I Am Blessed...

This weekend, I spent LOTS of time with some of my favorite little peeps. Saturday was my youngest nephew Harrison’s 4th birthday, and I joined my sister and her family to help celebrate the joy that is Harrison.

I had a blast watching that energetic, hyped up little boy run around the house. We shared my frozen Mountain Dew, which might have helped contribute to the hyper activity now that I think of it. OOPS! We played Legos and did some car crash testing with his new cars (HA!). We all went to Taco Bell (Harrison’s expensive dinner choice) for his birthday meal and then had yummy chocolate cake together afterwards. On Sunday, we had a BIG birthday party with lots of friends and family gathered together. It was awesome!

I came home last night pretty exhausted from my full weekend, but it was worth it. And today, I woke up feeling quite blessed.

I’m not a Mom myself, and I think those chances for motherhood are slipping past me. And I’m not being negative when I say that. I’m being real and honest. The clock is ticking after all. 

But while I’m not a mother, I am an aunt, and I love that role. I love spending time with any of my 5 nieces and 4 nephews! I love those precious moments! I’ve watched them develop from infancy to where they are now…

• one is married and living in another state
• one is getting ready to graduate high school and head to college
• one is more than ready to get a driver’s license
• one is singing in the school choir and trying not to be too boy-crazy
• one is in junior high and psyched to be a teenager now
• two are in the third grade - one is into fashion; the other is into Legos
• one is in kindergarten and starting to read
• one is getting ready for preschool and loves all things Darth Vader (Harrison).

Yes, I’m blessed to have such amazing “little people”** in my life. I have the opportunity to get the youngest ones hyped up on sugar and then send them back to their parents. I get to have fun with them and spoil them in my own way. I get to bond with them and hear their dreams as they share their hearts with me. I’m very fortunate. Thank you, LORD!

**DISCLAIMER: I probably need to stop calling them “little people.” I’ve been passed in height by 5 of them now, and the other 4 (all under 10 years old) are not far behind. YIKES! It’s rather sad that I am the height target they are all shooting for, which at just over 5 feet is not much of a goal. HA!

What Happened to November?

I can't believe we are in December already. Yes, I know the calendar says this is the 8th, but I am in denial. I haven't blogged about all of November yet...

In mid-November, my parents came to Indiana for a quick weekend. We had a get-together at my brother Steve's home in Peru with lots of the family. And then that Sunday, Jacob was baptized at his church in Kokomo, and a group of us were there to see it as well.

Thanksgiving was amazing this year! I drove my brother Chuck and his 4 kids up to Michigan in their minivan. Chuck had foot surgery a few weeks back, and so his wife (who was unable to go on the trip due to her work schedule) asked if I could drive her family. It worked out well and was quite fun.

Road trips on my own are often pretty quiet. It’s just me, my favorite tunes and some snacks, and I’m good to go. My stops along the way are quick – 5 or 10 minutes tops. I’m in and out of gas stations or drive-thrus and then back on the road again in a flash. But with a family in tow, it was a different adventure. There was never a dull moment.

I got caught up with my brother Chuck and heard all kinds of stories from the kids – Caleb (16), Caitlynne (14), Carianne (12) and Cera (8) on the drive. We had lots of laughs. Honestly, I just enjoyed the “noise.” And I mean “noise” in a good way. I’m on my own a bit too much sometimes. It was great to experience something else for a few days, and the time spent at my parents was anything but quiet with all 4 of my siblings and their families, including 8 of the 9 nieces and nephews. WOWZERS!

Wednesday: After getting to Croswell around 9 PM, I quickly gave a few hugs, dropped off my luggage and headed out with the “boys” to see a late night showing of the latest Harry Potter film. My oldest nephews, Jordan and Caleb, and my brother-in-law Jonathan wanted to see the movie and asked me to join them. We’re all readers and big HP fans, and it was awesome to spend time with them. Sure, it was a bit tough getting up on Thanksgiving morning, but it was worth it.

Thursday: My Mom always outdoes herself with the cooking, and this year was no exception. It was incredible! After our big meal, my Dad and brothers watched and talked football while the rest of the gang spent hours playing games like Clue, Life, Monopoly, Scotland Yard, etc.

Friday: Half of us went out and braved the Black Friday sales. We stopped at several stores and visited the local mall. Great fun! There was a special 30-minute shopping experience in Bath & Body Works, where even Jonathan and Caleb participated in the “smell” adventure, but I’ll let them share that story on their own. HA! Before heading back home, we visited the Lexington General Store and stocked up on unique Christmas ornaments and 2 cent candy. (This store is a one-of-a-kind family favorite!)

