Flashback Friday

Yeah, it's Saturday but it's ok.

Don't get too hung up on schedules around here. ;)

Due to my dear friend Kristie's chanting that she wanted a Flashback Friday post this week, here you have it. =)

I've put together a couple of collages of me thru my school years. haha!

One thing that struck me when I looked thru these was that I could see Brennon in a couple of them (4th grade especially). Now I realize where he gets his big ole front teeth. He's like his mama! ;)

I can also see Grayson in the youngest ones.

I've also put together a little survey that I'd like to call "Thru the school years..."

Play along and leave a link to your answers on your own blog posts in the comments!!!!

1. Where did you grow up? 

I grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia. We moved to the same town I live in now in Southern Illinois when I was in 8th grade. I was devastated. Went from a huge school to a tiny one where everybody already knew everybody and grew up with each other. I cried every morning for the first few weeks to not have to go to school.

2. Do you consider your childhood a happy one?
Most definitely. Aside from the answer in number one. ;)
We had a beautiful house in VA. I loved it and loved where we lived. I was close to all my best friends so we could ride our bikes to each others house's or they lived next door. We were also very close to my younger cousin Samantha who has also been like a little sister to me. I had a wonderful childhood with amazing parents.

3. Do you have any siblings?
I have an older (half)brother. He's quite older than me and sadly, we've never been close.

4. Who did you think was the smartest person in the world?
My dad. I still do. He is the person I always (& still do) go to with any questions, especially about the Bible. He has studied the Bible as long as I can remember. I love that other people think this too about my dad. I'm proud to call him "dad".

5. Did you ever run away from home?
I started to once. I was probably 6 or 7. I remember packing my little "Going to Grandma's" suitcase with lots of socks and a stuffed animal. No idea why so many socks. Guess I didn't want cold feet! I don't remember ever leaving tho.

6. What about being a child do you miss the most?
Being carefree without worries. I specifically remember being in my bedroom and thinking "I don't want to ever grow up and have worries." I recognized very early that once you grow up then there's lots of responsibility and worry.

7. Where did your family go on vacation?
We always came to Illinois (where I live now) to visit my Grandma and my family here for a week during the Fourth of July week. The funny thing is that now our family vacation is to go to North Carolina to visit Brian's parents during the 4th of July week. =)
We also went to the beach for a long weekend. We usually went to Virginia Beach but I remember going to Ocean City, Maryland once. I usually took a friend. I remember once my friend Christa went with us. We would take turns riding the waves in and then she'd lead me back to our towel so I could wipe my eyes with the towel. Then I'd do the same for her. =)

8. What is something you really wish you had not started earlier in life?
Work. I started working when I was 15. I worked all thru high school. I definitely wish I had played more during those years. 
And sex. But my mom reads my blog so I'll spare her. ;)

9. Did you have any serious accidents or illnesses as a child?
The only thing I ever did was break my arm. It was the end of the school year in 4th grade. We were getting ready to move to a different house and my parents were wallpapering or something. I went out with my friend that lived one street over (Dolly). We were riding my scooter. It was a skateboard with a handlebar. It was yellow with a "taxi" design on it. I was riding down the street and it was a long hill. I got scared that I wouldn't stop at the end and fly into the trees at the end of the street so I jumped off. But we told my parents that I fell.
I broke my arm.  I was awarded "Best Skateboarder" at the end of the school year.

10. Did you have any nicknames?
My brother always called me "Jamerson Peabody" for some reason. My classmates called me Jamie "Purple" cuz my last name was "Gray".

11. Name five school days accomplishments.
1. I could read at 4 years old.
2. I won 2nd place in a Science Fair one year.
3. I was co-editor of my Senior yearbook and it won numerous awards. (I'm most proud of that!)
4. Getting all A's and B's throughout all my school years. (I had one C once but we won't talk about that.)
5. My friendships from my school years that I still have.

