To the other Heather

Dear "Joe's" Heather,

I looked at the calendar this morning and realized it was your birthday. (Okay, I knew it was your birthday for a long time, but today is finally the day!) But what makes this birthday so much more special than any other birthday, is that today is your 30th Birthday! So how does it feel to be 30? I'm mean, since I have a couple years to wait, I'd like to know what to except?! I suppose we could ask Tanya; she's blazing a trail for us :) *We love you Tanya*. Yes, I realize I will turn 30 after YOU, so I will tread lightly, and not do anything embarrassing. You know like post pictures or bring up embarrassing stories! (Yes, I know this is embarrassing enough). So I decided to write you a birthday letter. Since you are turning 30 today! So here goes...
Heather, you are now 30 years old! Happy Birthday! I remember the time we first met; back in Sept 99 at WI Dells. I remember you coming up to my house for some ice skating g2g. I remember going up 'north' to your parents house for the '2000' New Year (THAT was a fun and crazy weekend!). I remember seeing you and 'Joey' for the first time at Jen's g2g in March. Then I remember going to your wedding in Oct 00. * I recall seeing a tall, handsome cowboy there* I remember being invited up to the g2g you and Joe had up north on the lake (another crazy and fun weekend; it seems to be a pattern!) I remember officially meeting that tall, handsome cowboy (who claims to be Joe's brother). I remember falling madly in love! I remember coming up to see that handsome cowboy, and it quickly blurs into a wedding, 4 kids, and today! But what I remember through all this, is the friendship we've shared. It means so much to have you as a friend, and it means even more to have you as a sister-in-law now. (and you too Tanya!)

I feel that in some ways I owe you (and Joe) so much for 'introducing' me to my husband. I know so much more was involved in that, than me just knowing you. But I am so thankful everything worked out the way it did. It's funny to think your Dad was right that 1st weekend I met him. "Heather Marie's- now just make sure you don't marry brothers!" I never would have guessed it way back then! Life has been confusing, fun and crazy being the 'same' person. But I can't think of anyone else I'd rather share my name with! I hope your birthday is as special as you are to me! (And don't worry...we don't have any wild and crazy 30th party planned...or maybe we do?! You know what happens when Tanya & me get together :-) So whether today is just another day, or you get to celebrate.. remember we all love you and wish you the best as you venture into that 30 category!

Love,
The 'other' Heather

One Word List

Type only ONE word answers. It's harder than you think!!
Here is what you are supposed to do...and please don't spoil the fun...copy and paste into your own note, type in your answers and tag a bunch of people - including me.

Where is your cell phone.....................counter

Your hair........................................braided

Your father.....................................Ray

Your favorite thing............................family

Your dream last night........................none

Your favorite drink............................water

Your dream/goal..............................eternity

The room you are in..........................kitchen

Your fear......................................losing

Where do you want to be in 6 years.......content

One of your wish list items..................patience

Where you grew up..........................Appleton

The last thing you did.........................laundry

What are you wearing.......................clothes

Your pet.......................................kids :)

Your computer................................DELL

Your life........................................satisfied

Your mood.....................................anxious

Missing someone..............................terribly

Your car........................................dirty

Favorite store.................................cheap

Your summer...................................memorable

Your favorite color...........................blue

When is the last time you laughed........today

Last time you cried...........................Monday

Three people who email me.................Mom, Heather, Linda

Three of my favorite foods.................chicken, steak, noodles

Three places I would rather be right now... bed, Iowa, Appleton

Three people I think will respond...........Amber, Neisha, Jenny (?)

100 Things about me

I can't even remember when I started this, but now its finished. Some of this you may already now, some if it will be new! If you didn't know me before, you will now!

1. As I get older, I love my name; Heather




2. My sis-in-law has the EXACT same name as me; first, middle, last.




3. We are known as 'Bens Heather' and 'Joes Heather'




4. My cousin married a Heather, so my maiden name lives on too.




5. I was 21 when I got married (2 wks shy of 22 yrs)




6. We met for the 1st time (other than J & H wedding) in Aug '01. Started dating Nov '01, engaged April '02, married June '02.




7. He knew the moment I stepped out of the car he was going to marry me, I knew shortly after.




8. We've been married for a little over 6 1/2 years.




9. We have 4 kids.




10. Boy, girl, girl, boy




11. The oldest wasn't quite 4 when we had our last baby.




12. I got/get irritated when people commented about how close our kids were/are. It's none of their business; it's our family, not theirs.




13. We would do it the same way over again. We love having our kids close together. The benefits far outweigh the 'disadvantages'.




