April Real Simple Interview

My life would be simpler if . . . My yard was cleaned up and level. And laundry was magically folded and put away.

Most useless invention? the straps to help hold your sheets down around the mattress, they don't work well.

How much time do you spend on the internet? 1 to 2 hrs a day

What surprises you most about your adult life? How sometimes it is just hard to be the grown up, and how much better it is than I ever dreamed. I know it has something to do with finding my perfect match and my beautiful kids.

Simple pleasure? playing lightsabers with Noah, Reading to Sofia and listening to her coos and smiles and

How many children do you have? 2. one of each

What eco-friendly changes have you made in your life? turning off lights more often, using high-efficiency light-blubs, recycling as much as can fit in our recycling can, and I read about things I can do and try to do them

Something on my mind lately. . .Noah's speech therapy, (we have had a lot of meetings at school). how to fit in all the spring cleaning I need to do and what activities to sign Noah up for this summer.

March Real Simple Interview

On a scale of 1 to 10 how much do you worry about money and why? Right now, about a 9. Our medical bills keep piling up and now I have to buy a new insulin pump. Ahhh, we will figure it out..

What is your favorite place on the planet and why? I love my cabin. it is up in Midway, and when I was young the mountains and scenery was so beautiful. So many happy memories. It was my Grandpa Larry's baby. Sadly now it is much more developed and not a lot of room for snowmobiling and peace. Still it is one of the last places of my childhood that feel secure.

What's the perfect age? (I like what Carrie said and I agree) whatever age I am, because that's where I am

What are you really good at? finding good in bizarre situations or people. I constantly work at this.

What's something that no one knows about you? I replay conversations I just had with people in my head. I even use the facial expressions I used etc. Kersten just learned this about me and teases me about talking to myself a lot.

Something on my mind lately is . . . how much out of pocket my new insulin pump will be, what is the next step with Noah's speech therapy, is there anything else we can do to help Sofia's tummy and what to get for Noah for his birthday next month.

January/February Real Simple Interview

What is the secret to a good marriage? Since I am an expert authority on this subject I would say.... a huge sense of humor, you have to laugh everyday. And good communication, Kersten from the beginning of us has really emphasized this

What's your favorite product and why? my tape gun, I love using it to make books or scrapbook pages. It is very satisfying to have the speed and the strength of the tape.

What celebrity crushes did you have as a teenager? My first crush was Neil Patrick Harris, aka "Doogie Howser MD" and then I moved onto having a poster of Luke Perry and of Mel Gibson from the movie Forever Young

What did you want to be when you were little? I always wanted to be a mom above everything else. But sometimes a dancer, a childlife therapist or a teacher

What's the one thing you'll never understand? Why we continue to make the same mistakes or behaviors over and over again when we know the outcome

What's the craziest thing you ever did for love? Got married.

What scares you? Failure

What's your favorite possession? My scrapbooks and journals.

Something I've been struggling with lately is. . . feeling like myself. I think between the lack of sleep, the screaming baby and just doing what is necessary in the day it zaps all my energy and there is not much left. I am doing tons better than even a week ago, It just takes time.

December Real Simple Interview

For my birthday my brother Nik and mostly his wife Lena got me a subscription to Real Simple Magazine The coolest thing was that I got my first issue the saturday before my birthday and they stopped by. I commented that I randomly got my favorite magazine in the mail with my name on it and had no idea how. They laughed and spilled the beans that they got if for me. Hooray! I am one lucky sister

What is the most unusual holiday gift you've ever received? In high school, I was trying to get all the Aladdin toys from Burger King. The only one I did not have was Abu the monkey. My brother Nik, wrapped it in a huge box with tons of newspaper and gave it to me for Christmas. It is a favorite memory.

Most useless invention I am sure there are a ton of them out there but I don't pay that much attention or forget about them after I see them.

What makes you laugh? My boys, my brother, the movie Elf, Undercover Brother, THe Man who Knew to Little, The Office, and mostly myself.

