A Bit About Me (no middle name) Hodnett Rasmussen
I have received a beautiful blogger award! Who doesn't love an award?! There are, however, a few strings attached. So if you get tired of reading all about me you have her to thank! :) "Her" is a friend I have not known for long but it hasn't taken me much time of being around this woman to know that she is and knows something special. The more I learn about her, the more I see there is to learn from her. So thank you, Sue, for the kind nomination and boy, did you ever set the bar high on how you chose to write this thing. I love the way you think. :)
So now it is my turn to demonstrate how interesting I am. I don't think a lot about if I am interesting or not but I do think a lot about what defines me. So I guess if being "defined" means having a "distinctive characteristic, quality, or feature that identifies [me]", then I do have some (seven to be exact!) interesting things I can share.
1
I was not given a middle name. I grew up in a family with five other kids who all have middle names. I don't really know what happened with me but I am just Jessica (no middle name) Hodnett Rasmussen. I realize that not having a middle does not make me all that special, but you've gotta agree that a name is pretty defining!
2
I am a PUPPPS survivor! If you know what this is I'll be your friend forever. Okay, if you can even pronounce what that stands for I'd be impressed. PUPPPS stands for "pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy" and I itch just thinking about it! When I was 28 weeks pregnant with Russell I broke out in this terribly itchy and ugly and just plain awful rash from my neck down to my ankles. The few women that get this don't see it till around 38 weeks of pregnancy, I discovered, in my loads and loads of research for relief. The only way to get rid of this thing...HAVE THE BABY! A good explanation to why there was not much advice on relief to be found. At 38 weeks inducing the baby is actually an option. Oh, how I envied these women. This was a really tough ten weeks and as much as I'd like to say I'm stronger for it, I shudder at the fact that 80% of the women that get PUPPPS get it when they're pregnant with boys and women that get it once often get it with later pregnancies. Sooooo, if my kiddos are to ever have another brother, odds are pretty good that I may get to experience this again! I'd better hope I'm stronger for it. Or maybe, pleeeaaase, if we ever have another boy, I can be NOT AT ALL THAT INTERESTING and NOT get PUPPPS.
3
One of my new year's resolutions this year was to make my fingernails and toenails beautiful. I have other, more noble, resolution's I'm working on too in case anyone is wondering how truly vain I am. :) But if we're gonna talk about what defines me, I'm going ALL the way! This dream for beautiful nails didn't just surface this year. From the time I was a little girl I've noticed women at the bank or grocery store with their perfectly manicured nails. I was certain the key to happiness and feeling beautiful and feminine was to have fingernails long enough that could casually a-tap-tap-tap away on a countertop. In sixth grade I decided to save up my money to have my first acrylic manicure. I've had a few others since and besides the fact that I become ultra aware that I'm providing ten new petri dishes for bacteria to feed on, I feel completely useless and unable to use my hands usefully. The last acrylic nails I had put on I tore off the very next day. Sooo, I'm determined to make my natural nails more beautiful. I haven't had the greatest success so far but that doesn't mean I'll stop dreaming. I think I'll go drink some Knox now.
4
My poetry has been published. In high school I entered a portfolio of poetry into a contest with The New Era, a magazine for youth that I still enjoy reading, and won money and everything! I felt like the real deal when I got the check! And even more of a deal when people at church asked me to sign their copy of the publication! Besides all the red carpet treatment and celebrity attention I've received from my work :) , I really love to write. For me, writing things down has a way of making terribly overwhelming moments more manageable, and the simple, everyday beautiful moments, more beautiful. There is a sort of magic to it!
5
I am an organist...sort of. I've only studied it for a year and I'll admit I don't care much for the sound of an organ. Plus, it is really, really, hard. However, I know it is a skill that is fading fast in this world (at least I think it is...if there are others of you out there, FESS UP!) but hey, what can I say, I like to be interesting! Actually, I really don't define myself by my musical abilities at all. I think that this has something to do with growing up in a very musical family where many of my siblings have got WAY more skills than me. In my mind it was kind of like we learned how to play the piano right along with learning how to do the laundry. It would be like me defining myself by my being able to do laundry. Uh...NOT SO interesting!
