I’m joining the rest of the lovely ladies here on the blog and sharing 10 things you might not know about me!
1. I grew up a PK (pastor’s kid).
My dad was a Lutheran Pastor. And I grew up in the church. Not literally, of course. We usually lived in a parsonage, often one that was next door to the church. But my life centered around attending Sunday School and church, reading the Bible, and attending catechism classes.
I can look back on my childhood and understand now just how special my heritage was (even if at the time I didn’t always appreciate it!).
My dad has passed away but here I am with my wonderful mother!
2. One of my favorite places to live as a child was in Utah.
As a PK, I moved around a lot when my dad took different parishes. One place he took a “call” was Utah where we lived for four years. My dad served at a small Lutheran church in Tooele, Utah just south of Salt Lake City.
Aside from remembering that’s where I got the chicken pox, I also remember swimming in the Salt Lake and being crusted with salt after drying. I remember hiking and camping in the majestic canyons near our home. I also remember walking the streets of Salt Lake City and eating at the Old Spaghetti Factory.
3. My twin daughters were born premature.
In fact, they were born NINE weeks early (at 31 weeks). They only weighed 3 pounds each and had to stay in the NICU for a month. Leaving them at the hospital and returning home without them was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
Here is my son holding the twins at two months old!
Now they are both seniors in high school and beautiful young women on the inside and out.
4. I’ve experienced a miscarriage.
I had three miscarriages to be exact. I never realized how heart-wrenching miscarriages are until I had one. There’s such a sense of loss and fear and discouragement that’s coupled with loneliness in the grieving process.
While each of my miscarriages was difficult, I rejoice in knowing that someday in heaven I have three children I finally get to see face to face.
5. I don’t do the grocery shopping.
My husband gets all of the groceries in our household. He loves finding good deals. He uses coupons. And he only buys the things we need (and not the pack of donuts and extra candy bars that just happen to end up in the cart when I get groceries).
My awesome husband who just happens to be the crazy cat guy so we’re a perfect match! (See #7)
6. I actually don’t like much of any kind of shopping.
I rarely go shopping much to the disappointment of my three teenage daughters. I’d rather allow my husband to have all the pleasure of the shopping experience (I’m self-sacrificial like that!). He loves sales and Black Friday and getting gifts. And he’s actually quite good at it!
7. I’m a crazy cat lady.
If you were to visit my home, I admit, you’d find the cats ruling as miniature kings and queens. All FIVE. Yes, that’s no typo. I have five cats.
You’d see them sprawled on the kitchen table taking baths. You’d see them at the bathroom sink drinking from the facet. You’d find them at a certain cupboard meowing and being rewarded each and every time with a treat. You’d hear lots of baby-talk addressed to the kitties. And you’d even find them on the kitchen counter, eating a gourmet dinner of soft cat food from a can.
8. I’ve been watching one TV show for 15 years straight. Can you guess what it is?
I honestly don’t have much time to watch TV. And even if I did, we don’t have cable. With the big cumbersome antenna my husband rigged up on top of our roof, we get a few basic channels. So that helps in keeping the temptation to overdose on entertainment at bay.
Nevertheless, I admit, I do have one television show that I watch regularly, without fail. And what show has had the ability to hold my attention year after year?
Survivor.
Yes, I’m a Survivor fan. It used to be a date night for my husband and me. But once our kids got into high school they graduated to watching it with us, which is a lot of fun too.
9. My favorite place to vacation is . . .
No, not Disney World or a castle in Germany or beaches on Cape Cod or Mammoth Caves or Yellowstone (all of which I’ve visited and enjoyed).
Actually my favorite place to vacation is my home state of Michigan. I’m lucky to live in the prettiest state in America (not biased in the least, am I?!). From beautiful Lake Superior sunsets to the amazing sand dunes on Lake Michigan to the windswept rocky lighthouses on Lake Huron—Michigan is simply stunning.
Every summer we try to explore new places around the state, and after living in Michigan for almost 18 years, I haven’t run out of places to go!
10. I like winter.
As you can probably guess, we get plenty of winter in Michigan. I’m one of those weird people who complains when it reaches the 40’s in January and the snow begins to melt. When it’s winter, I like it to be cold and snowy. It makes spring all that much prettier and welcoming!
Do you and I share any similarities? I’d love to know which ones!
Jody Hedlund
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Hi Jody,
We do have some similarities. I love winter too! I’m much happier in colder weather, although I grew up in the South. I’m not a shopper either. I try to do any shopping as quickly as possible (and usually online). Unfortunately, we also share the miscarriage thread. I’ve had five, and they are so painful and the grief is so devastating. I’m sorry that this has happened to you, but thank you for sharing. I really think it helps others who have suffered through the same loss.
Hi Megan,
So sorry to hear about your miscarriages too. It’s often something that most people don’t talk about but you’re right that it can help others who’ve suffered the same loss! Blessings to you!
I’ve experienced miscarriage, too, Jody. Twice. I couldn’t agree more with the emotions you mentioned that accompany it.
