30 Day Blog Challenge

Okay, so I am going to follow my friend, Jordan, on this 30 day blog challenge.  I read her blog and I am so interested in it and I would love to share more about myself and my lovely family.  Hopefully my little life will be somewhat interesting--but I do think little Abigail makes everything a little more exciting and interesting in my life.  Therefore, I am sure I will mention my sweet Abigail and the love of my life, my Clayton, a lot for they are my life.

DAY ONE:  Introduce Yourself

My name is Brooke and I was born in Houston, Texas at Southwest Memorial Hospital (now it is Memorial Hermann Hospital).  I went to Poe Elementary school as I lived close by in the Museum District in Houston, Texas.  My parents were divorced when I was just an infant, but I have had the most amazing childhood you could imagine.  I have the most amazing and loving family and although we have all been through a lot together, we are still here for each other and I am so blessed to have them in my lives. All together I have three sisters and two brothers--I am one lucky woman, I must say!  Having siblings has been such a remarkable gift that my parents could have ever given me.  It is such a gift from God to have siblings and be able to rely on them at any point in your life. 

Back to me--see, I drift off and have a hard time talking just about ME.  I went to Annuciation Orthodox School for middle school and then Episcopal High School.  All throughout elementary school, middle school, and high school I was a SOCCER fanatic and I danced with a small company until 8th grade.  I love playing soccer and wish I could play now, but I hurt my knee my senior year, which has even limited my ability to run so I find other ways to exercise--or try to at least.

Ever since I was in the 5th grade I knew I wanted to go to Texas A&M University---I just always knew.  It is really hard to explain--just had it in my blood and no one pushed it on me--I just found it.  It was not exactly easy for me to get into A&M.  I got into all other colleges that I applied to when I was a senior, but had to work a little harder to get to A&M.  I even went and spoke to the head of the admission board to see how I could make my goal attainable.  Well, I worked hard and finally received that amazing, "Congratulations" packet in the mail.

I worked several part-time jobs all throughout college and learned so much from each job.

I met the love of my life on September 26, 2002 at the Texas Hall of Fame in Bryan, Texas ( a country/western dancehall)  Needless to say, I was smittin' with this cute boy named, Clayton.  We literally spent everyday together for the next week or so and I fell in love with him shortly after that; however, was so scared of such a strong emotion like, Love.  I was scared to have my heart broken by someone I actually loved--because let me tell you, my heart had been through a lot before the road led me to the man God made for me.

Clayton was in the Corps of Cadets at A&M.  I have been so proud of every little thing he has done and everyday I fall more and more in love with him.  Being in the corps we got to attend several events and dances (Ross Volunteers, Ring Dance and Boot Dance)  I always felt like Cinderella having to get all dressed up in a beautiful gown with hair done and opening my front door of my apartment to the most handsome man standing in front of me wearing such a handsome white uniform ready to wisk me away to the Ball!!  No joke---I felt like Cinderella and we had quite a few events llike this to go to. :-)  I still feel like a princess--always have, with my Clayton.

Well, fast forward to 2 years---Clayton graduated and got a job in Houston, Texas!  I still had a semester left in school so I was truckin' it back and forth from H-town to College Station A LOT!!  When I graduated I started my graduate studies at Texas Woman's University to obtain a Masters degree in the wonderful world of occupational therapy---best career choice ever!!!  I went to grad school with some of the most amazing people and really found some life long friends whom I truly adore! 

Clayton and I got engaged on August 6, 2005 and were married on August 19, 2006.  We planned the wedding during my first year of grad school--not an easy task.  We had such a memorable wedding and I cannot believe how incredibly blessed I am to have married my soulmate.

I graduated from TWU with my masters in 2007 and started working at a privately owned pediatric rehab clinic.  We bought our first home in 2008, got our little Westie, Bella in 2008, changed jobs to work in the school district--love it! and then found out I was pregnant with our frist child on Oct. 26, 2008!!!  We waited to tell our family or anyone at all about the baby until Christmas Day 2008.  I had to wait 13 weeks and suffer through morning sickness--a.k.a....all day long sickness--by myself.  But all was worth it when our daughter, Abigail was born at 5:56 am on July 7,2009.   She has been the answer to our prayers and I cannot begin to thank God enough for bringing me such a beautiful gift.  She is truly my sunshine girl and brings the light to my life all the time.

FUN FACTS:

I did not have a name when I was born; therefore, my birth certificate reads, Baby Girl Forester.  Took my parents quite a while to pick the perfect name and I think Brooke is pretty nice--I am glad they waited. :-)

Clayton and I still drive my very first car that my parents bought me when I turned 17 (a jeep wrangler)  I love this car and don't know if I can part from it.

Clayton and I did not find out whether we were having a girl or a boy when I was pregnant with Abigail.  I thought that she was going to be a boy the whole time and could not believe the doctor said, "here SHE is!"  I thought she was joking because I thought the whole "motherly instinct" thing was on the money---I was so wrong.   God gave me the most precious baby girl.  I quickly got home and made her neutral colored nursery very GIRLIE and all pink!  I love having a daughter!!!!!  Feel bad that I secretly prayed that she would be a girl.

I have to say that not finding out the sex of our baby was one of the most precious gifts we gave each other and our families.  It was soo excited waiting to find out until they layed her on my chest and I saw that she was a girl --I know it is hard for you to wait but it is so well worth it.  Clayton had the most exciting job making those phone calls to friends and family saying, "It's a girl!!"

I love decorating our home and I am always trying to put together a new craft.  Decorating for Thanksgiving or Christmas are my absolute favorite times. 

I pick up the house constantly.  This is the only "alone" time I get and I cherish just being able to sit at a computer.  I enjoy keeping the house clean, sterilized--I am a neat freak and simply cannot stand clutter.  I pick up a cup that Clayton is drinking from waay before he is even done drinking the liquid out it--only because I am ready to start the dishwasher and cannot stand having dirty dishes in the sink.  See, I am a neat freak!

Abigail has already started the process of toilet training and she is doing quite well with it--I am so proud of her!!

I am getting 4 of my wisdom teeth out next Friday--they are painful and need to come out, but I am nervous.

I love soup!!!

I love to bake cookies, pies, brownies!

GardenRidge is awesome!!

Well, that is it for now--I will continue my challenge. :-)