6
In high school I was a clown. We were the Mel-Odie clowns. I was Mel, my good friend was Odie, and we were invited to make Melodies at children's parties and festivals all around town! I promise you a picture as soon as we clear out our storage. :) We weren't the MOST skilled clowns I've ever seen (though I can still juggle and make an adorable flower and a mean sword out of a balloon :) ) but people loved us as we were not the creepy kind of clowns that parents should be worried about inviting to a child's birthday.
7
I have a brother who passed away right before he was to turn eight. He is an identical twin to my oldest brother. I was four when he died. I can say today with the same certainty that I did when I was four years old that Samuel went to live in heaven and we will get to laugh and play with him again. I know that loss is certainly not unique to me or my family but I can't deny that this has defined who I am in many ways. Not only am I the sister of a brother (we all have a Brother) who is enlisting the angels to help us back home, I am the daughter of two parents that have experienced grief beyond what I ever want to imagine. And they faced it with a steady and sure faith that we have a Father in Heaven that loves each of His children and He has a divine plan for all of us. I guess I could cut them a little slack with the no middle name thing. They have given me plenty with their good name. And for that, I am so grateful.
Now I get the honor of passing this award along to seven other beautiful bloggers. The instructions will follow for all those nominated.
1. Marissa is my younger and only sister and I've always thought she is way COOL. She has the wittiest comments, she keeps up with the latest cool crafts and latest cool toys and latest cool coupons, and she is really, really smart . She even got to meet Buzz Aldrin! As much as I've tried, I just can't keep up with her coolness! So, Marissa, as soon as you get off that "barf bus" with that beautiful baby girl of yours that I can't wait to meet, I'd like some entertainment please!
2. Tracie was my neighbor for way too short of a time. I regret not getting to know her better. But hey, it's never too late, right?! Tracie has a house full of handsome, kind boys and an adorable little princess. It makes me smile thinking of those boys and how they would come knock on our door to see if "Brother Rasmussen" was home and if he could come out and play! :)
3. This next person may never know that they have been nominated because it would require her to actually read this... Miss Julie Lange! Sorry, no pics for you! I knew Julie was a friend for life when I first met her husband. We were at church. He was wearing a sweater and I believe it was HOT outside. :) Julie has a love for life that is totally contagious...and believe me, she has NOT had her shortage of struggles.
4. Hilary is another one of those friends that passed through my life too quickly. She is a steady and faithful, totally has her head on straight, kind of a girl. When I think of Hilary I am reminded of VERY crunchy bread (sorry about that :) ) and a barbeque. Wish we could have made a few more fun memories.
5. Alison AMAZES me! Whenever I have those moments when I feel like starting our ensy wincy business is a way bigger project than I can handle, I think of Alison and that entrepreneur husband of hers. And on top of being a super supportive and positive wife, she has a brood of boys that she is homeschooling. Phewey, Alison, I'm exhausted just thinking about your life but you sure are inspiring! We sure miss you guys!
6. Shirlyn is a friend that I've been in and out of touch with since we were quite little. I've actually never met her children but I am absolutely positive she is the GREATEST mom. I know I'll always have a faithful friend in Shirlyn no matter where the time goes. She's solid like that. I take strength from her example and want to be a better person because of her.
7. Marinda is a new friend that I haven't had much time to get to know but I've watched her from afar in awe. This girl is ALL ABOUT helping other people! Seriously...I've never seen anything like it! She seems to be living life to THE FULLEST with what looks like a crazy busy schedule, but in spite of the crazy, she hasn't dropped the important stuff. I admire that.
