Clearing Things Up and Some Old Photos, Answer Me This!

I don't get to do this often, but with all of the extra time I have on my hands this week, I get to link up with Kendra at Catholic All Year for her weekly Answer Me This.

1. How did you get your name?

My dad and I talked about it not that long ago.  I had two separate stories from his younger days mashed up together.  To set the record straight with everyone to whom I had previously told the story, I was NOT named after my dad's fiance that died in a tragic drowning in her backyard.  While a girl he dated did die in such a manner, I was named after a girl he knew from even earlier in his life.  Two sisters who lived nearby were named Crissy and Susy.  My sister and I are named Christine and Susan, but were always called Crissy and Susy until adulthood, when we immediately went to our legal names.    

2. Do you have a set time for prayer in your day?

I don't, besides before meals.  It goes in spurts.  When the young kids are in a sleeping in cycle, I can have a time in the morning to pray and read the Bible.  Otherwise, I don't.  I will stop and say a short prayer many times throughout the day, be it a thank you, a please help, or a be with this person.  I will listen to Catholic talk radio stations or Christian music stations when I drive.  Every day, when people ask for prayers or I offer to pray for someone, I tuck it in my heart.  At some point each day, I ask God to remember all of those I placed in my heart.  He knows who they are, and He knows what they need more than I do.

3. Did your mom work or stay home (or both)?

Despite our parents' divorce when I was in 2nd grade, my mom stayed at home with us until I was in middle school.  She was a great, fun mom, and I appreciate the sacrifices my parents made for this to be possible.  My dad was a policeman on a very limited salary.  I know it wasn't easy to raise four kids (with two homes) on that salary.

My mom and me.  We're a lot alike.

4. Do you vote?

Usually.  Sometimes it just doesn't happen.  

5. What's your favorite drink?

I rarely drink anything besides milk and water.  If you are talking about alcoholic drinks, I enjoy a strawberry daiquiri.  Bryan and I honeymooned at a resort in Key West.  The bar on the beach had a fantastic strawberry daiquiri.  By 10:30 each day, we'd be looking at our watches, wondering when was too early to go down to get one.  Delicious.  

However, daiquiris aren't readily available anywhere.  I will also be happy with a mojito.  Or a Pimms.  (Hey England!)  Or just about anything someone offers me.

from our anniversary overnighter 2 years ago

6. How are your photography skills?

Not bad.

When the big kids were little, I got tired of dragging them to get their photos professionally taken.  I finally decided to bite the bullet and take some myself.  They turned out pretty well.  People started asking me to take photos of their kids, so I did.  Bryan being the attorney that he is, he made me officially open up a business.  So, I had a small photography business for about 5 years, taking senior, family, newborn, and holiday portraits for people.  Once I got pregnant with Cuckoo, I had to give it up.   The hours of a photographer just don't work for a stay-at-home mom with 6 kids, 4 of whom are getting to be active and school-aged. 

Now, I just take photos for fun.  I see good shots everywhere I go, but only get to take a small fraction of them.

Buttercup's First Communion.  I'd scan the first photos I took to show you, but I'm currently not allowed to walk.

From our recent anniversary trip to Europe without kids.  More artsy ones can be seen in the post.

That's it!  Six questions.

If you want to join in, head on over to Kendra's!

So, here is the awkward no-way-to-end this post sentence before I say...

Have a lovely day!