Liebster Award v2.0 . . .

Well, well, well, kids...

What do we have here?

 

Lindsey nominated me for the Liebster Award v2.0!!

 

Liebster Award rules:
1. Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.
2. Answer the 11 questions the tagger has set for you, and then create 11 new questions for the bloggers you pass the award to.
3. Choose 11 bloggers [with less than 200 followers] to pass the award to and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them about the award.
5. No tag backs!

Alright...let's get started. I'm no good at random facts, so this will be the hardest part for me.

 

1. I've done a grand total of one crafty/DIY thing that I've pinned on Pinterest.
Good intentions, ya know...

 

2. "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice came on the radio today and I couldn't wipe the grin off of my face. Seriously, there are just some songs that make it impossible to not be happy during.
I've decided I need to get Vanilla Ice on my iPod so he can play during labor. What better way to get pumped up?!

 

3. I couldn't care less about landscaping and the house's "curb appeal." Seriously...horrible. I couldn't care less that every square inch of our yard is covered in leaves...why rake them? They'll make a great cushion between the grass & snow soon enough. Also, flowers...plants...? No way, Jose!! No desire!! [If we're being honest, my indoor decor "give-a-d@mn" doesn't really exist either...]

 

4. On average I probably only ate tuna once every other month pre-pregnancy. Once I found out I was pregnant (knowing tuna is on the no-no list), it was one of the first things I wanted. The mind is a funny funny thing...

 

5. Even after all of the student loan debt I accumulated, I would be more than perfectly content to be a SAHM. What's more important than raising your kids?!

 

6. This is the first [and probably last] time I've looked forward to winter. I hate snow & ice [so maybe if at some point we live in a mild winter environment this will change my mind]...but this year winter = baby!!!! ♥

 

7. My ideal wardrobe [and therefore accompanying appropriate weather] would be capri sweats, t-shirt, and a sweatshirt.

 

8. I'm scared that we're going to get our baby boy home and I'm going to look at him and think "I don't know the first thing about taking care of you!!" I read and I read and I read...but I don't think anything can truly prepare you for motherhood.

 

9. I watched Titanic when it first came out in wooden theatre seats. Torture.

 

10. I took 4-ish years of piano lessons and cannot remember the last time I played a new song. This makes me disappointed in myself; mostly because I have a very nice and expensive piano in my dining room.

 

11. I'm so sick of sleeping on my left side...but I love being pregnant and what is to come from this experience, so this is just a small price to pay!

 

Questions from Lindsey:

1. What was your favorite vacation?

The road trip Wes & I took last summer to elope. It brought us both a lot closer and brought us new experiences together. My trip to Spain in 2004 is a very very close 2nd. I only wish Wes would have been able to experience that with me.
2. What is something you've done that not many other people have done?

[Random fact: this question took me the longest.]

My first time ever on a plane landed me across the ocean. I think that's pretty unique!!
3. Are you an iPhone user? Would you have it any other way?

I am not an iPhone user...because I cannot afford it and I live in a small town that I wouldn't be able to get 4G in anyway. I have an iPod Touch, though, that I love. If location and finances allow it at some point, I would love to join the iPhone gang, though!
4. Are you a homebody or someone who needs to be out and about all the time?

If I had to categorize myself, I'd say I'm a homebody. That doesn't mean I don't like to be out and about, though. I love enjoying nature, in particular!
5. Is there something you're looking forward to in the near future?

Yes!!!! 12.12.12 ... or whenever BBB decides he's ready to enter this crazy world we live in!
6. What is one of the best books you've read?

The "Fearless" series by Francine Pascal. Love them!

Also, "Flowers in the Attic" is good, though ... "unique."
7. What is something you know you shouldn't spend money on, but often find yourself doing anyway?

Bottles of pop at the gas station. So stupid...I won't buy 12 packs because I don't want the temptation around to drink more...yet I spend $1.75 each time I want one at the gas station.
8. What is your favorite thing to cook? Care to share the recipe?

Oh, jeez. I'm not sure. Ever since I've been pregnant [and I'm not sure if the two are even related or if I'm just using that as an excuse] I really haven't enjoyed cooking. Take a peek through my food labels on here, though...I have quite a few good recipes floating around!
9. Do you buy lottery tickets?

No...yet I wish I could win. Hard to do if you don't play, huh?!
10. What is the thing you miss about home the most when you're on vacation?

My bed!!
11. What is your favorite thing about the holidays?

Food & family...all rolled into one!!

 

And because I'm a bad sport...I'm not nominating 11 more people or making up questions. Sorry! :P

The Blogger 411 . . .