12. What stories have been told about yourself as a baby?
The first two that come to mind have to do with my brother. He was sleeping and I went and got a hammer and hit him in the head. The other was that he had all the Avon Chapsticks and I went in his room and ate every single one of them. ha!

13. Did religion/church play a part in your childhood social activities?
Most definitely. We were definitely involved in our church. I still miss that church and love the people there so much. My parents taught the young adults so they were always having church social and parties at our house for them. My mom is the party planning queen so she would do something at the church for everybody for every holiday. My dad also taught Sunday night church and I remember my mom always planning points games and awards for everybody. I know there were times growing up that I just didn't want to go but I rarely was able to get out of it. My parents were not strict but they did know what was important and made me go to church pretty much every Sunday.

14. What objects do you remember from your childhood?
My chalkboard. I wish I could find one just like it now. It was on an easel and had letters and numbers around the edges and a clock with moveable hands in the corner.
Also, my Barbies. I loved playing with them until 5th grade (don't tell).
My neighbor/best friend would come over after school and we would eat chips & dip, play Super Mario Bros on the Nintendo and play Barbie's. We knew we were too old to play with dolls but we didn't care. We just didn't tell anybody, lol.
I still have all my Barbie's out in the garage. Wanna see them?

15. What was the number of students in your graduating class?
52.
Now there's 51. One dear friend committed suicide a couple years after we graduated.

16. What is one thing that you never did in high school that you wish you would have done?
Played sports, specifically volleyball.
I only worked and did yearbook stuff.

17. Did you go to college and what was your major?
My biggest regret in life is not going away to college after graduation. I decided to go to a community college and stay home.(for a boy, of course. Boo) I got my Associate's Degree (in Elementary Education) but never finished my Bachelor's. I changed my major so many times. My first one was Pre-Law, then business, then Elementary Education and then I went back to get my Bachelor's in Business a few years ago but didn't finish.

18. What was the funniest thing someone wrote in your yearbook?
Let's see...I have it right here.
Oh geez. What memories!!!
There's a few I could pick from but I'm gonna go with this one...
"Jamie, Wow, it only seems like yesterday we were sitting in Mr. Blank's class making disgusting noises. AFA, Friends Forever, Stay Sweet, '96 Rulz.  Mr. Choate"
(He's a teacher. Funny.)

19. How has your hometown changed since you were a kid?
Well, I'm still living here. The biggest thing is the kids don't "cruise" anymore. Every Friday and Saturday nite, there's a figure 8 that we would do thru town. So sad that they don't get to experience that joy anymore. =) The Shell mart where I worked thru high school and had so much fun with my friends is now closed. No more hanging out there! There's no longer a "Teen Center". We had so much fun hanging out there. That's about it, lol. Everything else is pretty much the same.

20. If you could go back and tell your younger self anything, what would it be?
Have fun. Don't care what others think. Be your own person. Be the exception, not the rule. You're a beautiful person. Don't forget it. Boys will come and go...Don't let them rule your decisions. The friends that matter will always be there.

Play along! Here's the questions for you:
1. Where did you grow up?
2. Do you consider your childhood a happy one?
3. Do you have any siblings?
4. Who did you think was the smartest person in the world?

5. Did you ever run away from home?

6. What about being a child do you miss the most?

7. Where did your family go on vacation?

8. What is something you really wish you hadn't started earlier in life?
9. Did you have any serious accidents or illnesses as a child?
10. Did you have any nicknames?
11. Name 5 school days accomplishments.
12. What stories have been told about yourself as a baby?

13. Did religion/church play a part in your childhood social activities?
14. What objects do you remember from your childhood?
15. What was the number of students in your graduating class?
16. What is one thing that you never did in high school that you wish you would have done?
17. Did you go to college and what was your major?
18. What was the funniest thing someone wrote in your yearbook?
19. How has your hometown changed since you were a kid?
20. If you could go back and tell your younger self anything, what would it be?

Woah, I got carried away! Sorry so long but I'd love to read your posts with your own answers!!!!
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!!!
Make some awesome memories!!!

Create Adventure. Live Inspired.
xoxo