Why wait until the New Year?

Every year, for me, it's the same old resolution. Yep, the "I'm going to lose weight this year, eat healthier and exercise more!" I wake up January first all ready to go, then around the second week I decide I can cheat and have a donut, or skip my walk. February arrives and I have completely abandoned my routine and back on the fast track to terrible eating and no exercising!

July 2, 2010 changed my world completely. My brother went to bed the night before and never woke up. He was overweight, had diabetes and high blood pressure. He wasn't taking care of himself and had many other personal issues that did not help him at all. I ignored the fact that I was overweight, had had blood pressure issues when pregnant and gestational diabetes. Once the kids were born I seemed to even out and get back on track.

That is until October of 2011. I feel ill for several weeks and no one could pinpoint it. I wasn't eating, I wanted to sleep all the time and my stomach was in knots continuously. I had taken a couple of trips to the doctors office and at least one to the emergency room. There was talk that I may be having blood sugar issues. My blood pressure was high, but I just assumed it was due to all the stress of being sick.

Finally the time had come and I was instructed to have blood drawn and checked for diabetes. Yep! There was the culprit. I was diagnosed with diabetes. They prescribed me with meds for it and for my blood pressure. I started feeling better after a few days and felt like that any permanent changes were not necessary. Why bother when I have medication to control it all for me, right?

I have taken a step back and reassessed the situation. I began to really think about how I lost my baby brother and how his health and mine are the same. He was only 34 and has three children and a wife he left behind...not to mention his parents, extended family and a large group of friends. I began thinking about how this may be my eye opener.

I sat and looked at my life. I have three beautiful children and my niece (my brother's oldest who has moved in with us) who need me here. I have an amazing husband who would do anything for me and loves me unconditionally. I need to get my health in check. I need to take care of myself so that I can be here to help take care of them.

This morning (December 29, 2011) I have decided is my "new year". I'm starting RIGHT NOW! I'm changing everything about my diet and exercise. I use the term "diet" loosely because it's more of a lifestyle change. I am including my family as well. We will all start eating healthier, spending less time in front of the TV and more time moving.

This year I vow to make positive life changing changes for the benefit of us all. Walk along with me (us) as we embark on a new journey. Feel free to share any ideas or life changes you're making this new year. It doesn't have to be about food or exercise, it can be anything. Let's support one another and make each other accountable for our promises to ourselves and/or our families!

Good luck everyone! Let's "get 'r done!"

Twas the Night Before Christmas and Things One and Two end up in tears...

Our Christmas weekend was great! We enjoyed making gifts for neighbors, we even learned a little something in this process...I'll blog that story later. We prepared ourselves for the arrival of Santa and was not disappointed when we woke up the next morning. The night before, however, is another story.

There is nothing more exciting to a child than the arrival of the big guy. We spend all year being good so that we make the nice list. This year had my seven year old daughter so excited she could not sleep! You see, Santa puts their stockings on their doorknobs when he's finished up so that when they wake up the next morning (key word MORNING) they know he has been there. This year that tradition caused tears and broken hearts!

My husband and I had finished up preparing the home for Santa, after the children had been tucked in. We were tired and ready for our sleep. We tucked ourselves in bed, ready for those dancing sugar plums, around the eleven o'clock hour. Mind you, Mr. Clause had decided to go on ahead put those stockings out before he really should have, after all the children had been sleeping through the night for some time and he was confident it would be alright. We should also mention that some of the stockings were a little too full to place on the doorknob this year so he simply laid them on the floor next to their bedroom doors.

Alright, back to mom and dad all nestled snug in their bed waiting for dancing sugar plums...Just before the first sugar plum made its grand entrance mom hears shuffling feet from down the hall. Her first thought, "CRAP!" She reaches over to see what time it is, the clock reads 11:45! WHAT??? The shuffling footsteps reach her side of the bed and she hears her seven year old daughter anxiously exclaim, "SANTA CAME! SANTA CAME!" Oh holy crap! She woke up and saw the stocking...DANG! What do we do now? It's too early (or late, however you look at 11:45pm) to wake up everyone and head downstairs. I tell her that it's not time to go down, that it's still night time. Well, way to go mom, she's crying, inconsolably, now! I really am dumbfounded in how to handle this. Every fiber of my being wanted to take her downstairs and let her dig in...no matter how long we had to stay up. The reasonable side of me thought it best to try to convince her to go back to sleep and wait until morning when everyone was up and ready to go down together.

We wiped our tears and crawled into bed with mom and dad, NO way was I sending her back to her own bed, she had been through enough! We laid talking about how early Santa showed up, how we were all so very surprised. I even told her to whisper because I thought I heard something downstairs and we didn't want to startle Santa if he was still setting things up. This finally worked and our angel was soon back asleep between us.

