Happy Thanksgiving for a family

Holidays are hard on a lot of families not being together money problems and just life gets in the way sometimes. Hubby and I purchased a Thanksgiving dinner for a family that needed a little help.  They work but like a lot of families have a hard time deciding what bills to pay vs. food. We decided a longtime ago that if we had extra to give we would. We have kept that promise to ourselves to help. Opening our non-profit business is taking forever. In the meantime as a family we are helping all the time. We don't want anything in return for helping anyone that needs it. I love knowing that someone needed help and received it. It puts a smile on their face as well as ours.  This Thanksgiving meant a lot to us. It never fails that our kids keep us laughing.  When they were asked what they were thankful for Justin says "He is thankful it's not 1621!" They didn't have bathrooms then or toilet paper.  I'm glad it's the simple things in life he appreciates. I'm thankful for spending time with my family and friends.  We went to my Aunt's house bless her heart was in the hospital. She was able to come home later that night.  The apartment complex she lives in puts on Thanksgiving in the courtyard.  Everyone brings a dish mingles and eats delicious food. It's getting a little less weird having Thanksgiving outside as the years go by. The day was beautiful as well as all the new people I ran into. Life is a Journey you live in. Make the last month of 2014 count for something you can be proud of. My accomplishments this year may not be materialistic but they did change someone's life.

Numbers, Running & Men in a Rock

# 92 Bucket list done


It's extremely amazing that this monument was constructed with dynamite. A little history lesson on our travels. A must see if you are going through South Dakota. I think I will make the picture above a postcard.

The Hoover Dam wasn't on my bucket list which we seen on our way home. A last minute stop to waste sometime before we hit or hotel. We decide to drive through it instead of paying to park and walk around. After Vegas I had absolutely no energy to walk nor did the rest of the family. However, To get a picture I jumped out of the car to take one thinking I could just jump back in. Nope I had to run two blocks until I came to a break in the fence line before I could get to the car. My hubby was driving and laughing the whole time as my son is yelling out the window " You can do it keep up!"  My advice stay in the car.

 

. It's a beautiful site to see! Another pit stop I would recommend to go to if you are in the area.

A pit stop

The best part of traveling is all the places you don't know about. 

A park alongside the road we found on the way to Las Vegas.  We stopped to play. 

Justin decided to hang like a shirt. This thing spins around. I pushed him around it. He had a blast. We stopped at the mall of course we took our cat into Macys to walk around we couldn't leave here in a hot car. People were nice about that. One plus for me she was coming in anyways.  It was 95 degrees that day.

Here is Justin swinging around. 

My men being crazy with their silly hat's. I wish I could say that about the food.

Oversized portions It was okay nothing Fantastic about it. This restaurant doesn't bring people in for the food just the site's on inside and out. F.Y.I we were a little overwhelmed by all the food on the menu.  In my opinion it was way to much to look at and hard to understand. 

We still had fun on a pit stop to stretch our legs.

Make sure to take pictures of the dinosaurs across the parking lot. 

Rocky Mountains

Just a few pictures of the Rocky Mountains.  Bucketlist check

Just breath taking! 

It's a little scary going around the curves.  I felt like a race car driver. Warning ears will pop.

The mountains are in front of us but we can't see them due to the weather.  A little freaky! 

These are the moment's that will last a life time.

Find your way

There are times I find myself thinking about my life my kids and my hubby.  That's a lie I think about them all the time. How we became a family all the struggle that came with it. All I ever wanted when I was little was to be happy. I didn't want a new toy or my parents back together. I wanted a place I could lay my head at night to call home. My family growing up was very broken it still is. I don't know a family that isn't in some way. 

