Meme for May

OK, this "Meme" is long... but I was tagged by mrscjallen (also by Janel, in a similar meme, so I'll just count this one as that), and it's one I've not seen, so I decided to do it and share a little more about myself here. Here goes... and I'll share some recent pictures, while I'm at it.

Favorite person (outside family)? Without a doubt, my dear friend and mentor Angie. She's had the honesty to let me see her imperfection, and has had the guts to show me and teach me from her strengths as well. I owe so much of who I am today to my precious friend.

Favorite food? Carbs. Can I say that? Fluffy white bread, soft buttery tortillas, Cheesecake and quiche crusts.... OK, if I can't say carbs, then I'll say good authentic tacos. There's nothing like a good crunchy taco shell filled with spicy ground beef, tomatoes, sharp cheddar and monterey jack cheese, authentic guacamole, and a little salsa. YUM! I could drool right now.

Quirks about me? What's not quirky about me? I'm a Christian woman but I love movies like Spinal Tap and Monty Python. I'm only 28, but I'm married with four kids. Heck, I've got four kids and still would like to have more--that's quirky, right? I now wear skirts about 75% of the time, and yet I love my pink Converse and if my hair was long enough I'd wear braided pigtails at least once a week. I live overseas and yet I'm still an obnoxious Texan at heart. I am a homemaker (essentially, my "job" is to love and serve others) and yet I struggle with selfishness and laziness, among other less lovely qualities. I feel like I'm nothing but quirks.

How would the person who loves you most describe you in ten words or less? (Ask them.)
OK, I asked him: Beautiful, sexy, intelligent, hilarious, fun, nurturing, wonderful wife, excellent mama.

Any regrets in life? Yup, some of them I won't go into here. But my biggest regret, in all honesty, is that I wish I would have saved every bit of physical affection for my husband. If I could change anything about my life, I would've made my first kiss be with Doug on our wedding day.

Favorite Charity/Cause? Well, I volunteered at a crisis pregnancy center, and that's the best cause I can think of-- working to save the lives of the unborn by helping those in crisis situations that often feel like there's no way out. Giving them hope, giving them information, and giving them help.

Favorite Blog recently? Hmmm.... Renee at Steppin' Heavenward always inspires me to love my kids more and delight in God's gifts.

Something you can't get enough of? Time with Doug. We spend a lot of time together... but I'm always up for more. We've had seasons of him working away from home and seasons where we worked from home together, and now we live overseas and he keeps a quirky schedule, but we still have time together nearly every evening from about 7:30 on. Nevertheless, I love, love, love spending time with him and would always welcome more of it.

Worst job you've ever had? I think (unless my mom can remind me of something I'm forgetting) that I've always had pretty good jobs... I worked at Six Flags (fun!), worked as a pharmacy technician for awhile (interesting!), worked with developmentally disabled adults while in college (rewarding!), worked at a peanut brittle factory (yum!), helped run a political office in Washington D.C. (what a blast!)... and now I'm a wife and mom. I've really been blessed to have good jobs, I think. And now I've got the best job of all.

What job would you pay NOT to have? I don't really know what this question is asking. Can I skip it? Oh, my husband just explained it to me. I definitely would not like to manufacture creamed corn for a living. Or scrape gum off of the bottom of desktops.

If you could be a fly on the wall, where? Off the top of my head? In the Clinton's home on a night when they're just both home alone together. I've never figured out their marriage... on the one hand, it does look like a marriage of political convenience, but on the other hand, I think he loves her brilliance and I think she really does love him. I'd love to just see how their personal dynamics are when it's just the two of them. I enjoy watching the dynamics of different marriage relationships anyway, but theirs in particular has always fascinated me.

Favorite Bible verse right now? Ephesians 5:15-16:
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Guilty pleasure? frozen Reese's peanut butter cups. (But truthfully, I don't feel guilty at all when I eat them-- they are so stinkin good.)

Got any confessions? We're looking into adoption. Maybe Ethiopia, maybe Ghana, maybe a sibling group, but we really wanna. (I just turned my confession into a poem.)

If you HAD to spend $1,000 on YOURSELF, how would you spend it?
About $200-300 on books, and then the rest on massages, once a month (or maybe slightly more frequently) until the money ran out. I do LOVE a good massage.

Favorite thing about your house? The layout. It's perfect for our family and for our lifestyle right now. We host groups here a lot and even though our apartment is pretty small, we have a circular walkway that goes from our living room, through our balcony, into the kitchen, into the entryway, and back into the living room... so it flows well for having meals with groups. :) Plus, the enclosed balcony (as noted) is right off of the kitchen and the living room so I can let the kids play out there while I'm working in the kitchen, or nursing Silas or doing something in the living room... it works out so well!

Least favorite thing about your house? No yard for the kids to play in. Boys just really need to run, so it's off to the park for us.

One thing you are bad at? Remembering details.

One thing you're good at? Trying new things/taking risks.

If you could change something about your circumstances, what? I'd have a good friend here in real life to talk to. I'm starting to connect more deeply with one lady, but it has been slow going. I really miss having really good friends that I can connect with face-to-face.

