50 Random Facts About Me...

I rarely, if ever, do a blog about just me. I don't even know who reads this, or what they want to read about when they do, but I figured I would mix it up a bit from the normal "family life" blog. Don't get me wrong, I love my family more than anything, and like writing about us, but I thought something different would be a fun, nice change. So, I decided to post some random facts about me (as the title states) that whoever reads this may or may not have known. So, here they are....



1. My birthdate is December 15, 1978.
2. I am the oldest of 5 children. I have 3 brothers and 1 sister.
3. I lived in the Grand Rapids area until the 8th grade, when we moved to Benzie County (near Traverse City).
4. I moved to Marqette in 2007.
5. My favorite color is green. Followed closely by pink and orange.
6. My favorite flowers are sunflowers and carnations. Daisies are a close second.
7. I have only been to 2 concerts in my life, both of them were Gary Allan concerts, and I would go again anytime. He is amazing!
8. I can't decide if I like summer or fall better. I love the heat in the summer, but fall is beautiful and I like the smell outside during the fall. :)
9. I make lists for almost everything I do. Which, some may say is more work than what the list is for, but I like to do it, and I actually need to do it.
10. Even with my lists, I forget stuff.
11. I was a cheerleader in high school for basketball and football for the entire 4 years. Captain most of the time.
11. I ran track in high school for one year and fastpitch softball for one year.
12. I only weighed 97 lbs. when I graduated high school!! Kinda weird!
13. I can't decide on just 1 favorite food, I like so many things.
14. I LOVE cheesecake. So much that when I was a little girl, I didn't have birthday cakes, but cheesecakes instead, courtesy of my awesome mother.
15. I am allergic to latex, demoral, walnuts and random fruits, like bananas, kiwis, papaya..
16. I can pop my hip in and out, it's pretty gross actually.
17. I have had 5 surgeries on my left knee.
18. I love to go fishing, out on the lake, rain or shine, warm or cold.
19. I can swim, and love to,but have a fear of jumping off of boats, docks or anything else floating in the water that I will have to swim back up to. I will only enter and exit the water on foot, from and to the shore. PERIOD!
20. I have never been to college, but wish I would have gone.
21. When I was a little girl, I wanted to go to school to be a vet. Of course.
22. If I could go to college now, I would probably choose forensic science. I would love to be a forensic scientist or crime scene investigator.
23. I love scary books and movies, but have found out the hard way it's dumb to watch them alone, day or night! haha
24. I had my first child at 21 years old, and waited 10 years to have another one!
25. My mom and my sister are my best friends.



26. My non-relative best friend lives in South Carolina. We have been best friends since high school, talk almost daily, and we are proof that distant doesn't matter for TRUE best friends.
27. I have never been any further west than Iowa. Lame, I know.
28. IF I EVER get to go on a real vacation, I want it to be Hawaii.
29. I hate to have my picture taken.
30. There are rarely any pictures of me without my tongue sticking out.
31. My best subject in school was English, although you probably couldn't tell from my writing skills now. :)
32. I HATE clutter.
33. I'm one of those people that usually tells it like it is. Some people love that about me, some hate it. I have learned over the years though, that there are ways to say what needs to be said without being hurtful, usually.
34. I bit my tongue off when I was a little girl, jumping from the couch to the coffee table. Gross!
35. I hate shopping, all kinds, unless its for my kids or my husband. I can always find a million ways to spend money on them, but never myself.
36. I have never wanted to be a stay at home mom, until recently. And even now, I just wish I could be home at least part time. Not sure I would want to be a full time stay at home mom.
37. I have recently discovered that it's harder than you think to come up with 50 random facts about yourself. hehe
38. My hair is naturally curly (more like wavy actually), I just straighten it every day, and I hate it!
39. I do not like politics AT ALL!
40. The only sport I really like to watch on T.V. is football, and I LOVE IT!
41. I have never been on an airplane.
42. I think a cruise would be cool but I am terrified of huge ships, I don't know why.
43. I am more afraid of june bugs than any other bug, except maybe spiders. It's close.
44. I have had 5 cars in my life. They were all either white or red. strange.
45. I have 3 tattoos.
46. I love the smell of gasoline. So weird.
47. I am still afraid of the dark, or maybe what's in it. Not sure, it's just creepy.
48. I love the 4 seasons, but not a huge fan of winter time. After the first snow, I'm over it!
49. I get excited over stupid things, talk too fast and laugh at inappropriate times, but that's what makes me ME!
50. I probably could have come up with more things about myself, maybe more interesting, maybe not, but I always have a million things running through my head at once, so this is what you get! HA

So, there's a little about me, hope you enjoyed it. Maybe I can get Andrew to do one next, although I doubt it. :) We'll see.

