Happy New Year

A brand new year is quickly approaching...what will it hold?
I'll probably attempt to loose weight and fail two weeks into it, realizing I like food more than smaller sizes.
I will start and not finish alot of books.
I'll try to be more organized with my money, time and schedule only to continue on in the frazzled state that is my life.
I will try to remember everyones birthdays and anninversaries only to be one up-ed by my sister everytime....as Dr. Claw would say to Inspector Gadget, "Someday I'll get you, Melissa!"
I will hopefully not move anywhere...unless we buy a house.
I made a list of resolutions that I will try to adhere to so we'll see what happens.
The great thing is that when I am feeling down on myself, like I can never do anything right or like I've never accomplished anything....when I look dispairingly at my resume and lack of education and realize aside from playing the piano, I have no skills whatsoever....I see my handsome little man. I have a tickle fight with him and we laugh hysterically together and he makes me feel like I'm the most important person in the world. He looks at me like I am the smartest, coolest, most fantastic person he has ever known, and it makes all my shortcomings dissapear into the abyss.
So, above all the diets I will fail and birthdays I will forget, I will be the best mom and wife I can be and be confident in knowing that to my God, my Husband and my Son, I am somebody.

Family, Friends, Fun and LOTS of Food.

What a great Christmas. I couldn't have asked for anything better. Even though Caden was more interested in the dogs food bowl then the hundreds of presents that lay before him, he made out like a serious bandit.

We got our Christmas tree on December 22. We decorated and made Christmas cookies. Jay was never a very Christmasy person but I think Caden brought out his Christmas spirit this year.

Caden was spoiled rotten by his grandparents and it was great. His favorite things so far are both toys that Amy and Juan gave him, which are a baby sized drum with sticks and shakers and a doggy who sings and teaches the parts of the body. Caden dances like a fool when that dog sings. It's hilarious.

Dancing and clapping are his latest accomplishments. He LOVES music. We brought him to the mall to 'see' Santa (not sit with Santa because Santa was ridiculously expensive) and every store we went in he would dance to the music. He would sway to the slow songs and rock out to the fast ones. I smell a musician in the family... For Jay's sake I hope he likes sports too.

He also has tooth number two coming in, so there is a matching set inside of his mouth.

Jay had Christmas eve and Christmas day off. It was awesome to spend that much time together. It's been a long time since he's had two days off in a row. He gave me a back massager (which really helps with the back pain) and I gave him a leather motorcycle jacket that hasn't arrived yet....grrrrr....I had to make him a card with a rhyme inside explaining why it was late. He didn't care...he's just VERY excited to receive it, especially since a cold front came through on Christmas eve and it's now very chilly here. I love it!

Jay received a Tim Hortons Coffee maker from my parents and we received a date night curtousy of Jay's parents. My sister sent us gift cards to The Gap...I'm excited to use them cause I never go shopping.

Amy and Juan were here and we watched about 100 episodes of the original Degrassi Junior High cause Amy got the box set for Christmas. We cooked a turkey and had an awesome Christmas feast complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, corn, gravy, dinner rolls and way too much chocolate for dessert.

All in all it was a fantastic Christmas. One of those days that make you sad when it's over. At least it brings us another day closer to next Christmas!

Enjoy some pics!

"It's the most wonderful time of the year?"

