Proud Mommy Moments- MY Birthday!

Ready for the good the bad and the funny?  It's Proud Mommy Moment Time! This is your weekly chance to brag about the awesome things your kids, nieces, nephews, etc did and no one will judge because we told you to. Or you can do the opposite and tell us about those moments your kids made you so "proud"- i.e. something totally embarrassing but hey it makes for great blog material!  Please grab the button for your post and visit my co-host Kmama.
Every Thursday!
<br /><center> <a href="http://www.emmymom2.com/"><img src="http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/Emmymom/PMMButtonF.jpg" /></a></center> <br /> So- yes this is where I should tell you something awesome of something horrifically embarrassing my kids did but well today is special as it is my birthday!  So I wrote the kid post-- all about Ryder's new sneaky way of trying to get out of naps on Tuesday (you can read it by clicking here).

Today I am going to tell you 32 things you may or may not know about me.  As yes 32 might be how old I am now.

1. I was born and raised in the Midwest- Chicago will always be my favorite city
2. I come from a family of 8 (6 kids- 2 parents)
3. I had open heart surgery when I was 5-years-old
4.  My town and my grade school were destroyed by an F-5 Tornado when I was in 4th grade
5. As a kid I was very shy and would cry very easily
6. I played T-ball and softball, even played on the All-star team but quit when it was time to switch to fast patch as I didn't think I would be able to hit it
7. I taught a few swing dance lessons and competed in some contests
8. The first vehicle I drove was a huge 8 person tan and brown van- it was called "The Beast"
9. I had a "boyfriend box" in high school where I would keep a picture of the guys I dated-- only way for me to remember them all as my relationships did not last long in high school
10.  I was in band, drama, speech team, and National Honors Society to name a few
11. I loved writing stories and plays as a child- even wrote, directed and stared in one for church
12. I have never broken a bone but sprained my shoulder twice- once swing dancing and once playing football
13. I didn't fly on an airplane until my senior year of high school
14.. I was known as the "pajama runner" my freshmen year of college
15. I met my now husband my sophomore year of college- we were married 9 months later
16. After getting married I got all 4.0's in my classes (before-- not so much)
17. I have eaten cow tongue
18. I graduated college in 3 years
19. I used my psychology degree while working for DCFS (Division of Child and Family Services)
20. We had our first home built while my husband was still in school- we sold it a year later
21. I have lived in 8 different places since getting married 11 years ago
22. I literally pushed for four hours during Lucas' birth (pain-med free) only to end in a c-section
23. I don't always have the most compassion for sick people- especially if they are whining
24. Sushi is one of my favorite foods
25. I have never drank alcohol or coffee or smoked cigarettes in my life
26. I love tole-painting (painting on wood) and am actually pretty good at it
27. I love accelerating off the line at a green light very quickly
28. Cheese- I can eat cheese anytime, anywhere
29. I am a professional photographer but I still question my abilities at times
30. I am not the best housekeeper and am glad my husband likes a clean home or there would be trouble
31. I often talk to myself out-loud while shopping
32. I have no problem with being in my 30's- especially since I look so young

So there we go- 32 things about me for my birthday.  Eric and I went out to a movie last night to celebrate.  Today- well I am spending the morning at the dentist getting the tooth I broke eating corn nuts! Stupid corn nuts, should have stuck with cheese.

What is your Proud Mommy Moment this week?