Today I'm linking up over at From Mrs. to Mama for a great "getting to know you" questionaire!! 

1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed?

I started blogging just over a year ago. I had been following a few blogs and then a friend of mine started her own. I had been wanting to start one but felt I didn't have anything worthwhile to share with the world. My friend assured me not only that anything I had to say was worthwhile, but who cares?! So, I told myself I'd wait until classes were over. Of course, I couldn't...and started the week before finals in true procrastination mode.

2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?

Oh yeah...I went to college. A few of them! I started at the University of Iowa as a pre-pharmacy major. Half way through my second year there, though, I realized I hated chemistry...or rather science in general. It was not my cup of tea and this pre-pharm thing just wasn't going to work! I finished out the year as a business major and wasn't really happy with that either. In an attempt to not waste tons of money, I decided to leave U of I and finish my AA at a community college.

Then, life happened and years passed. I am now a proud owner of a BA in Accounting from Buena Vista University, though!!

3. Where have you traveled?

I kind of skipped the United States when it comes to travel - I've only been to a handful of states.
The summer after I graduated high school, though, a group of us from my Spanish class/club spent two weeks in Spain with layovers in London on the way there and back. It was a great trip and so educational. I'd love to go back now that I'm older because I think I'd appreciate it a lot more.

4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?

First thing's first ... I'd put lots away for a college fund for Baby Beck. Then, I'd splurge!

5. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?

1. Whistling

2. Stupid drivers.

3. Stupid people. (c'mon...you all hate stupid people!!)

6. What is your favorite movie?

Definitely When Harry Met Sally !!

7. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?

Diet Pepsi.
I'm trying to make water my drink of choice, but it's easier said than done!

8. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?

I'd like to say read (because I do enjoy reading), but if I'm honest I'd have to say watching cheesy television and napping. Check back in with me next year and see how having a baby changes this answer!

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?

That's a tough one. Probably Best Buy or Menard's. I know that sounds lame, but I'm not a big fashion person, so buying that much clothing doesn't appeal to me. I'd like to buy appliances and technology to help furnish our (future) home.

10. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.

When I started 5th grade I was also starting a new school. I knew nobody. I wasn't very good at making new friends (if I'm honest, I'm still not really good at that). At one point during the first day...I just cried. The teacher/principal/guidance counselor (I don't remember who) felt bad for me, so unbeknownst to me, (s)he told Shannon come befriend me. We've been friends since. I think it embarrassed me more when I found out years later that she was basically forced to be my friend than it did that I had cried in front of everyone.

11. What day would you love to relive again?

Any day with Lori. I miss her terribly and would do anything to be able to just talk about nothing, anything, everything with her.

12. If your life was turned into a movie... what actor would play you?

I hate this question and could honestly care less.

I'm too lazy to delete this question, though, because that means renumbering the ones that follow.

That should tell you something about me.

hahaha

13. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?

I never had a job until I was out of college (well, the U of I anyway) ... and then I became a proof operator at a bank. I now work at a different bank as a bookkeeper.

14. Show us a picture from high school or college.

15. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?

Everywhere!! If there's no strings attached and all expenses paid...why stop the travel?!

16. Show us the most current picture of you, or your family, or anything of meaningful to you.

Vince, front and center, receiving an award for the center he works at.

17. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?

I'll have a 4.5 year old. (Whoa! What?!)

I will hopefully be a licensed CPA.

We'll hopefully have a second child. (Shhh...don't tell Wes!)

I'll be loving life with my family!!

♥

Blogging Challenge: Day 1

Two posts in one day...?! What?!

Well, I've decided to try something new...!

I'm linking up with Jenna's Journey for her 3rd Annual Blog Commenting Challenge. This is a great way to get to know people and make bloggy friends! When I came across today's post from her I had already posted my CPA book post, so I guess you're getting a double dose today!

Today's topic is alllll about me!! What's better than that?! ;)

So, for those of you stopping by for the first time...

I'm Jenna...bookkeeper at a small bank, wife to my bestest friend, CPA wanna-be, and soon to be first time mom (FTM). My husband, Wes, and I live in a small farming town in Iowa which provides no entertainment. I guess that's what the internet and Netflix are for, though...right?!

In a perfect world I'd love to be a stay at home mom until our child/children reach school age and then go put my CPA license (that I will hopefully get next year pending my sanity staying in tact) to good use and have a fulfilling career. I'm almost 16 weeks, so I guess we'll all just have to stick around and see what God has planned for our lives, family, and journey!

If you'd like to read more about certain subjects, I try to keep my posts labeled pretty accurately. There should be a section over yonder --->
(Keep scrolling...you'll find it...)