We rushed home from our shopping and bundled all of the other kids up for a trip to visit the Croswell manger scene and see the Christmas parade. My nieces and nephews have been posing with the town manager scene figures and animals since they were quite young, and they are used to their photo-blitzing aunt. HA! It was a chilly November night, but we stayed for the whole 15-minute parade and caught lots of candy. It was fun for all of us except Caleb, who remarked that his dreams were crushed after spotting not 1 but 2 Santa Clauses in the parade. Hee hee!

Saturday: We packed up and headed back to our homes in Indiana. It was time to get back to real life again. (sigh!)

OK, now December can officially begin. I'm caught up on November...

P.S. Pictures of November are available here. WOOHOO!!

Pumpkin Time

OK, I’ve been rather serious on my blog as of late. I re-read the last few posts and started to laugh. WOW! Nothing wrong with being sober and trying to go deep, but life has it’s share of fun and playful periods as well. So I thought I’d start this week by blogging about some lighter moments in the life of Mel...

Last Friday, I went up to Kokomo to hang with my sister and her family. Loved seeing the little peeps!

I played Strawberry Shortcake with Grace. Yes, the berry people are back with a vengeance in updated styles, but this is not the Strawberry Shortcake I grew up with. She looks more grown up and teeny-bopperish. Hmmmm...I'm not quite sure what to make of her really.

I colored for hours with Harrison, Grace and Jacob. Love to color with the kiddos! We then proudly displayed our creations on the family art wall. Harrison showcased how he remembered how I taught him to make an “H” with “2 sticks and then make a bridge.” He’s growing up too fast!

I went to the pumpkin patch to help the family pick out their pumpkins. Two-year-old Harrison bonded with a pumpkin quickly, and he started carrying it around with him. It was probably a smart move on his part since his sister Grace wanted his pumpkin as well. Grace struggled to find another pumpkin to select, but she finally agreed to go with a second choice. Jacob wanted a big pumpkin, and he found one with character.

I watched and took pics of the family as they colored their pumpkins. Coloring pumpkins with Sharpies is much safer than cutting into them, believe me! My sister was very proud of her free-hand drawing of Larry Boy from Veggie Tales, and I have to admit it was pretty awesome! Jonathan drew a spider web on his pumpkin and a funny face on the other side. Jacob drew a zombie football player, copied his Mom’s Larry Boy picture and created several other designs on his pumpkin. Grace drew a scary cat and a princess tiara and then practiced her letters by writing out BOO and HALLOWEEN. Harrison drew a smiley face and then scribbled some other creations on his little pumpkin.

On Saturday, I got to catch Jacob’s last regular season game of fall soccer. He was awesome out there, despite the 80+ heat. The two teams were evenly matched, and the game ended in a tie 0-0. I had some lunch with the fam and then headed back to Indy.

It was an awesome start to my weekend!

Did You Know…

That we lose 1,000 U.S. World War II veterans every day?

I sure didn’t, but now I do.

I called my 85-year-old Uncle Gilbert (aka Gib) this week to catch up with him. I am going to be traveling to St. Louis this weekend, and I’m hoping to connect with him. He’s a charming gentleman, and I could listen to his stories for hours. We got to talking about his service in the Navy during WWII, and he shared his recent excursion with the Honor Flight, which involved an all-expenses-paid day trip to our nation’s Capitol to visit the monuments and spend time with fellow WWII veterans. I was intrigued and eager to find more about it.

“Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices. We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill. Of all of the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation—and as a culturally diverse, free society. Now, with over one thousand World War II veterans dying each day, our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out.”

I had never heard of the Honor Flight Network, and so I wanted to pass along the knowledge. If you get the opportunity to donate to this cause, please do so. It sounds like a wonderful way to express our gratitude to these brave men and women who risked their lives for future generations (that’s us).

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ! !

10 days ago, I was privileged to be a bridesmaid in my niece Janet’s wedding. It was an amazing day! Congratulations to Chris and Janet!! I love you guys!

The Countdown

We are now at T minus 12 days before my oldest niece gets married at the age of 20. I’m psyched and giddy with excitement for Janet and Chris. It’s really big news for my family since it has been a few years since we have had a wedding to celebrate. It will be like a family reunion of sorts as two lives merge into one. I can’t wait.

