There's No Place Like Home For the Holidays

That's the title of the song covered by many artists and groups, but my favorite version is the Perry Como one.



The lyrics go like this:
Oh! There's no place like home for the holidays,
'Cause no matter how far away you roam,
When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze,
For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home!

I met a man who lives in Tennessee, he was heading for,
Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie!
From Pennsylvania folks are travellin'
Down the Dixie sunny shore,
From Atlantic to Pacific,
Gee the traffic is terrific!

Oh! There's no place like home for the holidays,
'Cause no matter how far away you roam,
If you wanna be happy in a million ways,
For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home!

Take a bus, take a train, go and hop an aeroplane,
Put the wife an' kiddies in the family car!
For the pleasure that you bring when you make that doorbell ring,
No trip could be too far!

For me, the fun part this year is that I'm in the song!

"From Pennsylvania folks are travellin'
Down the Dixie sunny shore,"

I've been alone, with my friends, or with family in a variety of different places, but this year it's off to my parents' home in Gulfport, Mississippi. I love to spend time with them!

Some people find time with family stressful.



So, let's break it out... Wherever you're home for the holidays.

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays - The Good Things Version.

Brian (good things also come in twos)

2) Brothers: I have two brothers. I could count them each as good things, but then I'd have no room for more things. We are as alike as we are different from each other.

We enjoy each other's company and make each other laugh. I'm also putting my sister in-law in there. She's awesome. She's not "one of the boys" but she's awesome.

3) Nephews: I have two of those too! They are also awesome, and quite frankly much cuter than my brothers, and it's not creepy when they sit on my lap.

1) Parents: I have two of those! My mom and dad are precious to me. Yes, I could have just written "Family" instead of the pairs of good things, but then I wouldn't have this fun theme now would I?


Sue (Also sponsored by the number 2, or I'm-too-lazy-to-come-up-with my-own-theme so I'm rolling with Brian's)

2. Two cute kids : We've got 'em. They fill our lives with joy and happiness, and make Christmastime merry, bright, and expensive (especially now that they are tweens!)

3. Two sisters : We enjoy each other's company and make each other laugh. Wait, that's what Brian said about his brothers, but it's true. My sisters are awesome aunties who help me carry on festive holiday traditions with the kids like baking cookies*, and passing around presents from the youngest to the oldest or vice versa, which makes gift opening an epic event, or what my hubby T would call an all-day affair.

1. Two parents : I've got them too! They are "Nonnie and Papa" to my kids, and the inlaws to T. My mom and dad are the ones who started many of our family traditions like passing Oplatki around the Christmas table or the aforementioned gift opening ritual. One of my favorite traditions is when Santa (shh . . . it's really my dad) gives a special gift to each of his girls. This year's Christmas soiree will be at my parents' house, which is good because it takes just 10 minutes or so to get there from here. What's even better is that the day will be filled with eating, drinking, laughing, and love!

* Read my post about one of my favorite family cookie recipes and more in this free holiday ebook. Merry Christmas!

The Goods on Motherhood

It's all about mom this weekend with the celebration of Mother's Day on Sunday, and it's all good. This week, I gave a shout out to fellow moms and friends to share with me good things about motherhood. They came through with MANY heartfelt thoughts about being a mom, and having a mom too. Here's what they had to say . . .

Motherhood is filled with joy and wonder, hope and heart, learning and love, and special memories to last a lifetime.

Only ONE? OK- I've been absolutely amazed at the special bond I have with my teenage boys. I absolutely adore them in spite of their moronic teenage behavior. No one could have prepared me for how unique and powerful that relationship would be. My 3 boys are my pride and joy! I am an enthusiast of whatever they are interested in at the moment. Their joys are my joys, their sorrows my sorrows. Life is sweet in ways I never imagined because of the privilege of being their mom! - That's only one of at least thousands (good things!) ~ Kathy H.

Being a mom gives me a good opportunity to exercise my funny bone. Correctly done, humor brings perspective, warmth, conveys love, and unifies hearts. I love laughing with my boys because it keeps my countenance lifted. At my age, any help I can get is great! ~ Ruth K.

I truly never knew what love was until my son was born 29 yrs ago. Being a mother has taught me how to love unconditionally. ~ Elaine C.H.

The best thing about being a mum is their unconditional love and the way their eyes light up when I am with them. The best thing about my mum is that she loves me and supports me always even when I do stupid things. She drops everything to help me when I need her. ~ Sharon M.

Am I allowed to be a tad different??? I love being a mum (to one son) and grandmother to 3 small boys, but I delight in being a mother in law... my daughter in law is my joy. I never wanted a girl child before, but when she arrived on the scene I realised what a blessing a girl can be, so happy I have her. ~ Dawn B.

