#Manicmonday

Today is #manicmonday!! Hey y'all! How was your weekend? Mine was alright. My birthday went ok. Was with my kids and a couple of friends came by.  I also returned my laptop.😞 no, i didn't want to, but, it was the right decision. That was just a bunch of money spent on something i just don't have to have at the moment. I pray I'll be able to get it back soon, but, right now just wasn't the right time. That's just one of them things us mom's just have to do sometimes.  Ya know? And you know what, i am very proud of myself for being able to do that. With my bipolar, i used to not think of things and what will happen in the long run. I believe i have become so much better being responsible financially!!!! That was always the bad thing off being manic! Not being able to control my spending habits!! I am so thankful I'm getting stronger and able to control that more.

My son came up on weds and yesterday i had to drive him back home to Columbus!! This really is sad to me. I barely get to see him because of his football. I have to really appreciate the time i do get with him! I love my son and I'm beyond proud of him. He got to go to Atlanta this past week for the rising seniors bowl. He was the one player from his high school that was chosen. He told me it was a cool thing. They got to play football, had workshops on life after football and things to think about for collage and they painted pictures for the hospital!!

My baby is grown

Play ball

Learning

Working hard

As i was saying earlier, my bday was ok. I did get too spend it with the ones i love, and that's fine by me. We had spaghetti for dinner(my fave) and just chilled at the house. My 17 year old son used to always be rocked as a baby, so, i attempted to rock his big ole butt,  yea. That didn't work! Then ALL of my kids decided to see if i could hold em all!

Rocking my baby

Ion know why she grabbed his boobs lol

Ooommmmmmmmmmm

Then my friends shae and allyssa came by. I don't drink, but they do, and it was so funny watching my friend shae take like 30 mins to take a shot! Lol then we went and grabbed milkshakes right before midnight!

Then on Sunday, me and my lil squad loaded up to head to Columbus to take my son home. I hope i get too see him soon! 

So, what all did you do this weekend??

Muahs

Melissa aka maduke

I challenge you to simplify Christmas

yes......you see that right, 15 days until Christmas!! So..........are you stressed yet???  lol  These past couple of days have been a little stressful for us.  the thing is......when you start getting stressed, that's when its time to STOP, take a breath......and remember to slow down.  If you forget to do this and are stressed, that's how you don't know notice the little things that truly matter.

I know.....it can be hard.  I even get stressed, who doesn't??  but, when we are stressed and frantic, we cant notice and enjoy the little things that come with this time of year that make it so magical.

My children have ALWAYS been taught the true meaning of Christmas.....If it wasn't for Christ, there wouldn't be a said "Christmas".  Jesus is the reason for the season.

Christmas isn't about the gifts.  Yes, I do wish I could buy my children and family every single thing in the world! Of course!! But.......tell me about your gifts from past Christmases.....Can you?? Sure, probably.....but I bet you'll forget something. lol Thinking about my past Christmases, its never been about what we get, but how we feel on Christmas.

Lets take a look for a minute at my favorite Christmas movie.......

If you haven't seen it, or know anything about it......you MUST live under a rock! lol  I really love this movie.  Everything it stands for.  This family goes through some crazy stuff leading up to Christmas.  From pranks to love as a family.  you know? A simpler time. Ralphie only wanted one thing for Christmas......a red ryder BB gun.  In Christmas movies now days, you basically have a bunch of spoiled kids in these big fancy houses......the HUGE tree....and everything you can think of under the tree.  Is this honestly realistic?  What about the families who live in tiny houses, simple little trees, and maybe 2 to 3 presents? I can bet you this.....we are probably "a little less stressed" and I promise you our Christmases are just as special.  We don't concentrate on keeping up with Jones-es. We concentrate on loving one another.

Okay, now I am starting to ramble, ha-ha back to what I was saying about "A Christmas Story".

From friends getting their tongue stuck to a flag pole,

 Dropping the F bomb......

 ugly bunny costumes, 

to the hounds being unleashed on Christmas dinner

even a Christmas duck that smiles

But, You see, It is the way the movie goes off that reminds us that all that materialistic stuff doesn't matter.  As the kids are tucked in with their one special gift that they got & mom and dad on the couch watching the snow fall.....with everything quiet and peaceful.

Its our family that makes Christmas special.  Its the memories we share.  Its the traditions we pass down to our children and grandchildren.  Its the little random acts of kindness we do for others.  Its our Savior.  

So, this Christmas season, I challenge you to simplify Christmas.  If you understand that these are the things that matter most about Christmas, It should be a little less stressful and even more enjoyable.

The main reason I wrote this blog is, last night.....I actually had to step back for a min and had to look at the small things myself.  sometimes I have to remind myself the same things Ive mentioned in this blog.  After my son and grandson went to bed last night, my daughter and I got to wrap presents.  Me and her....sitting in the floor, trying to see who could wrap the prettiest presents while D sat on the couch and laughed at us. These are the memories I want my children to share with future generations about me.  Not that I am the best gift giver. 

MUAHS!

Santa Claus is coming to town

So.....we were cleaning house(it's slowly getting in order with my daughter and grandson settling in) When i was in the other room my daughter starts hollering "santa! Santa!" So, of course i had to see what was going on....lol as i got into the living room, my daughter was all in the window....my grandson was looking out the front door and i was hearing sleigh bells!! Looked outside and saw this!! Karsyn(My grandson) was dumbfounded!! I love this age....he is starting to get excited whenever he sees a fat man in a red suit lol anyhow.....santa came around the block a second and third time. Finally i decided to throw some shoes on Karsyn and take him out by the road to see him closer!! The fourth time, while we were by the rd....they invited us to come take a ride with santa! So, we did!! It was so much fun!! I got a few videos I'm gonna try and add to this post too!

My son riding up front with santa

This was really fun

Did y'all do anything fun this weekend?? Anything magical like this?? Lol

Muahs!

Melissa aka maduke