Project 365 - Jan 21

Our Liberty Tax Store hosted an "After 5" event for the CABA association. I snapped a pic of Steve while he was up in front of everyone speaking. I admire his ability to easily get up in front of people. Definitely not something for his shy wife to do!

I can't keep it to myself.

I am going to vent right now. And yes, it is in regards to politics. Consider yourself warned. I have held my tongue long enough and since this is my blog and I can say whatever I want…I am going to do just that. I respect other people and their opinions, but right now I get to express mine.

No, I did not vote for Obama. Yes, it is a wonderful thing for this country that we have our first African American President and I certainly do not take that away from him. It would appear that our country has come so far. I however do not agree with many of his policies. I will pray for him and our country. I will treat him with the respect that he deserves as this country’s President.

That being said, I am utterly disgusted with the vast majority of this country’s democratic party as well as the obviously liberal media. How anyone can say this country’s media is NOT biased most certainly has blinders on. I am not one to be easily offended but that latter part of the benediction given by Rev. Joseph Lowery at the inauguration yesterday was uncalled for, and I am absolutely offended. This was beyond the realms of simply being rude. This was downright insulting. I can hardly believe this was considered acceptable and actually allowed at a federal ceremony. I can not see how a comment about “whites embracing what is right” will ever help unite this country. People are people – not their color. We are the human race. Why must whites be stigmatized for things that were done well over a hundred years ago – which, by the way, many white people died trying to stop?! Had a white person made any sort of derogatory comment like that about another race it would be all over the news and “racist” shouts would be heard from miles away. I am utterly sick and tired of it. Enough is enough already.

The lack of class shown by some who call themselves democrats is pathetic as well. I saw a lot of people commenting to others less than thrilled to have Obama as President that they should at least be respectful of him. I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. However, what about that lack of respect shown to George W. Bush yesterday?! Apparently that is different?! I find it nauseating how he was treated. It shows a complete lack of class and an absolute inability to even behave in a civilized manner. The behavior was reminiscent of drunks at a sporting event. I don’t care if you liked him or not – how dare people in this country treat a man who took one of the hardest jobs in the world like that! No he didn’t always make the right choice for everyone, he isn’t perfect – nor is any other president. They ALL make mistakes. They ALL make Americans angry at some point. They ALL deserve respect. Period.

As much as I would LOVE to see and be a part of an actual “ United” States of America, I don’t see it happening any time soon. I was hardly inspired after some of the events of yesterday and, try as I might, I am not full of a whole lot of hope either. Yesterday had so much potential but unfortunately left me more disappointed than anything. Disappointed and tired. The hypocrisy in this country is enormous.

Project 365 - Jan 20

This week is our week to drive the neighborhood carpool, which right now means that Steve is driving. I actually managed to leave on time this morning and I was in front of Steve and the caravan of kiddos most of the way to school. I snapped this pic in the side mirror of Steve's car. I miss driving my Sequoia when he has to drive the carpool. Of course I miss my magic van even more. :(

Catching up.

I feel like I am in constant "catch up" mode these days...who knows, maybe someday I actually will be! We had a busy weekend with Stevie's soccer tournament, getting ready for peak time for this tax season, laundry, some deep housecleaning, etc. I made it a point to sit down tonight and get my Project 365 pics uploaded if nothing else!

PROJECT 365 - Jan 15

Steve called and asked if I wanted to meet for lunch today. He was going to be nearby so we met up at Pizza Hut for the All You Can Eat Buffet -- not really my favorite place but I'd be willing to have lunch with my handsome hubby just about anywhere. <3

PROJECT 365 - JAN 16

My brave little boy. Stevie had to go for blood work this morning and I was pleasantly surprised when he wanted me to take him rather than Daddy. I know that he was a little nervous at the idea of having blood drawn but he put on such a brave face -- right up until he had to sit in the chair. That's when I saw his big blue eyes start to well up with tears and I could see the fear all over his face. I sat with him and held his hand and he did great! They really took a lot of blood - more than I would have expected. I was so proud of him and I have to confess, it felt really nice to be needed.