I changed that ten years ago when I had my first son. I was set on raising him on my own. I didn't want to be dependent on a man to pay child support. I didn't care if he was ever in my son's life. I wasn't going to be that baby momma chasing after a man who didn't want to be there. I was and still will never be in need for someone that bad. I can stand on my own two feet by myself. I grew up with a very large family so taking care of a child wasn't something new to me. I took care of my brother and sister when I was my son's age. I can say at ten years old I was a little more mature then the kids I went to school with. I had to be with them watching. I didn't want that kind of life for my son. That is why I choose to be a stay at home mother. It was hard at first very hard but with the help of a man now my hubby. I realized I didn't have to do it alone. It bothers me when I log on to Facebook on how many mother's are still chasing  a man for the reasons above I mention. Even worst they need a man to validated them in some way to say they are good enough. They need that constant boy not even a man to make them Happy. What is Happiness? The state of being Happy is what the definition is. It's sad many people still don't know how to have that in today's world. There is beyond enough drama on Facebook alone that makes me extra Happy I live far away from many people I know. Maybe it's because I'm older I see things in a different light now. No, that's not it. I have never been the type for drama not even in High School. However I did find it funny to say and do things on purpose that I knew would get under a few skins. I still do that while I laugh at how people react as if the world will end in that moment. I can laugh at myself if I make a mistake. I can support myself when I need it. I can't give up, it's not in my nature to do so. I was told once that I didn't know what it meant to struggle. I have struggled all my life growing up in a family of alcoholic's with more then enough pity parties to last six life times. A single mother who worked as many jobs as she could on no sleep just enough to keep a roof over our heads and food in our belly's. I can remember times where we didn't have heat or lights on in our house. Living in Michigan that was a very rough time trying to make a game out of camping in your siblings room. Thinking of things to tell them so they didn't say anything to someone at school. Taking cold showers was nothing we were going green long before it became a problem in today's world. My mother crying herself to sleep not fully understanding what was going on until much later when I became a parent.

Life never goes the way you plan it. It just happens a child before marriage a parent before a couple. My son Justin is my little sidekick. I celebrated my 21st Birthday with him when he was 7 months with a cupcake. I guess what I'm trying to say is that everyone has something in life that doesn't go the way you want it to. Don't worry about being a great person for someone else. Be something great for you. Love who you are. If you don't like the way things are going know you have the choice to change them. 

As the meaning of Life is in the title of my blog Life is only what you make it!!! 

Kids & Chores

How many of you out there have  set chores for your kids? I did at one point but it never worked out for my family. Instead when Justin was little I made a game out of mopping the floor. I got down on my hands and knees with a rag under each one along side was my little man making a mess. It took twice as long to clean the floor but it was fun! I would take a big towel lay him on his back made circles with him on the towel to dry it. He loved it! He would laugh hysterically again it was great bonding time with memories we still share. Now with my Popsicle we have continue to make games out of cleaning.

I have been an easy going parent when it comes to chores. I don't mind picking up after my kids. They are very helpful with everything from cleaning taking care of the cat, make their bed and cleaning their room. If they see me doing something they always ask if they can help. It doesn't seem like work because I don't make it seem that way. It's a game to see who can do it faster or to see who can complete it neatly. I don't use that word chores it just seems like the word stops you in your track before you even start. Since Easter we have been cleaning up confetti for a week now. I do this every year with our egg hunt. The kids love it.  It just leaves a huge mess behind.

Justin and I used to do it with real egg shells he just decided that it was too much work. If you wanted to try it out just take a dozen of  raw eggs. Take a tooth pick and make a hole on both ends of the eggs. Over a bowl blow into one side until the egg comes out the other end. I toss the raw egg or use it in an egg wash for my hair. Which will make your hair shiny.  Let the shells sit for a day or two to dry out fill with confetti. To close up the ends of the eggs with the holes just take a little bit of water and a piece of confetti it will stick to the egg. Have fun and go crack an egg filled with confetti over someones head. Then RUN!!!!

http://youtu.be/-6LgUv4r8hg

Here are my boys cleaning together after they completely destroyed the house. It's okay we had a lot of fun. I let them clean their way for however long it takes them. They are still learning how life goes and this is one way to let them have the opportunity to see what works and what doesn't. Of course once they are in bed I end up cleaning anyways. I love being a Mommy!

Handprints

This pin has been pinned as of today 208 times. I thought I would share what it is. 

Take your toddler's hand and draw an outline on some paper or felt. Cut it out and use it as a pattern to cut out handprints in different colored felt. Now, Put the handprints all over the floor,couch,table and ask your toddler to find the "green" handprint and give it a hi-five! This can be an activity for a group of toddlers as well!

My Popsicle loves this game. It keeps him laughing all day long. I will let you know beforehand if your toddler is anything like mind you will have to make many handprints. The color felt is about 29 cents at Michael's Craft Store.  He tends to rip the hands by trying to high five it in the air and that’s when my cat Mickey takes off with it.  It’s an all-around tug a war with them two my cat is in the wrong body. It’s been a year since I pinned the picture above I don’t know where I found it online but it works. He knows his colors like the back of his hand. I thought he was color blind for a few months he would get the colors absolutely wrong. Turns out he knew all along he was just being silly. Daddy says “He is full of  jokes already!” My Popsicle has so much energy it at times can be a little overwhelming.  This is a great before nap activity for him. Have fun mommy's or daddy's they are only little once. 