Owie

I've written before about my hip/back problems....well lately they have been dreadful. It stinks to be so young and feel so old. It also stinks to have to pay so much for a chiropractor and a physical therapist and still feel the same way. Pain is no fun. It makes you sad and irritable. Picking Caden up and lowering him into his crib is really hard...and with Jason working from 9-8 everyday, I don't have much of a choice. Pray for a spiritual and permanent spine adjustment to take place.
For anyone who hasn't yet heard about Gary Cook, pray for him also. He is doing well physically, but was in a car wreck in which another car hit him head on. The driver of the other car passed away (he was 20 years old) and although Gary had no fault in the accident, he must be really shaken up right now so praise God for his safety and pray for him.
Caden has an ear infection which came with an order of high fever and a side of hacking cough but thanks to anti-biotics, he is doing much better. It was a long week of being trapped at home, but thankfully he is back to his old, happy-go-lucky self.
Amy is coming for Christmas. This makes me VERY happy. She is coming on Friday and leaving on Monday or Tuesday. Juan suprised her with a trip to Tallahassee for Christmas so that home wouldn't seem so far away during the holidays. Last year, Amy, Juan, Kristy, Desmond and Murray all came over on Christmas night for cooked dinner and cake. Good times. Oh how I miss everyone....
It's hard to find friends like the ones I've had the priveledge of having in my life. I'm the kind of person who needs to be around people ALL the time...I seriously hate it when visitors have to leave or when social engagements come to an end. My friend Julie and I were talking about this the other day...how we miss having the people around us who we feel comfortable enough with to invite ourselves over and take off our shoes and lounge on their couch. How there is nothing wrong with getting together on a spur of the moment, throwing some dinner together and laughing till the wee hours of the morning.
Friends...I miss you.
I hope everyone has an awesome Christmas. I'll post some pictures of the festivities a little later on.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Some pictures

The Making of a masterpiece

The day after the masterpiece was created, a dog attacked the village and left nothing but one wall and half a roof standing.

Caden thought this was very funny

"I pity da fool who messes with Baby Caden!"

Here's Caden recovering from his ear infection. After a week of fevers, ear aches and runny noses, he's finally on the mend.

Caden and the gingerbread house burgaler

This is what I want to do to Jason at night when the baby is crying....

Up or Down

It's amazing how after talking to certain people you can feel enlightened and positive and after talking to others you can feel negative and disgruntled. I've been noting that about myself after reading several blogs today. Some really added things to my life in a positive way, empowering me and inspiring me to be better. Some have been entertaining with pictures and stories about people and what's going on in their lives. Others have been incredibly deflating and negative. More have been boring and long winded, wordy and pompous. Some have been educational and thought provoking...It's really amazing.
I didn't realize how much reading blogs and interacting with people can alter your mood and your day, depending on whether the experience was negative or positive. It's really quite amazing when you sit back and think about it.
Are the people you interact with (either through blogs, email, phone calls or in person) a positive thing in your life or a negative one? Are you a positive person or are you bringing people down?
I'm going to make an effort to breathe positivity into people rather then strip them of it. The power of your words is really an incredible thing....

What's New

I haven't actually written anything in a while. There's been too much cuteness to share since I got my new camera. Caden has been feeling pretty bad these last couple of days so we've taken a camera break. He had a fever of 105 which supposedly is not as serious as it sounds for a baby but he felt like her was on fire. His fever is down a lot now but he still isn't 100%. Hopefully he'll be better by the weekend.

Christmas is quickly approaching. Amy and Juan are coming here for Christmas. I am VERY excited about this. It's going to be great to see them again. I have pretty much every one's presents except for Jay's and I know what I'm getting him so it's all good. Christmas is the one time of year that I am actually on the ball with gifts and cards. Every other birthday or anniversary you probably won't receive anything from me...but Christmas, I'm on top of it!

I've gotten on a brownie kick. I've been making them and eating them a lot. Not good for the waistline....I'll just make another New Years Resolution to loose weight. That way I'll feel better when I gorge during the Christmas season, I'll diet for the first two weeks of January and fluctuate within the same 10 pound bracket just like I always do for the rest of 2007 until I promise myself I'm going to be fit in 2008. It's a vicious cycle...but what can I say? I love me some brownies. I love brownies more than I love single digit sizes.

I was watching the biggest looser last night and was getting pretty emotional. The winner lost a total of over 200 pounds. He went from a morbidly obese, diabetic to a fit, triathlon runner. It must be amazing to reach a goal like that. I coveted his success....and ate a brownie to make myself feel better :) Maybe 2007 will finally be the year that I loose this 25 pounds....here's to hoping.

Well I should get back to my laundry. I am on a roll today. Usually my laundry basket consistently looks like the picture below...and no matter how many cycles I do, I never make a dent. Tonight our hamper will be empty! That I can guarantee!

