Yay, I got tagged! Thank you to Alexa from No Holding Back, who tagged me in this really fun Old School Blogging Post Linkup. It was apparently started up last month by Elaine and Heather. I have been so busy and have a few posts actually pre-scheduled, but had to do this one and thought it would be fun to share here with you. And also, thought I could keep with the theme of oversharing that I began with yesterday’s post!
This month is all about marriage, babies, and bliss, which works for me, but 2 out of three at this point isn’t bad (yes bliss is hard to come by when you have two little kids that take up all your time, but I guess we do our best!!)
- How did your husband pop the big question?
It was Palm Sunday Weekend in April 2004. I had known it was coming, but didn’t know when, because Kevin actually took me to pick out my engagement ring. I think he was going to do a month or so later, but I kept driving him crazy knowing that he had the ring. So, he asked my dad for my hand in marriage (yes he is old fashioned like that) and took me to a local park that has a gazebo overlooking the water. Kevin started by talking about coming to this park when he was younger and how his past was shaped by this. And then he segued into his future and how I was his future. Then, he got down on one knee proposing. Of course, I said “Yes” and the rest was history!!
2. What are the three most surprising things about married life?
Can’t Stay Mad at this Face!!
One – Stupidly, I thought it would be all fun and no fights. Yes, I know I was naive. After almost 7 years of marriage, I know better.
Two – I also never realized how messy a man is, because my grandfather was mister clean and my mother was always quick to clean up the messes around our house as a kid. Yes, I so am not mother on this one!!
Three – That no matter how annoyed you can get at him, that when your husband looks at you a certain way you can not stay mad at him and will end cracking at more times then not!!
3. How did you find out you were pregnant for the first time?
This was the actual test and I had taken pictures of it right after I got a positive!!
I had had a chemical pregnancy back in September 2008 and was reeling from that. We knew we wanted to have children and decided we still wanted to try after this. We continued for two more months. I believe I conceived right around Halloween 2008. I was teaching still and had off for Veteran’s Day. That morning, I woke up and took a pregnancy test. I had two more days before my period was to arrive, but just had a hunch and also secretly hoped I was right. The double line came up pretty quickly and remember bringing the test out immediately to show Kevin.
4. How did you choose your first baby’s name?
A Fun Game–Baby Naming!!
We had discussed names for both a girl and a boy. I actually choose her name though. It was Christmas Eve mass and I had prayed to my grandfather if the baby was healthy and turned out to be a girl I would give her the middle name of Grace after his older sister, who he was so close to in life. I also just loved the name Emma. So once we found it on March 5, 2009 at my 20 week sonogram, which incidentally was posted from a few days earlier, because we had a huge snow storm that had shut everything down, I knew right away she would be named Emma Grace. I told Kevin and he loved it too!!
5. Describe where you see yourself 10 years from now…
It is coming!!Like to hope that I will be a published and famous writer, but I would settle for my girls not being too bratty as teenagers!!
6. Describe how you find bliss either by using words or images.
My Bliss Dream!!
Bliss is one word is a warm summer’s day that I can be sitting on a beach with a cocktail with a little umbrella in it. Quite simply, I think of my honeymoon and the Bahamas for this one. For more about bliss, click here.
Now tag 5 of your bloggy friends!
I’d love to read about your engagement, marriage, babies and bliss – and now am tagging a few people on his one below:
- Kera from Nugget on Budget
- Lanaya from Raising Reagan
- Violet from Violet Imperfections
- Julie from Julie DeNeen 2.0
- Kristi from Finding Ninee
- Stephanie from Mommy for Real
Can’t wait to hear more “Oversharing” about Marriage and beyond tales now!!
And now for A bit more oversharing and if you haven’t already entered the raffle to win an e-book copy (Kindle or Nook Version) of her new book TMI Mom–Oversharing My Life.
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Dana says
It was fun to find out a little more about you, Janine! I hope your girls aren't too bratty as teenagers, too 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Dana and it was fun to share some of this, because I didn't blog back at this time. So, this was pretty much all new on here 🙂
Lisa Newlin says
I never understood the lure of a Tiffany's ring. Is the diamond better? I highly doubt it
I find my bliss in humor, but also at the beach, whih is why I go so often!
Janine Huldie says
Lisa, I never cared about the actual diamond from Tiffany's. I honestly loved the setting (the look). I mean the clean line and the simplicity of that look just did something for me. We aren't rich by any means, so believe me my diamond wasn't from Tiffany's!!
SarahA says
Thanks for sharing-that wasn't "oversharing" at all! 😀
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Sarah. I guess I got a bit sentimental on this post, but then of course I wrote this yesterday, I am sure I will have more sarcastic oversharing to come very soon!! 🙂
Jai @ Mami's Ti says
Thanks for sharing! I agree about the marriage part and the messy part! I think it's in the Y chromosome. My son does the same thing and I have to be on him constantly to let him know the maid quit a long time ago. Not only that, he cries when it comes time to clean his room. I mean full on crying with tears and whining.
Janine Huldie says
Thank you Jai and my pleasure sharing. I think you are right about the "Y" chromosome, because I really don't get how they think so often. As much as my girls whine, I at least do get them for the most part, but my husband is whole other entity, lol!! 🙂
Cyndi says
Such a cute post. Oh and I forgot to tell you thank you for the award you gave me the other day. I read the post but didn't have time to comment. The name Emma is so sweet and I hope you have a wonderful day!
Janine Huldie says
Totally my pleasure Cyndi and seriously no worries. I know you have had a lot going on and just so excited as to what is coming up for you now. Have a great day, too!! 🙂
Kristi Campbell says
YAY I got tagged! Thank you so much! I can't wait to play.