AUSTYN TURNS 11!

May 17,2000 at 6:30 a.m. I was admitted to the hospital and tried to prepare myself for the birth of my first baby. He wasn't supposed to be here until May 23rd, but I was excited to have him coming early, especially on the 17th, my lucky # and softball #. My labor wasn't really that long, or particularly hard (especially to what I would experience 10 years later! :) We didn't know if it was going to be a girl or boy, but I just had a feeling it would be a boy, and I was right! At 6:33 p.m. that night, Austyn Andrew Tabbert entered the world at 7 lbs, 4 oz and 19 1/4 inches long. He was so perfect. His head was filled with fuzzy black hair, and his 10 tiny toes and 10 tiny fingers were the smallest and cutest things I had ever seen.

From the time he was born, Austyn has always been an "easy" kid. He is fun loving, well mannered and polite, smart, thoughtful and kind and has a wonderful sense of humor and personality all around. He has given me challenges along the way, but what kid doesn't. But, I do have to say I am lucky and grateful to have had the honor to be the mother of such a wonderful kid. He is an all "A" student, has lots of friends, loves his family (especially his baby brother), very helpful, athletic (which I really love since I am too) and almost always makes a good impression upon meeting people. (he is an eleven year old boy after all, haha)

So, this year we didn't do a birthday party for him. I have given him a party EVERY year since his first one, and decided it was time to slow down on that. We told him last year that he could only have one every other year from now on. He was ok with that. I did make cupcakes for him to take to school on his birthday, and we also made a cake at home for him that night, in addition to his dinner of choice, spagetti. So, I still did my best to make it special, without going all out.

Here are some pictures of him opening his gifts in the morning. Of course, Hudson had to be a part of it too. Austyn didn't mind, and it was very cute. Enjoy. :)


A cool new shirt. Hudson is just noticing that something is going on over there.


Some more clothes...(I know, boring, mom!) I can't help it, his birthday is the perfect time to get him stocked up for summer clothes! Hudson also got more into it, and helped unwrap these last ones.


And, a video game. Finally! something cool. "Thanks mom"! haha. And then there's Hudson, confused that it was over so soon.
I love my boys, both of them. I can't believe it's been 11 years since I had my first "little" boy. They grow up SO fast. It's kind of sad. But it's been so fun watching him grow into a young man. And I am so proud of him, I couldn't have asked for better kids!

MAY 15TH.....

2 years ago today, Andrew and I were married at the Landmark Inn. It was a small ceremony with mostly family, and a few friends. It was perfect. The food was delicious, the ceremony was short and sweet, and the company was good. It was very pretty, nice and relaxed, and most of all, the first day of our new life together as husband and wife. :)
So, I decided to do a short (hopefully) blog about why I love my husband. And have included some pictures of us together.


I love Andrew because he is kind and thoughtful. He always does nice things for me, even if I don't ask him to, and doesn't ever complain about it. Even if it mean going out in the cold to put gas in my car (seriously, I think I can count on 1 hand how many times I have put gas in my own car since we've been together. :)) And that's just one small thing, I really don't have enough time or room on this blog to list all the nice things he does for me. Just trust me, he's awesome.


I love Andrew because he makes me laugh. Even when I don't want to laugh, even if I am very sad, or extremely mad, EVEN AT HIM, he can make me laugh or at least put a smile on my face. He has a silly side a lot like mine and likes to goof around, sometimes too much, but I love that about him. He doesn't let things get too serious.


I love Andrew because he knows me. He knows what I love, and what I hate, and pays attention to ME. Which is nice for obvious reasons, but it's also nice because he gets me the most perfect gifts!! :) The last 2 he got me seriously made me cry. They were SO thoughtful and beautiful. It was almost like he knew me better than I do. He knows when I need a nap (and takes care of Hudson and/or Austyn for me so I can take one), when I need help around the house (and does it without me asking), when I am hurting he gives me feet rubs and back rubs, gets take out when I am too busy or tired to cook... the list goes on and on. You get the idea I think.