However, as the single, never-been-married, never-been-close-to-marriage aunt of the bride, I confess that I have some personal concerns that I feel the need to get off my chest.

• When you get lapped by the next generation, are you down for the count?
• Are your chances of matrimonial bliss gone for good?
• Should you just get 5 house cats and call it a day?

I hope not. I mean, for one, I’m more of a dog person really, and secondly, this “old maid” with romantic inclinations doesn’t want to stop dreaming of the possibility. I’m not ready to throw in the towel yet. In fact, I am currently willing to review any and all applicants and referrals that present themselves as eligible candidates.

My requirements are not too rigid, I don’t think:

1. Single: I am no home-wrecker, and polygamy doesn’t really appeal to me either. 
2. Male: Non-negotiable. Sorry, ladies, I’m just not that into you.
3. Human: I’ve considered the android idea, but I don’t think I’m there yet.
4. Mortal: Vampires relationships might make for great fiction, but I’d prefer that my spouse and I grow old together. And then there is that whole “will he or won’t he bite me” thing that would nag at my very soul.  

Look at how broad-minded I am. I've left lots of room for potential options. :)

So, yes, it might be a little weird watching my niece get married before me, but, hey, I’ll have a great view of the whole event since I am one of her bridesmaids, which is pretty special. Fact is, I’m one lucky aunt really.

The Blur That Has Been July

WOA! Where has July gone? It’s been a busy few weeks.

Michigan Weekend: Over July 4th, I joined my sister and her family for a long weekend in Michigan. We had a blast, even though Michigan was experiencing unseasonably HIGH temperatures. YIKES! It rarely gets above 100 degrees F, but it did while we were there. HA! We caught fireworks along Lake Huron, shopped at the Croswell Stockyards, played games, had our own fireworks show in the side yard, and just had a great weekend together with my parents and my Grandma. I also got to catch up with my friend Melissa over lunch at Junction Buoy. We hadn’t seen each other in years (too many to count really). It was great to reconnect and enjoy laughing together again.

Newport Aquarium: My friend Becky and I drove to Newport, Kentucky to take in the amazing aquarium there. Tickets are a bit pricey ($22 for adult tickets), but it is worth it for an occasional visit, in my book. If I visited more frequently, a membership would be the way to go. They have lots of shark and tropical fish. Of course, I especially liked their turtles, but that's just me. I'm a turtle girl! I’m also crazy about the jellyfish exhibit. I think jellyfish are beautiful creatures...deadly but beautiful!

Weekend with Jacob: My 7-year-old nephew Jacob came to visit me last weekend on his own. We bowled together on Saturday morning, where Aunt Mel won both games but not by much. Yes, I confess, we both used the bumper rails. I'm rather fond of the bumper rails myself. HA! Saturday afternoon, we toured the IMA's contemporary collection. He liked the Untitled exhibit by Tara Donovan, which was one of the reasons I wanted him to visit the IMA. But in truth, he loved the Jeppe Hein's Distance more. It's an amazing "indoor rollercoaster track for a series of white, plastic balls." You can follow the balls as they make their way along the track, and it is fascinating to say the least. [By the way, both of those exhibits close soon, and so check them out.] We did walk through part 100 Acres as well, but the heat soon sent us heading back to the car for some needed AC. On Sunday, we saw Toy Story 3 in 3D, which is one of the best films of the year, I believe. It was a great end to our incredible weekend of bonding. OK, so I spoiled him a little bit. He got to eat the foods he wanted and watch lots of Scooby Doo movies on Netflix, too. But, hey, I think it is an aunt's right to spoil nieces and nephews! I think of it as my job really...

Europe, Here I Come!

My Grandfather (my Mom’s Dad) died in combat in World War II. He was killed near Berlin, Germany and buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. My Mom and her younger sister were small children when their father left for the war, and neither of them have ever been to visit his grave. So we’ve been talking about making this journey for years.

BIG NEWS!! Last weekend, we made our reservations for a river cruise along the Danube and Rhine Rivers for next year and included a 3-day extension in Belgium so that we can visit the cemetery in nearby Holland. It’s all very exciting! My Mom is over-the-charts excited already, and we've got months to go. But I love her enthusiasm (after all, I definitely get that from her), and I can't wait to tour Europe with her, my Dad and my Aunt Peggy. It will be another great adventure.