PROJECT 365 - JAN 17

This weekend Stevie had a soccer tournament. He really enjoys playing and he is really good too! I know, I am his mom and a little biased but I have heard other parents say the same thing - yep we are proud! His favorite position is goalie, but on the few occasions a goal has gotten past him he tends to take it just a little too personal. It is exciting to watch him play -- although there are times when I really wish he wasn't the goalie!

PROJECT 365 - JAN 18

We had another soccer game bright and early today. While we were sitting on the sidelines Alyson asked if she could see my camera. This was one of the pictures I found later. We seem to see this face from her a lot these days. She is quite a challenge lately with all the whining, crying and attitude. Unfortunately, I hear it doesn't get any better. Great.

PROJECT 365 - Jan 19

Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No school. Steve called to say the kids wanted to meet me for lunch. Subway it is.

Charlie Bit Me - Remix

Came across this today...just cracked me up!

A friend, fun and smores!

I snapped this picture tonight while we were all out back after dinner making smores. Stevie's friend Lucas is staying the night with us. I know, kind of a weird night for a sleepover but unfortunately Lucas's grandmother is dying and so his mother went to be with her and his dad had a commitment. Please keep their family in your prayers if you wouldn't mind.

Stevie and Lucas became close friends last year when they were in the same class at school. I still remember the first Saturday morning that Lucas called. Really a great kid! And he and Stevie get along so well.

And as you can tell, they were all having fun tonight out by the fireplace! LOL!

My favorite LO right now

I am working on my goal of 31 completed layouts in the month of January and last night I finished this one up. It is a bit out of my norm but it is my favorite right now. The papers are all from Love Elsie - they are funky and a little sassy...just like my little superstar! ;)

I am really not the best photographer.

Maybe I should work on my photography skills this year?! I don't think I am all that great at it! LOL! Oh well. Even if they aren't the greatest pics, I will at least have something to look back on, right?


PROJECT 365 - JAN 12

After everyone picked me up at work today we had to stop by the grocery store. I prefer to just go straight home after work but we have to eat, right? We opted to have a taco night...a family favorite.







PROJECT 365 - JAN 13th

Tonight at dinner Alyson wanted to serve everyone a little tea. ;)

Weekend is almost over :(

Man, this weekend went by so fast! I got so much done around the house...finally got all the Christmas decorations all packed away, laundry is all done, and I managed to get 2 more entries done for my Christmas Journal...actually getting 31 done in the month of January is looking pretty tough though. I believe my current total right now is a whopping 3! LOL! I need more time and energy...but who doesn't, right?

PROJECT 365 - JAN 8

Thursday Stevie took his very first science project into school. He was pretty excited about it. A big thank you to Uncle Christopher in helping him out with an actual title! I have to confess, I hated doing science projects when I was in school and I think I hate them even more now that my kids are going to have to be doing them - BLECK! Who ever decided these things were a good idea?!

PROJECT 365 - Jan 9

YOU'VE JUST BEEN CERTIFIED!

Yeah, okay, so since you don't work in my office you won't get it! LOL! But my brother and I do so I guess that's all that counts, right? ;)

PROJECT 365 - JAN 10

Typically on a weekend I will stumble out of bed and find that the kids are already up and laying on the couch watching TV. This morning as I was making my cup of coffee I realized they were not in their usual spots. I peeked around the corner in Stevie's room and the two of them were hanging out together. There was no fighting, no bickering...it was just pure contentment. Damn shame it didn't last long!

PROJECT 365 - JAN 11

I spent most of today packing away Christmas decorations finally and had planned to use a picture of that for today. But then, as I was putting away some laundry in Alyson's room I saw this little note on her chalkbord. It absolutely touched my heart. So, of course, I had to grab the camera. Madi was over yesterday playing with Alyson and she obviously left a little love note before it was time to head home. I expect it will be a while before Alyson erases it. I am so happy that Alyson and Madi get along so well and have become such great friends. A few years from now I hope I can show them both this picture and they will still feel the same way about each other. It is just too sweet for words.

It's only Wednesday?!