I love Andrew because he is smart and determined. He is always working very hard at work (and at home), and doesn't complain when there is MORE to do. He is very ambitious and tries his best to do the best he can for us. Even if he works late or had an especially rough day at the office, he still comes home and helps Austyn with his homework, does the dishes or other housework, and helps with Hudson, and DOESN'T complain. He might pass out on the couch shortly after that, but can you blame him? :)


I love Andrew because he is a wonderful father and stepfather. He is so good with Austyn, it's almost like he has always been a part of his life. He helps with his homework and cubscouts stuff. If Austyn has a sporting even, Andrew helps him practice and is always at the game to watch and cheer him on. He is always very supportive of Austyn. When I was in the hospital and right after I got home and was busy with the baby, he made sure Austyn still got to football and got rides to his friends' house to hang out. He took him to the movies and out to eat, and made sure he was getting attention and not getting too bored when I wasn't able to do those things. While I was pregnant, he did all the things I couldn't, even if it sucked or wasn't really his thing...(cleaning the bathroom, laundry, grocery shopping...) He made sure I was taken care of and as comfortable as possible. When I came home with the baby, I slept on the couch, with Hudson in the pack-n-play, because it was easier than getting in and out of my bed after a c-section, and Andrew slept on the floor or on the loveseat in the living room with us. It was soooo sweet. He did ALL the running around, cleaning, and cooking (aka getting takeout, but he tried :). I just can't express enough how much that meant to me.
These are just a FEW reasons why I love this man so much, and why I love him more and more every day. He gives me a new reason every day and I cannot wait to see what the rest of our lives together brings.

Hooray for May!

YAY! Spring is FINALLY here!! Although this winter seemed shorter and more mild than the previous years, the last little bit seemed to drag out and was very close to torture. But, it's over now, and the nicer weather is here, and I am looking forward to days at the beach, picnics, bbq's, having the windows open, flowers, sunshine and sunkissed skin. :)
In the meantime, we have been spending time outdoors when we can, even if it means still wearing a jacket. At least it's not layers and layers! May is a busy month here in our home, and this May even more so. On top of Mother's Day, Austyn's birthday (17th) and mine and Andrew's anniversary (15th), my mom, sister and I did the Mother's Day craft show at NMU. It went well for it being our first time, it was kinda slow, but not too bad. I guess in years past it has been MUCH busier (according to the other crafters who have been there before). So, we will go again next year I'm sure, and hope for a better turn out. It was fun though and I am looking forward to the Christmas craft show in December.


So, as I said before, we have been spending more and more time outdoors, weather permitting, and really enjoying it. Hudson, especially seems to be very fond of the outdoors. We usually go for a walk or over to the park for at least a little bit everyday. As soon as we step outside he is all smiles. He is very curious about the outside, as you can see from the picture above, where he found a leaf. He is just too cute. I love to watch him explore everything around him.






Austyn is signed up for football this year. And this time, it's not flag, it's tackle, the real deal. :) He is pretty excited about it, and actually, I am too. So, he is trying to be prepared, somewhat, and decided that when we go to the park, he needs to bring a football to practice. Not a bad idea. I admire his ambition and drive for the things he really loves to do. (I just wish he had that much ambition for his chores! haha) So, he and Andrew threw the ball around for a bit.



This is me (and my mom in the background) and my boys on Mother's Day. I just LOVE both of them soooo much. As I said, I did the craft show with my mom, so it was awesome that I got to spend Mother's Day with her. She is, hands down, the best mom ever. I could not have asked for a better mother. She is my best friend, my support system, my advice giver, listener, teacher and SO MUCH MORE! So I was glad she was here for the extended weekend. The show went well, Andrew and Austyn were VERY helpful with the house and Hudson, they came to visit us at the show so I didn't miss them too much, and they even got me a really great gift from a vendor there that I absolutely L.O.V.E.! We walked down to Aubree's Pizza for dinner, then down to Lower Harbor park for a bit, then back home to relax. I could not have asked for a better Mother's Day. I am so lucky to have 3 wonderful guys in my life. They mean the world to me.


And lastly, Austyn's art was featured in the DeVos art museum during the Children's exhibit. I was so excited for him and so proud of him. This is the second time his art has been chosen to be in it. Last time was a painting, this time it's a sculpture. He is very talented and seems to really enjoy art. I think it may be time to get him into some art classes. I want to encourage him to continue with his creative side. So, the picture is him with his art. His was a little embarrassed because, well, he is just at that age now where it's embarrassing to go places with your parents, especially when they want to take pictures. Haha. He will just have to get used to it, these are the kinds of things I want to always remember.
So, I hope you all had as wonderful of a Mother's Day as I did. I can't wait for next years. There aren't many days that are just for me around here, so I really cherish them. :)