And the answer is....

Thank you to all the people who wrote questions. I tried to honestly answer all of them (yes a few I used copy and paste to answer, but hey it works!). If you didn't ask a question and wanted to, I'll do it again at some point... or just type me a question on the blog wall. I added links to the blogs of the questioners... feel free to visit their blogs too!!

Pam @ Random Thoughts:
What do you like most about Richard? Blake? Colby? (I know Colby is hard right now since he is so small, but I didn't want to leave him out) Hmmm.... this is hard! Richard, I'd have to say his sense of humor and his love for our sons. Blake, his love for life and his affection for all things. Colby, his laugh and smile

If you could live anywhere, where would you want to live? If you'd asked me this question 9+ years ago I would have said Florida... I think I'd like to live closer to the coast, but not in FL who would ever want to live on the FL coast in hurricane season??

Do you think you will go back to teaching when the boys are older? Good question... and one I don't really know the answer to. The agreement is I will go back to work when Colby goes to kindergarten.... what I will do at that point is up in the air. I know I will stick with the field of education, but in many ways I don't see myself going back to teach kindergarten. I think if I go back into the classroom I want to teach pre-K. But, I have also considered becoming a college professor or going into a hospital as an educational liaison or something on that nature... we will see

In your opinion, what is the hardest part of being a mom? lack of sleep? Ok that is up there if it isn't the top. I would have to say uncertainty, just knowing that you never know what is going to happen and when makes life hard... yes I know there is that in all aspects of life, but when you have to be ready to help these little people who depend on you for everything and you don't know what is coming next... it's hard!

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? (just a for fun one to throw in there!) hmmm... the abiltity to make time stand still so I can get things done without trying to juggle the house and the boys all at the same time?? that or the ability to be in two places at the same time

Elyse @ Following Him:
What is your favorite family tradition? Well since it's the Christmas season the one that comes to mind is the giving of an ornament each year. I love looking at the ornaments my family gave me over the years and now I'm doing the samething with my sons

What would you tell a new mom about motherhood? No, this is not me, just curious!! Motherhood is the most challenging and rewarding career you will take on in your life... yes it is a career weather you are a stay-at-home mom or a working mom motherhood is a career. It's a 24/7 365 day thing. There is nothing more rewarding than watching your little ones master the skills they need for life, getting sloppy kisses, and huge hugs. There is nothing more challenging than trying to teach life skills, raising a person and knowing it is your responsibility to help them develop and grow in order to become functioning memebers of society

Will you ever go back to teaching? Good question... and one I don't really know the answer to. The agreement is I will go back to work when Colby goes to kindergarten.... what I will do at that point is up in the air. I know I will stick with the field of education, but in many ways I don't see myself going back to teach kindergarten. I think if I go back into the classroom I want to teach pre-K. But, I have also considered becoming a college professor or going into a hospital as an educational liaison or something on that nature... we will see (yes this is a copy for my reply to Pam's question)

Do you think you will have anymore kiddos? Nope! Richard and I decided on 2 even before we were married. This is for a number or reasons... 1) we didn't want to be out numbered 2) I'm no spring chicken and don't want to be having kids much older than I had Colby 3) pregnancy took a toll on me... I don't think I could handle it again, never mind having a 3rd c-section

Every Day Mom Designs:
What has been your worst moment as a mommy? I think anytime I begin to lose my cool is my worst moment... it doesn't happen often but being sleep deprived and dealing with a two year old don't always mix!

When have you been the proudest as a mommy? I'm proudest when I see my sons love each other and other people who are in our lives

How many kids do you want? 2... we are done!

How did you come up with your kid's names? That was a tough process and those who have been following my blog for a while know it since I complained about it a lot before Colby was born. Having been a teacher names are even more important to me, and yet soooo much harder. I wanted names that you may have heard of before, but are not super popular. Ones that do not have a nickname. Ones that are simple to pronounce and spell. And still good strong male names. Blake's name we found in a baby book, and it was one of the few we agreed upon... Richard decided it was the name he liked best and when he was born I totally agreed. Colby's name came from Colby Donaldson sort of... I was originally going to spell it Kolby, but we have to spell our last name for everyone so I figured I'd go with the more traditional spelling.

Imagine if 10 years ago, you were asked where you would like to be in 10 years... Is that answer anywhere close to where you are now? Hmmm... where I'd like to be close, but where I expected to be... no way! Ten years ago I would never have expected to be married never mind married with two kids. I probably would have said in my own house and teaching, possibly gone back to school to get my PhD. (I pretty much had given up on getting married a long time before I met Richard... shows that when you aren't looking is when the right person comes along)

Andrea @ The Laughs Will Go On
Why did you start blogging? Richard set my blog up for me. He had been telling me for a few months that I should do it, but I thought he was crazy. He said that people may like to read how I utlize my training as a teacher to raise our sons... that is also how the name came to be. I know that if he hadn't suggested it, and set it up I wouldn't be blogging today

Is blogging your favorite hobby? (haha! I know it's mine!) It's the one I spend the most time on right now... does that count? I have a lot of hobbies that I don't have the time for right now (cross stitching, rollerblading etc...) But I love to read, and read every night before I go to bed... I wish I had time to read more often, but at least I get a bit of escape each night