Wow. It is only Wednesday. This is week has been so busy with way too much work, science project deadlines, stress galore...I am so ready for the weekend and a little rest. Of course the key word there is "little" since I am sure our weekend will be busy as well. I am just crossing my fingers in the hopes that I might be able to squeeze in a little scrapbooking before the weekend comes and goes!



PROJECT 365 - JAN 5
Monday brought my littlest sister (Anna, a.k.a Tinkerbell; she is the one on the left) over for a little visit. She wanted to introduce me to her friend Dani. Very nice girl. The kids really liked her - they were hamming it up like I haven't seen in ages! Even Aunt Tink thought so! The fact that Dani is a nanny for 4 y.o. twins plus their 6 y.o. sister made it extremely comfortable for her to be at our house and apparently Stevie and Alyson were pretty comfortable with her! Can I just tell you how jealous I am that they are at Disney World right now? *sigh*




PROJECT 365 - JAN 6

After 2 weeks off of school for the Christmas holidays, it was back to school on Tuesday! (Much to Daddy's relief, too! LOL!) I don't think the kids were too excited to go back but they put on a nice smile for me while they were waiting for pick up from the carpool.






PROJECT 365 - JAN 7

We are a one car family this week (hopefully not for too much longer though!) and so Steve takes me to work in the morning and then the 3 of them pick me up. Today after work Steve had to go to a meeting and so he dropped the kids and I off at Barnes and Noble while he took care of his meeting. The kids absolutely love going there and it is kind of nice for me too. I can peruse through the latest scrapbooking magazines and then put them back on the shelf. SHHHHH! Don't tell though! ;)

Happy Sunday

Well, really I don't know how happy it really was but oh well. I spent most of my day working...between writing specs, laundry, housekeeping...I am just wiped! I did take some time to scrap a LO though which felt great! Got another one done for the Christmas Journal -- yep, I am half a month behind on that. But I WILL finish it this year! And with that LO I did manage to get one done towards my goal of 31 this month...

PROJECT 365 - JAN 3

Last night, even though I was in a really lousy mood, Steve convinced me that some time with friends would be a good thing...and I am glad I listened to him. We had a really fun time hanging out and having dinner with our favorite neighbors and so I asked the waitress to take a picture for me and wouldn't you know it...it is my picture for Jan 3

PROJECT 365 - JAN 4

Today's picture is of the cute little turtle that was making his way down our neighbor's drive way. I am pretty sure we have seen this guy before. I was at my desk working when Steve called and told me to grab Alyson and go outside (always a sure sign that I should bring my camera!) Kind of cute, don't you think?

Jan 2nd - Project 365

Alyson has a friend from her class that, as it turns out, lives less than 2 minutes away...literally! We discovered this a couple of weeks ago when Alyson was invited to her birthday party. The girls were super excited to learn this and so a playdate was planned. The night before however, Alyson started getting nervous and didn't want to go.

Thanfully when she woke up in the morning her fears were gone and so Steve took her over around 10am....by 6:30pm she still wasn't ready to come home! LOL! I was so thrilled that things had gone so well and hope these two will get together more often. I was also proud of Alyson for getting over her fears -- something she is having trouble with lately.

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope everyone had a nice NYE. We had such a great time last night with friends and today we got to hang with more friends...we are so blessed to have some truly great people as friends...not too mention they are just so much fun! Not that you could tell from the pictures or anything! ;) My son was the one with the camera in his hand...he didn't too bad, and he was definitely better behaved than some -- no that I am naming names or anything! ;)

Today I am starting Project 365 and after some frustration this morning when trying to order along with the other thousands of people, I was lucky enough to get one of the kits! So excited about that and can't wait until it arrives...will make it so easy to actually complete this project. Project 365 is definitely the biggest project I have ever taken on but I think it will be a lot of fun and awesome to go back and look at the pictures we take every day in 2009.

And since we are talking about that, this is my picture for January 1st...

I thought it would be nice to start the year off with a family picture, taken by our friend Kathleen while we were all together with friends celebrating the beginning of the new year. Will be fun to look back on this in another year and see how much the kids have changed!

