The Ultimate Blog Party 2008!

Okay...I'm jumping in. I'm joining. I'm finished with my procrastinating.

I hang out over at 5 Minutes for Mom and there is a whole lot of par-tay-ing going on! I thought, what the heck, may as well join in on the fun.



So, let me introduce myself. My name is Kim and I'm the mom. I'm also a wife, daughter, sister, friend, co-worker, volunteer, Sunday school teacher, and know-it-all (LOL- thought I'd throw that in for DH)! But I mostly identify with mom, because for much of my life I wondered if I'd ever get to call myself that.

A little about myself: I have identical twins who are five. They've been through a lot, being born at 24 weeks and spending 114 days in the NICU, but things have been really good for quite some time. I'm truly grateful. I also have a husband of nearly nine years (together for 14) and an almost 21 year old stepson. I've been through different things in my life: love, loss, divorce, infertility, micropreemies, but I really do cherish every experience. It's made me who I am today and I like me.

I love to read. Always have. I began reading at barely four years old and have never stopped. It just opened a new world for me. I read every chance I got as a child, as soon as I woke up in the morning, on the bus to and from school, until it was time for supper, by the light outside my bedroom window when I was supposed to be sleeping. I remember in 1st grade reading the Encyclopedias when I'd finish my work. I remember in 2nd grade how ecstatic I was when I could check out three library books instead of two! By 2nd grade I was reading at a 7th grade reading level. I read all kinds of genres: mystery, historical fiction, Biblical fiction, non-fiction. I do tend to stay away from most mushy romances these days though (I think I got burnt out on Danielle Steel).

I love to travel and did get the chance in my late twenties to do something I didn't think I'd ever get to do. I had always wanted to be an exchange student when I was in high school. I have always been fascinated by the world and other cultures and I wanted to experience more. Needless to say, I got married to my childhood sweetheart right out of high school. Our marriage did not stand the test of time and after 6.5 years, we divorced. I realized that I was still young and could do anything I wanted to do. So, I enrolled in a Study Abroad program, quit my job of 6.5 years, sold my car, put my stuff in storage and got on a plane for Sevilla, Spain, knowing no one. It was a life changing experience for me. I was 27 years old and I was there for entirely different reasons than the 19, 20, and 21 year old college students. I had two roommates and a wonderful host family. My Spanish mother, Lolita, was only four years older than me. We had some great conversations and I thought it was so special how we could really relate to one another. We were more like friends than mother/daughter. After my program ended, I spent another month traveling Europe with one of my roommates. Oh, the stories to tell...another time, perhaps.

I'm generally quite quiet and reserved until I get to know you, then I talk your ear off. I don't talk much in big groups because I hate trying to butt in when others are talking, thus the reason I prefer smaller groups. That all being said, I'm also quite adventurous, having made several other trips on my own where I know no one. I love making new friends and experiencing new things.

About my blog: Much is about my girls and what's going on with them, but basically, it's pretty much a bunch of random thoughts from yours truly.

So, now you know a bit about me...let me know a little about you! Is anyone reading? Leave a comment and let me know you stopped by! Oh, and come on! Join the Par-Tay! You only have a couple days left!