Our Adventure called Life

Family For the second year in a row we packed our suitcases on Thanksgiving Eve and headed to my sisters house to maximize our family time.  I'm starting to enjoy dinner the night before Thanksgiving as much as I enjoy the Thanksgiving meal!  My dad made clam chowder, my sister had warm sandwiches and dip, I brought a pumpkin roll and fruit salad and we all gobbled it up as we listened to stories and songs provided by our in-house entertainment, the 2 & 4 year old. The best sister/auntie ever... After the babies had been tucked into bed, the adults began an educational game of Trivial Pursuit.  I wasn't good at that game when I was younger, and some things never change.  Nonetheless we had a great time that resulted in plenty of laughs, mostly become mom would ask a question, then get mixed up on which answer was right (ex. How many planets are in the solar system. Answer: New Hampshire.) Little nugget nibbling Thanksgiving morning arrived with th...

Starting new traditions or just straying from the old is part of becoming a parent and having kids.  Thanksgiving Eve we packed up our car with the kids and food and headed to my sisters house.   We had soup and appetizers and drank coffee and wine.  We watched the kids dance and play and put them to bed later then normal.   With the children fast asleep, the adults played a game and laughed until the coffee had long worn off and eyelids were heavy.  We all stayed the night with my sister which gave us more time to celebrate the holiday and give thanks with those we are most thankful for.    The next morning we nibbled on coffee cake and fruit salad while the main dishes cooked until lunchtime.  The kids were very helpful in the kitchen and loved spending the morning with family!  Holidays have always been important to me and I have always enjoyed the various celebrations and family gatherings.  Since having kids, th...

With each holiday that passes, I want to fill the memory banks of our children. Our Foursome Thirty years from now I want them to look back on their holidays growing up and remember the love, the traditions, and to tell there own families about them.  As they get older and experience more Thanksgivings, I was to put an emphasis on how much our family has to be thankful for.  Even though I am truly grateful year round for the all the blessings in my life, there is something about the month of November that really makes me look at all I (we) have. My side of the family Last year I blogged everyday in November about something I was thankful for.  I would have loved to have done that again...but I was a little shorter on time this year, I was busy holding a new blessing in my arms.  Next year I'll be a little better at managing my time and wrangling two youngsters. Nana and her babies (and a lot of play food) On Thanksgiving we headed to my parents house f...

T is for Turkey After 22 days of "Thanks," we have arrived at the culmination of thanks-giving blogs.  Turkey day is upon us. The entire day was full of events that filled both my heart and stomach.  From being with family, to teaching our child about tradition, to nourishing our bodies, to just enjoying one another, to homes filled with laughter, it was a joyous Thanksgiving!  For that....I give thanks. Like this blog, leave a comment (or tell me what you are thankful for!)! Feedback makes me happy! :)

Thanksgiving Eve with a squirmy little turkey On Thanksgiving Eve, the Fish3 packed their bags and headed to my sisters house for a slumber party. My mom and dad joined in on the festivities and before you know it, aprons were donned and the food was cooking, coffee was flowing, the little guy was squealing up a storm, and we slipped into the spirit of Thanksgiving Eve.  Spending time with my mom and sister while the little guy runs around at our feet feels like "home" to me...even if I'm not in my own home. What do you mean I don't get to eat turkey tonight? The boys all retired to their rooms while the girls manned the stoves and timers.  A little before midnight I had to throw in my chefs hat as this Momma is typically in bed by 9:30! Teaspoons make great teethers At 7am, our little dumplin wanted to get the Thanksgiving party started.  My sweet mom and sister watched the little guy while I went back upstairs and crawled back into bed next Scott!  It...

Night night angel Scott is away for the night and I just laid Paisley down to sleep.  My cranberry candle is burning, the Hallmark channel is playing Christmas movies, and I'm sporting my flannel pjs.  Besides the cheerful dialog on the television the house is silent.  It's "my" time. I read on another blog that after 8pm, the mom of the family is "off duty" until morning.  I adopted this policy in our house as well.  This means that at 8pm, I turn off the kitchen light, laundry folding and sorting comes to a halt, and I take my place on the couch, in my sewing chair, or head to the shower.  It's now "my" time. It's not often that Scott is away for the night and I don't necessarily like that my toothbrush looks so lonely in the holder.  On the other hand, a night without having to watch the Speed station is quite enjoyable.   For those few quiet hours in the evening when I can focus on me, watch Hallmark movies until I can't...

Fall day in the park Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.... Life is full of beautiful things...there is the scenery that surrounds us.  This time of year, I love to watch the trees go from green to sunny yellow, butterscotch orange, and fire engine red.  I can't say I love it when the leaves are gone and the landscape becomes a little less colorful and a bit dull, but I know (hopefully) around the corner a blanket of white sparking snow is waiting to cover the ground and coat the trees. The people around us...Today I was shopping with my mom and holding Paisley.  Mom was playing peek-a-pie with Paisley and her head popped around a corner.  Her eyes lit up, her smile was big, and her hair looked extra glossy and perfect...I thought to myself, self-"Momma is so beautiful."  The twinkle in my sons eyes as he is about to do something that he knows is naughty is beautiful.  Hearing the sound of my father and sister laughing together, that sound is beau...

