100 Things About Hope

This is a challenge, set forth by a new friend, and a true Alabama Blogger, Dana. I have heard Dana comment in church, and spoken with her a couple of times about my youngest, who she got to teach for a while in nursery. I haven't been aware of the Alabama bloggers for more than a week I think.... but I am so excited about the people I am getting to know better through the blogs! So, here's my part in the challenge. Thanks for putting it out there, Dana!!

1~ My maiden name is Hope Stephanie Payne.
2~ I got teased a lot because of the humor in my first and last name, when I was little.
3~ I still get teased a bit because now my name is a tongue twister... but I still love it.
4~ I love the man who gave me my new name. He is my first love; my first kiss; my eternal friend.
5~ I was born August 30, 1980.
6~ I have never been shy about my age.... I have always had unique situations with my age: In grade school I was always the youngest; I got married straight out of high school and became a mother a year later, so I was younger than most of the people I hung out with; I am finally the same age/similar age group as many of my friends, and so I welcome age and wisdom together.
7~ I was born in Sierra Vista, AZ.
8~ I was a native Arizonan until I was 15... having only left it a couple times to go on vacation no earlier than age 13.
9~ I didn't see the Grand Canyon until my husband took me to see it for my 19th birthday, when I was 6 months prego. (Needless to say, we did not take the mile hike down.)
10~ I have lived in 26 houses.
11~ My dad was not in the military.
12~ We had a rough financial time growing up. My dad was always trying to do something that would provide for his family... and always managed to keep a roof over our heads and food in our stomachs.
13~ I grew up fast, and was able to be responsible enough for my parents to feel I was ready to be married in the temple at age 18.
14~ I am the 6th of 7 children. (5 girls and 2 boys)
15~ My teenage rebellion was spent worrying about my older sister who decided to make some interesting choices, my dad who was having health problems & working part time as a babysitter to help pay rent.
16~ I love my parents dearly... they have taught me lessons in life that would have taken a lifetime to learn for some. And they stayed together through it all, and loved each of us kids through it all.
17~ I am a closet poet.
18~ I LOVE to sing.
19~ I LOVE MUSIC.
20~ I played the violin for two years in grade school, and have just now started to teach myself again.
21~ I love to cook.
22~ I love to bake.
23~ I love to experiment in the kitchen.
24~ I believe in making food from scratch and providing my kids with the best possible meals I can provide.
25~ I like to paint murals.
26~ Although I have only seen a few in real life, I love Lighthouses.... there is something about them that is mystical, drawing, endearing & forgiving.
27~ Did I mention, I love music?!
28~ I am not a huge chocolate fan after my last pregnancy.
29~ Doughnuts are my weakness.
30~ I made a stupid mistake and bought a huge discount box of chocolates from Russell Stover's, thinking I could control myself during my diet.
31~ I am back on my diet. (Anyone want some chocolates?? I still have plenty!)
31~ I broke my wrist when I was 12 years old, skating on one roller skate.
32~ I have never been seriously ill, other than my annual Strep which kept me in bed for a month, and allowed me many Priesthood blessings. As I got older, it also allowed me a few visits to the ER.
33~ I had my tonsils taken out on June 26th, 2007.... YEAH!!!!
34~ I have three beautiful, wonderful children.
35~ I am married to a man who believes romance is based on the amount of time you spend with a person, and nothing to do with flowers and jewelry. (At times, when my friends talk about flowers their hubbies surprised them with, etc. I get a little envious. But when my husband sits down and talks to me, and we sit in each other's arms for countless moments, I have a deeper appreciation for my husband and his love for me.)
36~ I love my husband.
37~ I love my kids.
38~ I moved out from my parent's when I was 16, to live with my sister and go to school with my friends. Soon after, my parents moved to the same city and I moved back in with them. Our live benefited from that daring act made by me. I thank a visit to the Temple's Visitor's Center for that guidance.
