25 Random Things About Me

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 10 people to be tagged. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

-In no particular order-

1-To fall asleep, I need to touch Corey's leg with my foot. It is a comfort thing, I just want to make sure he is there, I don't need to snuggle with the furnace, I just need his leg.

2-I can pick out my pillow in a stack of 50. I love my pillow and can't sleep without it. It's funny because Corey's is the same pillow, but I know mine from his.

3-I love blogging! I love to show off my kids and the funny things they do. I am so proud of them and I want everyone to know it.

4-I love my TV shows! I very much look forward to the time after we put the kids in bed. It's very relaxing and I love to escape reality for a bit each day. Let me just sing praises to the invention of DVR.

5-Diet Pepsi - I think it should be included in the food pyramid. It makes me SO happy!

6-I am extremely selfish. I like to pamper myself; spas, pedicures, shopping, dates with Corey, surprises, time to get ready in the morning, sleeping in on weekends, just to name a few, there are many more.

7-I mate for life. This means Corey, obviously, but it also means my friendships. Once my friend, always my friend. I consider myself to be very loyal.

8-I have a philosophy, "If it stands still long enough, I will paint it." A little paint makes everything look better.

9-Things I don't do: water flowers or plants, take the garbage to the street (OK, I will when Corey is out of town), mow the lawn, make beds on a daily basis (just when I change sheets), wash windows, iron

10-I hate open cabinets. If I come into the kitchen and can tell exactly what Corey has eaten for breakfast because the cabinets that are open.....twitch.

11-I am inordinately proud of my children. I love to watch them learn new things and show me. I love how proud they are when they have made something. I am pretty sure my children are absurdly smart and will excel at everything they do. I love to make my children laugh, for some reason they think I am funny at times and I love to over do it and make them laugh harder. I pray daily for them and for myself that I might have more patience in teaching them and helping them develop to their full potential.

12-I love SUSHI, hate butter popcorn, love chewy candy, hate sloppy Mexican food

13-I use to despise peanut butter until I had Rhys and friend brought dinner to us. For dessert she made peanut butter squares. I was so unbelievably drawn to them and at the same time grossed out. I had conditioned myself to not like peanut butter and all I could think about was eating the whole pan of PB squares. Needless to say, because I have no will power, I gave into the urge and couldn't get enough.

14-I can't think of anything more relaxing than when someone plays with my hair. My friend Joanne says I am boring when she cuts my hair because I get drowsy and relax too much to have a good conversation with. Also I love to have my hair pulled on, super relaxing!

15-I have stopped praying for patience. It has recently been brought to my attention that as I have been praying for increased patience on a daily basis, I have been blessed abundantly with "situations that test my patience" and I continue to fail in each instance. Thus, I have stopped praying for patience and started praying for the knowledge to teach my children. DUH! Can you believe it's taken this long to figure it out!!!

16-I love creative outlets! Anytime I can make/create something new, I will jump at the chance. I think I am creative and crafty (don't burst my bubble). When I see a project I immediately start to think how I can produce it and even make it better and my own. I apparently think I can do anything if I try.

17-I absolutely live for my birthday!! I think everyone should stop what they are doing and spend the whole day celebrating and surprising me! I love to do the same for others birthdays because I believe that birthdays are the one day a year it's all about you! Also, I become very annoyed when the birthday boy or girl doesn't appreciate what is being done for them! (ie:Corey)

18-I love vacations. I would jump at any chance to travel with my family or show my kids something new. I want my kids to enjoy and appreciate the world around them and have the chance to have many adventures.

19-I am in my 31st year and have never been to Disneyland! What bubble did I grow up in?! It seem silly but I am so excited to take my kids to Disneyland this year and experience it with them for the first time!

20-I am so grateful for my brothers and sisters(s) - Martin's and Enloes' - I have been blessed with amazing sisters and sister-in-laws that love me and my family unconditionally and as we all grow, I believe we aren't just sisters, I love that they are some of my best friends. As a brother should be, he is my hero, he may not know it but I look up to him and want to follow his example. I love getting to know my brother-in-laws better, I believe they are great men and great fathers.