I loved every second of everyday being a mom. The best thing that ever happened to me, and now no more!! I'll never forget my memories. ~ Sus L. (Once a mother always a mother. Cherish your memories, Sus)

I love seeing the world new all over. There is so much joy in the simple things of life. My children are my world. ~ Daphne G.

A good mom communicates with her kiddos. Meow! Ruff Ruff!! ~ Ronda M., mom to an adorable bunch of fur babies

My mum passed away 12 years ago, and I still miss her today. She was my best friend. She was a great mum and dad to me, so you see she was very special, I love you mum up in Heaven . . . ~ Michele H.

I miss my mom very much. Even though she was sick, she still did things for me like watching my three children lots of times. As for being a mom I love my children very much. ~ Julianne P. A.

Hearing those four words - "I Love you Mommy!" ~ Kelly B.

Thank you for sharing ladies. I don't think I could have said it any better myself, but I do have a bit more to say about motherhood. Check out my post Let's Hear it for the Moms on my LeMOMade blog.

Wishing you all a blessed and peaceful Mother's Day!

I am what I am

Often being a mom with limited abilities to do certain things because of chronic illness gets me down.

• Can you you go on the field trip to Starved Rock? Nope, mommy can't climb up all those steep stairs.
• Can you come outside and build a snowman with us? No, you know it's too cold outside for mommy to play in the snow.
• Can you kick the soccer ball around with me in the backyard? Nah, wait for daddy to get home.

Can you do this, can you do that, can you . . . ah, the list goes on and on. It's frustrating, and it makes me sad because I really want to do all those things and more, but I simply can't.

My life as a mom is not quite what I expected. I am not the "be all, do all mom" that I thought I would be. I am imperfect. Despite my imperfections, there are things I can do, and most of the time I can do them quite well.

2. Cheer, motivate, and inspire: Miss O is a gymnast and plays the flute. My son A is a soccer player and a plays percussion. I can attend gymnastics meets, soccer games, and musical concerts. I can drive them to and from practice and wash leotards, warm-ups, and stinky soccer clothes. I can remind them to practice their instruments. I can clap, cheer, and let them know it's OK if they lose a game or make a mistake. I can give them smiles and high 5s, take photos and videos, and brag about them to my friends. I can be proud.

3. Guide, encourage, and assist: Hands down, I am the go-to mom for homework and school projects especially if it involves reading, writing, or social studies. Math and science are not really my strong points, but I do try my best to help them in those areas. Do they need to come up with a creative idea? I'm all over it. Do they need help with research? Can do! Who can test them on their spelling words or edit/proofread writing assignments - me, me! Who can be sure their homework and/or school projects are completed and turned in on time - ta da, I can do that.

1. Pray, hope, and love: Each and every day, I pray for the safety, good health, and well-being of my kids, and I have nothing but high hopes and big dreams for their future. Of course, I believe the greatest of all these things is love. Do I show them and tell them I love them very day - you bet (even if they are driving me cRaZy!) Do I give them hugs, kisses, and snuggles? Yes, I do! (when they let me - if you're a parent of tweens you know what I'm talking about here!) Am I an imperfect mom? Of course! But I am their imperfect mom who loves them with all my heart.

*If you missed the link above, check out my guest post, "A Perfectly Imperfect Life," and other good articles and information about parenting on the site 5 Minutes for Mom.

Easter Goodness

Easter Greetings, peeps!

Ah, Peeps - not my favorite Easter candy, but they sure are fun. "Peeps!" exclaimed Miss O as we spotted the brightly-colored confections in the Easter aisle while searching for chocolate eggs, jellybeans, and an egg-dyeing kit in anticipation of the upcoming holiday. We passed on the Peeps (the kids like the idea of Peeps, but they usually do not finish eating them before they get stale) "But they are sooooo cute," Miss O said. I didn't give in.

Peeps, jellybeans, chocolate eggs, and a large white rabbit hopping about delivering baskets of goodies to children around the world, is that what Easter is all about? No, not really. It's the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, and that's better than good, better than great. It's awesome!

The story of Easter, Christ's resurrection doesn't end there, Jesus says, "And I will be with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 [GNT]

Brian and I agree, that's pretty darn good. Jesus is with us everyday, just not on Sundays or holidays. He's the reason for the season. Although that expression is often heard at Christmas time, I believe it applies to Easter as well. It's a time to rejoice, to celebrate, and to share in holiday traditions with family and friends.

