Black Friday!

So yesterday evening started the day that I wait impatiently for all year.  The anticipation is unreal!  So every year that I can remember the same three of us go shopping, Sierra, Heather and myself.  This year, with Heather being preggo, she decided that sleepy was better than being out in the dead of night shopping.  So that left Sierra and I to strategically get all of the stuff on my very long list.

Yesterday started with the normal Thanksgiving routine.  Parade, Nannies for "lunch" then mom's for dinner.  All the time hearing how crazy I am for shopping on black friday.   This past week I have stratisized my route, what stores to go to when and with maps of the stores in hand, at 9:30 pm thanksgiving night, Sierra and I hit the road.

Our first trip was to Toys R Us.  They opened at 10pm Thanksgiving night.  So by the time we got there the line was all the way around the shopping center and we were, of course, in front of the Starbucks.  But the kicker was - they weren't open.  WHAT!  Ok so that was poor planning on someone's part.  They would have been so busy selling coffee.  I am pretty certain that the people that were in line with me would have gladly paid $4.00 for a cup of coffee.  So as we are standing there talking about...low and behold we see a car pull up, a make shift coffee cart is set up within minutes, SHABAM!  we now have Dunkin Donuts coffee, hot chocolate and donuts.  Kudos to the manager of that store, I am sure that his sales were astronimical, considering that I waited in a line about as long as the one to get in to Toys R Us to get a coffe and a hot chocolate.  I know, I so digress.  We were in and out of Toys R Us, with all that we wanted, in less than 45 minutes.  Not bad!

Next stop was Walmart.  They opened at midnight.  Not sure who's bright idea it was to have pallets of merchandise sitting in the middle of the aisle all the way around the store but I truely was scared.  I sort of compare it to if I was cinderella and the clock was about to strike midnight...how would you feel?  You get it, right?  So this is how it goes down apparently at the Walmart.  The pallets in the middle of the aisles are wrapped in black plastic wrap with a paper on it that says "Do not open until midnight".  There were store associates strategically placed to have, what I am assuming, a certain number of pallets that they would be responsible to unwrap.  Well Sierra and I are in electronics when the clock truck midnight.  It was like a dominoe effect, one associate began to nicely cut away the wrapping around one pallet, then the crazy people mobbed around the pallets just began ripping away the plastic.  I literally was scared for my life, so Sierra and hid in the bed and hath section of walmart.  So we ended up with the two bedroom sets for the kids and were being waited on at the register.  I look behind me and the woman in line behind me had a Family Circle magazine, a snickers bar and Pepsi.  Who comes to Walmart, on Black Friday at 12:30 in the morning to buy that stuff-REALLY??  So again we were in and out of Walmart, safely, within 40 minutes. 

We then head to the mall and hit Old Navy.  We run home to unload and pick up some snacks and head to Target for the wait till 4 am.  Wasn't that bad...Sierra and I slept.  Then when they opened we were in and out in about 30 minutes.  We went home to get Heather and met mom and Double T for breakfast.  Then we headed to the mall once more to hit up a few more stores.  All in all, it was very successful and I got home at 9 am today and was done.  As I sat down to relax for a few, I suddenly realized, I had just accomplished something - I had just shopped literally ALL NIGHT LONG! 

Not It!!

This will be a really quick post but something that I want to remember.

Imagine two adults and two kids riding around in their car.  Dad opens his hand, puts his thumb on his forehead with a four fingers up and says "NOT IT".  Kids follow suit without thinking doing and saying the same thing.  Mom is left in the dark having no clue what just happened when the kids shout start laughing hysterically saying "Mommy's it".  OK when did I re-enter elementary school?  because suddenly I catch on and this games last the entire car ride.

I love now how it can be deadly silent in the car and someone puts their thumb on their forehead and shouts "NOT IT!" and so begins the cycle of being a kid again!

Ahh! My Fist Love...SHOPPING!

So today starts the madness of plotting out my black friday.  Don't get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving because it is a day of family and eating but nothing compares to my black friday.  The planning, the spending without reserve, the RUSH!!  Yes call me crazy but I have already printed all the "leaked" sales papers and so it begins.  Do I get only the stuff on sale, you ask?  No, I will pretty much do all my Christmas Shopping in this one day.  Don't get me wrong the door busters are a great incentive but if shopping in the dead of night means that I can shop without two kids pulling me in two different directions, I will be the first in line (I'm usually pretty close).  So if you don't hear from me for a few weeks, please know that I am still here I am just very distracted!

SAY WHAT!?!?!

