Christmas...

...Is 4 days away. By this time on Christmas day I will be sitting in an airport. While I am not look forward to that, I am looking forward to a vacation. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of Nashville for a while. I will upload lots of pics when I get back. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Christmas

I must admit that I have been complaining about Christmas. I never really get much in comparison to others. Everyone I know gets ALL this stuff from their parents, in-laws, step-parents, spouses, grandparents, siblings, etc. Me...I get a few things, but not a lot. I have come to the realization that I have been jealous.

Jealousy is not a good thing. Normally, I am not a jealous person at all. I don't know why I have been about this.

Christmas is not even about presents. It is about Jesus and family.

So...no more of the feeling bad about my lack of gifts in comparison to others. In the grand scheme of things...none of it matters.

My Oldest

Nicholas (that is him down there in the belly) was born January 7th.

And he had to come during the worst snowstorm we had seen in a century!

He is a sweet boy...always has been. When he was little, just a baby little, he would laugh every time I would...even in his sleep. He has made me crack up since he was born. He was a beautiful baby. (too bad I don't have any of those on my computer) He would be an auctioneer (too many auctions with papaw). He would tell Hannah that she was getting on his "Nerds". He called his great-grandfather a "nidiot". He never liked coloring much. He LOVED cap guns. He called himself "Ni-Nick". This is one boy who has never lacked in the love depatrment. He is very well loved by many people.

Nick was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome when he was 22 months old. That was one of the scariest things EVER! He swelled up like a little blimp. (I need to scan more pics) He was in the hospital twice. The first time, he was at Vanderbilt. His daddy was in FL for training. His memaw was FLIPPING out. The second time Nick was in the hospital for his nephrotic syndrome was almost exactly 1 year later. His last relapse was about 9 years ago now.

Nicholas lives in Hawaii right now. Boy do I miss him. I am glad that this is an experience he got to have.

Nick, my boy, I love you, and I miss you, and I can not wait until you get back home. You make me proud...and always remember, no matter what, I will always love you. I thank God every day that he is given me you.

Thanksgiving...

...I hope you all had a great one! I did for sure. I love Thanksgiving. It really is the best Holiday of the Holiday season. It is truly about getting together with family and having great food and a great time.

This year, I am THANKFUL for a wonderful family, 5 beautiful and healthy children, a great husband. I am thankful for all the men and women who have served this country. I am thankful for all of those who want to see this country stay great and are fighting to keep it from becoming something it was not meant to be. I am thankful that God loves me enough to give me all the things he has provided for me.

Again, I hope you all had as great Thanksgiving holiday.

Tired...

Of feeling insignificant. I have talked about this with Gran, and she tells me to just sit back and watch it for a while. "Sitting back and watching" is really not my thing. I want things to change, and when I want something, I go for it. The problem is that I don't know where to begin. I feel as if I have done my part....like the ball is in their court now. I guess I can do more, but at what point does a person give up? At what point does a girl say, "Fine...Your Loss"?

Thinking...

I am thinking of doing a "Year in the Life" blog! It will be a year of a campaign, but still! I need a new camera. I would love to do a bunch of pictures of Patrick on the campaign trail!

Weight loss

I have finally hit under 130 pounds...GO ME. Ok, so it is 129 pounds, but still. It makes me feel excited and alive. It makes me feel motivated to lose more. YAY ME!

Pioneer Woman

Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond is coming to Nashville. How exciting!!! I can not wait to go over to Davis Kidd and have her sign my cookbook! This is sooo great! I think that this will be great Christmas present for my Sister in law and my mother in law. I can not wait!!!!!!!!

Sunday again already???

Man, where does the week go?

This week, I started something new, that I am going to continue until it just gets too cold...I started walking early in the mornings before the rest of the family gets up. I live in a beautiful neighborhood, and it is a great place to walk in the mornings. I have always been one to get up before the sun, but this past week, I have gotten to watch it rise every day. I say my morning "Thanks" to God while walking.


One more shout out to the Divine: Thank you for the opportunity to walk every morning!

Remembering 9/11

I am sure that every American remembers where they were, what they were doing and how they felt on this fateful day. I know that I do.

I was washing the breakfast dishes while the girls were watching "Blue's Clues", when my dad called and asked if I was watching the news. He told me to turn it on, so I did. I was in shock. A plane had crashed into one of the "Twin Towers." As I was watching, I saw a second plane crash into the other tower, and all I could think was "What in the hell is happening?" I don't think my brain was comprehending what my eyes were seeing. I remember watching the top of one of the towers fall and no one reported that it fell for a what seemed like 5 whole minutes. I actually thought to myself, "Maybe I did not see it fall." I have never before or since felt so helpless. That is the only way I can describe what I felt. I cried for the families who lost loved ones that day. I cried for those who were supposed to be there, but by some miracle they weren't.