What do you think of homeschooling? (just curious to hear a former teacher's opinion on it! :) ) hmmm Well let me start out by saying that there are some children who just would benefit from it (and over the years I've wanted to suggest it to a few parents). I personally wouldn't do it myself... I always find it intersting how often people assume I will since I stay at home with the boys now and have an education background. But, I'm trained to teach in a school... why wouldn't I want my children to have that expereince? I think that there is a lot to gain in school besides reading, writing, math etc... I think that something as simple as diversified interactions with the various teachers and other staff is beneficial for preperation to work in any field later in life. I think that children need to be exposed to other children their own age. I think that they need to learn that the world isn't perfect and that you and others will make mistakes but we can go on from there. I think that children need to see that people do, think and act differently and that those differences is what makes the world unique. I personally think that I couldn't provide my sons the whole package at home.

What's one thing that you will NEVER do? Well I could go for the obvious answer and say murder or something like that... but that's too easy.... I will never put money above my family... yes it is nice to have money to buy things, but love and kindness are much more important than things

Stephanie @ Baseballs and Tutus
What is your favorite food? hmmm that's hard. I think probably homemade lasagna. or chocolate!

Favorite book? This is hard! As far as adult reading.. I'm not sure I have a favorite, I don't typically re-read books (strange I know), but usually after I read it and know what happens I don't feel the need to re-read it. Children's book (these I've re-read a gazillion times!) Maybe The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein or a newer one I really like is Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (and I liked it way before it was a movie)

Kelly @ Who Me
You keep saying you're not a native Floridian. I always amazed at the stories of how people move entire states. So how did you end up in Florida? Well.. I needed a change so I decided to make a big one! I had some issues with the principal at the school I was teaching at in MA and was thinking about changing school. My brother had moved to FL the year before and I thought... hmmm I had debated on moving to FL before I moved back to MA and said no because I would have been alone in FL... now I had family there so... why not! So I got a job in FL, sold my condo in MA and bought a house in FL and moved down lock, stock and barrel. That was 8 years ago.

He & Me + 3
My famous question...what type of camera do you shoot with? I use a Kodak Easy Share C763... yes I use a point and shoot... I LOVEEE the size of it... it is often in my pocket so I always have it there to snap the perfect pic and/or video. I often think I should have an SLR, but I don't want to think that much about my pics and then there is the size thing too sooo for now I'll stick with my point and shoot.

If and when will you go back to teaching? Good question... and one I don't really know the answer to. The agreement is I will go back to work when Colby goes to kindergarten.... what I will do at that point is up in the air. I know I will stick with the field of education, but in many ways I don't see myself going back to teach kindergarten. I think if I go back into the classroom I want to teach pre-K. But, I have also considered becoming a college professor or going into a hospital as an educational liaison or something on that nature... we will see (yes you've read this answer before... lol... hey you've got to love cut and paste right?)

Are you a morning or night person? Neither! I am fine in the morning after I take a shower and brush my teeth. I'm fine at night until about 9 then I hit a wall... I guess if I had to pick one of the two I'd say morning

Cassie @ Southern Domestic Goddess
What's the best vacation you've ever been on? Hmmmm my honeymoon to California was fun other than when they lost our reservation, but that was fine it worked out anyway. Then there was the trip to the Mall of America when I was in Grad School... what is better than a road trip to a huge mall? Or maybe it would be all the trips to Disney growing up...

If you won a million dollars what would be the very first thing you would do with the money? What would I do or what would Richard do? Those are two very different questions! I would pay off the truck and the boys education plans first then probably add onto the second story of out house and buy a hot tub!

If you had to choose three things to eat for the rest of your life what would they be? hmmm pasta, chicken and salad... there is a lot you can do with those ingredients so at least I could have some diversity.

Erin (she has a private blog)
If/when you do go back to teaching, what grade would you want to teach? Or do kindergarten again? Good question... and one I don't really know the answer to. The agreement is I will go back to work when Colby goes to kindergarten.... what I will do at that point is up in the air. I know I will stick with the field of education, but in many ways I don't see myself going back to teach kindergarten. I think if I go back into the classroom I want to teach pre-K. But, I have also considered becoming a college professor or going into a hospital as an educational liaison or something on that nature... we will see (yeppers same answer again!)

Elaine @ Matters of the Heart
Do you want anymore children? Nope! Richard and I decided on 2 even before we were married. This is for a number or reasons... 1) we didn't want to be out numbered 2) I'm no spring chicken and don't want to be having kids much older than I had Colby 3) pregnancy took a toll on me... I don't think I could handle it again, never mind having a 3rd c-section (yep you've read this answer before too)

How did you meet your hubby? short answer: He bought my phone number for $20. Is that good enough?? No... ok! I worked with Richard's aunt and we were at happy hour. It was in June after we'd been at a week long workshop. Richard just happened to be having dinner with his room mate at the same sports bar we were at, and came over to buy his aunt a drink (it was her birthday). I was sitting next to his aunt and asked where my money was. He said he only had 20's and I said that works... He said do I at least get a phone number for $20, and I just laughed. Another kindergarten teacher then handed him a napkin and said... here I'll give you her number for $20. (no he didn't actually pay her) He called me the next day. The day after that we went on our first date, then I few up to MA for a week... he picked me up at the airport upon my return and we pretty much haven't been apart since.

