3 and a 1/2 years later...

1. I still really love my name. Some of my students found out my "real" first name is Martha. They giggled and said, "That's a dog's name." I guess it's a TV show...never got that when I was younger...
2. I still love the beach. I ache to be there. Always.
3. Still have good 'ole Mabel the not Malibu. Going on year 11 with her.
4. I'm starting my master's at MTSU in Library Science in Jan.
5. It's online which makes me nervous, but Ann's doing it with me, so that will be fun!
6. I still LOVE to teach, but struggle with the politics of education.
7. I am in my 4th year of teaching now!
8. The first two years were in second grade.
9. The second two in third.
10. I miss second grade, but am learning to love third.
11. The challenge of using technology in the classroom is exhilarating to me!
12. My favorite colors are still yellow and blue. My classroom theme is blue, yellow, green, and red.
13. One of my callings right now is ward pianist. I hated it in the beginning, but now I practice everyday after school in the music room. It's my happy place. I basically skip down the hall to get there! 
14. I've been walking more recently. Stella loves that.
15. I got a guard dog named Stella. She's a Rottweiler mix. She lives inside (reference #39 for my last list)!
16. I never fall asleep to movies/TV anymore.
17. I don't fall asleep easily period. Too much on my mind.
18. I still love being an aunt.
19. In the past 3 1/2 years, my niece/nephew count has doubled. 
20. Step-nieces and nephews are just as cool!
21. Still dreaming of my Z named babies.
22. My least favorite sound to wake up to is Stella scratching the carpet.
23. Cleaning is still my stress/anger outlet.
24. I now love Papermate Flair pens. There are 4 on my lapboard right now.
25. Grading papers rules my life at the moment.
26. I recently started wearing eyeliner. I've always liked my eyes, but like them even more now.
27. My state count is now at 34.
28. My temple count is at 45/81 in the US. Over halfway to my goal!
29. My new favorite acapella group is Pentatonix. Their concert last week was amazing!
30. The watch phase lasted until the watch broke.
31. I switched earrings to silver studs.
32. I've started carrying a purse again. It's gray and small. I had the thought today that I need a larger bag. It scared me.
33. I bought a townhome!
34. I still love living with my best friend.
35. It's even better because we have our own bedrooms and bathrooms!
36. The quilt is still in the box.
37. Hot Pursuit is my favorite movie right now.
38. David's back and MARRIED!
39. I totaled Cassie's car when a tractor-trailer ran me off the road on the way to his wedding.
40. My mom is on my mind even more now. I thought it would get less, but not true.
41. After 10 snow days last year I'm fine to walk in anything that gets us out of school!!!
42. I teach Reading/Language Arts and Social Studies.
43. I still speak enough Spanish to talk to my sisters when we don't want CAB others to know what we're saying.
44. After I finish my master's I'm getting my new car. Right now I like Jeeps.
45. My headaches are MUCH better. I'm down to one or two a week.
46. I started going to the chiropractor.
47. I started a health journey called Plexus.
48. My pants are saggy. 
49. I enjoy feeling healthier, but the thought of shopping makes me want to eat a tub or two of ice cream.
50. I paid someone to file my taxes for the first time this year.
51. Being a leader seems to be my calling. Talking still isn't my favorite.
52. Getting blood work done doesn't bother me as much anymore.
53. I wear Converses almost everyday.
54. All but two of the 16 pairs belong to Court.
55. My planner is now in the form of a calendar on my phone.
56. I don't feel as organized. "Chicken with its head cut off" is more accurate.
57. I've really been slacking in the scripture study department.
58. My showers are much shorter these days.
59. My hair is almost always a day dirty or two or three or four...
60. No more babysitting for me other than nieces/nephews. There's one kid that hangs with me fairly often, but he's more of a treat than a job.
61. Still have my Z name list. It hasn't really grown.
62. My favorite game right now is 2048.
63. My husband....yeah, still don't have one of those.
64. I'm uncomfortably comfortable with that.
65. I still sing alot. My kids this year just sing right along with... or over me...
66. Bedtime has gotten later. Think 4 pens and stack of papers to grade.
67. My sisters and I try to have sister dinner every week. Best therapy there is.
68. Haven't gotten around to the banjo yet. Maybe when I retire.
69. Still love chocolate. 
70. I'm addicted to food. Been contemplating doing the church's 12 step program.
71. I still love paisley. Can't handle the chevron phase the world is in right now. Yuck.
72. My Pop-Pop bookshelf is in my living room now. It makes me REALLY happy.
73. On the opposite wall is a mirror from my great-grandmother's home that he added a frame to.
74. My family history time has taken a big hit. 
75. Still love pedicures. With all the weddings this year I've gotten into manicures as well.
76. Marriages I've been a part of this year: David/Katelyn-Dec, Cassie/Jody-Feb, Ann/Mone-May/June
77. Coke is my favorite Coke. It's a treat.
78. My mom would never believe this, but I had a baked potato for lunch today by choice.
79. Haven't had a kumquat in 6 years. I may not like them anymore.
80. Watching my nieces, nephews, and students play sports is my favorite Saturday activity.
81. My other calling is teaching Beehives. I feel WAY more pressure teaching them than my third graders.
82. I worked at the temple for 8 months. With starting my masters I'm taking a break.
83. My tiny backyard is a weed (not pot) jungle.
84. My co-worker and friend's 3-year-old son runs to squeeze me every time he sees me. Today it almost made me cry. Happy cry.
85. I'm really into candles right now. The scent doesn't really matter, I just like to have one going.
86. I can sleep in my house by myself now. I used to go to grandma's if I was going to be alone.
87. I have way more girl friends now than I have ever had in my life.
88. I lived in my house for a year and a half before I Mone and Jody hung anything permanently on my walls...two weekends ago.
89. I started having my eyebrows threaded. It hurts like crazy, but looks great and last a long time to handle the pain!
90. This Christmas break will be the first in three to be at home. 13-Hawaii for Ann's graduation, 14-UT for David's wedding. 
91. I want to get my gun handler's permit. I probably won't actually get a gun. I just want to know how.
92. This list took my 12 minutes...and I don't feel the need to get all the way to 100!