And now I am going to take a shortcut and just direct my readers to my blog list on the right of the screen for links to these seven friends. :)
I'm so grateful for great friends and a great life. I really couldn't ask for more.
-Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
-Copy the award; place it on your blog.
-Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
-Tell us 7 interesting things about yourself.
-Nominate 7 bloggers.
-Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
So now it is my turn to demonstrate how interesting I am. I don't think a lot about if I am interesting or not but I do think a lot about what defines me. So I guess if being "defined" means having a "distinctive characteristic, quality, or feature that identifies [me]", then I do have some (seven to be exact!) interesting things I can share.
1
I was not given a middle name. I grew up in a family with five other kids who all have middle names. I don't really know what happened with me but I am just Jessica (no middle name) Hodnett Rasmussen. I realize that not having a middle does not make me all that special, but you've gotta agree that a name is pretty defining!
2
I am a PUPPPS survivor! If you know what this is I'll be your friend forever. Okay, if you can even pronounce what that stands for I'd be impressed. PUPPPS stands for "pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy" and I itch just thinking about it! When I was 28 weeks pregnant with Russell I broke out in this terribly itchy and ugly and just plain awful rash from my neck down to my ankles. The few women that get this don't see it till around 38 weeks of pregnancy, I discovered, in my loads and loads of research for relief. The only way to get rid of this thing...HAVE THE BABY! A good explanation to why there was not much advice on relief to be found. At 38 weeks inducing the baby is actually an option. Oh, how I envied these women. This was a really tough ten weeks and as much as I'd like to say I'm stronger for it, I shudder at the fact that 80% of the women that get PUPPPS get it when they're pregnant with boys and women that get it once often get it with later pregnancies. Sooooo, if my kiddos are to ever have another brother, odds are pretty good that I may get to experience this again! I'd better hope I'm stronger for it. Or maybe, pleeeaaase, if we ever have another boy, I can be NOT AT ALL THAT INTERESTING and NOT get PUPPPS.
3
One of my new year's resolutions this year was to make my fingernails and toenails beautiful. I have other, more noble, resolution's I'm working on too in case anyone is wondering how truly vain I am. :) But if we're gonna talk about what defines me, I'm going ALL the way! This dream for beautiful nails didn't just surface this year. From the time I was a little girl I've noticed women at the bank or grocery store with their perfectly manicured nails. I was certain the key to happiness and feeling beautiful and feminine was to have fingernails long enough that could casually a-tap-tap-tap away on a countertop. In sixth grade I decided to save up my money to have my first acrylic manicure. I've had a few others since and besides the fact that I become ultra aware that I'm providing ten new petri dishes for bacteria to feed on, I feel completely useless and unable to use my hands usefully. The last acrylic nails I had put on I tore off the very next day. Sooo, I'm determined to make my natural nails more beautiful. I haven't had the greatest success so far but that doesn't mean I'll stop dreaming. I think I'll go drink some Knox now.
4
My poetry has been published. In high school I entered a portfolio of poetry into a contest with The New Era, a magazine for youth that I still enjoy reading, and won money and everything! I felt like the real deal when I got the check! And even more of a deal when people at church asked me to sign their copy of the publication! Besides all the red carpet treatment and celebrity attention I've received from my work :) , I really love to write. For me, writing things down has a way of making terribly overwhelming moments more manageable, and the simple, everyday beautiful moments, more beautiful. There is a sort of magic to it!
5
I am an organist...sort of. I've only studied it for a year and I'll admit I don't care much for the sound of an organ. Plus, it is really, really, hard. However, I know it is a skill that is fading fast in this world (at least I think it is...if there are others of you out there, FESS UP!) but hey, what can I say, I like to be interesting! Actually, I really don't define myself by my musical abilities at all. I think that this has something to do with growing up in a very musical family where many of my siblings have got WAY more skills than me. In my mind it was kind of like we learned how to play the piano right along with learning how to do the laundry. It would be like me defining myself by my being able to do laundry. Uh...NOT SO interesting!