With that in mind, today we share with you . . .
Ta da! Three good things about Easter:

Sue

2. Coloring eggs: Eggs are a symbol of rebirth, therefore, decorating them at Easter celebrates the risen Lord. When I was a kid, there was just one way to color eggs - the classic Paas coloring kit. These days, there are many, many options to choose from - tie dye, marble, sparkle glitter, stencil, spinning, and more. It's fun to help the kids color the eggs. We don't create dozens, but we do make enough to keep this tradition alive, and to make an egg salad sandwich or two later in the week.

3. Dressing up: In my view, we've become a bit too casual in this country in terms of dressing up for special occasions and holidays. It's a nice change to set aside the jeans and t-shirts for the day, and gussy it up a bit with something fancy. Miss O and her and little bro A have some new outfits for Easter. I enjoy seeing the little children at church in their festive clothes - the girls with pretty spring dresses and cute straw bonnets, and the boys with their shirttails hanging out of their pants and clip-on ties. So adorable.

1. Eating homemade sweet bread: A holiday post would not be complete without talking about food, but I'm not really a fan of most traditional Easter foods unless we're talking about chocolate bunnies! I do enjoy my mom's homemade raisin bread called Hoska. It s a sweet loaf of yummy goodness, usually light and airy in the inside and crusty on the outside. It's especially tasty topped with real butter.

Brian

I completely agree with Sue on the first two of hers. I'm not privy to her mom's Hoska, and I'm a little jealous. It did help me, however, find a good starting point and that's bread.

2) Bread I love bread of all kinds, but at Passover-Easter there are so many good ones to choose from. The unleavened bread is a favorite for it's meaning. Challah after Easter is another traditional bread I try to enjoy. And then, if you have a Great Harvest Bread near you, get yourself a Honey Bunny.

3) Sunrise I get very sentimental at the two highest of holy days in the calendar. Christmas has the late-night Christmas Eve candle-light service, and Easter has the Sunrise service. There's nothing quite like those late nights and early mornings at any other time of the year. In the winter, it's so dark, and the air is bitterly cold, and the stars seem far away. On Easter morning though, the smell of flowers, coffee, and for me, I'm fortunate enough to live near the woods where sunrise is sneaky and the earth smells like it is exploding with new life. Some people like the beach or other places to watch a sunrise, but I like the first rays of the sun filtered through the trees. It can be as other-worldly as God himself.

1) Love I know, I know - that's the one in February, but this day is much more about love than any other day of the year. If you follow a tradition of Lent, you're preparing 40 days for this day. If you don't, the week leading up to Easter, or Holy Week, can be plenty of lead-up. Christ's entrance into Jerusalem last Sunday kicks it off. He cleanses the temple by kicking out the super-religious ones who were trying to turn a profit on the sacrifices people made to be there, and on the sacrifices they came to make there. He gathers his closest friends around him and teaches them to incorporate their love for God into their whole lives including eating and drinking. Jesus prays, sweats, weeps and then out of the greatest love ever known, shows us how deep his love is by willingly submitting to the most painful and shameful death ever conceived. He proved that love by his once and for all-time sacrifice to cover everything we've ever done wrong or ever will do wrong and restored the relationship between us and God that was lost in Eden. Then Jesus demonstrated that he is God by coming back from the dead, and is still alive right now. He could have left us the way we were, but that's not what love does. He loves us too much to let us continue with the curse on our heads from the beginning of time.


And again, the story of Easter, Christ's resurrection doesn't end there, Jesus says, "And I will be with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 [GNT]


PS - This year, I'm wearing a pink dress shirt, tucked in, no clip-on tie.

My Very Good Guy

As I noted last week, the hubby and I just celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary. When we tied the knot in 1995, I presented my soon-to-be spouse with my top ten list for marrying him, one of which was moving up from letter T to letter B in the alphabet.

If your last name ends with a letter at the end of the alphabet, you may understand how this can be a good thing especially when you need to line up in alphabetical order, or find your name on a very long list.

My top ten list has changed over the years, but my good guy has not. (OK, he now has a lot of gray hair, and much less money - but I don't hold those things against him.)

Here are three good things about my very good guy:

1. He loves me for me. I'm not perfect. I can be moody, crabby, and emotional. I speak my mind. I like to have everything just so. I'm not tall, blond, or a size 2. I have a a chronic illness. I cry - sometimes a lot. I think too much. I can go on and on, but then you would wonder why T married me in the first place! Recently, I told a good friend that marriage is having another person put up with you despite you being you. That's what T does for me, and it's a good thing.