We’ll be starting our trip in Brussels, Belgium and then making our way to Amsterdam, where we’ll catch our river cruise. We’ll be making stops in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary as we make our way along the rivers. I can’t wait. I’m thinking that I might need to get another camera before our trip just so that I will have a back-up. It’s important to capture every moment, you know.

Everybody's Fine

I caught this Robert De Niro film on Netflix, and I would recommend it. Everybody’s Fine is an honest portayal of real family dynamics – especially between parents and their adult children.

A recently widowed father packs his bags and set off across the country to surprise each of his 3 adult children and their families with a visit. Along the way, he discovers how little he knows his own kids and learns how much his wife and children kept from him over the years. He sets out to change the status quo and create an open, honest sharing relationship with his children. He wants to know them as they are, not as he once thought they were.

The film made me think of both my parents, and I even teared up a bit. In fact, after finishing the film, I opted to call my parents and catch up for a few minutes. I’m much more candid and real with my parents than I used to be. I’ve learned that they can handle hearing the truth. They want me to be honest about where I am, how I’m feeling, what I’m struggling with, etc. They really want to know me.

I remember a few years back, I had a heart-to-heart with my parents about my single status. I described the good, the bad and the ugly. I opened up and was raw and direct with them, and then asked for their insight and feedback because I wanted to know what they thought. I was blown away with their response of compassion and love. They didn’t think less of me because I hadn’t paired off. They didn’t feel that I was letting them down. Those feelings were coming from somewhere else – coming from me. And I might never have realized how much they understood and knew me if I hadn’t opted to share that secret pain and longing I was holding inside. Our relationship has been better ever since.

Sure, there are things I don’t tell my parents or choose not to bring up, but I don’t lie to them. If they ask me a direct question, I answer it as best I can, but sure, there are certain things I choose to keep to myself. Some things are better left unsaid. But gone are the days where everything is always fine. Life is so more than that -- more than existence, more than just routine, more than just survival. It is a miracle, a gift, a journey filled with highs, lows and somewhere in the middle. It is heart-breaking and hopeful, marvelous and horrid, devastating and delightful. So much more than fine.

Quilt Time

Last weekend, I spent in Kokomo with my sister and her family and our friend Lisa, who was in town for the weekend. We had lots of laughs and a bit of drama, too.

On Friday, Lisa surprised my sister and I with special quilts her friend Elayne made for us. Barbara has a thing for flip-flops, though I can’t think why. Those things are just so uncomfortable! I can’t wear them, but she loves them, and we saw a quilt with flip flops on it last year at the Indiana State Fair last year, and she fell in love with it, and her new quilt is similar to that one.

My quilt is like an English country garden with the floral motif and the tea cups. I love it. I’m just afraid to use it. Hee hee! Amazing work, Elayne!

Friday night, we headed to Taco Bell for a cheap dinner with the kids, and 2-year-old Harrison toppled backwards in his chair – hitting his head and biting down hard on his tongue. An hour-long visit to the ER proved that he was fine, not in need of stitches and without a concussion; however, the large quantities of blood lost and the trauma of the event will not soon be forgotten by his Mom (or Aunt Mel, for that matter).

On Saturday, we headed out to Jacob’s mid-day soccer game. His team didn’t win, but the “Kickers” still had fun, and isn’t that the most important part of it all?! Of course, I think the after-game-snack is always the big hit regardless. Who cares if they lost by 5 or 10 points—just look at this awesome juice drink and the cheesy popcorn to snack on! I love that about kids. It doesn’t really take much.

My oldest niece Janet, who was home from North Carolina for a couple of weeks, came over and watched the kids while Lisa, Barbara and I headed out for a girls night on the town, which consisted of some consignment shopping, a trip to Kohl’s and then dinner at Ruby Tuesdays. HA! We are quite the party animals, are we not?

It was a fun weekend, and I’ve been trying to catch up on sleep ever since. Maybe this past weekend in combination of the sleepless weekend before at the retreat, are helping me test my stamina limits. HA! It’s all good.

Road Tripping Part I

THURSDAY: I headed to Michigan for a long Easter weekend spent with my parents and my 94-year-old Grandma. Nothing quite like going home, is there? It felt so good to be in my home state again.

I spent a few hours with my Aunt Jackie and Uncle Neal on Thursday afternoon. These dear family friends are not blood relatives, but they have been like second parents to me for as long as I can remember. I showed them my England pictures slideshow and got caught up on all their news.

After dinner, my Mom and I drove to Lexington and walked the pier together. It was a beautiful night, and the water was as clear and lovely as I remember. So much for global warming though, the water levels are way down again this year. AHEM!