39~ My hair is naturally curly.
40~ I enjoy Sci-Fi with my hubby.
41~ I spend way too much time online.
42~ I started college when I got married, but dropped out after my first month.
43~ I realized I am not cut out for long-term educational commitments, but am determined to get some sort of extra educational background once my youngest is in school.
44~ I make jewelry.
45~ I use cloth diapers for my daughter, which I sewed.
46~ My grandparents died when I was very young.... one before my dad was married.
47~ I still remember my grandmother's voice, her eyes, her hands and her face.
48~ I love to have friends over to chat and have a fun time just talking and laughing.
49~ I was married December 18, 1998.
50~ I co-starred in the high school production, Annie, as Molly the orphan friend of Annie.
51~ My biggest fear is the passing of loved ones.
52~ My biggest comfort is my testimony of my Savior's atoning sacrifice for me and my eternal family.
53~ I get stressed.
54~ I have to learn at least once each year that it is okay to tell people NO.
55~ I miss my brothers, sisters & parents who all live out west.
56~ I love family gatherings.
57~ I love holidays.... any of them.
58~ I have a birthmark on my arm that only shows up when I have a tan, sunburn, or am just flushed from exercising too much in the heat.
59~ I should be cleaning my house right now.
60~ I often ponder what I have said, that I should have said differently, for years to come.
61~ I am not very organized, although I try to pretend to be.
62~ I love T-shirts and Jeans.
63~ I don't care for sports that much, but love to watch people enjoy them.
64~ I am still trying to find out who I am.
65~ I am not a big fan of the phone, but love to talk in person.
66~ I worked at Subway when I was younger.... and enjoyed it.
67~ I like a lot of things simple.
68~ I can remember things from when I was 6 months old.
69~ I am a firm believer in revelation and memories through dreams.
70~ I love to read out loud to people, or even to myself.
71~ I hate to read in quiet on my own... I can never concentrate.
72~ I enjoy sewing, painting, scrap booking, knitting, crocheting, and virtually any other craft I can get my hands on.
73~ I shop at Walmart occasionally.
74~ I have started shopping at other places more than Walmart recently, but still go there when I need to get multiple things in a hurry.
75~ I yell when I lose my temper.
76~ I have learned how to control my temper most of the time, so I don't end up yelling too much.
77~ I love the sound of birds.
78~ I love uplifting stories and comments.
79~ I listen to alternative rock, oldies, classical, opera & church music.... not to mention the occasional children's music cd.
80~ I dance while I listen to music and clean.
81~ I love to help out with my friends if they need a babysitter!
82~ I like all colors dark: burgundy, navy, hunter, black, olive, rust.
83~ I am not a fan of pastels.
84~ I like colors that look good on me.
85~ I would home school my kids in a second of they asked me to.
86~ I have never been to Disneyland or Disney world.
87~ I am married to a rocket scientist.
88~ I am hooked on Smallville (although I don't watch it on TV... I wait until it is on DVD and then absorb it).
89~ I don't watch TV.... just movies or certain shows on DVD.
90~ I have Hashimotos Thyroid Disease.
91~ I know prayer works.
92~ I love to decorate cakes.
93~ I love to swim underwater.
94~ I love to hold babies.
95~ My brother-in-law, who I was very close to, died when I was 17, of Melanoma Cancer.
96~ I walked and talked with my brother-in-law when I was almost 18, in my dreams, where he told me, concerning my sister, his wife, and their children, "everything will be fine".
97~ My brother-in-law's favorite song was "Lion Sleeps Tonight" by the Tokens.
98~ When I was driving with some friends and my soon-to-be-husband to the lake, "Lion Sleeps Tonight" played on the radio.
99~ When my brother-in-law was still alive, he promised me he would make sure I married a good man.
100~ I am married to an awesome man.

I, too, have realized how much I know myself.... Thanks for the challenge.

I would like to challenge my friends as well!!