I had another fun start to my year as well. I am now a Friend of PageMaps! YEAH ME! I guess it is not exactly like being published in a magazine, but I am over the moon nonetheless! I am a big fan of Becky Fleck and her PageMaps, even bought her book, so it was an honor for me to be asked to do a LO for her January Sidemaps. So exciting for me!

In addition to Project 365, which will last all year, I have also taken on the challenge of doing 31 LOs in the month of January with the girls at The House of Paper. I was talking to Steve about all of this while we were making our coffee this morning and he just looked and me and asked "Why do you do this to yourself?" LOL! January will be a very busy month for us since we own a couple of Liberty Tax stores and we are heading into peak season but I am determined to do my best regardless. I will not stress out if I can't complete all 31 because I am sure I will be able to get a lot done and Chiara always has such great challenges posted, not to mention all the fabulous inspiration from all the girls at The House...it is a win-win situation in my book! :)

Hope you all have a wonderful 2009. Be sure and take time for the little things and find at least one thing to be grateful for each day. I'll bet even on your worst day you can still find one thing to be thankful for...even if it is just that you didn't pull all your hair out! ;)

Can you believe it is New Year's Eve?!

I can hardly believe it is another New Year's Eve. I am glad of it though...rather looking forward to putting 2008 behind and move on to 2009...hoping for better times ahead. 2008 was a tough year in my house, not that it was all bad, but a tough one nonetheless.

I am taking a little inspiration from my little girl this year. She is all about Camp Rock and The Jonas Brothers. She is our little performer and loves to sing and put on shows (a bit like her mother was at that age actually! LOL!) She has a particular song that she loves from Camp Rock, sung by Demi Lovato called This Is Me. I was listening to it this morning on the way to work (yep, got the whole Camp Rock soundtrack on my MP3 player -- I AM a Disney girl through and through!) and even though I know all the words by heart because I have heard Alyson sing them hundreds of times, this morning they really struck a chord with me and as I was singing, I felt like I could be singing about myself. Cheesy, right? So, I started the song over and sang at the top of my lungs! (and you thought I couldn't possibly be any more cheesy, eh?)

I've always been the kind of girl

That hid my face

So afraid to tell the world

What I've got to say

But I have this dream

Right inside of me

I'm gonna let it show - it's time

To let you know...

This is real

This is me

I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be now

Gonna let the light shine on me

Now I've found, who I am

There's no way to hold it in

No more hiding who I want to be

This is me

Do you know what it's like

To feel so in the dark

To dream about a life

Where you're the shining star

Even though it seems

Like it's too far away

I have to believe in myself

It's the only way...

This is real

This is me

I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be now

Gonna let the light shine on me

Now I've found, who I am

There's no way to hold it in

No more hiding who I want to be

This is me

Okay, so I am not looking to be a rock star or anything but the words have inspired me to just be me and not worry about what the world thinks...This is me, so if you don't like it, well, that's okay.

I am not usually one for New Year Resolutions but this year I am feeling rather compelled to write out a few for myself...

I will take better care of myself.
I will stop putting myself last.
I will be the best wife I can be.
I will be the best mother I can be.
I will stop and take in the moment.
I will try really hard to worry a little less.
I will stop caring what other people think.
I will be the best friend I can be.
I will not lose faith.
I will not lose hope.
I will be a more positive person.

I will be okay with me.

These are the first things that come to mind. I have a few scrapbooking goals for myself as well but I will post those later. If you have any resolutions, feel free to link back here -- I would love to hear what goals you guys have. And you can feel free to have a good little giggle thinking about me jamming out to Camp Rock and singing at the top of my lungs...although just so you know, I did score over a million points singing it on Disney Sing it! ROTFLOL!

Wishing you all a safe and fun New Year's Eve and a 2009 filled with love, laughter, friendship and all things good!

More of my Christmas Journal

Man, I have been so busy lately, haven't had much time to play with all my scrapbooking goodies. I am way behind on my Christmas Journal but I am determined NOT to give up this year so here I go still plugging along...