More pictures

Is it bad that I want him to stay this age forever?

Things I have learned about myself

I am exceptionally stronger than I have ever given myself credit for.
I am a good mother even when I don't feel like I am.
I like food more than I want to be skinny.
I am a procrastinator, I am disorganized and I am rarely ever on time.
I have a great marriage with my best friend which is a rare gem in this world.
I am a good wife.
I am not niave anymore.
I do not trust people unless they prove themselves trustworthy.
I am honest, caring and an over all good person.
I have terrible fashion sense.
I have more pride and confidence in my personality than my appearance.
I hate doing things wrong.
If I had boat loads of money, I would not donate it to charity...I would help people directly.
I like to dress as though I'm sporty, but am incredibly uncoordinated and unathletic.
I love to play the keyboard.
I am more confident singing infront of 1000 people than 1, it's less intense that way.
I don't like to hurt people and have a hard time understanding people who do.
I obsess over things.
I love chocolate, chinese food and starches.
I try hard not to take things forgranted, especially my family.
I am sensitive but won't show it.
I usually feel more comfortable being one of the boys than one of the girls.
I have a wierd sense of humor.
I am smarter and more talented than my resume makes me out to be.
I am digusted by injustice.
I do not like to be laughed at unless I am making a joke.
I love life.
I make a mean meatloaf.

Pictures

Four generations of us...My Nan, my Mom, Me and My Boy

Proud Parents

Who knew that a 5'9 woman and a 6'0 man could have such a short baby?

If you look closely, you can see a tooth in there!

Check out the Booger Nose! HAHAHAHA!

Randomness

I almost have my Christmas cards done. This is always a grand accomplishment.
I have a sore throat today and sound like a 12 year old boy.
Caden is in a very good mood today which in turn makes me in a very good mood. He is such a joy. Always laughing...He's at the point now where I don't carry him much anymore in the apartment. I just say, "Come on, let's go!" and he speedily crawls behind me everywhere I go. He's my body guard. I love my family so much that it's hard to breathe. Mmmmm. My boys are the best.
I think I may throw in the towel at Bath and Body Works. Jay's store hours have increased and so it's been hard finding someone to watch Caden during the evening parent change over...plus I don't see Jay somedays until 11:00pm and it's not worth it for 6.75 an hour. It was fun while it lasted but it's not worth the hassle. Plus even with my discount I would spend a full nights work on anything I bought there. As much as I love Brown Sugar and Fig body spray, I can't justify it.
I may try some waitressing in the New Year when Jay's hours go back to normal.
I HATE BLUETOOTH! Oh my gosh, it's impossible to tell who's insane anymore....everyone is talking to themselves nowadays! I'm not a huge fan of public cellphone talking anyway but I really find it hard to fight the urge to punch the bluetooth user.
I had some blood work done today. I've had some trouble with low blood pressure and fatigue. I'm not the kind of person who takes naps, but lately I can't seem to get through the day without one. My blood pressure yesterday was 95/55 which is low but not dangerously low. Hopefully we'll find out what's going on and correct it soon. It's no good being worn out with a crazy, active baby.
All in all I'm happy, blessed and thankful.
I do however have a prayer request.
When Jason and I went to "The Well" in Charlotte, I played in the worship team with a 26 year old guy named Marshall. Marshall is a talented musician and a quiet, gentle soul. We had alot of fun playing music together. Last month Marshall thought he might be coming down with something so he went to the Dr. They tested his blood thinking he may have mono only to discover that he has a severe case of Leukemia. He was immediatly admitted to the hopsital and is now undergoing his second round of Chemotherapy. I can't imagine my life changing that drastically from one moment to the next. As you would expect, his spirits are very down. Pray for him. He is an awesome guy.
Just when you think you have it rough....when you are so consumed with your own personal drama of not having life exactly the way you want it...think about people like Marshall and praise God for your health. That way his sickness serves some purpose for good...to turn people towards God in thankfulness and praise.