100 Things about me...no really, there are 100

Here you go! Enjoy!

1. I adore my name...Martha Elizabeth Peach.  I haven't always.
2. I'm the middle of 5...2 sisters and 2 brothers.
3. My mom died when I was 17, a senior in high school.
4. I am very religious... I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints...I'm Mormon.
5.  I served a mission in Carlsbad California...best 18 months ever.
6. I love the beach...at any time of year...haven't always.
7. I bought my car-a maroon Chevy Malibu-with cash when I was 18.
8. I went to Brigham Young University in Utah.
9. I graduated in April 2011 with a BA in Early Childhood Education.
10. I LOVE to teach.
11. Right now I'm a Special Ed TA for Williamson County Schools.
12. I secretly want to get my Special Ed certification.
13. I'm obviously not so good at keeping secrets... at least unimportant ones
14. I can't eat peas.  The popping in my mouth makes me gag.
15. I make bangin fried chicken.
16. I wear special inserts in my shoes because my left arch is collapsing.
17. I read the whole Standard Works (Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price) while on my mission.  I was stuck inside for almost a month and a half.
18. My favorite colors are yellow and blue.
19. I took piano lessons for 6 years.  I play pretty well still, especially hymns.
20. Whenever I'm asked to play for church, my hands get super cold.
21. I'd rather go for a walk than watch TV.
22. I fall asleep in almost every movie I attempt to watch.  You know it's good if I stay awake the whole time.
23. I only wear french tips on my fingernails and pink/red on my toes.
24. I love being an aunt.
25. I'd love to be a mother even more.
26. Orange is my favorite flavor...coke, koolaid, jolly rancher, etc...
27. I love chapstick, but only the blue kind.
28. I never wanted to go to college, but I did and it was great.
29. I broke my collarbone when I was two.  No memory of that.
30. I'm enthusiastic about pretty much everything I do.
31. My favorite sound to wake up to growing up was my dad singing.
32. The only seafood I like is shrimp and salmon.
33. I love to clean....especially when I'm stressed or sad.
34. I really want to have twins...first...boys...
35. I very strongly dislike cats.  They're of the devil.
36. RSVP pens are pretty much the only ones I use.  I usually have 3 or 4 in my bag.
37. I can't remember anything...
38. I write pretty much everything down.
39. I love dogs.  But only if they live outside.
40. I only wear powder and mascara...I dig the natural look.
41. I can't wait to have white hair....really.
42. I've only lived in 3 states-TN, UT, and CA, but I've been in 29.
43. I love Vocal Point and most other acapella groups.
44. I just started wearing a watch this summer...now I'm addicted.
45. I've worn the same kind of earrings since I was a freshman in high school-silver hoops.
46. I got a touch screen phone to be cool...I HATE it.
47. I carry a backpack instead of a purse.
48. I love living with my sister, niece, and best friend...quite the sorority situation.
49. I started a quilt when I was in high school, I got the face done, but would like to finish it someday.
50. Singin In the Rain is my favorite movie.
51. Remember the Titans is a close second.
52. My younger brother is in London on his mission.  I miss him alot.
53. My favorite memories of my mom include times spent after school with us kids doing homework at the table while she clogged around the kitchen making dinner.
54. I'd rather walk in rain than in snow.
55. I don't love math...another reason I'm good at Kindergarten.
56. I speak a little Spanish.
57. I want to learn American Sign Language.
58. I love the game "Word Ladder."
59. I want my next car to be an SUV of some kind.  Perhaps a Tahoe.
60. I don't like Ford vehicles, but it's only because my dad doesn't.
61. My best friend has a Ford... we still get along ok.
62. I pretty much always have a headache.
63. I filed my taxes all by myself for the first time this year.
64. I've been hurt more in the past 6 months than I have in my whole life- huge hole between my thumb and index finger from broom hockey, broke my foot playing lacrosse, and a root canal (it totally counts).
