An interview with our Wild One. Cara.
Hopefully the other two children will cooperate for Interviews #2 and #3.
Me: What’s your favorite website?
Wild One: Facebook. Your blog and Ryan’s blog
Me: Who are some people who in your life (not family members) that you have learned from over the years.
Wild One: Beth N., G’ma & G’pa Cramer, Tony D., Heather C.
Me: In a few words….what did you learn from each person?
Wild One: Beth: How to have faith and to really love someone and really care about their heart
Tony: Wisdom. Cramers: Example of good marriage. Heather: How to really care for someone and how to trust God in all things.
Me: Why did you pursue a nursing degree?
Wild One: At first because I love babies and wanted to work in Labor & Delivery. It’s a good way for me to use my Spiritual Gifts. Nothing else felt right….I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else. The bottom line though…is I love being able to hold someone’s hand and show them the Love of Jesus. I love to be able to let God’s light shine through me. It is a practical way for me to carry out my faith on a daily basis.
Me: What makes a good dad?
Wild One: My dad! I don’t know if I can describe it….
Me: What qualities do you admire in your dad?
Wild One: His love. I’ve never doubted for a single second that dad loves me. He has a great sense of humor and laughs with me. When he hugs me I feel like I’m in the safest place in the world. He teaches me. I know he will always be there for me (even when I’m sassy).
Me: What are the pros and cons of being the oldest child?
Wild One: Pro/Con: You are the first – at everything.
Cons: Responsibility, Fear of doing things wrong when younger siblings are watching.
Pros: I get to do everything first; I love having a little sister (that looks up to me) and brother. I get to practice parenting (much to sibling dismay).
Me: What kept you out of trouble in high school?
Wild One: I chose good friends, didn’t want to disappoint my parents, was afraid of getting in trouble
Me: What things are you glad your mom/dad taught you?
Wild One: Good Values/Morals. To serve others. How to love others. To be a good role model. They modeled good parenting and a good marriage.
Me: Anything else?
Wild One: Mom taught me how to bake, cook, keep a house, change a diaper and be a “kitchen nazi.”
Dad taught me how to mow the lawn, change the oil in the car, and how to change a tire.
Me: There are some parents with young children who read this blog….what would you tell them NOT to do as they nurture and raise their children?
Wild One: Don’t yell. Take a few seconds before yelling and think about what you are about to do…because it’s easier for us to remember the bad sometimes. Don’t call family meetings when you are angry.
Me: What should they keep doing?
Wild One: Keep spending time with your kids. Be honest with them.
Me: What should parents of middle school kids know?
Wild One: GIVE THEM SPACE. Trust them, unless they give you a reason not to. They might act like they hate you – but they don’t, and it’s only temporary. Listen. Don’t always do the talking.
Me: What qualities do you look for in a potential boyfriend?
Wild One: See what I wrote about dad! Truthfully, if I could find a guy like my dad, I would be thrilled. Specific qualities: Integrity, honesty, sense of humor, respectful. A guy who loves God first, then me. Someone who will treat me like the princess I know I am J. Someone who will push me to be a better person and who will encourage me in my faith. A guy who is adventurous and would encourage me to be too. A guy who loves his family (and would love mine)
Me: How would you describe yourself to someone who has never met you?
Wild One: Quirky. I am Fun, loving, serving. I’m a happy person.
Me: Would you ever go on a blind date?
Wild One: Yup, in a heart beat. Who’s the lucky guy? I read a book that said every date is a learning opportunity. I think my mom gave me that book. A few years ago I would have said “no way” – but I’m much more confident now. I think it would be fun.
Me: What’s the first thing you notice about a guy?
Wild One: Smile. A smile says a lot about a person. The more he smiles, the more I like it…smiles allow your eyes to speak. After the smile….eyes. Then his back (not backside)
Me: Mom and dad were pretty involved as youth leaders/directors for several years. That meant you spent a good deal of time around teenagers when you were in elementary and middle school. Was that a good thing or a bad deal?
Wild One: Good thing. They showed me what kind of teenager I wanted to be – and what I didn’t want to be when I was in high school. Being around all the teens also gave me lots of people to look up to and hanging around them felt so cool.
Me: I worried that you might feel neglected. Did you ever feel neglected?
Wild One: No. You were just putting more people in my life who loved me.
Me: What are the best memories/times with our family?
Wild One: Camping….hands down. Also when we just hang out and go out to dinner together. Oh, and those crazy family dinners at home – I don’t think anyone spits milk out of their nose as easy as I do!
None of the big trips or fancy vacations like you’d think though. Honestly, I loved the camping trips. And wrestling with Dad.
Me: So, fighting with siblings. Did you?
Wild One: Ummmmm. Yeah. More with Nate than Danae.
Me: Why’s that?
Wild One: Most fights involved someone not being “included” – or Nate not cooperating with me – as I tried to be the parent – I’m good at that.
Me: What’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
Wild One: One of my patients….(editors note: this story will be shared in another blog) and….pictures of my Grandma and Grandpa Dietzman together.
Thanks Cara!