December 7th - Making a List

This one is pretty simple...journaling reads: Every year I vow to be more organized and ahead of the game…and more times than not, I fail. I will inevitably find myself stressed and running around at the last minute trying to get things accomplished. Well, NOT THIS YEAR! We have cut back substantially on the gift giving this year which makes things so much easier! The Christmas cards are just about ready to go and once I get my cookies made it should be smooth sailing! WOOHOO!



December 8th - Disney Christmas Magic

I took the day off of work on Monday, December 8th and we made the kids think they had a dentist appointment before school...and took them to Walt Disney World instead! We were the cool parents that day! I used pics taken throughout the day for this entry. Journaling reads: Can there really be anything more magical than Walt Disney World at Christmas time?! Or a suprise day off from school in order to see all that magic?! I think not!

December 9th - Traditions

I am always envious of families who have all these great and meaningful traditions...never had any of those growing up but I hope I can change that with my own kids. Journaling reads: When someone asks about our family traditions my initial thought is that we really don’t have any and I find myself envious of those who have special things they do and look forward to each Christmas…but then the more I think about it the more I guess that we do have a few - like the kids getting their picture taken with Santa Claus every year or us taking our family photo for the Christmas cards. The kids always have their chocolate countdown calendars and we hang our stockings up too. Each Christmas Eve, we leave milk and cookies out for Santa and sprinkle reindeer food outside for Rudolph and friends. And when Santa does drop in for his visit he always helps me put out all the gifts under the tree in addition to what he brings. He also likes to leave a letter for the Stevie and Alyson. So while we don’t have a lot of traditions, the few that we do have definitely help make our Christmas special...and who knows, maybe we can add a few more in the years to come.

December 10th - My Favorite kind of Holiday Wrapping

This entry was totally inspired by my friend Karen...hope I did yours justice girl! ;) Journaling reads: I know it is Christmastime when I treat myself to a vanilla latte at Starbucks and they hand it to me all "wrapped" up in their pretty holiday cups! They are always so pretty and festive! It also means their new Christmas ornaments will be out soon too! ;)

Playing catch up! (half way there...)

We had a pretty busy weekend and then we surprised the kids and took them to Disney yesterday (poor things thought we were taking them to the dentist before school! Steve really had Alyson going! LOL! But that will be a story for another day!) so I have not had much time to sit down and work on my Christmas Journal. Tonight though I was able to finish up through December 6th!

December 4th - Perfection

This entry was all about your perfect Christmas...the journaling reads: Every year, I imagine having that “perfect Christmas”. I think I am finally coming to the realization however, that really there is no such thing. Nothing will ever be perfect. But I do believe that there are always “moments” of perfection - even if they only last for a second or two. The more I slow down and really take the time to notice, I can see at least one every single day. And while I may not have an entirely perfect Christmas, they are always filled with moments of perfection - quite a few actually. One of my most favorite ones is that very first moment when the kids wake up and come out to see the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Their faces are lit up with pure and absolute joy, excitement and bewilderment. It just doesn’t get any more perfect than that. (The picture is from 2003...can't believe how little they were!)

December 5th - Counting Down

There are so many different ways to countdown until Christmas Day. This year we added one to our house. Journaling reads: Stevie and Alyson really love counting down to Christmas. Each morning they eagerly open the next “door” in their chocolate advent calendar. This year I wanted to try and start a new tradition as well. I wrapped up 25 different Christmas themed books and put them in a basket. Each night one person gets to pick a book out of the basket and unwrap it, then we all sit together and read it. So far they are really excited about it and are quick to ask if it is time to read our book. I am really hoping this can become a fun, new tradition for our family.

December 6th - The Good and The Bad

I decided to take a bit of a different approach on this but I am sure Shimelle won't mind! ;) The basic prompt was a good memory vs a bad memory (or not so good). This past Saturday, the 6th, was the night of our neighborhood's first Progressive Holiday Party. We used to do these when we lived in Seatle and they became something we all looked forward to and so this year Steve and I thought it might be fun to try it here. I got a great response and the party was better than I expected! Everyone had such a good time and so it just seemed perfect to use it in my journal entry for the day. I included a pic of Steve and I as well as me and 2 of my favorite neighbors - otherwise known as "The Real Housewives of The EL!" -- the new show coming soon to Bravo! (NOT) ;)

Journaling reads: One of the things I never really looked forward to during the Christmas holidays was the fact that Steve would get to go to his company Christmas party, but I never got to go. He worked for Scudder for so long, 10 years actually, and in all that time, spouses were never invited. That was always tough for me and I am not going to lie, I was just plain jealous! Especially the years when we moved and he would fly back to Chicago to go. I wanted to be able to get dressed up and have a good time too!