Thanks for stopping by!

Random Rants . . .

Sad but true, right...?!

I just feel like posting about a few random things. How do you feel about that? I like it. Since I've been Pinterest-ing it up lately I will use a pictures/quote/image I got from there to transition between my random topics rants.

This is why I rarely ever paint my nails. I thought I'd give it another try last week since my nails are kicking butt thanks to the pregnancy hormones (...?). Yet, within days (like, 2) they started chipping. All on their own.

Ok, not really.

It's all me. I do it.

I can't help it - it's a nervous/bored habit.

So days later, this is what they look like.

Guess what? I'm too lazy to remove the polish, so they've looked like this for a couple days...even at work.

I'm cool like that...and just obviously really care about my appearance. Ha!

I'm not proud of this ... but when I finished Brother's & Sisters [as well as One Tree Hill previous to that]
I felt like a piece of me died. I felt like my friends were gone. It's sad and completely idiotic, but ...
it happened.

These are my current addictions. Welch's Berries 'N Cherries Fruit Snacks - I rationalize this by the fact that they're fat free with no preservatives and made with real fruit juice. Plus they have 100% of your daily Vitamin C needs - which is important in pregnancy, right?!

Lemonade - I actually prefer the Reduced Sugar, but they were out.

Oh so true. I pin alllll these things - food related as well as DIY craft ideas...
My follow through is...well, lacking!

My cowlick makes me want to punch things. Seriously, it's ridic! It has been worse this week and I think I finally realized why. I've been sleeping on my left side more at night. I read that is recommended in pregnancy and it's just been naturally happening this last week, so I guess baby likes it. My cowlick, however, doesn't. Or maybe it does, I don't know. 

Anyway, as you can (kinda) see...I part my hair pretty much in the middle (this picture was after a bit of wind blown action {and not the attractive kind you see in movies and videos}, so it was a bit off). Then, as you can see, my cowlick just goes errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr HORIZONTAL!!!! Seriously. I hate hair and want a style but am not that kind of girl (which is a WHOLE different post). I want to want to do my hair, but frankly: I get up, shower, pick my hair, put mascara and deodorant on, brush teeth, eat breakfast, and am out the door. If you're really lucky, I'll look in the mirror before work to make sure that while my hair was drying during breakfast that it landed in a presentable fashion. Every third week is my "early week" at work, so I shower at night which means I have to put a little more effort into my hair (especially lately with this damn cowlick), but it's still minimal.

Like I said, though...that's a whole 'nother post!

I may or may not be guilty of this.
Either way - it's hilarious!

My initials...(the JB, in case you couldn't figure that out)

You know how when you get married (or maybe you're not lucky enough to know - sorry) you (as a stereotypical girl) write your new name over and over while you're doodling? Well, for me, initials always fell in that category as well. I love my new initials.

Having to initial every flippin' thing I do at work, though, really takes the joy out of the new initials. Stupid, I know...but that's why it's my random rants!!

hahahaha

Ok, so we have a lady that has to email us periodically at work and she always uses caps. I don't think it's intentional, I'm sure she just always has her caps lock on like we do at work, so I'm not offended. Every time, though, we make a comment about how she's yelling at us. I got a kick out of this when I saw it and thought of her. :)

An hour after lunch.

An hour after supper.

Oh the joys of bloating. hahaha Both of these pictures were taken in the same day - 14w6d. It's gotten to the point of spending the second half of the work day with my pants unbuttoned and unzipped (because you wanted to know that).

Speaking of...I'm 15 weeks today!

Baby:

ºis 4 inches long and weighs about 2.5oz.
ºis about the size of an apple or navel orange.

ºcan sense light.

º's gender can be determined now if cooperative!

º's next appointment is the 29th.

♥



Eleven Things. . .

I stole today's post idea from Shannon over at Bungalow960.

I often take pictures of myself.  Today's self-portrait is inspired by making my hair wavy.

THE RULES:

1. Post these rules.

2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.

3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.

4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.

5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them that you've tagged them.

Eleven Random Things:

1.  I can handle about any nickname except Jenny.  (When I was younger and "Forrest Gump" came out my cousins would call me "Jennnnnnnaaaayy" from the movie.  Scarred me from the nickname.)

2.  I, by no means, am an English major nor do I claim to be good at grammar, spelling, paper-writing, etc.  I am, though, kind of a grammar Nazi.  People who use the incorrect form of your/you're and there/their/they're drive me bonkers!!

3.  I was in choir throughout high school and continue to sing to my radio cranked up while driving, but don't like singing with anyone else present.