I WISH we shared #5) Husbands who grocery shop! My husband does a little bit of grocery shopping, but I’d gladly give him the entirety of that responsibility. Gladly! That, and cooking. Well, and cleaning. Oh, and the laundry….. 😉
Hi Becky,
Your comment about your husband made me laugh. Too funny! I didn’t know you experienced miscarriages too. So very painful!
What a fun post getting to know you Jody! And I love that you’re a crazy cat lady. You’ve got me beat by 2 cats lol. Yours are beautiful too. I really am enjoying these 10 things posts.
Hi Christina, We are definitely crazy to have 5! But there’s never a dull moment and there’s always a cat wanting attention and cuddling which is fun! 🙂
Well, Jody, it turns out we share a guilty pleasure. I’m a Survivor watcher, too. The only one in my family, though. So I have to watch it in secret. Ha! Actually, I usually watch it on my phone while I exercising on the treadmill. I’m not a big fan of all the drama, but I’m addicted to the challenges. And I have to admit, it does give insight into human interactions that can be great character research. 🙂
Hi Karen, Yes, Survivor is most definitely research!! That’s exactly why I watch it! How’d you guess? 😉
HI, Jody. You and I share 2 of the 10: Watching Survivor and NOT liking shopping.
As for some of your others, I would have to say we are opposite, I like cats but don’t want any in my home (I have relatives who are allergic) and I DO NOT like snow! Well, I know it’s necessary and the Lord deems when and where, but I always pray that His will is that there is no snow in my neighborhood. I don’t like having to be ultra-careful when driving.
Thanks for sharing your list. I’m really enjoying learning about my favorate authors!
Hi Hilda,
I hear you on the allergies to cats. It’s definitely been a sore spot for certain friends and relatives when they come to visit. In fact, whenever my son comes home from college we’ve noticed even he has an allergic reaction now that wasn’t there in his early years.
I, like you, don’t like shopping. Thankfully I live in a technological world where I can do that online. (heh heh) I also love cats and Survivor, but not a huge fan of winter. Here in Georgia, we get the cold weather and ice, but rarely the pretty blanketing snow. Michigan looks lovely!Thanks for the photos. 🙂
Hi Cheryl,
My main shopping happens to be books. I’m actually quite the expert at book-buying! Ha! (Just placed a Christianbook.com order yesterday as a matter of fact!)
Oh yes! I’m exceptional at book shopping. haha
Love that you are a cat person too! I wanted to send you a pic of my two cats but it doesn’t work on this format. Enjoyed all of your pics. I’m currently reading your book The Doctor’s Lady.
I am a PW, but not a PK. However, my husband is a PK and, of course, our kids are PKs. 🙂 Also Lutheran (LCMS). We live in SE Michigan and I would say my favorite place to vacation is Western Michigan, any place along Lake Michigan is wonderful.
Great list! I am a cat lady (only 2, which is plenty for the RV in which we live). They are often found on top of things normal cats are not allowed. We use 409 quite often. I’m not a PK, but my kids are. Pastor’s wife for me. I love winter. This winter (Washington state, I will put in my 2 cents as being the most beautiful state) has been unusually snowy. It’s snowing right now, actually. PK (Pastor Kevin and my husband) is so done with snow and winter. I love it! Trying to enjoy it enough to survive the mud to come until spring green. 🙂
Oh my word yes. We have quite a bit in common. My dad was an assistant pastor. My mom died several years ago. I don’t like shopping, but my husband and I split it. I moved around a ton growing up.
I also have experienced the heartache of miscarriage. I h8had two.
Thanks Jody! Love your books!
Do you have any recommendations for vacationing in Michigan? I live in Michigan and I need a vacation this summer. 🙂
Similar: 5, 6, 7, & 8
5) Jerry does “most” of the grocery shopping, and he would do it all if I could get out of it.
6) I don’t like shopping of any kind either. Must have been behind the door when they passed out the “shopping gene.” Which is why I’m addicted to online shopping. I need something, I find it online, buy it, and I’m done.
7) I would be a crazy cat lady if our covenants didn’t limit the number of pets we can own. Love both cats and dogs and both of ours get spoiled to pieces.
8) Have not watched Survivor from beginning but almost. My daughters tried out for it which is why I started watching in the first place (I think Season 4). I DVR every show so that I never miss an episode.
Not the Same:
10) You may have most of winter. I like just enough to know we had that fourth season. I don’t think it should last more than two to three weeks tops. Luckily, living in SW Idaho (unquestionably beautiful state), I enjoy very mild winters on the norm.
I live in Utah, and I have twins (boy/girl), but they actually made it to 37 weeks 5 days and got to skip the NICU entirely.
I live in Alabama so we get very little winter. This year our winter has felt like spring. We panic when it snows, we don’t know how to deal with it.
My husband also does most of our grocery shopping but unlike your husband, he buys “junk”. He says for the grandkids but I know better.
I was born premature weighing around 3lbs 10 oz. I stayed in an incubator for over a month, it was 1954. I was born in Jackson, Michigan. My aunt lived there and my parents moved there briefly so my dad could find a job.
My parents were not church goers while I was growing up. I hitched a ride with my next door neighbor to a Baptist church each week. You were very fortunate to have a pastor father.