My New Camera

A wonderful gift from my thoughtful hubby. Just some random pictures taken with my new Nikon D5200.

Hubby had a hand in this one!

I just seen his pocket is hanging out. I love his eyes in this picture. 

I have been busy with the family just opened it last night. I have a thousand pieces that go to this camera I'm used to just point and click. I'm a simple person now I have to read to just point and click turn a setting to something it may take
me a little while to learn all of the features to find out how to use it completely. I love how clear the pictures are. I have been taking pictures for a little over a year going to school as a hobby. Now, I think I may try to profit with my pictures now that I have a great camera to take the pictures. I love when my hubby reads my mind this is by far the best Christmas gift ever.

My Christmas Flowers from my amazing hubby.

I love this picture of my Popsicle his eyes are so intense. I'm not sure who he looks more like but I think I'm going to say my hubby 100%. 

This is her new cat tower Santa left for her.




Tell me what you think of my photos? What kind of camera do you have?

Today & Yesterday

 Have you ever had one of those days? Today I guess was my day. Being a mom is always busy.Today was a lot of fun doing paperwork to get my passport to go to Niagara Falls dealing with Mr.Christopher who is in the post office yelling at the top of his very healthy lungs "Mommy!" over and over. Everyone and  their Momma was looking at me. Did I leave? Nope, I was there to get a passport. I was staying to finish it only to have the guy behind the counter tell me they don't do interviews on Mondays I would have to come back. 

I asked Christopher " Hey, son please use your inside voice please."

Christopher says laughing " NO, Mommy."

I ask him again "Why are you screaming?"

Christopher yells " I'm crazy!" Shaking his head and hands kind of like that kid in the commercial where they are all sitting around the table talking to the man in the suit asking questions. I couldn't help but laugh it was funny as can be. I didn't get mad at him he is a child unlike the lady who says to me " I wouldn't be seen with that kid. Just wait till he is older criminal." As she walks away.

Me laughing " I doubt my son will be a criminal because he is being crazy right now. He is two and by the way the line moved you lost your spot." As I yell " NO cuts!" All eyes on me I continue to fill out my paperwork and ask my questions about how to get our boys passports. Did you know that you have to have it okay by both parents before you leave the country? So with that note I have to wait till my hubby can come to sign the paperwork with me or have the paperwork the post office gave me to  notarized with my hubby signature. Then he doesn't have to be there for both kids. It's Canada! Who is going to run away to Canada  (Laughing) I don't know but because people have just like the warning notice on a hair dyer that says "Don't blow dry your hair while standing in the shower!" Who did that and why would you?(Laughing) 

We leave the post office to go grocery shopping well we walked into the aisle way to get tomatoes. Yup, You guess it Christopher started it all over again. I went and got the things I needed. Once we made it to the checkout he says" Mommy, I love you!" He has a very cute voice. He was having an off day. He is never like that.



He was quiet in the car on the way to the YMCA. He was sleeping that's why no complaints here gave me a rest. He loves to go play with the kids in the kids zone it's like a daycare while I workout. I ran for 30 minutes burned 350 calories then I worked my legs and back. I was exhausted by the end. I love this YMCA Justin can come workout with me. It's nice to spend time just the two of us. I took a brake from working my thighs to take a picture of him on the bike which he burned 13 calories. He was really excited showing me his muscles. I think we will continue this just like our Coffee Day Friday which is where we drink coffee but his is decaffeinated.

Have you ever had an off day like my two year old please tell me about it.

Mother's Day was the best ever we killed a snake. I hate snakes!

 I took a video which is on facebook thanks to my hubby we were saved from the snake getting into the house. I love the ocean but the creatures that live here I'm not sure about. 

We didn't do as much as I wanted to in the garden after the run in with the snake. My wonderful hubby and boys took me out for a late lunch/dinner at Chili's before we took our boys to see Iron Man 3.  It's been awhile since we went to the movies. It's something my hubby and I have always liked to do since we have been together. It was $54.00 for all of us to go with popcorn and pop. I was in shock like OMG! Are you kidding me? Wow, times have changed since last April. I think that was the last time we went. We still have date night at home. It's more entertaining at home. (laughing) We can do so much more than you can in a theater. Not that we haven't but that was when we were younger! (I kill me with the things I can freely talk about) That stuff is for another blog. 