21-I LOATH shaving and plan to remove every inch of hair from my nose to my toes before I turn 35. I know, a lofty goal for Sasquatch but I believe it can be accomplished.

22-I suck at cooking/baking. I actually have the desire to learn and so but desire and capability are two very different things. Each time I cook, something goes wrong, whether it be small or large there is always a problem.

23-I love to make Corey giggle. This may not be something he wants everyone to know, but it's is one of my most favorite sounds. He does it when he is genuinely happy, I like to think it is just for me.

24-I adore baby feet. I love everything about them! I will kiss them, smell them and generally eat them up! There is nothing more sweet than little baby pigs!

25-I am darn near legally blind and "will never be a candidate for lasic surgery", these were the words I heard when I went for my first lasic appointment. I have worn glasses since I was 3 and I was so looking forward to finding out how others see. I sobbed for hours after I was told this, not to mention that my eyesight is getting worse everyday!

Wow, I wasn't sure I was that interesting, alas, I am! HAHAHAHA
Now it's your turn.... I tag......... (I know there's more than 10, but it's my game)
Carrie, Becky, Amy, Jamie, Aria, Shar, Joanne, Vanessa, Heather, Leslie, Liz, Marinda, and Nichole

Cry For Help!

Corey hates my picture I have on this blog of myself. Since I am usually on the other side of the camera, I don't have many shots of myself. This is a cry for help! Help me find a more flattering picture of myself for my blog. I know, I know, this might be a stretch, but if you possibly have a picture that I happen to be in and I don't look nasty in (although, keep in mind I did just get Photoshop, maybe I can doctor it)....email me, brendajenloe@gmail.com

Thanks for your help, if no one can help me out, I guess I will just have to go for some Glamour Shots, right? LOL!

www.wikihow.com

I just found this site that I absolutely love! It has ways and ideas on how to make everything in your life better. I for one can use the ideas, I am not arrogant enough to believe that I can figure it out all on my own. I just read this article on "How To Be More Adventurous", something I want to teach my children and at the same time learn myself. Our family has such a great opportunity where we live to find adventures around us everyday, I plan on taking full advantage of this!

Here is the article if you are interested in being more adventurous.......also check out www.wikihow.com to learn how to "Accept and Oscar" or maybe even "Be a Great Neighbor".
PS - as you are reading if any of the yellow highlighted word sound like something you would liek to learn more about click on it and it will take you right into wikihow, and you can learn more about the subject!

GOOD STUFF!!!

How to Be Adventurous

Tired of doing the same old thing? Want to spice things up? There's more to being adventurous than traveling and climbing mountains. The formula for adventure is really quite simple: Novelty + courage = adventure. So what are you waiting for? Read up and embark on your next adventure!