We share #4 (I’ve had three miscarriages as well) and #6 (I don’t care to shop) in common. Thank God for shopping online! I much prefer it when I can get away with it, especially now that it always involves hauling multiple kids along.
Jody, love this! My husband does the grocery shopping, too. It started when he worked at night and I worked during the day. He would get up and go to the grocery store so I didn’t have to stop on the way home. He had a coupon box and my friends would run into him and compare coupons. He still shops, and he still loves coupons so I rarely go unless we are having friends over and yes, I load up on all the good stuff while he’s not looking. He is also a Survivor fan. We both are. But he loves that show! Your children and kitties are adorable!
We actually share a few similarities – I’m a Lutheran PK, moved alot when I was growing up and live in Michigan too!The last couple of years my husband and I try to meal plan and grocery shop together. It’s usually on the weekends when the store is crazy and I don’t really like to shop either, so having him with me makes it more bearable. Fun post!
I’m glad you enjoyed living in Utah, Jody. I’ve lived there all my life. I grew up in northern Utah, close to the Idaho border. After I got married, we spent 30 years in Salt Lake City, then we moved back to my hometown after my husband retired. We love our beautiful valley surrounded by the mountains. My son and his family live in Stansbury Park, which is right next door to Tooele, Utah. It’s really grown out there. I love the pictures you posted. You have a beautiful family.
Hi Jody. Yes we share a few similarities. We both like cats and my two cats keep life interesting for my husband and I in our retirement.
From one winter lover to another . I don’t like to be hot. I hate humidity. During spring and summer my allergies flare up and makes me a miserable sneezing wife. This goes on till around November or December before the weather gets cold. Then the sneezing stops and I have maybe about 3 months of relief from my allergies. I’m allergic to trees and pollen. Not cats! I also love when it gets cold to dress in fleece and enough my electric fire place.
So glad to hear there is another fan of Winter out there! I’m from South Dakota and now live in the Northeastern part of the state which tends to be one of the coldest and snowiest parts of South Dakota. If you don’t love Winter or at least have an appreciation for its necessity here, it makes for a long and depressing 6-7 months. I’m always up for building a snowman, sledding, or a good snowball fight. 😀 The colder and more snow and wind we get, the happier I am. I often find myself blamed for snowstorms but my friends. Haha.
I love cats, too. Unfortnulately have pets really isn’t possbible right as I travel for work weeks at a time. Growing up on a farm we had LOTS of cats…as in 23 at one time for awhile. Feeding time in the shed was crazy but so much fun for an animal loving kid. They were everywhere and so much fun. Wouldn’t have traded it for anything. And brother and I made sure they all had names. 😀
Hey Jody, I think we can both agree on #6. I dislike shopping very much. It seems unusual that you dislike shopping but your husband enjoys it. I tend to be OK if I can just go to the store and buy what we need, but the whole business of shopping and looking for the best deal with coupons, etc. just drives me up the wall. I simply wish retailers would price things according to what they are worth and cut out all the coupons, special deals, and so on. I enjoyed reading your list of 10 things we might not know about you. Edward
1. Also a Lutheran PK.
2. Only lived in PA while growing up
3. Never had natural children. Adopted three. First, and the youngestcfrom Colombia, SA. Then two teenage half sibling girls.
4. No miscarriages.
5. Live alone as a widow, so do all my own shopping.
6. I hate to shop. Would do it all on line if I could.
7. Also a crazy cat lady. I have three in a two room apartment. Yes, they are counter and table layers.
8. Don’t watch any TV, but I used to like survivor.
9. When I was a child, loved Michigan for vacationing. We often tent camped in an old umbrella tent.
10. Love winter. Live in Duluth, another snowy, cold place.
Jody, I loved your list! We have a few things in common. I FAR prefer winter to summer (though fall and spring are my favorite seasons, in that order), I don’t like shopping (unless it’s a garage sale or antique shop…then I LOVE it!) Ken helps me with the grocery shopping and we have fun together, but I’d let him do it all if he offered. As a kid, I had a cat that would sit on my shoulders like the one on your husband’s…WHILE I was riding my bike! 🙂 We had to put our cat to sleep in December and I miss him still. But as much as we travel, I think we’ve decided not to get another one…for now. Someday though, I’ll be a crazy cat lady.
I’m so sorry about your miscarriages. I had lots of trouble getting pregnant, but no miscarriages. But both of my daughters have miscarried and I know how devastating it is. My niece and two nephews were born at 3 and 4 pounds and I got to hold them as newborns in the NICU. Really brings home the truth of the pro-life message in a powerful way!
Hi…Jody Thanks for sharing the pictures and other history about you and your family.My grandfather was a minister also.My son was born 6 weeks early and weighed 4lbs and 14 oz. not quite as tiny as your twin girls I would say they are miracle babies.What pretty young ladies they are.My son has 3 cats and yes they rule the roost too.You are blessed to have a husband who likes to grocery shop I don’t like it but it is my chore anyways.I am getting ready to read Newton and Polly I have read all your books and really enjoy them keep them coming..God Bless you.Diana