When we were living in Seattle, our neighborhood starting doing Progressive Christmas Parties each year and so finally I got to get all dolled up and have a good time. It was a big deal and we all really looked forward to it. Of course once we moved back to Florida it was back to the way things were! This year though, our little neighborhood had our first Progressive Holiday party and it really turned out great! It was so much fun to get dressed up again and everyone seemed to have a good time and thanked me for putting it all together. I would definitely be up for doing it all again next year! I mean, seriously, who doesn’t love a good Christmas party?!

Feels good to have those completed. Now I just have 3 more to go and I have a pretty good head start on those already. I am pretty proud of myself for keeping up this year...definitely much better than last year's journal. Hopefully I will have more to share tomorrow. (((hugs!)))

This is for my little brother...it IS my little brother! Can you tell it was a slow day at the office? (oh and that other guy is Phi...one of our co-workers...pretty sure this is is internet debut! LOL!) **for the full effect you will need to pause the Christmas music...just scroll down and it will be on the left**

P.S. Hey Topher....your neice says you are weird! LOL!

Christmas Cards & Earnest Graham...

My entry for day 3 of Journal Your Christmas is complete! GO ME! Thanks again to Chiara for helping out with this one...if not for you I would have just put it off...

Journaling reads: Christmas cards are one of my favorite traditions. In this day and age of email, it is rare to get something fun in the mailbox! And I think Christmas cards are FUN!
I love getting the pictures every year and seeing how our friends and family have changed. I love to have them on display throughout the house. We normally have a picture taken by the end of November so that we can get our Christmas cards out right at the beginning of December. We are a bit behind this year though since Steve was pretty sick over Thanksgiving - kind of threw off our “schedule”. We will still get ours out though and I will be sure to tuck an extra one in this envelope as well. It is always fun to go back and look at how our little family has changed each year as well.

Every night at dinner the past couple of weeks we have started a new thing with the kids...talking about the best and worst parts of our days. Today one of the best parts of MY day was meeting Earnest Graham of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in person! Doesn't he just have the best smile?! He reminds me of a kid - his face just lights up with pure joy. He was so nice and sweet, so appreciative of everyone who came out to meet him. His story is so inspiring and I just couldn't be happier for him and his family. I am praying that he will be healthy again soon and back out on the football field doing what he does best!

Journal Your Christmas (12/2) - Snow Day

My journal entry for today...

I had some fun with this one...used all old stash too!

Journaling reads: I confess, sometimes I miss the snow. Most of the time - well, not so much! LOL! But at Christmas time, I must admit, it would be nice to look out the window and see the world covered in a beautiful blanket of snowy white glistening in the sunlight. When we lived in Seattle I use to love watching the snow fall. There is nothing like the look of freshly fallen snow. I loved seeing the kids all bundled up with just their rosy cheeks and perfect little red noses peeking out.

The kids miss the snow sometimes too. I remember just a couple of years ago in 2006, Alyson was in Kindergarten. I picked her and Stevie up from school as usual and we were walking out to the car just before the Christmas Break and Alyson told me she wanted it to snow. Of course, we don’t typically get snow here in Florida and so I told her that I was pretty sure that wasn’t going to happen. Apparently she did not like that answer and proceeded to throw a nice big tantrum, complete with tears and stamping feet, all the while crying out that she wanted to see snow! Oh the looks on the faces of the parents around me was quite humorous! All I could really do was laugh and shake my head.

One of these years I am sure we will get back up to the north somewhere to see the snow…for now though we have our memories.