So, for me, today is not a "National Day of Service". For me today is a day of REMEMBRANCE.

Back On My Spiritual Journey

I have been off this journey for a while. I got married, got pregnant, had baby and is just too tired to do anything but what I have to do.

Several years ago I started on this journey because of everything that was going on in my life. (And this is not the blog for it now.) I needed answers and help. I started on a journey to find those, and on this journey, I found my way back to God.

He was not the same God of my youth. God, when I was a child, was scary. If I did not obey, then He was going to punish me. And if I were too bad, then off the Hell I would go. When I prayed, God did not answer them.

This is not the God that I discovered on my path for TRUE HAPPINESS. This God, he did answer my prayers. They may not have been answered in the way that I wanted them to be answered, but they were answered. The God that I discovered was no longer scary, but a friend. He was someone that I poured my heart out, and very often, He answered with advice.
Well, I do have to say, that God has not spoken to me in a voice all His own, but through the voices of others. Through things that I am open to seeing.

I have been off the road for a while. I have taken a break to play so to speak. I still see my road up there, so now it is time to get back on it.

It's Sunday, and I am in Heaven

Even though I am on a diet, I will sacrifice for my Gran. She made pumpkin bars. They are sooooo good.

Here is the recipe:

PUMPKIN BARS:

2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional, and I do not use them because I do not like walnut, but pecans taste great in here)

Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and sugar. Stir in beaten eggs, oil, and canned pumpkin until thoroughly combined. Stir in chopped walnuts. Spread batter into an ungreased 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan.

Bake in a 325*F oven for 30 minutes. Cool and frost with Cream Cheese Frosting, if desired. Cut into bars

Cream Cheese Frosting:

2 (3-ounce each) packages cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons butter OR margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine frosting ingredients in a small bowl; mix until well blended.

OK, so I have cut some to go to my MIL and I am going to freeze some, and the rest is Miss Hannah's. So, hopefully, I will not gain too much weight.

My Summer Favorites (stolen from Marianne)

In my sister-in-law's blog Haven and Home, she wrote about her summer favorites, so I think that I will do the same.

Favorite Summer Movie: Dazed and Confused!!!

Favorite Summer Drink: Pisco Sour. I will post the recipe for this next week. In my house, we drink Pisco year round, but there is something super refreshing about it in the summer.

Favorite Summer Song: I don't have one.

Favorite Summer Outfit: Tank top, shorts, and flipflops

Favorite Summer Moment: I have a few.
1) Mine and Patrick's first trip together...We went to Savannah, GA


2) Our Wedding! It was perfect!



3) Our Honeymoon was WONDERFUL!!


4)Taking the kids to DisneyWorld!



Favorite Summer Reading: The Harry Potter Series. I am not sure why, but I read this series every summer.

Much Better.

Today is better. I really do hate it when I throw myself a pity party. I don't do it often, but every once in a while, I just get down. Usually it only last a day, and by the next day, I am over it.

Over the last few day/weeks I have made a lot of decisions, and today I made one more. I am going to buckle down and write one of my books. I am going to write the Meliah and Patrick story. I will change it a little and write it as fiction, but the main points will be there.

I also made the decision today to go to the gym everyday...well, Monday- Friday. I feel better when I go and work out.

Well, I am done for now...I have to continue to educate America's youth!

I hate it when...

I throw myself a pity party. I really don't like it. I am upset for a very stupid reason. I can not even tell Patrick. I don't want him to think that I am selfish and stupid. I tried talking to Goldie, and she has the same problem, so she really did not make me feel any better.

UGH!

Another day in Paradise.

Paradise: a state of supreme happiness; bliss.

That pretty much sums up my life. My life could also be classified as Crazy or Screwy . Some people would definitely not call is Paradise, but my life is so blessed.

I have 5 wonderful children. One had nephrotic syndrome as a baby, but grew out of it by the time he was 6. He really has not been sick since.
One of my girls has had an attitude since the day she was born, and the other is the sweetest thing that God ever put breath into.
One of my younger son's has Autism. It is a crazy "issue", but it is a blessing to me.
And the baby, he is the squirmiest baby EVER.

I have a great husband. He helps with the kids. He goes to the store when I need him to. He is passionate about what he believe is right. He can grill, but do not ask him to cook on the stove. He likes doing the laundry. And the best thing...He buys me books.

I know that some people would not classify books as gifts, but if you could see our house, you would realize that WE are BOOK COLLECTORS. Not really, we actually read for FUN. Weird, I know, but whatever.

So, while I have to fix a lunch for number 4 and get him dressed, take number 3 to the Dr for Strep, help number 2 with her schoolwork (she is home schooled) and get number 5 ready to go to the Dr with me, IT is just another day is the beautiful, wonderful, blessed PARADISE for me.

It's my Birthday...

And I'll cry if I want to. Actually there will be no crying today. It is a great day.