Bath or Shower?Shower, unless I have a huge jetted tub at my leisure.

If you could change careers now without consequences or financial loss, what would you switch to?Well, I am living my dream job of being a mom but if I could go back to school I would get a masters in Speech pathology.

What was your most embarrassing moment? I have way to many to think of just one. I have introduced some people in really kind of embarrassing ways trying to give the other a reference of who they are in my life. They probably have forgotten them but I replay them in my mind. Lame

How often do you exercise?Right now, walking and standing up feel like exercise.

What surprises you most about your life? How much joy I take from being a mom, The continuing struggles and unlucky surprises that keep popping up in life and I never thought my family that I grew up in would be like it is now

The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is . . .once again, what to name this baby girl. Should I tie my tubes, should I put up a christmas tree or just lots of lights and make one of paper. Should I just blow up my storage room so I don't feel a need to have it organized and cleaned out

November Real Simple Interview

What are you really good at? I feel like I am a really loyal friend. Once I have made a real friend, It is really hard to get rid of me. I hold my friends and dear ones close to my heart.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving Food? My Grandma S* homemade stuffing and gravy. Oh, I still dream about it. I have the image of my Grandpa carving the turkey with her standing right next to him thickening the gravy. I really miss that.

If you could change places with anyone, living or dead, for one day, who would it be? This one is really hard for me. I am going to have to say Kersten. He says that he is really simple to figure out but sometimes I am baffled about how to help and be a better wife to him. It would be fantastic to get into his head

Would you rather be a little smarter or a little sexier? I already am really smart. I would like to be a bit more articulate with words so I could express myself better. But, right now I am totally going with sexier. I still want to turn Kersten to butter by looking at me when I am old.

The best decision I ever made was . . . Marrying my husband Kersten, He really is my perfect match although not perfect. He makes me happy, the second decision was to finish college and get my BS degree. I am eternally grateful that I stuck it out.

What are you most proud of? My son and family, I love my life as a mother. I had many people discourage and tell me I probably would never be able to have children. The fact that I have this beautiful boy and one almost here is such a miracle to me.

Something on my mind lately is . . . I have really irrational fears about this second baby. Unlike the first, where labor etc were my fears. This time it is changing a girl diaper, doing girl hair and clothes and if Noah will still like his baby sister when she is here.

Before I die, I'd like to . . .Travel to the countries of my heritage. She my children grow up and get married and have grandchildren. I just want to be vital still to enjoy it all

October Real Simple Interview

I saw this on Carrie's blog and have seen it on Natalie's. I really like the questions, it is a great way to journal, for you write down things you normally don't think of. So I hope it is okay that I want to do it also. Sadly, I do not get Real Simple Magazine although I would totally love it.

1. What's the last thing you do before going to bed at night? Read, whether it's my scriptures or my current book I always have to read before I can fall asleep. And the I say my prayers.

2. How many books have you read in the past year? I actually made a goal this year to write down every book I read. I have a list in my journal. I have almost 3 letter size pages full. Will post all of them at a future date at the end of the year.

3. Someone should invent... I agree with Carrie on this one. A faster, less expensive way to travel from place to place.

4. I feel the most beautiful when....I feel all put together. Which lately is not often. And Kersten gives me that look that no words could ever express.

5. What is your favorite physical feature? I have always liked my legs. They are long and slender, except when pregnant. I also like my eyes. The guys in high school called me "sparkly eyes" for they look like a cat's in certain light.

6. Name as many of the costumes you've worn on Halloweens past. Batman, Gypsy, Princess, 50's girl, Wonder Woman, Willy the Rabbit, Lion, Dancer, Package of Peanut Butter M&M's, Miss America, Betsy Ross, and a scarecrow.

7. The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is...What to name this new baby girl, I know she will be called Shaak-Ti by Noah but I think she should have a different option for everyday life and as she grows up.