2. He serves. As the chief caretaker for me, as well as the kids, he has truly honored his vow of "in sickness and in health." He vacuums, he washes dishes, and he cleans the bathrooms. He grocery shops. He drives kids to and fro, and volunteers to help out at their activities. He can cook, and he is especially good at making pancakes or manning the grill. In almost every case, he will honor my requests such as "Will you rub my back?" "Can you get this from upstairs for me?" or "Can you just be quiet?" He makes me laugh.

3. He is a Super Dad. T is an active father. Ever since the kids were babies, he has been a hands-on dad. He plays with them. He helps them out, and teaches them new things. He cleans up their messes. He has coached soccer and floor hockey. He is a gymnastics booster parent. He takes the kids fishing, swimming, sledding, and skating. He tickles them, and tells them to "dream big." He would do anything for his children, and he loves them with all his heart.

Three good things about my very good guy!

Love and Marriage

The heart of marriage is memories; and if the two of you happen to have the same ones and can savor your reruns, then your marriage is a gift from the gods.

~ Bill Cosby

Sixteen years ago today, I married my best friend. Fifty years ago today, my mom and dad married each other. Yes, we share the same wedding anniversary. Since my parents have 34 years on us, I asked my mom to share three good things about 50 years of marriage for today's post.

So without further adieu, and with just a tiny bit of editing, here's mom:

These are some of my thoughts which are all of what makes 50 years feel like yesterday. (say awwww right here, I did.)

1. Marriage is not 50/50, it's more like 100/100. Or my famous, "It's not like in the movies." It's growing together with love and patience, understanding and misunderstanding, hope and respect, and knowing we can count on each other. It's taking each day at a time, which sometimes is not the easiest thing to do, life gets busy.

2. God is love. When we attended pre-cana so long ago, we were told "Marriage is husband & wife & God"...and dad and I feel God has been with us all the time. Having children is a great blessing....kinda like creation along with God. Of course grandchildren are the greatest....so much easier....because we have more time, and they reflect your children who reflect us.

3. Making memories with family and friends. Fun times on vacations with children, and with good friends. Having lifelong friends is truly a good thing! Together memories are created and shared.

Here's a bonus good thing from mom which makes me chuckle, "And dad is a wealth of information, for things I never bothered to read or study about...so it was good to have him." (By the way, dad is still around and I guess mom is going to keep him after all these years!)

Happy 50th Anniversary Mom and Dad. We love you!



Happy Anniversary to my sweetie, too. I love you, T.

Way to go O!

When a tiny pink-faced baby girl is placed in your arms after many, many hours of labor, you are overwhelmed with love, joy, and happiness. A decade later, when that same baby girl sets out to accomplish an amazing goal, and "sticks it" as they say in gymnastics, you once again are overwhelmed with that same sense of love, joy, happiness, and a whole lot of pride, too.

So for today's post, I step up on my soapbox and boast about my one and only daughter, Miss O!

1. Top vault score! In gymnastics, female athletes compete in four events: vault, beam, bars, and floor. During this year's regular competition season, the vault proved to be Miss O's nemesis, causing her a bit of apprehension and anxiety at each meet. With determination, she nailed it at Nationals, scoring 9.300!



2. All-around third place - Level 5/Junior. For her first showing on the National level, this was an awesome accomplishment. All in all, she ranked third in her group of 24 gymnasts, and 11th among 114 gymnasts at her level and age group. All those hours and hours of practice surely paid off!

3. Daddy's girl. Besides me, T is probably Miss O's biggest fan. He is secretary of her team's parent booster club, drives her to and from practice, and cheers the loudest at meets. He coined the phrase, "Way to go O!"



A bouncing baby girl.
An award-winning gymnast.
Two proud parents.
All good things!

Family is good

I have a family story.
It's really to long to go into here, but you can read the full version I wrote over the years it has evolved on Mirthmobile in the Adoption section.

Here's the short version:
I was raised by adoptive parents who were abusive.
In my early 20's I severed ties with them.
In my mid-30's I met my birth mother, my step-father, two brothers, a sister in-law, an aunt, uncle and two cousins and many, many friends of the family.
My birth-mother adopted me when I was 40. That made my biological mother my legal mother and changed my last name.
Ta-da!

My Mom and Dad (the new ones) were just visiting me for a few days. It's good to have family. Most of this stuff, I'm still just figuring out.

1) They love me no matter what. That is a huge trust issue for me and I struggle with it. But it's really good.

2) People who are important to me are important to them.

3) I know that not all families are like that, but love should be like that, and I'm learning that it is.

They're on their way to visit one of my brothers now, and I already miss them. That, as it turns out is also a good thing. It's nice to miss someone.