I was a little worried that I would be depressed...turning 30 and all, but I am not. I still feel 20, and I have always heard, 'YOU ARE AS OLD AS YOU FEEL'! So, I guess in that aspect, I am still 20.

Still being 20 and all in my head does not mean that my body still feels the same way. I have decided that I am am taking a new healthy look on life. I am going to eat better and exercise more. Besides wanting to lose weight, I have to lose weight. We are going to Chile for New Years...and I can not be the "TYPICAL FAT AMERICAN". Another reason for having to lose weight is my husband is running for congress, and I refuse to be the "Typical Fat stay at home wife/mother."

So, starting today, I am making new lifestyle changes.
1)More organic foods
2)Cooking nearly every night (meaning 5 day/week, and not just heating up leftover or using frozen meals)
3)Exercise at least 5 days/week
4) 5 walks with Hannah and Will/week
5)Trying to talk my husband into some of these changes as well. (now this is going to be a hard one)

It is Sunday...

And as usual I went to my Gran's. On my way there, I decided that I am going to start praying more. I know that I need to. I also decided that I am going to start full throttle on the "Maker's Diet". I have kind of started eating that way a few weeks ago, but now I have decided to buckle down and really do it. I am hoping in the process that I also get a better spiritual life.

So, that is that. Tomorrow is the big day!!!

Sangria and alone time

My husband and I will be spending a weekend alone for the first time since our honeymoon. We have always celebrated our birthdays (we are 10 days apart) the weekend between them. This year, we have decided to stay home and do nothing. OK, so when you are a mom of 5 you are never EVER doing nothing. But this weekend, I am trying my best to do bare minimum. I am going to make some Sangria. P and I both LOVE it. I never had red sangria until our last trip to Disney World...man is it good! I came home and looked up the recipe in our Spanish cookbook.

Damn Good Sangria:
1 bottle of dry red wine (we used shiraz)
1 orange sliced
1 lemon sliced
1 lime sliced
1 peach peeled, pitted and sliced
about a cup of strawberried sliced (measure, then slice)
1/4 c orange juice
1/2c sugar
1 c. club soda

Put everything except the club soda and strawberries in a big pitcher. Refrigerate over night.
Right before serving, add strawberries and soda.

Flagging those who oppose "Obamacare"

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Facts-Are-Stubborn-Things/

These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation.

Mr. and/or Ms. Flaggers,
I am reporting myself. I oppose this health care plan. I do not think that a government run health care plan is what is best for our country. I have had "Casual Conversations" about this health care bill.

So, there you have me!

My Gran...

My Gran is the best Gran in the whole world. She is a great cook. But let me tell you all a little something about my Gran...stay out of her way. When she comes to my house, my kitchen becomes hers, and she let me know that real fast. She takes over my laundry room and my kitchen. I am not complaining in the least...I will let her do it. She can take over anytime she wants!

Something we all need...

...Compassion. We could all have a little more compassion. I know I could!!!

Compassion is the feeling of sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

I have a big problem with compassion...I am not very sympathetic to most people. I just do not feel sorry for those who have caused their problems on themselves, and I think most people have caused their own problems. I have caused my own problems, and I do not want anyone to feel sorry for me. I absolutely despise those who blame others for their problems. I hate it. I will admit my mistakes, and I think that everyone should do that, but I know that most people don't. I do feel sorry for children who have been abused. I feel sorry for those who have been affect by things that are beyond their control (i.e. disease).

All of that being said, I know that I should be most compassionate towards others. So that is my project of the week...more compassion.

Walt Disney World at it's finest.

When you are a parent, there is nothing better in this world than to see a smile on your children's faces. We went to Disney World last week. I don't think Colby has ever been more excited. We stayed at the All Star Movie Resort. And Colby was in AWE of the Toy Story Characters.






Colby absolutely had a blast riding the "Toy Story Mania" ride...Actually it is a really cool ride, and we all rode it at least twice!!!

So, if you ever get a chance to take your kids to Disney World...DO IT! My suggestion is to do an all-inclusive WDW resort package and include your wine. By the end of the night, YOU will need it. The kids have fun though!

I want...

Recently, I have realized that I do not have the relationship that I would like to have with my husband's family. I want us to be closer. I want to be comfortable calling my mother in law and asking her to lunch. I want her to call me (and I her) instead of always going through Patrick. This really isn't anyone's fault. We did not really get to know each other before Patrick and I got married. I know that I can call her, but she always seems busy. Well, Like the great Gran said, "You have to make that first move." I guess I will.

Mel's Blog: Getting to know ME!

Mel's Blog: Getting to know ME!

Mel's Blog: Good Life Lessons of Harry Potter

Mel's Blog: Good Life Lessons of Harry Potter

Mel's Blog: The Journey of my Soul Mate

Mel's Blog: The Journey of my Soul Mate