Cookie Cutter Grandparents  During my lifetime, I was able to spend time with 3 of my great-grandmothers and both sets of grandparents.  They were each so unique, so loving, and interesting to my adolescent self.  My great-grandmothers were Ruby, Francis, and Virginia.  If those aren't the most perfect great-grandmother names, I don't know what are.  Grandma Francis lived in Ohio and would send the best care packages.  I remember getting underwear from her one time that I'm pretty sure would fit a 200 lb. woman.  It was the thought that counts, but I remember my 6 year old (tiny) self being so confused and mildly amused.  Grandma Virginia lived in the same town as us, drove a brown pinto, and lived on Tums and Marborlo Lights.  One of the last times I saw her before she passed, she asked if I had gotten a boob job.  I had not.  Grandma Ruby had a chiuaua named Gigi that terrified me.  Sadly I don't have too many other memor...

Love in the sweltering heat of a Tennessee night (My sister & Greg) "I wouldn't want to live a life without faith, and I wouldn't want to live a life without hope. However, in spite of how wonderful, important, and life-changing both faith and hope are, they pale in comparison to  love ." From the moment I was born, I was loved.  I had a mom that showed her love by her daily care giving.  I had a father that showed his love by providing for his family.  I had a sister that showed her love by letting me play with her Barbie dolls one time.  I had grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins that all showed their love for me.  The love of my family created the foundation for which the rest of my life would grow from.   Today I watch those same family members and get to witness the love that they also bestow on others.  My sister didn't take the easy path when it came to finding love, but down rocky roads and lots of tissue boxes, she fou...

Exactly 15 months ago today, modern medicine and the kindest medical professionals I have ever met brought my baby into this world.  From the beginning, when we were first referred to the maternal fetal specialist, we dealt with the most thoughtful group of people.  From the ultra-sound techs to the ladies at check in, they knew my story, they knew what we were up against, and they cared for me and our unborn baby like one of their own.   Modern Day Miracle During my 6 week stay in the hospital, I had the most compassionate nurses one could ask for.  My OB, who visited me daily, not only told me she had begun praying for our family, but had tears in her eyes as she introduced my parents and sister to Paisley Andrew.  Even the anesthesiologist took a fatherly type role in the operating room, keeping a hand on my shoulder and talking me through every step of the procedure.   The first time I met Paisley's pediatrician, I knew I was going to like he...

It's the weekend! Get crazy!!!!! Weekends just feel different than weekdays.  There is the feeling that anything can happen and you can do anything you want....I mean after all, you don't have to work the next day.  Even though I don't work 5 days a week, weekends still feel better to me than weekdays.  Maybe it's because I get to spend two consecutive days with both my boys? On the weekends I get to sleep in drink my coffee a little more leisurely than normal.  Scott and I always make a big breakfast on Saturday morning.  It's a tradition we have had since we were dating.  Who doesn't want to eat their weight in golden fluffy pancakes smothered in maple syrup served with a side of crispy bacon?  After the dishes are cleaned and put away we always talk about what we want to accomplish for the day.  Maybe it's yard work, maybe it's basement stuff, or maybe it's just a trip to town to pick up some odds and ends.  Whatever it is, we do it...

Who needs a camera anymore? Thank you iPhone!! Yeah....I realize I fell a day behind.  However, I have an excellent excuse...so my favorite television show (Nashville) is on Wednesday night at 9pm.  My husband and I like to be in bed by 9...so we set the dvr and went to bed.  When Thursday night rolled around and the baby went to sleep, we caught up on the previous nights episode.  So by the time we watched Nashville it was bedtime and I was too sleepy to blog.  See...excellent reason! :) So yesterday morning, we  I woke up when P decided it was time to get up (at 6am).  Scott woke up to the sound of his alarm.  As I shuffled my sleepy feet around the house, programming the coffee pot and turning on my hair straighter, I clicked on the TV to see what late breaking news was happening. After getting ready (it was a working day for me!) I hopped in my car and off to work I went.  At work I sat in my warm cube, in my comfy swivel chair, a...

Life, it's happening every second.  Don't blink or you'll miss it. I remember the exact moment I decided I would start blogging.  Mom and I were sitting in Borders bookstore, my wedding was 6 months away, and we were talking about the excitement of life.  I knew that I wanted to remember those moments and the million of moments that had yet to take place.  I wanted to record the details of my life and I didn't mind sharing it with anyone that was interested in following along.  Hence, An Adventure Called Life was born.   I've always enjoyed writing.  It's easier for me to write my feelings about someone or something, then to verbally say it.  Something about seeing my words in front of me helps make thoughts and feelings even more real.  Once I write a blog and hit "publish" it's a release for me.  I don't always write about pink fuzzy bunnies and unicorn horns, unfortunately life has rocky cliffs and bumpy roads, and I write about...