I lay in bed for a while feeling guilty for not taking her down when she saw the stocking, the clear indicator that Old St. Nick had actually arrived. I had decided that next year, we'll just ask Santa to leave the stockings downstairs, it's easier and he's less likely to wake anyone up before it's time (another thing she and I decided had woke her too soon...he can be noisy, he's not exactly slim Jim after all). It took a little while but I did it...asleep again, well after midnight.

It felt like only a few minutes when I hear more footsteps bounding down the hallway. I take a quick glance at my clock...3:39! ARE YOU KIDDING ME! It's thing two this time. I know at this point I cannot contain them or take anymore tear shedding children. I will get up and we will all go down and start our Christmas morning dark and early. Much to my, happy, surprise, he only wanted to know if he could close his bedroom door. He was worried the dog would come in his room. He apparently had missed the stockings lying on the floor next to his door, and for this I was thankful. I told him he could and he ran down the hall, passing the waiting stockings once again, closed his door and that was it!

 It was six in the morning when I hear the footsteps again. This time thing two was upset. WHY? The stockings were there and it is an acceptable time for waking up and beginning our fun. NOPE, he had opened his door and saw his doorknob was empty. With tear filled eyes he asks, "Why didn't Santa come?" I can't take it. Two out of three little ones had been lead to tears this year because of stockings! I tell him to turn the hall light on and check around his door and see if maybe Santa had laid them on the floor. He quickly does it and the excitement of Christmas has been restored! THANK YOU LORD!

Stockings were exciting enough and now it was time to head down the stairs. We found what we asked Santa for. We discovered he had tracked in soot from the fireplace and could see his footprints left behind by his big black boots. He had answered all the questions that had been left behind for him, ate his cookies and drank his hot cocoa. We ripped open all the other gifts and spent the rest of the day playing, happily and quietly, with our new treasures. The Christmas spirit had been restored, our faith had been kept in tact and our lives resumed to normal.

Christmas is here!

As we approach Christmas day I have been trying to come up with new and fun things to add to our family traditions. This year we are going to make a birthday cake for Jesus, carry outside and let the wind (Jesus breath) blow the candles out. The kids find this exciting and are looking forward to it.

We always spend the evening of Christmas Eve making cookies and getting ready for Santa. Daddy will start a new tradition of making Christmas Chili from scratch...no beans or tomatoes from a can...fresh and delicious! I know I'm looking forward to this one :)  We'll read the Night Before Christmas, set out our cookies and milk (or hot cocoa, we'll have to vote on this one!), and read from the Bible the story of Jesus birth.

Christmas morning we will take our cake outside, wait for the candles to be blown out and eat it! YES, cake for breakfast! Thank you Jesus! Once our sugar high has kicked in we'll rip open all the gifts and enjoy a day of playing in the floor with our new treasures. It's the best time of the year and I always look forward to the next year before Christmas day is over.

Please share with us some fun family tradition you celebrate each year at this time...old and new ones! It's always fun to see the different things families do. You never know, you could help someone else start a fun and new tradition. Thanks for sharing and from our house to yours...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Guns and Coffee

I'm sure this will ruffle some feathers but I do LOVE guns and coffee! I held, and shot, my first gun at the age of three. Although I feel that is a bit young for my children, I am proud of the fact I was taught how to handle a gun and the consequences of misusing one. My parents had a gun cabinet that only DID NOT lock but had no door on it at all. We had guns, some loaded, right there at our fingertips. My brother and I never felt compelled to experiment with them while our parents were out because we were taught to respect them and to be afraid of them if used inappropriately. I appreciate that lesson. We were more concerned about doing the things we were told NOT to do...like using the stove while they were out...that we did every single time they left the house. It was the thrill of getting away with something we were forbid to do.

My oldest is seven and I feel she is reaching an age where it would be ok for her to feel the power of a gun in her hands. All three of my children have been taught the dangers of guns and what they should and should not be used for. We cannot protect our children from everything and we must educate them when and where we can. I need for my children to know that if they are ever in a place where a gun is available to them, how to handle the situation. I don't want them to be scared because all they have ever heard is how "bad" guns are. It is as much the guns fault for killing someone as it is that fast food makes us fat. It's a choice...you choose to pick up a gun and aim it at someone YOU are making that choice. If you choose to eat a greasy burger for every meal YOU are making that choice. Our world spends too much time finding ways to blame things that cannot fight back instead of taking our, ever pointing, fingers and turning them back toward ourselves.

