Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Where I Come From {Blogtember Challenge}


Tuesday, September 3rd Prompt: Describe where or what you come from - the people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are. 

I am Janelle. I'm 26 years old, and I'm a middle school language arts teacher. I'm engaged to a handsome man, who just happens to be a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy. I have two cats who follow me everywhere.

But this post isn't about who I am; rather, it is about where I come from.


I am from Raytown, Missouri. 


Raytown is a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. I went to school there from preschool all the way through my high school graduation. It is home to the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs. The population is just about 29,500 people, but it feels much larger because it really is just a small part of a much bigger city. 


I am from a great family.


I was born in 1987 to Jay and Cheryl, who had been together throughout high school and (my mom's) college before getting married. Nine months later, I was born! I had a great life growing up. My family was pretty close, and we did a lot of activities together. I was also lucky enough to have two sets of grandparents AND a set of great grandparents living SO CLOSE that I saw them all at least once a week. 


I am athletic.


...or at least I once was. I have played many sports. I was first a dancer, and then I became a tumbler for many, many years. I played soccer, football (yes, on the boys' team), and basketball. I ran cross country and track. As you can see from the three pictures of me from 8th grade, sports are just what I did. I loved every minute of it. 

I guess you could say I'm lucky. I'd have to agree with that. Life isn't always perfect, nor is it always fair (like how my perfect family was ripped to pieces when my dad passed away unexpectedly in 2006). But I'm truly blessed to be where I am... and I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for my background. I am proud to be from Raytown, and I am dang proud to be a Vannice. 


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