“If you have two friends in your lifetime, you're lucky. If you have one  good  friend, you're more than lucky.” I think when it comes to good friends, I hit the lottery.  The lengths of these friendships go as far back as birth to as recent as 6 years ago.  One was a neighbor during my Jr. High years and another I met across the big pond in Grantham, England.  One was born in England but we didn't meet until I offered her a job in the corporate world.  Two play the harp and one was in the Air Force.  They are all so unique and beautiful and share their lives with me.  Some are married, some are not, some have kids, some do not.  They are a mix of business professionals, a nurse, a Yoga instructor and stay at home moms.   These girls celebrated my engagement, my marriage, the birth of our child, and the ups and downs that came between.  They've been a shoulder to cry on, but more often someone to laugh with.  I'...

Camping outside of Yellowstone, 2009 As I sat down to write my nightly "giving thanks" blog, I was amazed at all the "little" things that I am blessed with on a daily basis.  To start with, I woke up this morning in my warm bed, next to my loving husband.  I was able to pack him breakfast and lunch, help him locate his "missing" belt, wallet and brown shoes, and get him out the door to work. Around 7 I heard the stirring begin in the next room and a few moments later a little voiced yelled,  "MaMa."  I made P and myself breakfast, and picked up the house a bit.  Before 9am, I realize I am luckier than most of the people of the world.  I have a home, food, and loved ones right here within arms reach.    However, I didn't stop giving thanks there. My grandparents are now living in a nursing home.  I bundled up the baby and we met my mom to visit little Florence and Vic.  My grandparents aren't physically the same people they used t...

Skiing the Swiss Alps Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but everywhere I turn I hear about someone close to my age battling cancer.  At 32, I still feel young, way to young to deal with a serious illness.  But, medical issues don't discriminate.  I don't take for granted that I've lived a healthy life.  I don't take for granted that my husband and son are also healthy.  The only medication you would find in our home is daily vitamins and Orajel.  You never know what conditions you will encounter down the road.  For now, at this moment, for my good health and the health of my family...I give thanks. Like this blog, leave a comment (or tell me what you're thankful for!)! Feedback makes me happy! :)

What? You didn't know I was a drummer?  Bonnaroo 2010 Today I drove to my parents house (roughly 45 minutes away) to claim our little fish.  We are having some beautiful, very un-season like, sunny sky weather.  The kind of weather that had me roll my window down and let my hair get wind-whipped and frizzy.  Alone with my thoughts and the radio, I drove the streets in my hometown as I had numerous times before.  My mind tried to revert back in time, as if I had just finished up a day of class and was heading "home." My car glided into the same parking spot it did when I lived there.  Only now when I walk in, there is my little guy, waiting for his Momma.  I stepped in to my room and breathed in the same scent, touched my bedspread, and looked at the items on my dresser, left exactly like they were when I moved out over two years ago.  For some reason I never packed up everything in my room, I simply just walked out and created a new life in ...

My Momma and Me You know how parents should put the needs of their children in front of their own? Well that's how my Momma lives her life.  Not only has she always made my sister and I her priority, but also my father, and my grandparents.  She literally takes care of herself after everyone else has been taken care of. The other day she gave me a compliment without even realizing it.  She told me it made her heart happy to see me raising and loving Paisley in a very similar fashion to the way I was raised and loved.  For her to compare my parenting and nurturing style to hers made my heart happy, because you see, my momma is the most loving and giving person to ever walk the earth. Today wasn't the easiest day for her.  Today she put my grandparents in a nursing home.  For years, she has been their sole caregiver.  She handled taking them to medical appointments, she assisted in getting my wheelchair bound grandmother in and out of bed, she to...

Juggle work or motherhood?  How about a little of both? Years ago I worked in the corporate world, complete with business cards, paid vacation, and a little plaque with my name on it.  I worked with a couple of my closest friends, I enjoyed my job, and I had a pretty great boss.  Funny thing is when I met this tiny little person that I had spent the previous 8 months growing, none of that work stuff seemed to matter.  I wanted to spend my time with him and the cut in pay (while it hurt) was worth it.  When Scott and I looked into the future, we both agreed we would never say "Gosh, I really wish I would have worked more and spent less time with Paisley."  Not to mention, Scott has a good job that can allow me to stay home with P, so it just made sense. Life has a way of making everything happen for a reason.  Around the time that Scott and I realized my full-time gig, driving 45 minutes one way, and less than flexible work schedule...

Pigs in a blanket I spend a lot of time writing on here about the little guy in my life.  However, well before that little guy came along, it was just me and the handsome ham pictured above.  The blond haired, blue eyed boy that had me laughing the first day I met him, and continue laughing with to this day.  He is one of the hardest working men I know.  Besides his full time job, he also runs a side business.  Besides the side job and full time job, he takes care of each and every "manly" duty around the house, while still helping out with diaper changes and cooking meals.  He's never too tired at the end of the day to collapse on the floor with P and tickle him until he squeals.  He knows what I'm thinking and feeling sometimes before I do.  He says what I need to hear, when I need to hear it. He's strong and outdoorsy and just fun to be with.  He has great ideas on a variety of topics and supports my hair-brained ones.  I cou...