Family Fun Weekend, Movies On Main, Birthday Parties, and Unpacking....

Hello Everyone! I had a wonderfully FANTASTIC weekend!!!! Friday we went and visited my dad before the storms came through.

           On Saturday we went to a birthday party for Peyton (my friend Samantha's (now 2) year old daughter). Christopher had fun with all the kids!  We had cupcakes and hotdogs and chips. And Christopher got to see Peyton open all of her lovely gifts. We bought her a GC for Once Upon A Child and Christopher bought her a pretty little dress (so she can wear it on a "date" night with him :))

Saturday evening we went to Movies On Main. It was in Elgin (where we're living right now) so we didn't drive far. I did not know this wasn't there first year doing this, or else I would have done it last year as well--- but basically the town puts on a Podunk Parade and then we have activities and a movie at the end of the night. We brought some canned goods for a good cause, and we bought some  baked goods to help the local churches. We won a door prize! A T-shirt that says Movies on Main on it :) We also got free popcorn and water. The movie that played was HOP on this BIG blow-up projector screen. Christopher and I didn't make it too long after the movie started--- I was getting too cold, and he was getting really antsy. We enjoyed ourselves though, and the town of Elgin worked so hard to make sure we all had a great time. I am hoping they do it next year as well!

Sunday we spent most of our day unpacking more boxes that have been underneath the tarp. We're trying to convert all the things that are in boxes into totes, so they are easier to move around. We're still at our in-laws so we don't have much space to bring it all inside and place it, so we're keeping 90% of our stuff in totes until we can rent our own place.  Most of the things that I unpacked were part of my scrapbooking stuff. I have a lot of birthdays coming up that I need to make cards for, and I may be helping a friend of mine make a scrapbook soon, so I was attempting to search for my cricut cartridges.

Today we spent shopping. I had to go to the bank to deposit a check, and then we went to Michaels. I had to get some new mats so I could use my cricut machine. We also browsed around. We went to Applebees for some lunch, and then we went to Target to pick up some Sippy Cups. Then to family dollar to pick up another birthday gift for my mother-in-law and then finally home. I unpacked more scrapbooking boxes today, and tomorrow we'll clean up the bread machine, so that I can make some homemade bread. I'm also going to spend a lot of time at my desk, re-writing recipes and laminating them. I also have to go through some more pictures, and put them away. Along with some more cards. I also have some laundry to finish tomorrow.

Random Question of the day: "You've successfully slain the dragon! How will you toast your marshmallows?" LOL So cute! First off I would NEVER slay a dragon--- However; if I had I would toast my marshmallows by building a fire, because apparently I was use to roasting them by dragon fire? Heehee ;)


Well... This is all for today!!!!




-Mel

Summer time, tanning, and being creative.....

Hello Everyone! So--- technically it is only April, and it is not summertime, but here in good old South Carolina it has felt like Summertime for awhile. This is the first year that I have been outside as much as I have, and it is also the first year I've actually gone outside and tanned. I haven't done that since 2006... So 7 years. I am taking the pre-cautionary measures and using tanning lotion.... :)

I usually just tan on my own, but I asked Chris to pick me up some tanning lotion. I also put sunscreen on Christopher to ensure he doesn't burn (I really don't have to worry about that though... he browns right up) I call little man my little california surfer boy--- We don't live in Cali, but he is a perfect depiction. Blonde hair, green eyes, beautiful tan, and a fish in the water!!!!

And because I have cleaned out my desk, I have been creating or writing little notes to people!!! I wrote a little note to my friend Becca because it has been a long time, I wrote to my sister in law Jade just to say hi and that I miss her, and to my Grandma Susie because I knew it would brighten her day.

I like getting/being creative!!! :)





Well... This is all for now.


-Mel

A Moment of Silence for those in the Boston Marathon....

 

Today a tragedy struck Boston. I am deeply saddened by this news. Where is our world coming to? What is meant to be a happy time for some, turned into such dismay. 

This blog entry is not meant to be a long one.

I just believe we should pause for a moments silence. And pray for those that were affected and their loved ones. 

Pictures. Cleaning. Growing Up. And Celebrating....

Spring cleaning is typical of most families. You get rid of things in yard sales, and buy new things to sell for next year. You clean the house spotless. You plant a garden. You get the pools ready to swim in and you start tanning. You plan vacations.
I have been spring cleaning by putting all of our stuff that was in boxes, into totes to make them easy to stack. Because we're still living with our in-laws we don't have a lot of room to put things.
I went through a couple of photo albums that I have had for years. Looking at them now makes me remember my mother even more, and looking at those photos made me cry. I know she is in a better place, and she is looking over me everyday, however; I am still sad that she is gone. Sad for Christopher. Sad for grand-children that will never know her love. care. and graciousness. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, but the memories are priceless....

In 5 months Christopher will be 3! He had gotten so big, and "grown-up". There are days though that he tests my patience. I think most children do that around this age. He's out of his "terrible twos" and into his "horrible threes" . He can also be the sweetest little boy--- giving me kisses, and hugs, and saying "I love You".

In 7 months Chris and I will be celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary. That is also another "something" that I am looking forward to. <3

For My Mother.

Hello Everyone! It's hard to believe that I have not done an entry since January. As most of my facebook friends know a lot has been happening, that kind of have prevented me from writing. I am ready now though.

