OkieMama's AMA

[okiemama]

Ask away!

[jags8]

What do you love most about being a mom?

What part do you like the least/is the hardest?

[jags8]

How did you meet your husband?

What qualities in him to do you find the most attractive (physical and/or personality)?

[jags8]

You teach dance, right? Is it your own studio?

What types do you teach?

[minae01]

Did you go to college? If so, major?

Do you drink coffee? If so, how do you take it?

How are you doing with 3 kids???

[okiemama]

Aug 16, 2016 7:44:21 GMT -5 jags8 said:

What do you love most about being a mom?

What part do you like the least/is the hardest?

I love watching their individual personalities develop. It's so fun seeing bits of me, DH, and other family members all combined in these people, and seeing the ways they are just totally uniquely themselves. I love the snuggles, their cuteness, watching them interact with each other, and just having people with me all the time (most of the time). That last one sounds a little pathetic...haha, I'm an introvert who hates being alone, "I'll just make my own people I like!" 😂

The hardest part is learning to give up my independence and selfish tendencies in order to serve them and their every need. Juggling the needs of three little ones (especially when they're all crying and neeeeeeding me) plus DHs and my own can be overwhelming.

[okiemama]

Aug 16, 2016 7:45:04 GMT -5 jags8 said:

How did you meet your husband?

What qualities in him to do you find the most attractive (physical and/or personality)?

We grew up in the same church. I knew of his family, but we were in different grades so we didn't officially "meet" until one year at camp when I was 15, he was 17. I turned 16 at the end of the summer and was officially allowed to date, and we did. The rest is history

He is tall (I am short), and has the most genuine smile. I was actually crushing on another guy when I met DH and when trying to decide between the two I kept going back to a picture we took together at camp and how honest, vulnerable, and sweet his smile was.

Now I find his hardworking, helpful disposition attractive too, and how great of a dad he is. And that he is a godly man with integrity.

[okiemama]

Aug 16, 2016 7:45:47 GMT -5 jags8 said:

You teach dance, right? Is it your own studio?

What types do you teach?

I do! And , yes, but it's super small and "studio" is probably a stretch. We use available space (with floor and a mirror) but don't have our own building or employees (it's me and my sister). We taught 5 classes last year though, with 8-10 kids in each, and put on a little recital at Christmas and in the spring.

I've done all kinds, but this year we will be offering ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop.

[okiemama]

Aug 16, 2016 7:49:24 GMT -5 buttercup said:

Which team do you like?

Are you mad at Durant?

I'm a sooner and thunder fan, but not a sports nut by any means. I know which team to root for in football but don't understand the rules at all. Basketball I enjoy, but never cared about until we got our own team.

I wouldn't say mad. I mean, he can do whatever he wants, but I definitely feel a sting of betrayal and like "why wasn't I good enough?" Brings back all the feels from my 7th grade breakup lol. I'm a pretty fiercely loyal person, so I value loyalty in people and so I guess the best word is disappointed.

[okiemama]

Aug 16, 2016 7:51:52 GMT -5 minae01 said:

Did you go to college? If so, major?

Do you drink coffee? If so, how do you take it?

How are you doing with 3 kids???

Yes, bachelors in Mass Communications, minor in Sociology.

Love the flavor of coffee, but can't handle caffeine (makes me sick), so I do decaf even not pregnant/nursing. I like flavored creamers at home, or lattes and fun sugary stuff.

Most days ok. My A16 baby is so easygoing and when we are at home and I can rock and feed on demand he barely disrupts our flow. That's one perk to 3 under 4, no school or anything- just me at home with a bunch of babies. My oldest will start PreK soon though so that will be different. Going places makes my head spin with all the crap I have to bring, all the wrangling I have to do, and all the car seats to buckle.

The older two have regressed a bit and seem super needy lately and when all three are saying "mommy hold me I need you" I want to duck and run. It can be too much, and I feel so guilty choosing who gets to be comforted first.

[creepyeyeball]

Fellow dancer/dance teacher here - What is your favorite type of dance? What type of dance training do you have? What is your favorite type of dance to teach/favorite age range to teach it to?

[okiemama]

Aug 16, 2016 9:04:29 GMT -5 creepyeyeball said:

Fellow dancer/dance teacher here - What is your favorite type of dance? What type of dance training do you have? What is your favorite type of dance to teach/favorite age range to teach it to?

My favorite as an adult is lyrical/contemporary. Give me a good love song or piece of worship music and let me dance my heart out! As a kid I liked jazz because it was more fun and upbeat.

I danced at a studio from the time I was 3 years old until I was about 10 (or so?) -competitively for the last few years of that on a company. Then we left the studio because the costumes and moves started getting more raunchy than we were comfortable with, and I just wanted a break. When I was 12 or 13 a woman came to my church and started a worship dance team. I had been out long enough to majorly miss it, so I jumped at the opportunity. I was on that team through college. It was amazing rediscovering the thing I loved to do, and doing it in a way that honored God. I made close, long-lasting friendships on that team and grew a lot spiritually by being with mature older girls.

My favorite to teach is probably jazz/hip hop, because the kids get so excited! But I looooove choreographing ballet/lyrical/contemporary so much, that's my favorite part of teaching, hands down.

2s and 3s are too young, they can't do enough actual "dance" to keep me interested. 9-12 start getting so self conscious they don't ever go full out so that frustrates me. I'd say somewhere between 4-8 is my favorite. (Although I've never taught high school age, that would probably be my favorite if I had the chance)

[Courtniko]

Dream vacation?

Drink of choice?

Favorite season?

