Box of Chocolates

Mark and I took the kids a couple of years ago to Orlando for a weekend.  Nathan was less than a year old, Alexandra must have just turned 2 and Madison was 4.  I look back and laugh but at the time it was anything but funny.  A trip to Disney would be fun and relaxing right?  HA!  We never even made it to Disney because Madison was so ornery the day we were going to go I couldn't justify going.  We learned a lot about being parents of three young kids that weekend.   During our stay we took the kids to the Rainforest Cafe.  Nathan was terrified the whole meal and after our $75 lunch Madison threw up all over the table and floor.  That is when Mark made the rule we don't take the kids to a restaurant unless it has a drive thru, curbside doesn't count.  We really do stick to that rule and the only sit down "nice" restaurant we go to with the kids is Sonny's BBQ.  Before we left I wanted to get the kids a little something from the Disney Marketplace.  I took the...

I am thankful for... My savior, Jesus.  He is alive!   My wonderful husband of almost 11 years that helps me stay balanced    My 3 funny, cute, and healthy kids  My village Friends  No school this week, no car circle (aka war), no getting Madison ready on time, no homework, and I can stay in bed just a little bit longer.    Trials of life, they make me self reflect and for that I am grateful because in the end I have learned something to add to the tool box of life.   Dark Chocolate, white chocolate and milk chocolate    Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade My health, two years ago I was coming home on Thanksgiving from the hospital.  A hospital stay or two will put things in perspective.   Did I say chocolate? Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends.  I am thankful for you all!  

A friend stopped by the other day for just a minute that I haven't seen in a few weeks and she asked me what I was doing to lose weight.  I said to her, "what are you talking about?"  I just thought she was crazy until Sunday.  I was getting ready for church as usual and picked out one of my newest skirts, ironed it and put it on and in fell below my waist!  I pinned it and went to church.   Today I put on another newer skirt and it too was very lose.  I then decided to get on my scale. It usually always tells me the same nasty numbers.  Today it was 9 lbs less.  I got on again to make sure it was right and it said the same thing.  9lbs?  I still think the scale is wrong.   I think it could be because I haven't gone to the drive thru's for over a month except for one day when I went on a field trip with Madison.  That speaks volumes of the fast food!  So, my goals to save money is also causing me to lose weight.  Great side effect,  save money = lose weight.   The...

The Mother-in-law stigma seems to be timeless.  Well, I couldn't have gotten a better Mother-in-law.  She is crazy and she will admit it. She will not admit that she is dramatic, but she has plenty of drama. She is a wonderful grandmother, a prayer warrior, a repeat short term missionary to some of the worst slums in the world, after school bible club leader/helper, loves her boys and really would do anything for them when she can,  and loves to talk. I could go on but I won't.   This woman drove back from the mountains of NC to watch my kids after just being there for a day.  Why?  Well, I was sick and had to go the hospital for a few days.  At the time my kids where ages 3, 2 and 6 months.  She drove home to help us.  That is pretty amazing to give up your vacation in the mountains and drive home to watch your grandkids.  She even stayed the rest of the week to help out after my surgery.  That was two years ago this week.  It does take a village and I'm not sure what I wo...

My life is so random lately that so are all my thoughts.  Random thoughts take two... People seemed to be more worried about the color of Mr. Obama's skin that his morals. I'm I not content with my life or is God leading us in a new direction? I wonder if my new wants or desires of my heart are there from God. It is very easy to become discontent and I don't want or need to confuse the two.     Where do you draw the line?  We spent over 40% less this month on our Visa than months past.  We use our Visa for everything and we always pay it off.  Not going out to eat, No starbucks (I can make a pretty good iced coffee now), no scrap stuff (minus a few things for cards) and trying only buying stuff we need. We saved almost a mortgage payment!  We did do some fun stuff we had Sea World tickets and Christmas presents on the Visa last month, although we didn't NEED them.  It's all about attitude. My new motto is, live like no other so you can live like no other. I want to ...

"Long movies should be called pants." This is what Alexandra said to Mark yesterday.  Have any of you guess why?  Well, last Christmas I bought Mark the Disney Pixar Shorts DVD.  The movies are only about four minutes and there are about a dozen of them on the DVD.  After a year of watching shorts, Alexandra said long movies should be called pants.   It makes sense, shorts are short and pants are long.  I think it is very cute and oh so funny.  Maybe a really long movie (epic) should be called overalls.  Anyone going to a pants movie tonight?  Happy Friday!  

Madison's two front teeth are loose! We own a baby grand piano.  Baby doesn't mean small, well in comparison to other grander pianos.  This is not a new item in our home just one that is big.  Anyway... Nathan says things wrong which is hilarious or he says stuff you just don't expect like "mmmm this is dewishious (delicious)."  Always good for a laugh.   Alexandra is in the 95 percentile for her weight and height.  The Dr. said if this rate of growth continues she could be taller than Mark, he is 6 feet tall.  Changes in Latitude,  changes in attitude nothing remains quite the same. That is all I have to say about that.   Christmas cards are NOT keeping my mind off things.   Alex is going to have to get a job to buy food.  She must say to me 10 times a day " I'm hungry." I will write down everything she eats tomorrow and blog it for you.  Prepare to be amazed.  I want a craft room.  Mark's Aunt and Uncle are coming over tomorrow for dinner and I...