6
In high school I was a clown. We were the Mel-Odie clowns. I was Mel, my good friend was Odie, and we were invited to make Melodies at children's parties and festivals all around town! I promise you a picture as soon as we clear out our storage. :) We weren't the MOST skilled clowns I've ever seen (though I can still juggle and make an adorable flower and a mean sword out of a balloon :) ) but people loved us as we were not the creepy kind of clowns that parents should be worried about inviting to a child's birthday.
7
I have a brother who passed away right before he was to turn eight. He is an identical twin to my oldest brother. I was four when he died. I can say today with the same certainty that I did when I was four years old that Samuel went to live in heaven and we will get to laugh and play with him again. I know that loss is certainly not unique to me or my family but I can't deny that this has defined who I am in many ways. Not only am I the sister of a brother (we all have a Brother) who is enlisting the angels to help us back home, I am the daughter of two parents that have experienced grief beyond what I ever want to imagine. And they faced it with a steady and sure faith that we have a Father in Heaven that loves each of His children and He has a divine plan for all of us. I guess I could cut them a little slack with the no middle name thing. They have given me plenty with their good name. And for that, I am so grateful.
Now I get the honor of passing this award along to seven other beautiful bloggers. The instructions will follow for all those nominated.
1. Marissa is my younger and only sister and I've always thought she is way COOL. She has the wittiest comments, she keeps up with the latest cool crafts and latest cool toys and latest cool coupons, and she is really, really smart . She even got to meet Buzz Aldrin! As much as I've tried, I just can't keep up with her coolness! So, Marissa, as soon as you get off that "barf bus" with that beautiful baby girl of yours that I can't wait to meet, I'd like some entertainment please!
2. Tracie was my neighbor for way too short of a time. I regret not getting to know her better. But hey, it's never too late, right?! Tracie has a house full of handsome, kind boys and an adorable little princess. It makes me smile thinking of those boys and how they would come knock on our door to see if "Brother Rasmussen" was home and if he could come out and play! :)
3. This next person may never know that they have been nominated because it would require her to actually read this... Miss Julie Lange! Sorry, no pics for you! I knew Julie was a friend for life when I first met her husband. We were at church. He was wearing a sweater and I believe it was HOT outside. :) Julie has a love for life that is totally contagious...and believe me, she has NOT had her shortage of struggles.
4. Hilary is another one of those friends that passed through my life too quickly. She is a steady and faithful, totally has her head on straight, kind of a girl. When I think of Hilary I am reminded of VERY crunchy bread (sorry about that :) ) and a barbeque. Wish we could have made a few more fun memories.
5. Alison AMAZES me! Whenever I have those moments when I feel like starting our ensy wincy business is a way bigger project than I can handle, I think of Alison and that entrepreneur husband of hers. And on top of being a super supportive and positive wife, she has a brood of boys that she is homeschooling. Phewey, Alison, I'm exhausted just thinking about your life but you sure are inspiring! We sure miss you guys!
6. Shirlyn is a friend that I've been in and out of touch with since we were quite little. I've actually never met her children but I am absolutely positive she is the GREATEST mom. I know I'll always have a faithful friend in Shirlyn no matter where the time goes. She's solid like that. I take strength from her example and want to be a better person because of her.
7. Marinda is a new friend that I haven't had much time to get to know but I've watched her from afar in awe. This girl is ALL ABOUT helping other people! Seriously...I've never seen anything like it! She seems to be living life to THE FULLEST with what looks like a crazy busy schedule, but in spite of the crazy, she hasn't dropped the important stuff. I admire that.
And now I am going to take a shortcut and just direct my readers to my blog list on the right of the screen for links to these seven friends. :)
I'm so grateful for great friends and a great life. I really couldn't ask for more.
-Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
-Copy the award; place it on your blog.
-Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
-Tell us 7 interesting things about yourself.
-Nominate 7 bloggers.
-Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
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