Everything You Didn't Know You Wanted to Know About Me

Thanks to an incredible iPad Mini Giveaway (have you registered yet?), I've gained what seems like a ton of new followers.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  (I love meeting other bloggers, so be sure to leave me a comment with your blog's address so I can check yours out, too!)  Since so many of you are new, I thought I'd take today to introduce myself and tell you a little more about me.


I'm Anna and this is my little space called The Things I'm Learning!  Why that name?  Well, because I like to learn, reflect, and grow and at this stage in my life, I'm learning a lot.  


On October 13, 2012 (two months from tomorrow!), I married my sweet husband, Kevin (or KT as I sometimes call him).  He is a gift from God, the one I prayed for my whole life, the man I love more than anything in this world, and my better half.  He's an incredible husband and father and I am so blessed that he is mine.  He makes me laugh louder than I've ever laughed, smile wider than I've ever smiled (and I smile.  A lot.), and love deeper than I ever knew was possible.  


When Kevin and I got married, I officially became Anna Belle (the name the boys gave me a long time ago) to our two precious boys.  (We don't do the whole "step" thing.)  I feel so blessed to get to be Anna Belle of these two sweet boys for forever.  They are a gift and have expanded my life in ways I didn't know were possible. I am so thankful for the bond that we have, the memories we make, and the love I have for them that is unlike any love that I ever knew existed.  



I love my family more than anything in this world and along with my faith, they're the most important things to me.  As a child of God, I know that I fail miserably over and over, but I have also experienced God's grace and forgiveness in ways that are hard to explain.  I know that my life is far from perfect and I've made my fair share of mistakes, but I know that God is right beside me and has been leading and guiding me even when I haven't paid Him much attention.  I've learned that both prayer and time in God's Word are vital to each day, but I don't always take the time to make the time with Him.  I'm working on that one.


I'm also a runner.  I run a lot. And I love it.  I'm not a marathoner and I haven't run a half, but I do log 50-70 miles each month and run in 5K's and 10K's in my town.  I also like to win.  In addition to running, I work out 4-5 days a week. I think it's important to take care of our bodies and I want to set a good example for our boys.  I also just love the way I feel after a good workout and if I'm sharing it all, I may be a little vain in that I want to look good for my husband!   



What else should you know about me?

By day, I'm a marketing and PR professional.  I started the job I've always wanted in August.  

I love the beach.  I grew up not too far from the coast and it's my favorite place in the world.  It's a good thing, too, because KT loves it.  We even got engaged there.

I am the oldest child and have a sister who is almost nine years younger than me.  I love her like she's mine and can't believe she's filling out college applications.

My parents are the best.  They have loved me unconditionally, supported me in all that I've done, and have shown me what a blessing marriage and parenting is.  They gave me the freedom to make my own decisions and encouraged me to be myself.  That itself is a blessing.  

My grandparents are the best, too.  I grew up within ten minutes of both sets of my grandparents and know how rare it is to have the relationships I have with them today.  

My new family is incredible, too.  Kevin's parents and sister and her family don't feel like in-laws.  They're family.  I'm so glad that we all enjoy doing things together and our whole family (mine and Kevin's) gets along great, too.  

I love the Olympics.

I've started to really enjoy Twitter. 

I sometimes over do it (so says my husband and I have to agree with him completely on this) in that I try to fit in too much.

I love spy shows.  Covert Affairs and White Collar are my favorites.

I also love Survivor.  My husband got me hooked on this last year.  He really wants to go.

With all the TV I'm talking about, you'd think we watch it all the time.  Really, we don't.  That's the beauty of On Demand.

My family means more to me than anything in this world.

I love photo books.  I make them all the time.  Not literally, but I really make them often.  A family book each year and books for each of our boys of each year and I've recently been making them like crazy of our wedding, honeymoon, and for some Christmas gifts.  

I love Lays Original Potato Chips and Reese Cups. 
I like to cook and I like to try out recipes.  My favorite recipes are those that have like five ingredients or less in them.

I like to shop and am a devotee of Tracy Negoshian and J.Crew.  

I love books.  Yes, we do have an iPad (I love it, too.) and realize that it's much easier (and takes less space) to read on it, but I like to have real books physically in my hands!

I love to smile and laugh.  All the time.  And I'm an optimist.

I'm a Pinterest addict.  Need I say more?  

About me?  It's really not.

If there's anything you'd like to know, feel free to ask!  thethingsimlearning@gmail.com





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