I love how you said that in 10 years you want to be a famous author but that you'll settle for your girls not being bratty teenagers. So funny. I hope you get both.
I love the name Emma and men are SO messy. And hairy.
Janine Huldie says
Thank you Kristy and totally happy to tag you. I meant it and I can't wait to see how you answer these questions. 🙂
Roshni Aamom says
Loved hearing the details of the proposal! Don't worry – you won't get any bratty teenagers!! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Roshni and very happy to share my proposal here. I should have written and shared sooner. But I guess better late then never. 🙂
The Dose of Reality says
So much fun!! Absolutely LOVED reading about how you chose your Emma's name (I have an Emma, too!)…it is perfect. What a fun idea for a meme! -Ashley
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Ashley and I truly still love how I came up with Emma's name, especially now when she tells us, "My name is Emma!" Too cute 🙂
Lanaya @ Raising Rea says
WooHoo ~ the second I read that you got tagged in a post I KNEW you were going to tag me and I am SO EXCITED! I love these!!
I'll get my post put together for next week! {I hear you about the prescheduled posts! Such is the life!}
Thank you honestly for tagging me!!!
¤´¨)
¸.•*´
(¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo http://www.raising-reagan.com
Janine Huldie says
Yay and so happy you are excited about me tagging you. Seriously, I couldn't not, we just share so much already and had to!! 🙂 xoxo!!
Bill says
I'll have you know, Janine, that this man is not messy. I am the neatnik in this family and Bev is a bit of a slob. LOL So not all men are messy. 🙂 Other than that, your summation of marriage was right on.
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Bill!! I am sorry for the generalization and maybe I should have put "my man", because he is only neat about his clothes (he irons his damn jeans!). But seriously, thank you as always!! 🙂
Christina (Tina) Mor says
A very fun read and great pics to go with it! Thanks for leaving a comment on my photography blog. It sounds like you've been very busy with all your posting. I need to take time to just sit and write posts. I think we are very similar with your list, by the way, like the engagement ring is similar to mine, I was naive to think that we would rarely fight once married, I don't care too much about cleaning, dream about being published, etc. 😉 Have a blissful week ahead, if at all possible!
Janine Huldie says
Thank you Christina. My pleasure and seriously your photos were amazing. Glad to know I wasn't the only one a bit naive about marriage and you too have a wonderful week!! 🙂
Chubby Chatterbox says
The bliss will come. Just hang in there.
Janine Huldie says
Oh hope and thank you!!! 🙂
Carrie says
So cute!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Carrie!! 🙂
Christy Birmingham says
I liked hearing about how you got engaged – I got goosebumps, very romantic!
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks and I still get a huge smile on my face when I think about it!! 🙂
MenopausalMother says
This was great—I love these sort of things when bloggers post them because it helps us get to know you better! And I have to say…after seeing that lovely drink you just posted, I am rather thirsty…is it 5:00 yet???
Janine Huldie says
Lol, somewhere it is 5 PM and so with you on needing one of those right now, too!! So glad you enjoyed though and very happy to share 🙂 🙂
Joan Estacio says
beautifully said!
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks so much Joan!! 🙂
Kerri Ames says
I love that you knew about the wedding ring so got him to move up the date of proposal. It is so sweet that you named Emma Grace in love of two fantastic people.
Janine Huldie says
Lol, I sure drove the poor guy crazy Kerri, but I loved him and just wanted to be with him!! And I do admit, I loved being able to name Emma, "Emma Grace" and her name just has such a special place in my heart always 🙂
Kera says
Oh thanks for tagging me, this will be a fun one! I'll have to get started on it tomorrow. I love getting to know more about you through your answers…it's like we've already met and are best friends 🙂 We will meet, one day or another! I love that you still have the picture from when you found out you were pregnant with Emma. I don't have a picture from Sofia but I do from this baby. And you're right–marriage definitely isn't all fun and games!! But I wouldn't have married anyone else 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Oh I can't wait to read what you write Kera and I agree I do feel like we already met. Seriously, hope we can meet up if you are in this neck of the woods soon. And same here, I wouldn't have married anyone else either!! 🙂
Emily says
Those were great answers and fun to learn more about those parts of your life. I too think of someplace tropical for bliss. Oh and my ring looks similar to that one too (I'm simple, no side stones) but mine isn't from Tiffany either. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Emily and am so with you on the simpler the better. I was never a fan on side stones and no defintely not from Tiffany's, but just loved the timeless, classic style!! 🙂
Michelle Liew says
Ah, yes, bringing two people with different backgrounds together is always, always difficult!! But you have done so with Kevin, your families and 2 beautiful girls. That's one of the greatest achievements of life!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Michelle and think you too have done the same with your husband, too!! 🙂
Leslie says
Great responses! I love using family names to inspire naming children. We chose our first daughter’s middle name after one of my grandmothers. It’s still warms my heart any time I see/hear her whole name.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Leslie and totally agree that it warms my heart whenever I do hear or say Emma's full name!! 😉
lablover22 says
What a neat idea! I love this. So fun to learn little bits about you.
Vicky http://www.thepursuitofnormal.blogspot.com
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Vicky and truly glad you enjoyed. 🙂 😉
Melanie Chisnall says
Love this topic, and hearing about how you were proposed to and found out that you were pregnant. How strange, we both have posts on marriage today. Happy Wednesday! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Happy Wednesday and was truly so happy to get to share a bit of this hear. Was a total trip down memory lane for me 🙂