FRIDAY: My Mom and I headed to Port Huron for a girl’s day out. We visited the Port Huron lighthouse. There is a story here. Somehow, I didn’t know that this lighthouse existed until 5 or 6 years ago. The lighthouse is only about 25 miles from my childhood home, and yet we were never properly introduced until I was over 30. Not sure how it escaped my notice until then, but it does exist.

We had lunch at a Mongolian Buffet & Grill, where I introduced my Mom to Mongolian cuisine and taught her how to use chopsticks. She is a quick learner! After lunch, we walked along the Blue Water Bridge for a couple of hours--enjoying the scenery and sun and just getting caught up. It was a busy day.

SATURDAY: After lunch, Dad, Mom, Grandma and I headed North up Michigan’s thumb and visited exciting destinations along Lake Huron like Port Sanilac, Granite City and Bad Axe. OK, so those places aren’t all that thrilling in themselves. AHEM! But I enjoy rediscovering Michigan’s coastline, and somehow, I don’t tire of that amazing blue and green water or the shore scenery. I’m a Great Lakes girl for life, I guess.

SUNDAY: I enjoyed getting caught up with some of my dear friends in the church where I grew up. We might not see eye-to-eye on some issues, but I am still blessed to know these amazing brothers and sisters in Christ.

After a fabulous home-cooked ham lunch, I packed up and headed back to Indianapolis. It’s always fun to get away for a few days, but I also enjoy getting back home and enjoying the comforts of life as I know it.

A Tribute to My Parents

I’m spending Easter back home in Michigan, and I’m psyched. I chatted with my Mom last night, and she giddily asked if I would help her color Easter Eggs on my visit. I told her that I would be delighted to. Sounds like fun to me! I love mixing the colors to make new colors. Yes, usually I wind up with some sort of brown shade, but hey, brown is one of my top 3 colors (right up there with orange and green – can you tell that I love fall?).

I love that about my Mom. She is still a kid at heart. She always gets a kick out of life. She gets pleasure in the big and little things. Every moment has potential for joy, and she finds it – whether it is in finishing a crossword puzzle, completing a HARD Sudoku puzzle, beating my Dad at Mexican train (again), experimenting on the family with a new recipe she found, reading books to my 94-year-old Grandma, jetting off on her bicycle for a ride around the block. And if there is no happiness to be found, she makes it.

I didn’t always appreciate my Mom’s way of making me look at life. My melancholy tween years were a trial on both of us. Looking back now, I can see that she was just trying to make me see that joy was always within my grasp. I had a choice, two options lay before me. Now I typically chose the other path and wallowed or sulked, but her attempts to make me laugh in my misery often won out in the end.

My Mom is a heroine in my book.

Now I often brag about my Mom, and maybe it seems like I don’t say enough about my Dad. Let me remedy that.

My Dad is pretty special.

I always thought of myself as a Daddy’s girl. I had 3 older brothers, and I wanted to be one of the guys, too. I would often “help” my Dad in the basement as he worked with his tools, and I was his “assistant” when it came to our family camping trips (notice that I am using terms very loosely here—HA!). My Dad and I had a system of specific tasks we each would do when setting up our pop-up trailer on location, and nothing made me prouder than to please him. I know I tried his patience more than he ever let me know.

My Dad is a pretty direct man. He has opinions and deep-rooted beliefs, and he instilled in his daughters the need for character and the courage to stand for something. He’s a strong Christian leader and a tower of strength, but he is more than that as well. He is a gentle man who loves his grandkids. He is so smart. He’s full of facts and history and remembers dates like no one else I have ever encountered. He has a dry sense of humor and an appreciation for wit. Yes, he can appear to be rough around the edges from time to time, but as his daughter, I’m well aware that his occasional gruffness hides a deeply generous and kind heart. He’s actually a romantic, who loves surprising my Mom with gifts or tokens. She’ll mention something in passing, and that very item will magically appear. I love that quiet sweetness he shows.

Growing up, I concentrated so much on bettering the father-daughter dynamic that it is as if I missed out on the fact that I had 2 amazing parents. As an adult, I’ve worked to correct that and learned to appreciate my Mom more and more. Not more than my Dad but more of the same. Now I am finally able to see exactly how loving, strong and amazing both of my parents were and still are. They didn’t change. My perspective did.

