What is your first name? Probably pretty apparent, but it is Jeannette.
What are your kids’ names? Carson James, Parker William, and Wyndser Elizabeth
Were you ready for motherhood? A very emphatic NO. I had decided in my early-mid 20's that I never wanted children. I just thought it was such a cruel, scary world that I didn't want to bring children into it. Then, when I was 33 I got pregnant even though we were using protection. I was scared to death. I cried, prayed, and cried some more. Then one day we were walking through a mall and I looked up just in time to see Gymboree with all kinds of adorable outfits hanging in the window. At that point I stopped and turned to Matt and said that I think I can do it and that everything will be okay. Of course, once Carson was born, I was hooked. I had 3 in 3 1/2 years and couldn't be happier that things happened the way that they did.
Have you ever met someone who has completely inspired you to be a better person? Can you tell us about that relationship and how it has affected you? My grandfather Nutter was the most gentle, loving, patient, humorous, fantastic man I had ever known (until Matthew). Although I lived 714 miles away from him while I was growing up, we were as close emotionally as though we were never apart. He never talked down to me or patronized me. He always treated me as though everything that came out of my mouth was important without giving me an inflated ego. He shared family history with me in a way that was funny and interesting and kept me longing for more. He passed 22 years ago, and I still miss his presence in my life. I want to live my life in a manner that would make him proud, and I want to pass his legacy on to my children so that the impact he had on me lives for another generation.
Do you have any nervous habits? What are they? I pace. When I was in the hospital after Parker was born and I was finally allowed to get out of bed (2nd c-section in 10 months so they were careful with me), I felt like I paced a gorge into the hallway while he was in NICU.
Did you ever date a guy your parents did not like? Were they right about him? OMGosh. I dated a whole gaggle of them. There were some that they liked well enough, but most of them they couldn't stomach. I was pretty insecure and tended to end up with the very self-assured (read arrogant) and dominant (read controlling) guys. I even married one that my parents loathed beyond all else. My mother was forced to walk down the aisle in order to get the wedding underway. It was ugly. Turns out that they were right about all of them.
What do you want your kids to remember the most about you? My unmeasurable love for them. I want them to know without a shadow of a doubt that they have been the treasure of my life. I want them to remember our blend of playing, snuggling, learning, discovering, and supporting that we mix into every day. I want them to remember that I have a strong faith in my Lord and that I want them to live their lives with the same strong faith.
What did you learn the most from your mother? My mother lived for her family. My brother and I were her entire pride and joy. She put us before anything else and was always involved with our friends, education, extra-curricular activities, and our interests. I don't remember her ever discouraging us against something that we wanted to try. I try to model myself after her. She is still the same way today. I know that I can count on her for anything anytime. She is my Rock.
How many coupons do you use on a regular basis? What is your best money saving tip? I use coupons and comp ads every time I shop. I scour the papers for the fliers and ad so that I can get the very best price on everything we buy. I also buy store brands on more things than name brands. I have found that many store-brand products are just as good as well-known brands but cost much less.
How did you find Mommysavers? Have you referred anyone here? Were you referred here? I found Mommysavers about 5 years ago when a friend referred me to the home site. I poured over the bargain sections to find deals on things I needed to buy. Then I happened on the forums by accident. I was nervous about joining since I tend to still be insecure, but once I jumped in I was hooked. I have mentioned the boards to several people, but I've been glad that they haven't joined. I can be more open with you since I don't feel like I have to be careful of what I say. There are some things I wouldn't want the people I see regularly to know about me or my life.
Out of all the things the members here have offered in terms of advice, support, counsel and criticism, what have you personally benefited from? And do you remember specifically who the member was that offered that advice? I think that I have benefitted in so many ways from this board that it is hard to narrow it down. To be honest, the humor and friendship have been the most important to me. Julie Agius (California Mommy), Julie Connor, Kemtee, Anniebananie, Annemc, Calimari, and several others have given me virtual shoulders to lean on when I've been down, scared, or worried, as well as huge laughter when I've needed it. I love that so many women from a variety of walks of life can share so freely with each other. Women can be so catty and petty, but on this board I have witnessed the mutual respect and bond that women can share. I have been needing that in my life and didn't even know it.
Have you ever met a mommysaver? No. I long to be able to, though.
What is the most romantic thing your dh ever did for you? My Matthew has been a very romantic man as long as I've known him. One of the most romantic though is a bit unconventional. I was married to someone else when I was in a hospital 3 hours away from our home. My husband de jour decided that he couldn't be bothered to stay in the hospital with me, so he wanted to come home and leave me there all alone. He called my mother and asked if she could come pick me up the next day so he could get back home. Mind you, she lives in the same town we do, so she would have to drive 3 hours to get me and 3 hours to take me home. She told him to go ahead and leave and she would get one of her friends in the area to go to the hospital to stay with me until she got there (she really was right about him......as I mentioned above). Well, she called several of her friends and no one was in town or available to get me. She then called Donna....a long-time friend across the river in Illinois to see if she was available. She was and she said that she and Bill, her husband, would come get me and take me to their house if I was discharged before Mother got to me. Well, they did and they took me home. I was so drugged that I don't remember them coming to the hospital at all. Apparently, while they were getting me, Matt went to his parents' house and his brother told him that his parents were picking me up from the hospital and taking me back to their house. He and I hadn't seen each other since my wedding (which he attended and his father presided over), so he waited for me at his parents' house. They got me there and I couldn't walk by myself, so he carried me in to the couch and stayed with me the rest of the night. He kept wiping my forehead, getting me drinks and helping sit up to sip, and just listening to me breathe. I wasn't his wife and he was taking better care of me than my husband was. That was when I realized that my marriage had meant more to me than my first husband. It was the beginning of the end of that marriage and the beginning of the rest of my life.
Tell us five things you like about yourself. 1. I love my husband and children passionately. 2. I have a good sense of humor. 3. I'm sympathetic to other people's difficulties and sorrow. 4. I'm artistic.....dance, decorating, crafts. 5. My hair. It's very thick, long, and shiny.
What hobby do you enjoy the most? What got you started on it? How would you rate yourself? Can you show us a picture of your proudest piece of work? My all-time favorite hobby, that I don't practice anymore due to lack of venue, is dance. I was a dancer from 3 years old until I was 26. I studied under the same instructor in Wyandotte, Michigan, for all those years and I studied and danced at Eastern Michigan University while I was in college. I performed ballet, jazz, Hawaiian, Tahitian, Ballroom, Flamenco, Can-Can, and Chorus Line.....and I was pretty darned great. I used to dance with groups, a male partner, and solo. I still have my last 3 pairs of toe shoes that still make me proud to see because that is hard to do. I think that most of you probably have seen the picture of me in my ballet that hangs over my mantle, but I'll attach it again.
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Please scroll down to see the picture and to learn more about our MOTW**)
:happy dance:
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