If you are afraid, you will teach your children to be afraid. So don't judge me. I can assure you I will do everything in my power to teach my children how to be survivors and how to assume responsibility for their actions...whether it be using a gun or eating fast food all day. There are always consequences for poor decisions. Again, I was raised around them, taught to use them, knew of the consequences of misusing them...I have yet to kill anyone, or anything, with a gun to date. However, if I was ever threatened by an evil force I would not become a victim...neither will my children.

Jesus turned water into wine, just say'n...

John 2:1-11

New International Version (NIV)

John 2

Jesus Changes Water Into Wine

 ¹ On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, ² and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”    ⁴ “Woman,^[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
 ⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
 ⁶ Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.^[b]
 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
 ⁸ Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
   They did so, ⁹ and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside ¹⁰ and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
 ¹¹ What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

OH BOY! This has been some morning folks! We'll start with this being my SECOND attempt at writing this blog! My computer decided to take a poop just as I was finishing up and wouldn't let me save the post or publish it...GREAT!

I was rudely awoken by some a-hole's car alarm going off at butt thirty this morning. I lay in bed cursing this person for a bit before jumping out of bed to see who the car belonged to so that I could give them the evil eye next time I saw them. I rush to my bedroom window, open it, and discover that the a-hole is ME! My cars lights were flashing and MY horn was blaring. GREAT! now I'm going to get the stink eye! I rush down the stairs calling for my husbands help, because apparently you need two people to find the keys and turn the thing off! PHEW...he found them and stopped the honking. You're welcome Meadow Creek for the wake up call...you need to get moving anyway people!

I tell my husband and niece good-bye as they head out the door to work and school. Coffee is in my cup and I have a couple of minutes of peace. The radio is playing Christmas music and I'm finding my happy place. Then that annoying "Twelve Days of Christmas" comes on. I give up...I wander up the stairs to my eldest child's room and try awakening her softly and lovingly. It's pajama day at school and she has to do nothing more than roll out of bed, eat breakfast, have her hair combed and walk to the bus stop. I have already made her lunch, and set out her breakfast...easy enough? Apparently NOT! She wakes up with the breath of a dozen rotten eggs and the attitude of angry bear! WTH? I was singing so nicely and rubbing her back, why the evilness?...after all, the a-hole with the blaring horn didn't wake her up!

She finally decided to roll out of bed and walk down the stairs with Thing Two and myself. They sit at the table and I pour them their bowls of cereal. Everyone is kind of quiet...ok...not too shabby. UNTIL, Thing Two notices the tree now has wrapped gifts under it (gifts I tell them the elves wrapped, but we all know it was their daddy and I who stayed up late, sat on  the floor until our legs were numb and our backs hurt, that wrapped them...but hey...let's give tiny fictional characters the credit!). They both are now finished eating (normally they would eat more, but there's presents to look at for pete's sake!) and they start snooping around the tree to see what gifts are theirs. Thing Three has managed to wobble down the stairs and has now joined in on the present gazing fun.

They are being pretty good, for a short five minutes. Thing One starts bringing her gifts to me saying, "this is from Granny and Paw Paw, what do you think is in it?" Well, I know what's in it since the grannies and paw paw's decided to send money so that we could go out into the cruel world of Christmas shopping, buy the gift, bring it home and wrap it...easy way out! She does this a few more times before the boys start bringing me their gifts and asking, "who's this one from? Can I open it now? What's in it?" ENOUGH already!

My nerves are taking a hit again...I ask, very calmly, "Please leave the gifts alone before you rip the paper and ruin the surprise of what is in it." This request falls upon three sets of deaf ears...they're going nuts now, crawling under the tree, climbing the thing, it's getting out of hand and no one is listening. I am reaching a boiling point and am tired of being ignored...that's when bah-hum-bug mom surfaces...I, not so nicely or calmly anymore, grit my teeth and in my "mom's had enough so you better listen" voice said, "IF you pick up another gift it goes away until Christmas morning and IF you rip the wrapping paper, I take that present back to the store and buy myself a gift!" WOW! They can all hear again, amazing! It worked! All three Things have stepped back from the tree and are now just staring at them...great...I've crushed Christmas spirit...way to go mom!

It is now time to walk Thing One to the bus stop. Remember how I said it was pajama day at school? Well, I thought it was clever, and cute, to suggest she wear her robe in place of her jacket. EXCITING! She rushes up grabs her pretty polka-dot robe and puts it on. We get to the bus stop and some snot nosed brat tells my "always follows the rules because I can't stand to disappoint anyone, EVER!" daughter that she can't wear her robe! "It said in the letter NO ROBES, you're gonna get in trouble." Thanks kid! I want to kick this child in the shins and take off running! Hark, the herold angel behind my daughter tells her, "The note did not say no robes, you can wear it." THANK you little girl! I will be sure to tell Santa you were EXTRA good! I manage to calm my, now VERY panicky, daughter down, pick her broken heart up off the sidewalk, kiss her frustration away and get her on the bus. YAY! She's smiling again...good!