Mom and Dad: You are the best! Thanks for everything! I love you guys. XOXO

Practicing Parenting

I’m not a Mother myself. I don't even play one on TV, but I have a great respect for Mothers especially after this past weekend. My Mom is amazing, and like Mother like daughter, my younger sister is definitely following suit. She has 3 children: Jacob (7), Grace (4) and Harrison (2). This past weekend, Auntie Mel (aka yours truly) headed North to hang out with the kids for a couple of days while both of their parents were away in Ohio. The weather was disappointing, and so we didn’t get outside much at all, but the 5 of us (that includes Thorn, the family black lab) had fun indoors anyway...

Coloring: several hours worth. Grace is a cheerleader with the gift of encouragement, and she has taught her brother well. Harrison stopped coloring every few minutes to exclaim that my picture was “Bootiful.” I loved that. I felt very encouraged and glad that a 2-year-old appreciated my artistic talents!

Candy Land: excessive amounts of time. I played no fewer than 12 games of Candy Land with Grace. It is her favorite game by far, and she is pretty awesome at it. She enjoys games a lot like her Grandma (my Mom) does and with a similar sweet spirit. I kept teasing her because she won most of our games, and she would respond with, “It doesn’t matter who wins the game, Aunt Mel. We are just playing for fun.” Very sweet!

Battleship: about an hour. Yes, I won, but Jacob is getting better and more strategic at his ship placements. It’s only a matter of time before he whips the socks off of me. Is it wrong not to let him win? Does this make me a bad aunt?

Memory: about an hour. Even Harrison joined in a couple of games of the old classic Memory. Kids are so amazing at that game. I must be getting old.

Movies: a couple of hours. We didn’t watch much TV, but we had movie night on Friday complete with 4 bags of popcorn. YIKES! I didn’t realize that those little mouths could put away so much popcorn.

Computer Games: about an hour. I was finally introduced to the Plants vs. Zombies game my sister has told me about. WOW! It’s...well, it’s interesting.

Time on my Own: zilch. My sister often jokes about how she would kill for just a few minutes of privacy each day. Being a mother of 3 plus the lovable family dog, she rarely gets a moment to herself. By comparison, a single girl without pets has quite a bit of time on her own, but I certainly didn’t experience that this weekend. I couldn’t step away for a minute without someone coming to find me. The kids were always near me whether I was in the kitchen putting away dishes, in the bathroom trying to catch a 3-minute shower, etc. No room was sacred! Even Thorn followed me around. I think he felt that since we were the only 2 “adults,” we should stick together. HA! He was always at my heels. He slept next to me, too, which was a new experience for me, but I have to say I found it rather comforting.

The kids were very well-behaved. Sure, they are little sin-filled creatures just like their old Aunt Mel, but we managed quite well together. My sister likes to encourage her children creatively, inspiring them to try new things and develop new skills, while also providing them with character-building opportunities. She is a motivator, an encourager and an all-around well-balanced Mom. I’m proud of her. And after this weekend, I appreciate her parenting skills all the more. You are doing a great job, Sis. Keep it up!

P.S. I guess, Jonathan gets a little bit of credit for the kids, too. Hee hee!

Happy 68th, Mom!

Today is my Mom’s 68th birthday, and I just can’t let the day pass without stating for the record just how amazing she is.

My Mom is loving. She gives the best hugs, and you just don’t want to let go. She loves keeping in touch with people with phone calls and especially her well-written letters. I treasure her hand-written letters.

My Mom is warm, probably the warmest person I have ever encountered. She doesn’t know a stranger and can make conversation with just about anyone at any time. I love that about her. She is able to reach out to others and draw them in.

My Mom is brave. When she met my Dad 37+ years ago, she chose to date him even after discovering he was a widower with 3 young sons. WOW! That sure was gutsy! I’m not sure I would have been that brave under similar circumstances. But I’m glad she went on more dates and eventually married him, or my sister and I would not exist. It was not always easy raising 5 children, but she managed beautifully.

My Mom is compassionate. She tries to put herself in the other person’s shoes and does not jump in and take a side. As a child and teenager, I did not always appreciate her knack for seeing the other person’s side of an issue or topic, but as almost always, Mom was right. It was the best way.

My Mom is kind. You won’t hear my Mom say a mean thing about or to anyone. She prefers to think the best of people and would prefer not to hear gossip.

My Mom is positive. She is always energetically upbeat about life and able to see a glimmer of hope along the horizon.