14. We are done having kids; unless we fall in that .001%




15. I loved being pregnant, yes, LOVED it.
    



16. I NEVER had morning sickness, ever.




17. I've been blessed to never have experienced a miscarriage.




18. All 4 births were natural, no epidural, no pain medicine.




19. Our 3rd, Katie, was induced, a week past her due date.




20. Daddy almost missed her delivery, he walked in the room about 30 minutes before she was delivered. Yes; he drove me to the hospital that morning, as it was a scheduled induction. Remind me to tell the story later.




21. It was harder for me to go from 2 to 3 kids, than any other stage. Going from 3 to 4 was much easier. Having our kids close together, played a big part in this.




22. My husband drove truck for awhile, meaning he was gone all week or longer. (he still drives, now he's just home every night)




23. That separation makes you look at things in a whole new light.




24. I've milked a goat for a summer, well, JHeather & I shared "Milly" for the summer.




25. I was 8 months pregnant at the time.




26. Speaking of milking, we milked about 30 cows after we were married (with J & H).




27. I'm proud to say, I could set up the milk house, fed the cows, and milk them, all by myself; because I did it quite a few times, alot of times!




28. I was pregnant with our 1st baby at that time.




29. Did I mention we didn't have a barn cleaner for awhile. How did we clean it? Shovel & wheel borrow. Yes, I did that too, ALOT! :(




30. I like to look back at my old photo books/scrap books and reminisce.




31. Sometimes I have a small urge to go back to those days.




32. Then I look at my kids, and wouldn't trade this for anything.




33. I love staying at home.




34. Somedays are crazy.




35. I love summer and fall.




36. I never knew that from Sept-Dec was also known as "hunting season", until I met my husband.




37. I enjoy eating venison; which is good, because my husband enjoys hunting and is quite good at it.




38. I'd classify myself as a tomboy; definitely not a 'girly girl'




39. We have a wood stove; which I have a love/hate relationship with.




40. The time between winter and summer is known as "mud season" around here.




41. Our driveway is a steep hill; which means mud and snow makes it un-driveable at times.




42. I have 1 younger sister, and 2 sis-in-laws.




43. Now I have 2 brother-in-laws.




44. We live 3 hours from my parents, and within minutes from my in-laws.




45. This used to drive me nuts.




46. While Ben was gone trucking I developed a much deeper appreciation for my in-laws and how close we live to them.




47. I love the colors red & blue.




48. I'm about a foot shorter than my husband.




49. My husband is my best friend.




50. I'm glad we share the same faith in God.




51. Growing up I lived in the same house the entire time.




52. Since turning 21 I've moved 6 times.




53. 3 of those moves occurred since May '08




54. (We moved to Iowa, moved to another house in Iowa, moved back to WI.)




55. (The 'Iowa Deal', is another story in itself.)




56. Our first house was smack dab in the city; we came from 40 acres in the quiet country.




57. I enjoyed the convience of being in town; my husband went nuts.




58. Our 2nd house in Iowa, was in the 'sticks'; at least 12 miles to the outskirts of 'town'.



59. The house was big, spacious, tons of space for the kids.



60. My husband loved it; it drove me nuts at first, then I loved it.



61. I was so homesick it hurt.



62. It was weird having my in-laws come visit us for the entire weekend- usually its just for a meal. :) But we gladly welcomed visitors!



63. We met strangers, who in a blink of an eye became family to us, taking us in like their own children/grandchildren.



64. Leaving Iowa was as hard as leaving WI (for me anyways)



65. To say we miss our 'family' in Iowa, is a huge understatement.



66. Our kids still talk about things they remember from then.



67. Did I say our kids are our life?!



68. Everything we do, includes them.



69. Meaning, we rarely go out 'alone on a date'.



70. I can count on one hand the number of times we had a 'night out' since having John (17 mos)



71. I honestly don't mind it. Don't get me wrong, we enjoy alone time, but we have so much fun with the kids and as a family.


72. Some Friday nights, my in-laws take some of the kids over night; some weeks I can't wait for Friday, but by Saturday afternoon I miss my kids like crazy!


73. We are planning to home school our kids.


74. I try to grow a vegt garden each year. (This year I'm going to make it work, I always say this)


75. It irritates me when people speak before they think.


76. I do this all the time- hypocrite :0


77. I love blogging, almost to the point of being addicted to it.


78. I spend way too much time on the computer, this is something I'm working on.


79. I love homemade bread, fresh from the oven! (okay, I cheat-I use my machine to make the dough, then I bake it in the oven)


80. I love the Little House On The Prairie!


81. My favorite flower is lilacs.


82. I've never rode a horse before; (I'm not counting the pony rides at fairs.) My husband rode horses all the time growing up, even in rodeos.