What is your favorite thing to make for dinner? hmmm favorite thing to make??? I like to experiment and pretty much never make things the sameway twice. Richard says I "Lori-ize" my recipes! I like to make things that are easy (Got to love Rachael Ray!)... Ok I've avoided answering long enough. I think my favorite thing to make for dinner is salsa chicken over couscous... but that is right now... ask me in another month and it will change!

Alicia @ Two B's and Me!
What does your husband do for a living? Richard is a computer software engineer for a major defense company... in other words he's a computer geek working on making simulators

What's your fav tv show? hmmm that is hard I have a few that I like right now. If I had to pick one I'd probably say CSI. I also like Criminal Minds, Top Chef, Rachael Ray, 30 Minute Meals, to name a few!

Shanilie@ A Mom's Love
Do you miss teaching? Or do you feel being home full - time is what is for you? Hmmm do I miss teaching, honestly no. The first fall was hard since I was pregnant still and not as crazy busy, but I was glad to not be teaching 7+ months pregnant. August is hard for me because I miss the getting my classroom ready for a new group of children, but I don't miss the craziness of dealing with all the politics and paperwork. I don't miss the stress of expectaions that are put on by parents, administrators and curriculum. I was getting burnt out at the end and if I had not got pregnant with Blake I probably would have at least changed grades if not school.
I love being home with my boys. I have days where I feel a bit stir crazy, but the benefits of being their primary care giver far out weighs the crazy moments. Richard also understands that from time to time I just have to get away from it all and be just Lori. Those moments every few months rejuvenate me beyond words.
As I've said in other questions, I will go back to work once the boys are both in kindergarten, so I don't plan on being a stay-at-home mom for good. But, I truly feel that my place is here being my children's first teacher.

Dana @ Just Talk
do you think you'll ever go back to work/teaching? Good question... and one I don't really know the answer to. The agreement is I will go back to work when Colby goes to kindergarten.... what I will do at that point is up in the air. I know I will stick with the field of education, but in many ways I don't see myself going back to teach kindergarten. I think if I go back into the classroom I want to teach pre-K. But, I have also considered becoming a college professor or going into a hospital as an educational liaison or something on that nature... we will see (yes, this was a popular question!)

would you ever move out of Florida? If Richard's job took us out of Florida, then yes. I don't think we'd choose to just move out of Florida just cause, but you never know!

Are you going to have another baby? Nope! Richard and I decided on 2 even before we were married. This is for a number or reasons... 1) we didn't want to be out numbered 2) I'm no spring chicken and don't want to be having kids much older than I had Colby 3) pregnancy took a toll on me... I don't think I could handle it again, never mind having a 3rd c-section (yep you've read this answer before too)

Jessica @ Tell Me A Story
I know someone else already asked this, but how did you end up being a FL transplant? Yep someone did... here was the answer: Well.. I needed a change so I decided to make a big one! I had some issues with the principal at the school I was teaching at in MA and was thinking about changing school. My brother had moved to FL the year before and I thought... hmmm I had debated on moving to FL before I moved back to MA and said no because I would have been alone in FL... now I had family there so... why not! So I got a job in FL, sold my condo in MA and bought a house in FL and moved down lock, stock and barrel. That was 8 years ago. (yes this is now a stock answer too!)

Do you like living in FL? I love it. I miss the seasons every once in a while, but not enough to move back north. I like the fact that we only have 2 seasons... summer and almost summer. I love the fact that I will never have to struggle with pouring my sons into snow suits to go to the grocery store. It does bother me a bit that my children won't experience waking up to see that it snowed over night. Or watch tv in the morning praying for a snow day. That they won't know the magic of a white Christmas, but we can visit those things. I love the relaxed atmosphere of the area.

What is your favorite thing to do other thing to do other than blogging *grin*? I like to bake, read, go for long walks with the boys, watch the boys playing (especially playing with their Daddy) to name a few things I like to do.

mommaof4wife2r @ A Thorn Among Roses
beach or mountains??? that is hard I like both. I do like to downhill ski, but I love the beach too. If I had to pick one over the other I'd say beach

Melissa @ workingmommy
Do you think you would ever move back to MA? (I probably know the answer but humor me LOL) I doubt it. I don't see us moving unless for some reason we need to for Richard's job

Do you ever just want to leave the house and the kids just to get away for a while? Yep! And, I try to at least once a month. Richard understands that I need this break to be a better mother. I need time to be Lori and not Mommy... I think it is a necessary thing!

How do you stay home and not have adult contact? the internet! I love the laptop for this reason... I can read my blog and others, read some of the parenting boards I belong to and e-mail Richard and others. I also talk to Richard on the phone during his drive home. We try to get out and go places a few days each week to get out and see others too. I think it's a lot like teaching in many ways... I was stuck in a room with 20 five year olds, now I'm just with my own 2 instead.