Who would you like to meet someday? Ruth.

What makes you feel sexy? Music. Only certain kinds/songs, mind you. "Wild Horses" by Rolling Stones, "Forever" by Ben Harper, "Glycerine" by Bush, "Crash Into Me" by Dave Matthews Band, "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton, "Fix You" or "Kingdom Come" by Coldplay, "One" by U2. Songs like that.

Who is your real life hero? Randy Alcorn. He's a man who lives his convictions, not only in his writings and speaking, but also in his paycheck, and in the stances he takes on issues. He has put his money where his mouth is and has made his life about the things of God. I really, really respect him.

What is the hardest part of your job? Being consistent for these little lives that are being shaped every day by my choices, my words, and my actions. It's a huge responsibility, even while being a huge blessing.

When are you most relaxed? When Doug and I are sitting on the couch together, talking or watching something, while he rubs my feet. What a man.

What stresses you out? Dumb little details about life. I really can handle big life crises, but (like Bush said, I think, in one of their songs in the early 90's), it's the little things that kill.

What can you not live without? Books. I'm constantly reading and picking up new books... having new things to learn, new subjects to understand, and new issues to grapple with really lights my fire.

Do you agree or disagree with the recent article that reported that blogs are authored by narcissists? I don't know... to answer this question truthfully, I'd have to read the article, and it wasn't linked. But generally, yes and no. Yes, in that we're all kind of self-occupied and talk about the things that interest us (whatever that may be)... and no, in that I think people blog for all kinds of reasons.

Why do you blog? In hopes that something I've experienced or learned can help someone else... kind of my way of being involved in the Titus 2 passing-along of information and encouragement, even though I'm an ocean away from most people who read this blog... and also because I love to write and this gives me an outlet for my thoughts.

I actually started blogging almost two years ago because I was constantly having book ideas, and I'd write about a chapter and then get sidetracked and never finish them. So, finally I decided to just write my "chapters" here, online. I hope that what I write ultimately draws people closer to Christ, encourages them toward love for their families, and gives them more of a desire to discover what plans and purposes God has for each of us as individuals.

OK, so according to the rules, I tag:

TWO NEW-ISH BLOGGERS:
BLOGGY FRIENDS:
BLOGGERS YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW BETTER:

And YOU-- if you'd like to participate, go ahead! And leave a link here! :)

21 comments:

EllaJac said...

I guess it all evens out: Hubby's and my first kiss (with anyone) was with each other at our wedding. BUT - I've also held a job that included scraping gum from under desks... :)

Sheila said...

Jess- I've had your blog on my bloglines for a long time. I don't often have the time to sit and read through all my bloglines blogs, but today, while my boys are napping and my hubby's on the phone with work and I'm eating a delicious new Kashi pizza, I'm sooooooo glad I stopped to read your blog.

How refreshing- your love for Christ and your family comes through so beautifully. I really enjoyed reading about you on this meme. I'm gonna have to come back here more often.

A couple quotes from your post that really connected with me:

"I am a homemaker (essentially, my "job" is to love and serve others) and yet I struggle with selfishness and laziness, among other less lovely qualities. I feel like I'm nothing but quirks."

I LOVE THAT, "essentially my job is to love and serve others!" And ME TOO! to "Yet I struggle with selfishness and laziness, among other less lovely qualities. I feel like I'm nothing but quirks"

Oh, that's so me!!!

I'm gonna post that quote and link it to your blog on my blog!

Also where you said, "I actually started blogging almost two years ago because I was constantly having book ideas, and I'd write about a chapter and then get sidetracked and never finish them. So, finally I decided to just write my "chapters" here, online. I hope that what I write ultimately draws people closer to Christ, encourages them toward love for their families, and gives them more of a desire to discover what plans and purposes God has for each of us as individuals."

I also started blogging two years ago, and felt like I had a bunch of book starts...lists of titles and subjects I wanted to write about. Blogging is just a place where I get to pour out what I feel is overflowing in me. I'm learning to check and be sure what I write is going to bring grace to the hearers cause I think in writing I can come of sounding "teachy" and I don't want to do that!

Anyway, I really thoroughly enjoyed my lunch reading your meme here today. Like I said, I'll be back.

I'll be praying about that friend for you where you are too. I also moved away with my family and it took about 2 years for me to begin to form a friendship with a woman I could trust in Christ.

Have a wonderful day! Come visit me sometime if you'd like!

Sheila

flyinjuju said...

Thanks for sharing. I am fairly new to reading your blog so it was great fun to learn more about you! Your blog is a blessing to read.
Joy in Jesus,
Julie

Musings of a Housewife said...

This was fun to read. I always enjoy getting to know people better with these.

Catherine R. said...

Jess, I sat here laughing out loud when I read that you'd like to be a fly on the wall at the Clinton's home! What a bizarre experience it would be to get to observe their painfully complicated marriage...it's kind of like the same desire people get to stare at a car accident. : S

Thanks for meme-ing me, I feel special. : )

Anonymous said...

