was inspired to do this “20 Questions” post by Bethany Joy Lenz and her wonderful blog. I admire Joy and love her posts. Unlike Joy I don’t have a plethora of famous friends to question, however, I do know some pretty important and worthy people! My first example of such a person is my mom! We often fondly refer to her as ‘Mimzy’. I love my mom and think of her as an incredible example of a Godly woman have great fortitude, resourcefulness, love, whit, humor, and grace. Here is a small insight into my mom!
1.Do you remember your thoughts on your wedding day? If so, what were a few of them?
Her exact response was “Uhh yeahhhh! I hope no one gets lost!”. For some reason she remembers being worried about people finding the location or the ceremony running late. She remembers being disappointed that it was raining because her hair would get wet! She said “I wanted to get married – get it over with and move on with my life!”. I remember thinking the exact same thing.
My parent’s wedding day – June 19th, 1982!
Now the rest of the questions will be answered in first person by my mom…
2. What’s one piece of advice you would give a newlywed?:
Listen more than you talk.
3. What’s one piece of advice you would give a single college aged person about finding love and a relationship?
Don’t settle!
4. What’s your most prized possession?
Hmm. I don’t think I have a prized possession. If the house was on fire I would grab my grandmother’s Bible… or my cat! Okay, my cat.
5. What’s your favorite childhood memory?
Christmas! Christmas’ were always pretty cool. Our family was always together and my mother made it very special. She could take nothing and make it into something glorious. [I also liked Christmas] because everyone was in a relatively good mood!
My mom (bottom right hand corner) with her three siblings and my grandparents posing for an Olan Mills family photo!
6. What’s your favorite memory with your own children?
Either our Nags Head, NC vacations when the girls were little or when we went to Disney World!
Our trip to Disney World in 1999 – my immediate family plus my paternal grandparents!
7. What’s your favorite quality about yourself that you imparted to your children?
Sense of humor.
My mom and her two girls. Now… shouldn’t this be a funnier picture of the three of us then? Sarcasm and whit can look distinguished of course…
8. What’s your favorite quality about your husband?
He loves people. It’s my favorite because other than loving the Lord, what else really matters?
My parents this past July on my mother’s birthday the 17th! They’re still attractive!
9. What’s your least favorite job that you have to do?
These birthday cards I’m prepping! Maybe [I feel that way right now] just because I’m doing it. I know they’re important, but it’s pretty annoying.
10. What’s your favorite Christmas [or seasonal] food or drink?
I like sweet rolls!
Here’s Mimzy making (molasses cookies and) sweet rolls on Thanksgiving with Jack! This is a famous recipe from my grandmother and a family favorite.
11. What’s the worst and best thing about seeing your parents grow old?
The worst thing is to see them sick… weak and struggling. The best thing is that they kind of get past ‘putting on airs’ and they can just be themselves. They don’t have to give a rip about what other people think and don’t have to put up any fronts.
My mom’s parents (my grandparents) in their old age. This is how I will always remember each of them!
Here are my grandparents with all of their grandchildren together! This is the hotel near their house in Hope, Maine that we all stay in when we visited (when we weren’t staying with them) and I have many wonderful memories there.
12. Is it weird seeing your children become adults and get married?
No! They’re just going great. Why would that bother me?!
My wedding day September 18th, 2010! A happy day for all!
13. What’s something you never thought you’d enjoy in growing older?
Probably having the kids out of the house! That’s okay by me. I miss my girls but it’s nice not having to worry about where they are or what they’re doing. Also, being a grandmother figure. I’m just more comfortable in my own skin.
14. Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts?
Dunks! Tastes better! Starbucks is bitter and it’s too expensive! Dunks is the people’s coffee! No stupid fancy pants coffee! Lattes… small-ades… tall-ades… stupid… whatever!
BONUS My Mom’s Starbucks rant: You tell yourself you like it… you don’t! You just think you’re cool. Why would you spend so much money on coffee that tastes bad? Get over yourself, please! People my age are drinking Starbucks because they think they’re young. You’re drinking Starbucks – what’s wrong with you? Coffee doesn’t even smell good without the smell of donuts in the air [like Dunks]. Starbucks coffee is so bitter you have to put a ton of cream and sugar in it. But seriously, no one takes their first sip of Starbucks coffee and enjoys it… they think “hmmm maybe it’ll grow on me” or “Hmm maybe I’m not cool enough to enjoy it” or “I’ll never be able to memorize this menu!”. If you want a small, then call it a small – not a whatever!
15. What is something you look forward to?
Having grandkids! Being with Jack – I look forward to that!
My mom and her “grandson” Jack in 2008 at Creation Festival (Union, PA). We went there every year for our family vacation for many years. A lot of good memories here as well for all of us.