65. I enjoy being a leader, but not if I have to talk alot.
66. I used to be a lot shyer.
67. I hate shots...I always cry.
68. I hate throwing up worse.
69. I REALLY hate throwing up in the toilet...so gross.
70. I love jeans and tennis shoes.
71. I would be completely lost without my planner. I like having it even when I know I really don't need it.
72. Scripture study is my favorite time of the day.
73. I have the best prayers and thoughts while I'm in the shower.
74. While I love to teach and be with kids, there are only a few families that I will babysit for.
75. I love Z names....my poor kids.
76. I'm WAY more patient with children than with adults.
77. My newest favorite game is Bananagrams.
78. Although I love to clean, I don't enjoy cleaning other people's homes or areas. I would have for someone to clean mine and put my stuff in the wrong place.
79. Some mornings I wake up wondering where my husband is...like he was once there...I'm not married, nor have I ever been.
80. I sing alot...everywhere...about everything.
81. I'm pretty sure it creeps my kids out when I sing at school when they know I'm overwhelmed or frustrated.
82. I go to bed by 10:30 pretty much every night.
83. The best exception to #82 is staying up talking and laughing with my sisters.
84. I want to learn to play the banjo really well.
85. I miss my mom the most when I think about when I'll be a mom...and when I put the lights on the Christmas tree.
86. I love chocolate. All kinds.
87. I really hope my kids like playing outside together like I did with my siblings.
88. I've only had 2 speeding tickets-one in Wyoming and the other the Sunday I got back from my mission.
89. I like paisley pattern on things.
90. I recently started drinking Coke again to help with my headaches...it doesn't really help anymore.
91. I built a bookshelf with my grandfather and friend this year...while I love the bookshelf, I love the time spent with him even more.
92. I'm a complete Family History addict! I have always felt drawn to it, but over the past month I've really been working a lot and have seen so many good things happen!
93. I'm a back and side sleeper.
94. I love pedicures, but I'm so ticklish that sometimes I think it's not enjoyable or worth it.
95. Pretty much my entire family including immediate, aunts, uncles, cousins, great-aunts, and uncles live within about an hour or so of my house.
96. I LOVE that...we're all together a lot.
97. Orange Fanta is my favorite coke.
98. I don't love potatoes. I wouldn't eat them before the mission.  I will now, but not often.
99. I learned that I loved Kumquats while I was in CA. I hope to have a tree in my house or yard someday.
100. This list has taken 3 months to write...I'm grateful to have it...and to be done.

Once upon a time...

This is so funny to me.  I feel like I'm talking to myself, but the rest of you get to hear it...

Anyways, today is an exciting day.  Not only is it Halloween, but today is the day the rest of you get to see this blog.  I've been writing on here for a while.  I have several posts already done, but just haven't wanted to put it out there.  I've been stalking/reading several blogs for several years, but just haven't had the guts to write my own.  However, today is a new day.  I figure if my sister can have a super cute blog (click to go there) that makes me laugh and cry, I can try too.

Hope you don't come on here to see a really cute background and lots of pictures-I have no idea how to change the background and as of right now I don't own a camera...

This blog is more just for my thoughts and ideas.  Lately I've been thinking a lot about "becoming."  What does it mean? Is it important?  If so, why?  If so, am I becoming anything? What do the scriptures say about it?  So on...

Today marks my 4-year anniversary of entering the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, UT.  I was so excited and so scared to be starting my adventure that would take me to Carlbad California for 18 months to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  What did I become in those 18 months?  What have I become since then?

So before I tell you what I have to think, you tell me?  What does it mean to "become"?