So a few days ago I got the shock of a lifetime (well at this moment - I am sure something will top this - I still have to live through the teenage years with my too!).  Anyway, I digress!  I came home to see my sister standing there with a songram picture of a baby.  My first reation was - who's baby is this?  Like she would be carring around a sonogram picture around of someone else's baby!  DUH!  Once I realized how stupid that question sounded, my second reaction was HEATHER!!!  Was not excpecting that news at all!  But nonetheless and SO HAPPY that I will soon have another neice or nephew running around with the rest.  If I had any advice at all for her it would be:

Heather,
Motherhood is the toughest job you will have.  I had heard that my entire life and thought really! until I became one myself.  There is a constant worry that you will now inheriet but a new found joy of the small things you also gain.   It is roller coaster of a ride of emotions for the rest of your life.  It is one day hoping and waiting for them to take that first step and then realizing that when they do you now feel an overwhelming sensation that they are growing up way too fast and where have the days gone.  Relish EVERY moment because those moments never return.  Know that they are so impressionable - more than even you will know until it is too late.  And most importantly - I will steal this kid every chance I get!  LOL!

Who's That in the Mask?

OK so Friday, I got the urge to do something crafty with the kids.  We went to the craft store to look around.  I found the strips that you can put on your face to make a mask.  Now this goes back to middle school, my favorite art project ever, a mask.  I am thinking, "this will be loads of fun," I always think that prior to the project, then quickly change my mind once it is too late to stop the mess.  Anyway, the kids pick out the paint and some ribbon and we head home.

Austin is the first one to try. So I cut up the strips, get the water ready, lay a towel on the floor and begin working as if I am DaVinci.  Jordyn of course was my photographer (reason for the bluriness).  I began by slathering vaseline all over Austin's face, which he did not seem as excited by this point.

Then I began the strips.  Austin was a good sport.  He let me put the strips on without complaining and kept it on for the entire 20 minutes.  His mask fits his face pefect.

Jordyn was a different story.

She had a very hard time with the whole vaseline thing.  Once I won that battle, I begin placing the strips on her face.  After about 10 in, she decides that she is going to cry and scream.  There went the mask...right onto the bottom of a bowl for me to then finish and try and shape to the size of her face.

Saturday we painted the mask.  This was of course their favorite part.  Much creativity I can see that my children have.  All-in-all it turned out to be a pretty productive craft.

How I envy the Angels!

Dear Mommaw,

So today has been nine years since you went to Heaven.  It has been a long nine years in ways and then in some it ways it has gone by way to quick.  I want you to know that I think of you not only on this day and but everyday that I live.  Something that happens always reminds me of you.  The kids will do something that I think "Mommaw would have loved that" or "I know what Mommaw would have said".  I find it overwhelming sad that my children will never meet you in person and know the true beauty of your being.  But I find it very comforting when we look at pictures of you and I can tell them stories of you. 

I have a deep emptiness inside when I think about how much I miss you.  Sometimes I wish that I could just bring you back and that I could let my kids experience Mommaw's homecooked breakfast or homemade Strawberry Shortcake.  How selfish of thought that is, I know.

I can only imagine when you passed from this world to your new home and woke up.  My heart jumps when I think about your reaction as you opened your eyes to see angels all around you.  People always commented on how many angels you had collected but my if they could see you now.  So many friends I am sure that you enjoyed seeing and being in their presence once more.  How I envy them for having you with them.

Being the person that you are, if God would let you worry in Heaven, I know that you would be watching each and every one of us everyday, praying that we all stay safe, just like you did while you were alive.  In so many ways, I realize now how much I took your caring for me for granted and if you were here I would tell you how much I appreciated everytime that you worried for me.

I can only hope that I grow up to be just like you.  Loving, caring, thoughtful, putting everyone first, a good cook, a dependable person and someone that people will admire long after I leave this world.

Love,

Chrissy

Let the Baking Begin!

It seems that around this time of the year I become this Susie Homemaker.  I seem to releive my stress by baking and cooking.  So tonight I let the kids decorate sugar cookies.  I did not make them from scratch, I cheated and bought pillsbury ready to bake. Hey Austin needs the box tops.  Anyway they had a blast.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!

Now that I have that song in everyone's head, I am not talking about Christmas, I am talking about Raven's football.  Not only Raven's football but football in general.  This is the day that I (and Josh) have been waiting for since January.  Time to stock up on the snacks.  Of course, today was also the day dad and mom have been waiting on for the last 4 months.  His surgery to help with his pain that he has had constantly. 

Dad before surgery

The day started with an early and miserable drive to Johns Hopkins.  Once we were there everything went smoothly.  Except for the parts where dad would forget to breathe in recovery.  But he got back on track and we made it home before kickoff, which I am certain my dad could of cared less.  He just wanted to get home and sleep.

Dad in recovery

Ravens game was good.  Wasn't pretty but we won.  I also scored top 3 in my fantasy league...football season is off to a great start.