My mother passed away February 13th 2013 at 6:38pm. My papa, my sister Dar, my brother Dave, my sister-in-law Elisha, My nieces Katrina and Cassidy, My husband Chris, and my son Christopher were all at the hospital that day. We said we loved her. We said our good-byes. We weren't sure when we took her off the ventilator whether she would make upstairs or not, or if she would last a few more days--- so we were trying to prepare for things if she were to go. She made it upstairs and not too long after she went to Heaven. She was lying in the hospital bed so peaceful. My papa placed a rose on her and my son (who doesn't understand) gave her a kiss and said "goodbye" to her as if he knew she was only there in spirit. I am the baby of the family, and it still doesn't feel all that real that she is gone. Especially now that Spring has arrived and she would have been planting a beautiful garden. Her memorial service was a special one. All of her family and friends that could be there--- were. I made a poster of pictures of her so everyone could see. And I made a slideshow and a music playlist. Cassidy and I sung 'Halo' by Beyonce. And I said a few words about her for everyone to hear. As I am typing this I still have tears running down my cheeks, but I know that she is in a wonderful place, building a beautiful garden in the sky for us all to see soon. She had the hardest six months that I can only imagine a person could have--- but she put on a brave face, and fought as hard as she could. By the end her cancer had taken over her lungs, and she could hardly breath. She was an amazing person. She loved her children, her friends, her husband, and her grand-children with every piece of heart she had. Now that she's gone I talk to the sky now. Everyday. I realize how hard it is for us, but I can only imagine how hard it is for my papa. He shared everything with her for 15 years. The best 15 years of my mothers life.

This is my mother and my papa. Easter of 2012. I have more recent photos of her, however; some of her last wishes were to not show those photos. She didn't like being in a Halo when she broke her neck and so she didn't like her picture taken. The last pictures I actually have of her was a couple months before her death on Christmas.
4 months after this photo was taken we all found out she had head and neck cancer. Her cancer treatments started 1 day after Christopher's 2nd birthday.

This was my mothers Memorial Service. I took a few more photos, but I won't bombard you, so I'll just share this one. <3

The tattoo I got the day of her memorial service. It's in honor of my mother. It has a lily of one of her favorite colors. The ribbon is purple because of ALL cancers, although her specific cancers ribbon colors were burgundy and ivory. With a Halo above the ribbon. and it has when she was born and when she passed.






March 20th would have been her 66th Birthday. I miss her more and more everyday, but I know she is here in spirit, watching us all.

-Mel

1st post of new year

This is my 1st post of the new year.

Our Christmas's were amazing! We had a Christmas with my brother and sister (and was missing a sister) and their kids a couple days before Christmas. We had our Christmas. Then went over to my parents' and had Christmas. And then we had Christmas at my in-laws. 

Our New Years Eve/New Years was alright. I actually stayed up to see the ball drop, and of course gave kisses to Chris to honor the new year .

In other news, I have been applying for jobs and I am hoping that I'll get an interview soon with one of them. 

I've also been going to the doctors a lot lately for my knee.... right now I have Patellar Tendonitis and Osteo-Arthritis in my right knee. I went to see the doctor yesterday and do my physical therapy. The doctors appointment did not go as I had wanted it to, and I do fear having to call Liberty Mutual to see if they'll send me somewhere else. 

Well this is all I'm closing with today. I'm exhausted and I never got any sleep last night. I'm hoping that when Chris wakes up that he'll spare me so that I can sleep for a little bit and he can watch Christopher.... unless it is Christopher's nap time before he actually wakes up and comes out to the living room.

See you guys in the near future <3

Before Christmas Entry 2012

12.20.2012

My 2012 Before Christmas Entry. 
Another year is coming to and end, and it is hard to believe this will be my babies third Christmas and Chris and my sixth. 
Christmas is often mis-construed for getting presents, and Santa and Cookies. Christmas this year more than any other is about Family for me. Although my mom is getting better everyday, the cancer is still inside her trying to eat her bones away, and every moment I have with her I treasure because you never know what can happen tomorrow. I asked Santa this year for my mom to be home for Christmas, because she missed Thanksgiving with our family. She will be home for Christmas, and we will be having a HUGE Christmas party on the 23rd! I am so happy my mom can see all of our friends and family. She has come so far, and I know this will make her even stronger. 

Last week we finished up Christmas shopping for Christopher, William, Mom and Kevin, and My parents. Every year our parents get pictures (at least every year that Christopher has been here). It is a cheap but wonderful way of showing our family. Luckily I was able to get a friend to do our photos this year. Her Blog is: http://mitchellandashley.blogspot.com/

We did this photo shoot at Riverfront Park- Riverwalk. 
Although Christopher was a little crabby, I think she captured our family wonderfully. 

He looks so mischievous here--------------------------------->

 I didn't add this picture to facebook, and I didn't put it in the collection of photos for family. I still like it nonetheless. Mommy & Son time is so precious, and it goes by so quickly.

Father and Son. This also did not make it to my facebook page yet, nor did it go to family. We wanted to make sure that everyone got the same photos. Originally I was going to give my parents the picture of Christopher and I and I was going to give his parents the picture of himself and Christopher. I decided against it. 

Chris and myself. I love this picture because you can see how truly happy we are. 

And this photo was done because I saw it on Pinterest, and I thought it was amazing! I love the shot, and have seen it many times this Christmas season! 









Well... Here are the Christmas photos for 2012, and this marks the end of my Before Christmas 2012 Entry. Sorry I haven't written much this year. My year hasn't been the best, and I only want to write the best memories down. But this year has been rough. 
My mom was diagnosed with Advanced Stage 2 Neck/Throat/and Head Cancer.
We lost the first home we ever bought. 
We had to put our dog Hercules down because of his health.
We had to move in with our in-laws.
I quit my job because I thought we were moving out of state
I needed knee surgery because of a work related injury-- only to possibly get more surgery done in 2013.

Here's to 2013. May it be better for everyone. Everywhere.