I think this movie was AWESOME! Christopher did very well for his first time. 

This was at the start of the movie. He was really into it! He is growing up so fast I want to stop him. Both my boys. This won't be his last time going. I am very proud to be a mother to both my children. They are the reason I am who I am today. I love you guys. My hubby made it a special one just like any other day he always makes me feel like his Queen. I'm such a lucky lady to have people care about me like my family does. Have a bless day to anyone and everyone who is reading. 

House madness

I'm sitting outside getting my tan on. Watching my son play with the neighborhood  kids. Christopher is taking a nap in the stroller after our  four mile walk.
Yesterday we played with bubbles again. They seem to be a big hit in my house. I helped my hubby clean the garage. It's amazing what you can find packed away.

 Now we will set up for a garage sale for next week. I really don't have a need for a crib,car seat and play pen miscellaneous  baby stuff.  I was so excited to get mail but not what I thought mail from Marine Headquarters is not what I expected.
 My hubby has some phones calls to make in the morning.( Update Monday 3/18/13 on those phones calls seems to be what I expected. He is not retired anymore he is on active duty now. I think I will get sick now.) I may be having a heart attack for nothing. My handyman at work on our ceiling fan. We washed our car. Took a walk with Christopher in his hot rod. Took a nap, fix little things around the house, washed clothes, made dinner and watch the UFC fight with my hubby. This is the life I mean its nice to have a house again that we can make our home like back home. It has a lot of potential. How was your weekend?

105 years old

http://www.facebook.com/directrelief/app_313014592143358?sk=app_313014592143358&ref=ts

Go friend this wonderful woman on facebook who is 105 years old. I saw her today on Ellen which was a inspiration to me about how she lives her life.

Ellen asked her

         '' What is your secret ?"

Edythe replied

" I have a happy marriage. I'm a happy person and if something happens that I can't do anything about it I don't worry about it. "

I love that answer because that is how I live my life. I'm a very happy person in life in general about everything. I show my children daily that its more important  to be happy in life then what you can buy or have. For anyone who knows me "Being Happy" means more to me above anything else. It took my hubby awhile to learn to be happy and let go.  He has a childhood past no child should have. A childhood filled  with pain. A soldier  who has guilt .

He told me
     "That he never knew happiness until he meet me."
I'm grateful I was able to show him a better life then what he was living. He has changed so much over the seven years we have been together its amazing. I could tell a change the first week of getting to know him after we met two years before. A whole other side was to be uncovered that he showed me. I love my hubby with every fiber  of my being. He may have faults like everyone else but the difference is I accepted who he is not who he was. I think what has made our marriage so successful  is that we went though a similar childhood. We understood each other in a way that was meant for us. I have never told him " Life,Love,Marriage and kids would be easy. It would always be a challenging no matter who you are." It's how you decide to let the other person in. It's  will and how you fight for what you want that makes a difference.

There are things in life that you have no control over. When that happens you have to just let go. To be happy its doesn't come easy to some its becomes something you learn to do like riding a bike. If you can learn that then everything else will fall into place.

Tampa, Florida

Has there ever been a time where you took a step back to look around you? I did that today I can't believe we moved to Tampa. Florida is very different from my home back in Michigan. I lived on one acer of land a neighbor at the very end of the road with noone in between us. I don't like the snow which was a big deal with my family moving to Tampa. A week away from Thanksgiving and we are wearing shorts. The stores are playing Christmas music. We now have neighbors which is new considering no neighbors for five years. It's a huge change. I don't think I like it. Everyone here speaks Spanish. I get the chance to use what is natural to me.  Justin's friend doesn't speaks English at all. Watching him play and talk is neat. I guess teaching my son another language paid off when he was younger. I have to get use to highway driving which I hate. People here are very rude and always look unhappy. I mean it's Florida what do they have to been mad at? I mean at anytime you feel that bad you might want to think about changing something. It's just a thought. We have done so much to just be by the ocean which is amazing by the way. My hubby and I are chasing our dreams. My business is going very well I couldn't ask for more. Plans for our wedding has changed to another beach. There is just alot going on right now. The whole packing and unpacking is good but bad. We have stuff I haven't seen in years.  If you have ever moved you know what I mean.  My boys have enough stuff for two more kids. Which we are still deciding if we will try again to get pregnant.Once everything slows down we will talk about it. Well I will try to talk about it.My hubby is already set in wanting more. He wants another boy and girl. He is hoping for twins this time around. I  love that about my hubby.He is a great father. This is just another page in our family journey to staying happy. I love how my life has turned out not the way I thought it would be but better.

