Saturday, March 17, 2007

About Me

Sometimes funny, occasionally deep, always real – these are my thoughts on an imperfect life. I like to talk about family, faith, books, diet-friendly and fiber-filled foods like granola bars and nachos (what?), celebrity look-alikes and chick flicks. You know, the important stuff.

My name is Mary, and I live in Kansas City. That’s smack dab in the middle of the country for you coastal readers.

I’m married to my high school sweetheart (cue the “awwww”), and we have a smart, feisty and completely adorable toddler. No, I am not biased at all.

I work full-time in public relations, I love to take pictures with my fancy-schmancy digital camera (on automatic, thank you very much, I have no idea what all those settings are for), I’m always trying – and rarely succeeding – to lose weight (this would be Exhibit A for this blog’s title), and I am a big fan of lists.

And in the spirit of my list love, here’s a short one: Only 10 Things About Me (Take that, Facebook!)

You can reach me at givinguponperfect@gmail.com, or you can follow me on Twitter @givingupperfect. I'd love to hear from you!

This Mama's Baby Drama

In 2007, Mark and I experienced several true, literal, not-exaggerating miracles. First, we got pregnant. And then it was a healthy pregnancy. And then it wasn’t. But somehow, The Kiddo and I were okay. No, better than okay; we were great (eventually).

And did I mention that in the middle of the whole mess, I lost my job?

But we were still quite okay. Thanks to a mighty, merciful God who knows the plans He makes for us* and works all things together for good**.

Here’s my story.

Some Good Readin' Material

I used to call myself a bookworm. But since I discovered the world of blogs, I think I’d better just call myself a readworm. Hmm…that doesn’t sound quite right…a wordworm, maybe? I don’t know…

What I’m trying to say is that I read a lot of blogs. A lot. Just like I subscribe to a dozen magazines and constantly have a stack of overdue library books somewhere in my house, I can’t seem to keep my Reader zeroed out. And actually, my obsessive attempt at clearing it out is just getting out of control.

But enough about my Reader. Here are the blogs I’m enjoying right now. Funny, inspiring, serious, ridiculous, educational – it’s all here, folks. Read on!

Advanced Fiction Writing Blog
Amy in Ohio
Amy Writes
Annie Blogs
Are we still cool?
ben + erin = samantha & ryan
Beside the Sea
Big Mama
Blogging Basics 101
BooMama
brent(inWorship)
Bring the Rain
Cake Wrecks
calling to deep …
chatting at the sky
Chip MacGregor.com
Complete Organizing Solutions
Copyblogger
Crazy Disciple
Domestic Chicky
FlowerDust.net / Anne Jackson
From the Land of Monkeys and Princesses: A Southern Fairytale
Gifted for Leadership
Girls Write Out
Gitz
Give Me My Remote
Grit and Glory
Heart to Heart with Holley
Hey look, a chicken!
Hip Mama
I Should Be Folding Laundry
inProgress
jennsylvania
Jesus Needs New PR
Just in Case You Were Wondering…
kristiapplesauce
Lost in the Pensieve
Lysa TerKeurst
Make and Takes
mandythompson.com
Michael Hyatt
Mommin’ It Up!
Mommy Always Wins
Mommy Life
Mommy Track’d
Musings of a Housewife
My Charming Kids
Nesting Place
noodleroux
Our Creative Community
PENSIEVE
Peter Shankman
Playgroups Are No Place for Children
Please Pass the Salt
PraiseBaby
ProBlogger
Proverbs 31 Ministries – Daily Devotions
Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent
Rocks in My Dryer
Scott Photography
Secret Agent Mama
Seth Godin’s Blog
Shlog (Shaun Groves)
simple mom
So You Want to Be Published
Spence Smith
Stuff Christians Like
Test Pattern
The Arthur Clan
The Bad Pitch Blog
The “Blog” of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks
The Life, Faith and Creativity of Jessica Turner
The Living Proof Ministries Blog
The Pioneer Woman Cooks!
The Power of Words, the Magic of Story
The Run a Muck
The Diaper Diaries
Thoughts from Middle Earth
Visit Us in Virginia
We Are THAT Family
Without Wax