) | 1) I am a mother of five (yes, FIVE!)…all extraordinary (if I say so myself) children…#1 – boy (planned) – extra sporty…# 2 – boy (totally planned) – extra athletic/energy …#3 – boy (sort of planned) – extra “it’s a good thing you are cute”!…#4 – girl (not-so-much planned) – extra princess plus…#5 – girl (OH so NOT planned) – extra special …our last baby girl just happens to have an extra chromosome (Down Syndrome). I love them all beyond measure! (Click here for pics of my kids) |
2) I think my husband is really cute. We actually went to high school together AND college together, but didn’t meet until grad school! We both went to a bar to watch a particular band and met through mutual friends…almost 10 years later I still adore him as much as I did then! | 2) I have been married to my wonderful husband for 8 years. We met on a blind date – we were set up by some mutual friends/family. I think he is incredible and can’t imagine going on this journey without him! |
3) I have lived within a 10 mile radius my entire life (with the exception of college & grad school) and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I love where I am from and hope to grow old (or should I say older) here… | 3) I was born in Indianapolis, IN…spent my toddler years in Evansville, IN and then moved to Jasper, IN (go Scotty Rolen!), where I grew up (my parents moved to northern IN when I graduated college)—my husband is also from Jasper, although we didn’t know each other until we met in 2000 (because he “robbed the cradle” – haha). |
4) I graduated from Purdue with a BS in Audiology and Speech Sciences and earned my Masters from Indiana State in Speech and Language Pathology. I am a Speech and Language Pathologist, starting out working in the school system and now working as an SLP with First Steps (children 3 and under). My job is very flexible. I work with my clients in a home setting, can plan my therapy sessions to fit into my schedule, and can choose how many clients I see. | 4) I graduated from IU with a BS in Elementary Education. I taught first and second grade for 10 years. I absolutely loved teaching – for a long time it consumed my time and passion. Then I had my oldest, and everything changed. I couldn’t be the teacher I wanted to be AND the mother I want to be, which is why I decided to leave teaching (in the classroom, anyway). |
5) I have recently become obsessed with Photography. My amazing husband surprised me with my new camera and I love seeing the world through its lens. | 5) I have learned that writing/journaling is very therapeutic for me. I enjoy expressing my thoughts and feelings through writing…and have recently found an interest in matching my words to photos (or vice-versa)… |
6) When I pray, I pray to the Holy Spirit. I don’t know why but I identify with that part of the Trinity the most. I guess because I believe it is a part of my being and I look to it for guidance, patience, and peace. | 6) The Power of Prayer is amazing. Over the last several years I have witnessed the true power of prayer and how it changes lives…even when everything doesn’t turn out exactly how you would like… |
7) I am incredibly close to my family. My sister, Sarah, is my best friend. She’s amazing! My parents are awesome! They have been married for 40 years and they are incredible people! | 7) I am very close with my family. I still try to “mother” my younger brothers as much as possible (even though they are all adults now!). I think my dad is one of the most amazing people on the planet and my mom is one of my best friends. |
8) I was raised by a Mom who lost her Mom early in life so I was taught young to make each day count. While I don’t always put that into practice, it is always there. | 8) My husband is an identical twin. I am able to tell him and his twin apart, but have been known to call my brother-in-law “Honey” a time or two. Our kids (both ours and his twin’s) haven’t been able to truly tell them apart until around age 1. |
9) I am allergic to most everything…and I mean EVERYTHING. Although, I could have a pet horse, if I wanted. | 9) I’m pretty sure I am allergic to alcohol (seriously). I am not “officially” allergic to it, but I do not like cheese...at all. People have tried to “sneak” cheese on me (in recipes, etc.), but I can always tell. Sometimes I just say I’m allergic to it (it’s easier)—see #11. I do eat pizza, but will pull the cheese off (or get it without cheese—the request gets some strange looks). |
10) I used to play year-round volleyball. I played travel ball and for my high school team. I know I learned more about life from sports than I did from a classroom. I think sports are valuable and I think they teach kids so much! | 10) I fell off a cheerleading pyramid (which wasn’t high at all) when I was in 8th grade and seriously broke my right arm...surgery (twice)...a week in the hospital...the works. I still have some pretty major scars. That was the end of cheerleading for me (that was okay). |
11) My car in grad school had windshield wipers that NEVER turned off. Rain or shine...my wipers were on. I used to be excited for it to rain because it meant that I didn’t look silly on the road. My awesome grad school friends would drive with their wipers on whenever we caravanned. | 11) Even though I don’t speak a lick of French, I have been to France three times (and to the top of the REAL Eiffel Tower three times). I have a “French Family” that I miss dearly (Thank goodness for Facebook!). |
12) I had an imaginary friend growing up. Her name was Kitty Doty. She totally rocked…she was like my “cool” friend. | 12) Summer camp...Camp Palawopec (http://www.camppalawopec.com/)...changed my life. There is no other place like it (that I have found) in the world. My experiences there had a profound impact on the person I am today. Every summer I feel the “pull” to go...maybe I’ll just go back WITH my kids someday...it’s been done before!!! |
13) I totally believe in the Power of Prayer! I have seen it work in my life so many times! It is amazing what peace I have felt when I have handed things over to Jesus! | 13) I believe life starts at conception. I have seen the heartbeat of my own babies at less than 5 weeks into my pregnancy. I hope and pray there is one day an end to abortion. |
14) I am both an extravert & introvert. I love being social, but at times it wears me out. Give me a good book and a cup of coffee and sometimes that is just what I need. I am an avid reader. I can lose myself in a book and escape the world. I love reading! If I don’t have a book to read, I am not usually in a good mood. I need time to myself and reading is my fix. | 14) I love to plan (and host) a party. I love all the “details” of decorating, creating invitations, etc. I have been known to make “food placecards”—in case our guests need to know what they are eating (chips, dip, cake...)— you choose — “perfectionist” or “anal”. |
15) I want to be a runner. I have dreams where I am running and it feels so free. I am overwhelmed by getting started. It is a daunting to me...something to work on. | 15) I love watching my kids play sports. This has led to me finding more enjoyment in watching sports in general (our house is inundated with sports!). I am learning the “rules of the game/s” from my oldest, who is a TRUE sports fanatic in every sense of the word! |
Some Additional Tidbits About Julie and Jen | |
· Born in the 70’s, had big hair in the 80’s, and wore overalls and did the Macarena in the 90’s | |
· “Cradle” Catholics…and Current Catholics | |
· Gave birth to boys before having “that” girl… | |
· Very close families – immediate (including in-laws!) and extended (aunts, uncles, cousins) | |
· Oldest in our families (Jen-oldest of 4, Julie-oldest of 2) | |
· Totaled our cars (well, our parents’ cars) in high school | |
· Worry about all kinds of things, over-analyze all kinds of things, (try to) pray about everything… | |
· Like to be organized/have our “ducks in a row”… | |
· Dislike conflict…but will stand up for what we believe… | |
· Feel so blessed for the opportunity to do a blog together as Sycamore Sisters! | |