I choose to be me!

Have you ever had people tell you rude and hateful things? Of course you have it's called life. The only thing that matters are your thoughts. Just be you only you can make life what you want it to be. Don't let someone control your thoughts and feelings. You are the only one who can make or break your life in terms of your happiness. Enjoy the air you breathe the sun shinning on your face the wind in your hair. The hugs, kisses and laughter you share. You never know when it will be your last.

Life is only what you make it!

I just seen this on the newest blog I was checking out today. Thanks togetherfornature
I tell my son this daily no joke when he complains he has school work to do. We should all be happy GOD let us do this today and everyday he gives us. Make sure you smile and kiss your loved ones. You never know when it's time to be called back home.

Cherokee Indian Legend

http://eoneanother.blogspot.com/2012/06/cherokee-indian-legend.html

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a man. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man! Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him. Just because you can't see God, doesn't mean He is not there. "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Words I live by.

Laugh. Dance in the rain. Cherish the memories. Ignore the pain, love and learn, forget and forgive because you only have one life to live!

I came across this on facebook. Just thought it had a great meaning behind it.  If this was true in the world which it is not. No matter what you do in life there is always someone who will try to hurt you. I live by this as I teach my children the same no matter how evil a crazy person may be. In the end all that matters is how happy you are. Whatever they may say it doesn't matter what they think!

I seen this too on facebook on the crazy facts or it might have been drama something page. There are so many pages that pop up on my wall it's insane. I couldn't help but laugh this is so far from the truth. Yes, many women chose to show off what God has given them. Why, because they want to. Why hide them? As long as you are not showing off your chest at your son's school play with a nipple holding on for dear life to your shirt. I don't see anything wrong with it but a time and place ladies should be on your mind. There are many women who show their chest off like the top page just to get men to look at them because that is the only thing they have going for them is just that. The bottom picture doesn't show that you are happily married it shows that you are married to a controlling freak who is paranoid. I love when I have heard men say I would really like you to cover up because I should be the one the only one who sees you that way. It's all about power honey so don't take it as a sign of affection. Physically and emotional abuse follows shortly after that.  I have V-neck tops that show off a little bit of my chest like the middle picture. I will not wear a shirt that is like the bottom picture because I feel like I'm being suffocated by my clothes. I'm happily married to a great man who doesn't care what I wear as long as I'm comfy he could care less. We were going to go to a nude beach this weekend but we had the kids. Our friend Adam was going to go with us. (lol just something to knock off my bucket list)  We get compliments all the time from others. It just makes us laugh and boost up our ego that another man or woman finds each other attractive. We never get mad that would just be silly to do. I know just like my hubby knows that we are coming home to each other. I have lived by this saying since we have met "You can work up an appetite as long as you eat at home."  It's called human nature. Everyone is going to look at some point in time. If your man is constantly on your case about your clothes you should start to question him. I met you wearing this so what's the problem? A man should not care what you wear if he is confident in his relationship. I think a man who is your hubby(not your boy toy) should have a say if you are going to walk around the block in your mini skirt and heels as your child is riding their bike. To say maybe this is not the time to wear that. It should never be an order or only his choice. It's your body your choice. I'm glad I don't have to worry about what I wear. It's my choice to wear it. Like I said before I'm happily married and can walk around nude if I wanted to. My hubby wouldn't say a word as he would be the one to join me in freedom to bare all. What are your thoughts on this?

This is very true for many.

"I can't go back to yesterday - because I was a different person then." - Lewis Carroll -- Great Minds Quotes (@GreatestQuotes)

Gas

This is very cute. Thought I would share with everyone. I can remember paying only a dollar something for gas when I was in high school. I use to laugh when my boyfriend at the time would complain about gas prices. Oh, how time has changed things. Just yesterday I was rocking out with music from the 90's with my boys. It was funny to hear Justin ask "If this was music from back in the day." I had to laugh when I told him "Yes, honey this is music from when I was your age." God I feel old!

For every ten bottles of Rainbow Light vitamins sold, one bottle will be donated to Vitamin Angels. Please go pick up your bottle today.

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