Today I was able to leave work a little early and head over to Alyson's dance class...it is Parent Observation Week. Normally they are behind closed doors so we don't get to see what they are working on. Alyson is taking a hip hop class...at 7 years old it doesn't tend to actually look like hip hop dancing but oh my goodness, it was just so fun to watch! My little girl may not be the best dancer out there but she was definitely having SO much fun. I think it is safe to say that this year is the most fun she has had in dance. Her teacher is really great with all the kids and I know I have used the word a bit already, but she makes things fun! I took some video of a dance they did tonight...a little too tired to upload it tonight but I will try and do it tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be another fun day for me too! We are going to an autograph signing for one of our favorite Buccaneers players! SWEET! Pictures FOR SURE on that one! One of these days I need to start THAT scrapbook!

Journal Your Christmas - December 1st

Today is the day...the first day of Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas. I have really been looking forward to doing this this year and am feeling pretty good at having gotten the first day done! I am letting go and just keeping things simple. Both in my journal and in my home. For years we have been saying that Christmas has become too commercial and too much about getting gifts, this year Steve and I both agree that is going to change.

Journaling reads: This Christmas I will make something with my own hands, my own words and my own memories. Starting today, December 1st, 2008, I will keep a Christmas journal. Each day I will use this journal to reflect on those things that are essential to making mine and my family’s Christmas merry and bright. I hope that by taking the time every day to do this I will be able to make the most of this Christmas and reclaim the joy of the season. I hope to teach my children the real meaning of Christmas this year and to keep it alive and well in my home, my heart and my children’s hearts. This year, it is not about how many gifts are under our tree and getting everything we want. It is about the precious gifts of our family and friends and wanting what we already have.

Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours!

Well, it wasn't the Thanksgiving we had originally planned in Stone Mountain, Georgia but it was nice nonetheless. Steve came down with a pretty rough cold so heading out to the mountain was not a good idea and we really didn't want to take any chances and get anyone else sick so we didn't make it to my parent's house either. I missed being with my brother and sisters but we still had a nice day.

Alyson helped me make some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins that we shared with a couple of our favorite neighbors. Then I managed to get Stevie to help me a bit by scrubbing some potatoes for me.

Once I got the turkey going in the oven and the potatoes in the crock pot we finished up watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...always exciting when Santa flies in with Mrs. Claus to say hello!

We had a nice family Thanksgiving with all of our simple favorites...

And of course Daddy carved the bird!

We went for a nice walk around the neighborhood, watched The Christmas Shoes and played a few games. Of course the boys watched football and Daddy fell asleep on the couch! ;) For dessert it was homemade pumpkin pie and Oreo creme pie.

We are so thankful that we have so many blessings and things to be thankful for that it would just be too numerous to list them. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

(Something else to be thankful for...I can officially pull out the Christmas music! Yippee!)

The Sack Lunches

I received this in an email this morning from my uncle. You always have to wonder whether the stories and such you get forwarded to you are true or not but this is one that I sincerely hope is true...and if it isn't, maybe someone would be inspired to make it a true story.

All too often days like today, Veteran's Day, come to pass and all you really hear about it the big sale the stores are having. Am I the only one bugged by this?! I mean, really, is that the best way to honor the men and women who serve and protect this great country that we live in?

I hope you will all take a moment to read this story, it really touched my heart and if I am ever in a situation that I can do something like this, I absolutely will. I just don't think we can do enough to thank these men and women, and their families. I confess that when I see someone in military uniform I want so much to just go up to them and just say thank you...but then I chicken out at the last minute thinking they might not want me to bother them or even worse, they might just think I am a crazy lady! LOL! I really need to get past that fear and shyness and just do it...and I want to teach my kids to be thankful and respectful, too.

You know what? I am going to do it! The next member of our military that I cross paths with is going to hear a 'thank you' from me... I will get past that shyness! Surely it is the least I can do, right? (I'll keep you posted!)

Oh yeah...here's that story I mentioned! ;)

The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought. Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. ' Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq '

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago ' His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldi er in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm. When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.' Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check Made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in This country who no longer understand it.'

If you have a chance today, I hope you will thank a Veteran!