My Mom has an incredible sense of humor. She is always able to laugh at her self and see humor even under some of the worst circumstances. Her laugh is real and is easy to pick out in a crowd. I love her laugh.

My Mom is frugal. She has always been able to stretch a dollar farther than I ever thought possible, and as an adult, I have grown to appreciate her skills even more. I love how she likes to get creative with leftovers and reinvent meals.

My Mom is a hard worker. She started a home day care and took on piano students to help pay for her children’s education, and even now, though she is “retired,” she still teaches piano and is rarely idle for more than 5 minutes a year.

My Mom is organized. She plans out monthly menus and shops well in advance. She also never forgets a birthday or an anniversary.

My Mom is hospitable. She and my Dad often host people in their home. She is a perfect hostess and strives to meet each guest’s needs.

My Mom loves GOD and points others to HIM. She is not afraid to share her faith and introduce others to her SAVIOR. She truly has a servant’s heart and attempts to make her Christian walk and talk match.

I realize that my Mom is not perfect, and she would blush to read all of this, I know she would. But I think she is amazing, and I’ve only scratched the surface. I am so grateful that I get to call her my Mom.

I love you, Mom! Enjoy your day and have some cake and ice cream for me!

Proverbs 31:28a “Her children rise up and call her blessed…”

Christmas 2009: That's A Wrap (Take 2)

FAVORITE CHRISTMAS GIFTS: OK, maybe I'm not supposed to have a favorite gift or two, or maybe I am supposed to keep quiet about any favorites, but I just can't help it. ALL of the gifts I received this year were amazing, and I appreciated each and every one, but there were a couple that really made my day...

1. I-Turtle: I LOVE my melancholy bee-bopping pet. My nephew Jacob saw him and said that Aunt Mel just had to have one, and so now I do. (There is a long story behind how I came to like turtles and ended up with several decorative turtles and even a stuffed animal, but that is for another day.) Anyway, isn't he adorable?

The I-Turtle is great company when he gets enough tunes to groove to, but we’ve got to work on his moodiness. He gets pathetically sad or tragically ill when he doesn’t get fed (i.e. there is no music playing). Yes, his food (music playing near him) is rather cheap, which works great for a girl on a budget, but I'm not always here to "feed" his need. He also doesn’t like his tail being touched at all, and he lets you know it.

He loves music, but he can be finicky at times. He was sure head-banging to the new Switchfoot CD last night, but he wasn't quite as enthused with an older Michael Buble tune, which made me laugh. Not sure what that says about his musical tastes really. I'm not going to judge him. He's young. And my music collection is pretty eclectic. Hopefully after repeated exposure, he will adapt and come to appreciate more musical stylings. I want him to be a culturally well-rounded I-Turtle after all. What parent doesn't want that, right?

He indicates his mood or delight in the music by his behavior: head bobbing, foot tapping, tail wagging, buzzing noises and his shell raising up and down. He also indicates his mood through the color displays on his shell. Different color sequences indicate his present mood, and there is even a small handbook that explains what the various color sequences mean. Talk about a complicated little pet. He’s adorable and all, but now I have some serious pet training to conduct as well as more research. Hee hee!

Actually, he has been good company for me this week and has kept me rather amused. OK, so he technically prefers to hang out with electronic devices like my stereo or MP3 player rather than cuddle or play tug-a-rope. BUT he does communicate how he is feeling, and everyone knows that communication is key in a new relationship, and so I think this could work long-term, provided I have batteries on hand. But first things first. It is time this turtle had a name. What does one name a pet I-Turtle? Any suggestions? I'm stumped.

2. New T-shirt: My sister and her family got me a new t-shirt that I love. It makes me laugh every time I see it in my closet or wear it. It says: Does this shirt make me look tall? Isn't that great? You know, I feel taller when I have it on. Ironic! I'm posting a picture with me wearing the shirt. You probably can't see the added height in this snapshot since I was sitting down, but I'm guessing you all can sense my tallness...

Christmas 2009: That's A Wrap (Take 1)

Last night, I finally took out Christmas. Hmmmm -- let me rephrase that. Last night, I dismantled the Christmas tree and took down all the holiday décor in my place. It was time. It is nice to have my space back to normal again, but it kinda makes me sad to see another Christmas season come and go so quickly. So...I'm going to reminisce and chat about the highlights of this past season.

FAVORITE NEW CHRISTMAS TRADITION: Icing and decorating a ready-made gingerbread house with Grace and Jacob (niece and nephew) and their Grandma (my brother-in-law's Mom). The kids and Grandma did most of the hard work, while I supervised and took pictures. HA! I think it turned out beautifully.