Jess,
I´ve been reading your blog for a while now. I am from Argentina. I am 32 and have three kids, Cori who´s 6, Santi who´s 3 and Sofi who´s 1. We are expecting our fourth for christmas! I´m not sure how exactly I ran into your blog, but I guess through Sonlight. I am partially homeschooling my kids. In Argentina it´s illegal not to send kids to school so the eldest one goes 4 hrs a day, but I´ve been homeschooling her using Sonlight mostly for 3 years now.
I just wanted to say that you are an AWESOME writer, you are inspiring, you´ve helped me enjoy my job as wife and mom and you´ve certainly been an increadible example.
I feel very much alone here, since no one I know homeschools or has more than 3 kids (some rare exception there!) or has a desire for a biblical world view.
Your blog has been a real blessing to me and my family!
Thank you so much! May God continue to bless you. Love in Christ, Silvi Kerr.

Mrs. Anna T said...

Jess, it was fun to read your answers. I might do this meme, if I have time!

Niall MacC said...

You really went for it! Well done. I enjoyed reading all about you, especially your quirks!! Very brave and honest.
Ruth

Michelle Waters said...

This was fun to read... I just found your blog pretty recently and have really enjoyed it. Thanks for all you share. Hope things are going well with the new baby - I have four too (7, 5, 3, 1) and it's a blessing -- and a TON OF WORK!!!

Anonymous said...

You host groups frequently as well as doing all the cooking and cleaning for your family? I like cooking, but I get stressed out at the prospect of cooking for a large group. My husband and I like food that's a little adventurous in flavor.

I like bringing one dish to a potluck, but not having to cook a whole meal for a group. At a potluck, there's always plenty of other food for people who may not like what I've brought.

At some point please put up a post about your favorite recipes and tips for cooking for groups.

Interesting question about whether all bloggers are narcissists. I guess it depends on whether bloggers are mainly writing about themselves and their own lives, or about larger issues.

Then again, I would say that, since I write for political blogs (under a different screen name)!

Regarding your regret about not saving your first kiss for Doug: maybe if you had not kissed someone else during an earlier period of your life, you might have hastily married a man who was not as right for you as Doug.

It sounds like you found the perfect partner for you and got married for the right reasons, not because you were desperately curious to explore what it felt like to kiss someone.

Laurie B

darci said...

this was so fun to read! we are adopting too, from Ethiopia. :) very exciting. i love this circle of online, homeschooling moms who are passsionate about seeking God! it's so great. love your pics. your family is so sweet. i'm glad to think some day we'll meet and sit and chat in heaven. that will be fun. darci :)

LLMajer said...

How fun to read. No wonder I like your blog so much, you are an "obnoxious Texan at heart" just like me! Very cool and blessings to you and your family from LL in Big D.

Jess Connell said...

Laurie,
Yep, I do (host groups). It actually is great because during this season of life, I don't get out much, so it brings "out" into our home. I actually am about to post about hospitality. I'll try to do a post sometime about meal ideas for larger groups.


Darci,
Meeting "friends" in Heaven is definitely one of the things I look forward to!


Laura Leigh,
Big D is my home too. OH, how much I love Texas. Those big sky-full sunsets will always have my heart. In all the places I've been, there's nothing like a wide-open Texas sunset.

Anonymous said...

Frozen peanut butter cups, I can't wait to try these.

Peanut butter cups are my absolute, without a doubt most favoritest (and yes, I know that's not gramatically correct) candy ever!!! But I've never had them frozen...not once. I think I'll stop at the store on my way home.

I am so glad that you filled this out, I really enjoyed getting to know you a little better.

Anonymous said...

Awesome. Another Christian woman who loves Spinal Tap and U2!!!

Love your blog!!!

*~Tamara~* said...

Spinal Tap. Ah ha ha ha! "This one goes to eleven..." Ha!

OK, I've posted it now. Took me forever though!

And I see a bit of a quilt in the above picture! ;-)

Anonymous said...

What a great meme! I've never seen this one before. It will take me awhile to do it, but I'll let you know, okay!?

I enjoyed getting to know you better, and congrats on Silas, he's ADORABLE! I know you're loving that!

Elspeth said...

Hey Jess! I plan to do this meme- really. It's a bit of a change and that always peaks my interest. Sorry its taking so long but as the mom of a newborn yourself, I know you understand. Hopefully it'll post on Monday! Thanks for the tag!

Anonymous said...

Oh, please, tell us more about your adoption plans and how you've come to that decision!
Maria

Jess Connell said...

EllaJac, I meant to tell you that your comment completely caught me off guard and gave me a chuckle... :)


Maria,
Our decision is far from made... but we are definitely talking about it and looking into and praying about our options. Certain things will have to fall into place, and we're seeking God's guidance in this area.

Thanks for asking, and once we come to any more clear or certain answers/steps, I'll likely be sharing about it here.

Jess

Polly said...

Are we long-lost sisters? I just kept smiling through this post--wow, we have so much in common! From Reese's cups to EVERY song on your list o' songs (Oh, how I love "Till Kingdom Come...")....yes. I think we are long-lost sisters.....