1. Put a new twist on the same old thing. Come into your house through your window instead of your front door. Take the long road home. Study the kama sutra. Cook an exotic meal. Wear something totally out of character. Go to the movies in your high school prom dress. Learn a new language and whisper sweet nothings into the ear of your loved one, or the hottie at the bar. Whatever it is that you're doing, ask yourself: "How can I do this differently?" Even something as mundane as brushing your teeth can take on a whole new level of fun when you practice a tap dancing routine or belly dance at the same time!
2. Conquer your fears. You know what they are, and once you overcome them, that'll open the door to a whole new set of adventures. Whether it's heights, public speaking, karaoke, your mother-in-law...face it. Remember that fear is a biological response to worrying about death. If the situation that scares you isn't life-threatening, there isn't any reason to be scared!
3. Talk to strangers. The best way to find new adventures is through new people. Everybody has different experiences and a different background; every person can teach you something new. Maybe that guy sitting across from you at the coffee shop can show you how to climb a mountain. Maybe the old lady in the library can teach you how to preserve fifty pounds of tomatoes. Maybe the quiet girl at the bar can offer you a place to stay with her cousin in Buenos Aires, or Budapest, or Bolivia. Get over your approach anxiety and start talking to people! Who cares if they brush you off? What's the big deal? It isn't going to kill you, right? (Well....see the Warnings below.)
4. Try new things. Always be on the lookout for new things to do. Read the local papers, and ask people (now that you're chatting up a storm with strangers) what they're doing in their spare time. Go to a local farm and ask if you can milk a cow. Film a documentary. Take a ballet or salsa dance class. Meditate with Buddhist monks. Whatever it is, approach it with an open mind and a good attitude, and thank people for giving you the opportunity for trying something new.
5. Get lost! Explore new territory. Once in a while, spend a day off just driving around randomly and seeing what you come across. (If you have a map and aren't too isolated, you should be able to find your way home.) If you have the means to do so, visit another country. Even if you can't travel, you can climb the tree in your backyard--that's new territory, and you'll probably enjoy the view!
6. Make a bucket list. A bucket list is a list of things you want to do before you "kick the bucket". Surely, you don't want to die having followed the same old routine, day in, day out, do you? So write up that list - complete with goals big and small, like skydiving in Peru, and whistling with a blade of grass - and get to it!
7. Live in the moment. Adventurers are experts in focusing on the journey rather than the destination. Yes, they usually have a goal in mind, but when you're trying new things, plans always change and your route will, too! You'll need to be resourceful and, more importantly, be a good sport. When things go wrong (which they will, or else you're not pushing far enough outside your comfort zone) don't get moody and distraught; outline your options, pick one, and charge forward with your life. And have fun!

"Abundantly Blessed"

Our lesson in Relief Society today was titled, "Abundantly Blessed". From start to finish, my mind was working and thinking of the many things I have been blessed with and by. The Lord has seen fit to watch over me and my family and for this I feel truly blessed. At this point in my life, I can't help but feel like this has been a bit one sided. I truly feel the NEED, not want, to show my appreciation and gratitude to my Heavenly Father. The phrase, "Where much is given, much is required", is pressing me to do more in my life. Corey and I sat down recently and discussed our "goals" for the year as a family, couple and individuals, in the end we decided that doing this makes us accountable. Therefore, I am not only telling the world my shortcomings, I am asking that you hold me accountable. In no particular order, I am making a list of goals, resolutions, commitments, what ever you would like to refer to them as, mainly for me but please make me accountable and ask how I am doing. It's a long list and a long road but I am willing to do what is required. (I hope this makes sense, it does in my mind)

1- Work on more patience
2- Get healthy
3- Find/buy a home for our family
4- Study the D&C Sunday School lesson BEFORE Sunday
5- Instate Family Night
6- Read my scriptures every day
7- Read with my kids every day
8- Personal prayers every day
9- Treat my children with more respect and love
10- Be a better wife
11- Be a better mom
12- Be a better sister
13- Be a better friend
14- Find opportunities to serve more (pay attention!)
15- Play more games with my kids
16- Hug my family more often
17- Exercise more
18- Find ways to surprise Corey
19- Scrapbook more
20- Finish all the cards I have started
21- Learn to road bike
22- Hike Sopris
23- Volunteer at the boys schools more
24- Work on scrapbooks twice a month (minimum)
25- Learn digital scrapbooking
26- Do 1/2 digital scrap pages 1/2 paper made
27- Learn how to use Photoshop, take Photoshop class
28- Find and purchase a 12x12 printer (anyone know where I can find one?)
29- Market vinyl products in our area
30- Help Malik prepare for his baptism
31- Make a testimony book for Malik
32- Finish the kids quiet books
33- Spend less money, stick to the budget
34- Plan menus each week
35- Read a book once a month
36- Take the kids to Disneyland (my first time too!)
37- Date Corey
38- Take a girls trip with my ladies
39- Keep current with my journal/blog
40- Take more pictures
41- Overlook the things that really don't matter
42- Find more things everyday that make me happy
43- Find things that make my family happy and do them
44- Remember birthdays
45- Refer to this list often!

I know, I know, serious list huh? I want to be better and do better for myself and those around me. Although these are pretty lofty goals, I KNOW I can be and do better..... pray for me......