16. What is something you regret?
Not being a better wife. I just think I could have done better.
17. What’s one of your silly fears?
Silly fears… that Kimberly is going to post this and it will come back to haunt me!
18. What’s something people would be surprised that you enjoy?
The giraffe! I love that giraffe! I think it’s hilarious! Don’t you dare put that on the blog though… no one will understand what the “giraffe” means! I love twizzlers… just put twizzlers down! I do love them.
19. What’s your favorite outfit you own?
I don’t think I have one. I do like my long black sweater! It usually means that it’s cold out [which I like] and it keeps me warm! It’s weird that I don’t have one.
20. What is one of the best places you’ve traveled to?
The Caribbean! [That trip] was all vacation. It was warm and beautiful! And… yeah! I like snorkeling! I love the water. It was purely a trip for relaxation.
21. RANDOM BONUS QUESTION – Who’s your favorite actor?
Tom Hanks! He plays all different kinds of roles, and he’s funny. He’s made some great movies. Back in the day – Jimmy Steward! Modern day – Tom Hanks!
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I love my mommy!
So, now you have a glimpse into what 25 minutes is like with my mom. She’s funny and sarcastic and speaks her mind. Sound familiar? Now if only I inherited her grace! It’s funny because her generation and especially her parent’s generation come from a private more closed type of existence; whereas today young people put all their business out there for the world to read on the internet. So, I’m glad my mom answered all my questions [and only made me delete some of her answers once she found out I’m blogging this, haha]. I’m very proud and very glad to share a piece of who my mom is on my blog. Another characteristic she got from her own mom is that she doesn’t ever toot her own horn. Even when talking about her marriage she says she wishes she would have been a better wife. Amazing to me because she was an INCREDIBLE example of amazing wife and partner [and I know my dad agrees]… but she still strives to be even better and continues this pattern in modesty. I wish you all could truly know my mother – some of you reading have the blessing of knowing her – because she is an extraordinary person. I am truly grateful for her! Thank you Lord for giving me the Mom that I have. I know Kendra and Clark and now Sterling agree… nevermind the dozen others who consider our Mom their Mimzy as well.
Mimzy and my brother Fab on his wedding day!
Mimzy and Granger (From Autumn Skye Photography)… she grew up one of my sister’s closest friends and later on became one of mine. She lived with us for a summer and is like another child to my parents.
My sister’s future husband Sterling & Mimzy!
Mimzy and her first son-in-love! My husband Clark & Mimzy!
Mom with her girls! My sister and I with our two best friends!
Mom and her Olivia!
ps- Notice how I didn’t really ask about being a Pastor’s wife or in ministry?? That “women in ministry” post is coming in the future! Stay tuned 😉
character goes through something where you see them stretch and grow and most of the time learn something with them. I find myself feeling incredibly connected to this family because my family resembles the “Braverman family” so often. In an 
watched. The creator and executive producer (and sometimes director) Mark Schwan is a literary genius. I’m telling you… if One Tree Hill was a novel it’s be an instant classic and NY Times best seller. I also appreciate how this show stuck it the man!!! When the show starts our characters are in their junior year of high school… and it’s clear that the program shows a little skin and does the whole “I’m a teenage drama CW tv show” bit. However, by the third episode it’s clear that there’s more to the show. By the end of our time at Tree Hill you see our characters grow up, start families, learn important life lessons, appreciate each other and love so fiercely… I only dream of having such friends in my own life! It’s hard for me to believe that Haley, Brooke, and some of the other characters don’t love Jesus… haha! Watching this show is like going to therapy. I’ve probably saved a lot of money watching this show rather than talking to a shrink. I’ve also been incredibly inspired by One Tree Hill. I’m not even sure anything has ever inspired me as much… work hard to follow your dreams, make the right choices, love your family and friends, grow healthy relationships, have fun in life! Lucas said “Life is short, Peyton” and Peyton replied “too short to live it as a bad person”. This show also makes me feel incredibly normal as I transition from teenage Kim to adult Kim to starting a family Kim. The narrations in OTH presents to me a very relatable story that becomes a theology on life. Now… don’t get me wrong… it’s very dramatic… and crazy!! Nannie Carrie!!! You can find the entire series on Netflix streaming.
Even though this show aired in 1999 and was set in 1980 this show is extremely relevant to modern public high school experience. Freaks and Geeks exposes a lot things that people probably didn’t want exposed in 1980, 1999, or even now… the truth behind the high school growing up experience. It exposes a lot of hypocrisy in the education system and how that generation of adults parented their children. I would highly recommend this show to anyone especially wanting an insight into the teenage mind. 
Learning to Breathe 