Family Pictue Day

So today was family picture on Josh's side.  The last time we had pics done, the only grandkids were Austin and Jordyn.  Now Dee and Bumpy had to have one picture with just the grandbabies since there are now so many (only 7 but that is alot).  Anyway, just imagine twenty of us (7 kids) all stuffed into a room no bigger than average bathrooms.  It was hot.  I must say the kids were the much better sport than the big boys.  Not sure if it was because they were hot, thirsty or because they were missing football.  The end result was not that bad.

Bumpy and Dee

The Original Meadows Clan

The New and Improved Meadows Clan

John, Ashley, JJ and McKayla

Our Family

Sam, Laina, Malaki and Kylie

Shane, Kali and Maddie

Dee and Bumpy and there pride and joys

The Original Meadows Clan with Sierra

Being that I have been the "outsider" in the family for the longest, it is amazing how it has grown into a whole other family dimension.   Can't wait to see what the years bring.

Let the Holidays Begin!

Labor Day to me has somehow been the start of the holiday season.  With the drought of days off of work between Memorial Day and Labor Day, I welcome this time of the year.  I will now have a day off of work at least once if not twice every month from now until February.  This becomes the season where I seem to be on a constant caffine rush - without the caffine.  I love the creativity that I can show during this season and the way, that starting now, people seem to come together and appreciate each other. 

We started our Labor Day weekend out with a dinner at our house for Mom and Dad's anniversary.  I was so busy being the host that I really did forget to take pics.  But we had pizzas on the grill and Baked Potato Cheddar Soup.

Then Sunday, on a spur of the moment decision, we got some steamed crabs.  Very nice treat.  We were able to fed quit a few people from the small amount that I did get.

Today we started out with Jordyn finding some "coconuts" in the yard and was quite excited about it.

Then we celebrated our day off by going to the Double T and getting breakfast (well most of us got breakfast, Josh had to be different and get a BLT).  The kids ended finding something to keep them busy.  Unaware that I got some good blackmail pics for later in their lives.

After breakfast, we took a little trip to the Home Depot for some supplies and then came home.  The kids decided they wanted to watch a bugs life.  Thought this pic was really cute of them.

Poppop and Carol had thier annual Labor Day cookout, so we headed there to spend some time with them.  Always good to see family that you don't always get to see throughout the year.  The kids had a blast roaming the yard and hanging out with cousins.  Then we went back to Dee and Bumpy's house and ate some really good food and the kids got in the pool.

Holidays always seem to be run! run! run! But I can't help to always turn into this little kid that can't fall asleep at night becuse they are so excited for what is about to come.  The older the kids get the more like a kid I become.  So brace yourselves and let the holidays begin!

Proud Mommy Moment #1...of the new school year!

Austin and Jordyn,

So today was day two of school.  While mommy is at work I am always thinking of you guys and hoping that you are having a good day and learning as best you can.  My day today was long (working until 6pm is never fun) and I am driving to Dee's to pick you up I am thinking of all the stuff I needed to do when I got home.  As I am sitting at the kitchen table going through the bookbags, I find myself taking a time out and letting the proudness that I feel inside take over at what I find.

Jordyn:  In just one day the spelling of your name went from a bunch of lines and circles to actually looking like your name.  Mommy is so proud of you!

Day One of School

Second Day of School

Austin: It seems just yesterday that you were so proud that you could now write your own name. Then much to my surprise, I find this in your folder today:

In case you can't decipher - Walk at all times, Raise your hand to talk...

Mommy does not know how she will contain herself as you grow and learn more. I look forwar to your first tests and big projects. I find myself being very proud of what you two are becoming.

Love,

Mommy

Where Have My Babies Gone??

So today was first day of school.  Austin of course in 1st grade.  This is scary than kindergarten...he seems a little more grown up...like this is real school.  Don't try to figure me out.  Jordyn on the other hand should be i pre-school this year but did not get accepted...yet.  So Barb and I have decided to work with her.  So all weekend we have built up the fact that she would be going to school at Dee's. 

Barb had all kinds of school papers for her and then we had homework to do when we got home.  Barb even had a take home folder for her.  She was excited.  They both had to pack lunches today which meant four lunches to pack last night. 

When I got home, Austin was in the pool so didn't tell me much about his first day but Jordyn wanted me to see how she wrote her name.  It looked like a bunch of lines and circles but she was proud.  So I was proud for her.  Austin has to read for 10 minutes each night so tonight we read Dr. Suess.  I am glad that Austin loves Dr. Suess as much as I do...thanks Mom!  So all in all the first day of school was good.

A Great Night with Old Friends...and Family

So tonight we had a special singing at the church with our great friend, the Walkers.  It was nice to see them again.  All of our families had grown since the last time that we saw them so it was neat to be together again. 

It seemed to be a night for reunions, Pop-Pop was there tonight and we got some great pics with him.  It is times like these that brings a smile to your face to remember the "good ole days."