83. I love riding along in the semi with Benjamin (just on day hauls; never went on an overnight haul, yet)


84. I've never had sushi, and never care to try it either.


85. I've eaten deer, moose, elk, pheasant, turkey, duck, buffalo, bear...


86. I have a bad habit of judging a person based on my 1st impression of them.


87. From the day we got married, we vowed never to go to bed angry/upset. And we haven't.


88. I was one of the 1st from my friends to get married, and have a kid(s).
89. I love to ride 4 wheelers.
90. I used to water ski, and snowboard; but I'm afraid I lost my touch!
91. If I don't know you I'm likely to be shy.
92. If I DO know you, I'll talk your ear off :)
93. My faith and family are everything to me.
94. Our house is 'lived in'; call ahead if you are coming please ;)
95. My 'extended' family goes on and on.. If I'm not related to you, someone I'm related to, is related to YOU!
96. I want my kids to say I was the best Mom ever!
97. I'm sad to watch our 'baby days' leave us.
98. I'm looking forward to the stages that we are entering into.
99. I worry too much about what other people think.
100. I am happy with where I am in life- as a wife and as a mother.

More Stuff About Me

Another one from Neisha

1. DO YOU LIKE BANANAS? yes
2. WHAT'S YOUR ALL TIME FAVORITE SONG? When You Say Nothing At All; Keith Whitley (sp?)
3. WHAT DO YOU DO ON FRIDAY? send some kids to G'pa & G'ma's - relax at home
4. FLIP FLOPS OR SANDALS? Both - sandals if I HAD to choose only one
5. VITAMIN WATER OR GATORADE? neither; but occasionally gatorade
6. IF YOU COULD HAVE 1 SUPER HUMAN POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOSE? go back in time.
7. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE? Home
8. IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? I really have no idea; a cat-their lazy =)
9. DO YOU READ HARRY POTTER BOOKS? no
10. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? Grilled BBQ Chicken/ baked potato
11. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF MICHAEL JACKSON ASKED YOU OUT? ditto on the gag!
12. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO TRAVEL TO NEXT? Iowa
13. WALKING PAST A BEGGAR, SPARE CHANGE OR IGNORE? spare change if they looked deserving of it.
14. KILL THE SPIDER OR LET IT OUT? kill
15. DO YOU EAT CEREAL AT NIGHT? no, kids sometimes do
16. DEFINE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS: short, reserved, busy
17. WOULD YOU RATHER BE BLIND OR DEAF? deaf
18. ARE YOU A DOG OR A CAT PERSON? dog
19. WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?
20. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? don't have one- ditto on the cheap :)
21. WATER OR 100% JUICE? water
22. WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST? Our ministers
23. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? don't have one
24. WHERE ARE YOUR LEGS? last time I checked, still attached to my body =) curled up on the chair.
25. WHAT KIND OF BOOKS DO YOU READ? Kid books
    

Women Drivers...

Watch this... I understand now why people say what they do about women drivers! And yes, I know not all women drive like these.. I, for one don't! But it's too funny to not share!

From Alaina

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? no
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? this week, while making Carolyn's slideshow, well not, bawl, but very teary eyed.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? at times
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? hmm, ham or roast beef
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? yes, 4 of them.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? of course
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? yeah right
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? NO
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Blueberry Muffin Top
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No, I usually wear slip on shoes anyways.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? for a girl-yes, compared to my husband-no, I'm not even close.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? mint choc chip
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Smile
15. RED OR PINK? red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? worry about what other think
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Those who went away.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? if they want
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? demin and my red striped slippers
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? piece of Carolyn's cake scraps
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? John & Katie playing
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I have no idea - a sharp one :)
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? bread baking, lilacs, camp fire, my husbands cologne
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? my husband
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? yeah
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? don't really watch sports - rodeo, football
27. HAIR COLOR? brown/blonde
28. EYE COLOR? blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? yes
30. FAVORITE FOOD? chicken.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings.
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Strawberry Shortcake
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? grey sweatshirt
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? mmm... summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Do I have to choose? I love both!
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I think I'm the tail end of this, so probably no one.
38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? HAHA, are you kidding me? Other than the Bible, I'm not reading any books.
39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? No mouse pad
40. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Don't own one.
41. FAVORITE SOUND? husbands guitar, kids laughing, the sound of the semi rolling down the driveway.
42. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? probably.. Beatles, I don't listen to either of them.
43. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Idaho ?, one of those western states
44. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I have eyes in the back of my head (or at least thats why my kids think)
45. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Hospital :) Appleton
46. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? anyones

100 Things

Got this game from Amber & Heather. Anyone can play along, just BOLD the things you have done.
1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain- does hiking in the mtn count?
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo- in the shower.
11. Bungee jumped. (I've done that crazy ride at Great America-SkyCoasting(?) it's more of a swing from up high, than bouncing; but you still dive down.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not sick.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to truly be satisfied.
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp.
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person. (3 times)
80. Published a book.
81. Been to the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (well, I didn't kill it)
88. Had Chicken pox.
89. Saved someones life. (done CPR at the hospital during a code)
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby- 4 of them
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake- waded in it.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day