Did you play any sports growing up?

Eta- obviously dance, duh

[okiemama]

Aug 16, 2016 9:18:19 GMT -5 Courtniko said:

Dream vacation?

Drink of choice?

Favorite season?

Did you play any sports growing up?

Eta- obviously dance, duh

Kauai

Water, haha...I honestly don't know. I have only had a couple of drinks in my life, and wasn't crazy about any of them.

Fall! Definitely

I was on a competitive swim team as a kid, danced, and played varsity tennis in HS.

[creepyeyeball]

I love your dance answers. I was a modern dance major, which was basically contemporary without lyrics. Love it. I led a dance ministry at a church for a while and it was amazing - I love being able to worship that way. I will definitely do it again when my kids are older. And ITA on the favorite ages, down to the self-consciousness. I found that it can continue even into high school for certain kids. High school is fun because they finally get the intricacies of technique, but I feel like you end up doing a lot of self esteem building too. I mean, that's great and I'm glad to help girls feel better about themselves, but there is something so refreshing about young girls who just dance with abandon, not caring what people think of them.

[okiemama]

Aug 16, 2016 9:41:28 GMT -5 @pennygirl2013 said:

What's your favorite summer activity?

Do you have any interesting talents?

Swimming, for sure. Although that keeps getting more and more difficult with so many little ones.

I love baking and video editing. Recently took up sewing. Idk how interesting any of those are my stupid human trick used to be bending my thumb all the way back to touch my forearm...but I broke my wrist twice and later had surgery so no more of that.

[sammie]

Favorite movie(s) and book(s)?

What's your favorite thing you bake?

[okiemama]

Aug 16, 2016 11:00:49 GMT -5 sammie said:

Favorite movie(s) and book(s)?

What's your favorite thing you bake?

I have a hard time picking favorite movie because it depends on my mood. I like The Other Sister, The Notebook, Baby Mama, and Christmas Vacation...I only really go for comedies and dramas. Aladdin is my favorite Disney movie.

I used to like to read Nicholas Sparks novels but haven't in a long time. The only book I really read these days is the bible and some mom/reference/self-help/devotion materials type stuff here and there. I also like breezy funny books I can pick up here and there when I have time. I have Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, and Jim Gaffigan.

My favorite is probably chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips. Most crowd-pleasing are my pies, and birthday cakes.

[creepyeyeball]

Will you move to Ohio and be my friend? We could dance together while an army of children run around. Then we could bake pies and watch J Gaffigan stand-up when we get tired of that.

[minae01]

I love Jim Gaffigan's comedy! I liked it before kids but it's even funnier now that I can relate.

Are you currently working or do you SAH?

[okiemama]

Aug 16, 2016 13:24:21 GMT -5 minae01 said:

I love Jim Gaffigan's comedy! I liked it before kids but it's even funnier now that I can relate.

Are you currently working or do you SAH?

I know I just had my third but I still love that quote. So true!

I SAH. Went back part-time for a few months after DS1 and have been at home ever since.

[minae01]

What do you do with all 3 kids to keep the older ones entertained? I'm looking for advice now!

[richaroodo]

What was your first CD?

What was the last thing you bought for yourself?

[creepyeyeball]

Aug 16, 2016 14:08:43 GMT -5 okiemama said:

Aug 16, 2016 13:24:21 GMT -5 minae01 said:

I love Jim Gaffigan's comedy! I liked it before kids but it's even funnier now that I can relate.

Are you currently working or do you SAH?

I know I just had my third but I still love that quote. So true!

I SAH. Went back part-time for a few months after DS1 and have been at home ever since.

Oh my goodness, his material on four kids is gold. "Four kids.......well that's one way to live your life!" Also his stuff on midwifery and homebirths kills me. So funny!!

[okiemama]

Aug 16, 2016 14:40:04 GMT -5 minae01 said:

What do you do with all 3 kids to keep the older ones entertained? I'm looking for advice now!

Haha, that's a great question! I wish I had good advice but basically I figure it out day to day- and today has not been a great one!

The bigger kids are happier if we are doing something or going somewhere; the library, zoo, science museum, the mall, a friend's house. A16 is so laid back he is pretty easy to take along for the ride but unfortunately I feel like he gets ignored/neglected somewhat on days like that. On the flip side, when we stay home and I can give LO plenty of time and attention I end up relying on tv/video games to keep especially DS1 occupied. I try to encourage some sort of play each day (getting out play doh, paint, hot wheel tracks, etc) but on days like today that just ends with whiny, fighting siblings. They all three like such different things it's hard. They love playing outside, so as things cool off that will be my go to for sure, it's just been miserably hot this summer.

[okiemama]

Aug 16, 2016 14:41:16 GMT -5 richaroodo said:

What was your first CD?

What was the last thing you bought for yourself?

Either Hanson or Point of Grace, can't remember which came first.

A package of underwear 😂
Before that, an outfit to wear for my daughter's birthday party.

[okiemama]

buttercup, I don't have a ton of knowledge about what's out there, but I would look around and see if there is some sort of studio or program geared specifically for preschool ages, or something like a ministry of a nearby church. I would think those would be more laid back and possibly cheaper (although dance in general is not known for being a budget sport- be warned!) I believe some traditional studios also provide options to take classes without committing to be in the recital right away (she may have to sit out during certain parts of class if you opted out of the performance).
Another option if you aren't concerned about beginning right away could be to find out when a local studio is having their Christmas or spring recital and take her to watch, that way she has a better understanding of what "dance class" could really entail, and what might be expected, to really gauge her interest.