I get back to my warm home, and cold coffee. The boys are settling down with a video game in the basement and I'm able to start my blog for the morning...again, this is my second attempt...Lord help my HP laptop if it screws me again! Lord help my husband when I tell him he'll have to buy me a new one because I threw mine out the window...oh and we'll need a new window as well ;)

Merry After Christmas, Christmas Cards

I am always over thinking the Christmas card thing every year. I spend so much time trying to figure out how I want to do them. I could just stop in the store and grab a box, sign them and mail them, but for me it's not that easy. I want to write a letter updating family and friends of our year and what we hope for the new year. I want to incorporate a photo of the kids, after all it may be the most updated picture of them since thing one was born! This year, I gave up. Please forgive me for not putting a card in the mail. I'm sure I'll get something naughty in my stocking for this.... 

 Now, with that said...I have decided to be creative and make "Merry After Christmas, Christmas Cards".  I think this will work for me from now on because I can take my time and put all the love into I want. I won't feel rushed and I can add photo's of the kids opening gifts that family sent them. PERFECT! I'm also hoping to avoid Santa taking a crap in my chimney! That might cause some trauma to the little people residing in my home!

My Wine Review

 
Smoking Loon, Pinot Noir...brought to our wine and cheese party this past Saturday by our friend, oddly enough the wine name fits him, a smoking loon! I give this one three stars out of five. Jason and I have a rule...If you can see through the wine in your glass then it's not as good. We prefer a deep dark rich color. This particular wine was sippable until my, ever charming and accomodating, husband came back from the store with something a little darker! The amazing man he is drank this bottle while I sucked down the Sledgehammer. No need in wasting a bottle of wine!





  

Sledgehammer, Cabernet Sauvignon...one of our all time favorites
We can give this wine a five out of five stars! Dark, rich and yummy!
This one got me through a movie and rowdy anxious kids last night.
Way to go Sledgehammer! I still have a glass left of this and can't wait
until 5 PM!

Benedryl and Wine

Why is it I miss my kids, UNTIL they get home? I have a feeling our "winter break" (known in our house as CHRISTMAS VACATION!) will be too long before it even gets started. I suppose a trip to the store is in order. I'll need to stock up on Benedryl and WINE! We'll get through it...happily...one way or another!

It's short and sweet but says all I need it to for now :) I'm sure the stories will be in full bloom by the middle of next week...provided the Benedryl and WINE doesn't run out!

Quick intro to the people who lead me to drink....

I am a stay at home mom. Those four little words "stay at home mom" is a joke. The title should read, "Does not work to fulfull a mulitude of occupations within ones own family without receiving cash flow". I do not sit around playing Barbies, driving Hot Wheels in circles or watching my soaps on television all day. I am mostly a referee, boo-boo kisser, cook, taxi driver, snot rag, complaint department, hair dresser, stylist, housekeeper...you get the picture. I love my job, and although I am paid, VERY well, in hugs and kisses, I would love to see some cash flow. The hugs and kisses will not buy me pretty shoes, I tried and was almost arrested.

My little lovies are Alainna-7, Ryan-4, and Colin-3. My niece, Pixie, will be 16 in a few weeks, and aside from the teenage drama and weird lingo, she is pretty normal, a ton of help, and one of my best friends. I enjoy getting up every day and thanking the Lord that I have them. They are my comic relief and stressors. They keep me smiling (most of the time), stressed (even more of the time) and on my toes (24/7). I'm pretty sure they get up at night, gather together and plot their attacks on me for the next day.

My husband has been supporting me since December 7, 1991. We were married in the very small town we were raised in. We met in August of 1989 and have been a hot mess ever since. We were the couple everyone was certain would be divorced or most likely to kill one another within the first year of marriage. So far we still like each other and all guns have been put under lock and key. No, really, they have! All funny stuff aside, Jason (the husband) is MY BEST FRIEND! I love him more than anything, but like the children he can bring the best and worst out of me. I'm sure he does not feel the same about me, I'm an angel. OK, stop laughing, pick yourself up off the floor, pop a cork, raise your glass with me, and enjoy my posts!

Welcome!

Welcome, and thank you for visiting my blog! I am so very new to this and will be posting more about myself and my crazy life soon. Please stay tuned for fun, funny and sometimes (more like rarely) serious topics! I look forward to entertaining you :)