4.  I hate giving speeches or being in a group of people whom I know no one.

5.  I'm secretly scared that after random fact #2 anyone reading this is mentally proofing my entry/blog.

6.  I just finished my last classes and will graduate in May, but don't want to be an auditor or prepare taxes (with my accounting degree).

7.  My brother is 10.5 years older than me and started dating is (now) wife when I was two.

8.  I'm an Iowa fan and get offended when my husband (or anyone) puts them down, but I honestly couldn't name a single player on any team.

9.  I follow almost 30 blogs and most of them have no idea who I am or that I follow them.  I have started to randomly comment recently though.

10.  I'm never happy/content with my hair (color, length, style, etc).

11.  I desparetely want to lose weight but am very resistant to change the meals I make my husband and I for supper. (I just don't wanna!!)

QUESTIONS FROM SHANNON:

(She didn't technically tag me, but i stole it from her, so I'll steal her questions as well!)

1. Who inspires you?

My sister-in-law, Amy, for all of the hard work she puts into her job (she's a 4th grade teacher) and running around between her two girls' activities - and stays sane!!

My husband because he is hands down the smartest person I know and I truly believe he will do great things.

2. What is your favorite book that you've ever read?

The "Fearless" series by Francine Pascal.

3. Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

Adam Levine.

4. If money was no object, what would your dream profession be?

Stay at Home Mom.

5. Do you have any habits that annoy others?

I shake my leg, a lot (contrary to popular belief, it's not a "nervous" habit).

6. What's your favorite thing to cook?

Anything that includes sugar.  I prefer baking to cooking - but I enjoy making anything that people enjoy and know that I make it for them out of love.  I'd say as far as cooking, it'd have to involve chicken and pasta.

7. Are you a morning or a night person?

Ha!  This makes me laugh because I think my husband would automatically say that I'm neither.  I don't like mornings, though I don't think I'm too grumpy, but at night when I get tired...game over.  I'm not easy to get along with.  So, by process of elimination, I'd say morning.

8. What is the first blog your ever read?

I started reading IGE and Words of Williams at the same time.  I feel like I know them, though I barely even comment to them.  Sorry, I'm getting better.

9. Do you like road trips or would you prefer to fly?

I like the speed of flying, but hate the take off.  That feeling of going up at a ridiculously sharp angle ... doesn't set well with my stomach - literally.  I think I prefer road trips.

10. Do you prefer salty or sweet things?

Wow.  That's tough.  I can't say both...?  I guess if forced to choose...sweet.

11. If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

A horse.  They're beautiful.

QUESTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE I'M TAGGING:

1.  What do/would you order at Cold Stone?

2.  What is the most expensive thing you've ever bought?

3.  If you could pick up and live anywhere, where would you go?

4.  What one item would you save out of your burning home?  (People and pets excluded.)

5.  Biggest pet peeve?

6.  What would your "last meal" be?

7.  What is something I don't know about you?

8.  How many children do you want?

9.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

10.  What would you ideally do on a dreary, rainy day?

11.  Favorite movie genre?

I TAG:

Kenz, Kim, Kristen, Dana, Shannon, Stacy and Jordon

Fill in the blank . . .

Happy Monday.  I hope everyone's week is having a great start.  I've never been a fan of Mondays, which is normal, but having class Monday nights have amplified my dislike of them.  No one likes Mondays - why add 2.5-5 hours (depending if I have one or two classes) to the already agonizing work day?!

While browsing blogs after class, I came across a post that I thought I would use.

1. My favorite color is purple.  Always has been, though I am a big fan of pink, too.

2. My travel destination of choice is Spain.  Go big or go home, right?  I went to Spain in 2004 right after graduating high school.  The teacher who organized that trip is there right now with another group and has been posting pictures on Facebook.  I'm so jealous - I want to go back there so badly!  I think Wes & I would have the BEST time exploring and enjoying the beauty it has to share!!

3. My favorite food is carbs.  It's soooo difficult for me to choose a favorite food - obviously I like all food.  It's much easier to just say I love carbs.  Potatoes, bread, pasta....mmmm...gimme!!

4. My happy place is laying in my husband's arms.  Perfection.  ♥

5. My favorite saying is "Everything happens for a reason."  I have so many quotes that I love...for most of my teenage years I collected quotes so I have truckloads of them, but I've always held on to this one.

6. My dirty little secret is not going to be shared on a blog.  haha JK!  Umm...I can totally sit and eat frosting out of the container if left unattended.  Obviously it's happened before... hopefully I can remain strong enough to not let it happen again.

7. Something friends might say about me is I'm a good listener.  I try to always be there for my friends - they've been there for me, it's only fair that I do the same!

Here's to a good week!