Can you tell which side was decorated by Jacob and which by Grace? Incredibly gifted children, I think. OK, so I might be a tiny bit biased since I am their Aunt Mel, but still, it is amazing handiwork for young children (ages 4 and 7). And I think it is quite evident where they get some of that creativity. Their Grandma showed her creative flair with the icing. We couldn't have done it without her. Thanks, Myrna!

FAVORITE SILLY MEMORY: Thorn, my sister’s beloved lab mix, discovered his gift from Aunt Mel without any prompting or hints. When I arrived at my sister's house 2 days before Christmas, I unloaded my stash for the family under their tree, and then I got busy playing with the kids, helping out in the kitchen, etc. After the kids went to bed, we (the adults) discovered Thorn in the living room sniffing his gift bag. He had found it on his own while snooping under the tree. He sniffed it for a while and then sat down right in front of the bag with his paws stretched out towards the bag, and he whined and drooled the entire time.

I begged Jonathan to let him open his gift up early, but he was steadfastly firm and unyielding, and so Thorn had to wait until Christmas Eve for his gift. SIGH! Thorn, Aunt Mel would have caved, you know I would have, but your "Dad" said no. Sorry, buddy!

When we did rip open the package* the next night, Thorn gobbled up one of his new rawhide snacks, and he kept taunting me with it. He wanted me to chase him and try to take his snack away. It’s a game Thorn and I play pretty often. I think I enjoy it nearly as much as he does (not the snack but the game). AHEM! And he (scratch that – WE) sure loved playing with his new rope and ball toy, too. I love that dog. He’s definitely a big part of the family.

So once again, I’ve been contemplating the pros and cons of having a a dog of my own, but I just don’t have the space in my little apartment for a dog right now. And I prefer large dogs. No Paris Hilton purse dog for me, thanks! So for now, I'll continue to get by with loving on other people's dogs. HA!

*AHEM! I know that it may seem odd that I reused a Bath & Body Works bag as Thorn's gift bag, but I just didn't think he would mind, and I was basically doing my part for the environment by recycling. And I clearly wrote his name on the package with a Sharpie and signed it Love, Aunt Mel. So there was no confusion on Thorn's part as to who the gift was for. He really is a smart dog! Hee hee!

The Grace and Mel Cooking Show

Over Thanksgiving, my 4-year-old niece Grace and I did some serious “cooking” together. The truth is that she called it cooking, but it was mostly baking goodies and creating side dishes. She loved stirring everything together for me, and I enjoyed every minute with my little helper. She's just adorable.

When we finished up in the kitchen, Grace wanted to keep on “cooking.” So, she borrowed her Mom's mixing bowls from the kitchen and raided her toys for all the food related items and brought them to the dining room table, where we promptly began The Grace and Mel Cooking Show. I went with it. I've never lacked an imagination (I confess the cooking show with an audience was my idea...I may have been watching to much of the Food Network lately). I acted as Grace's assistant, and I called her “Chef” and kept our imagined “live” audience informed of all of the ingredients as she added them. It was a blast!

We made pumpkin blueberry soup, but I'm not sure if I would recommend it since the ingredients were a bit sketchy and included what my little chef called “lion food” (hmmmm...what that was exactly I was afraid to ask) and a bit too much salt and marshmallows for my taste.

To further complicate our busy filming schedule, another chef joined our show already in progress. Twenty-two-month-old Harrison opted to join in the fun. We had to stop “filming” and get him his own big bowl and plastic spoon, and then he kept stealing all of our ingredients like the plastic fruit and the measuring cups, which really upset my little chef. She was not amused by her brother's antics, and kept threatening to kick him off of our show. I thought it all was a hoot and struggled to keep from laughing.

Well, skip ahead a few weeks to earlier this evening when I decided to start doing some holiday baking on my own...I confess that I really missed my little chef. I was such a klutz working on my own tonight. I dropped baking soda on the kitchen floor and had to sweep my kitchen midway through my adventure. And then I accidentally hit the power button on the mixer instead of the eject button for the beaters, which created a nice spray of chocolatety goo all over my counter top and yours truly.

Hmmmm...maybe I should leave my “cooking” adventures for my time with Grace only? I had better luck working with a 4-year-old than on my own. HA!

I do like working in the kitchen. I just don't do it much. Cooking for one isn't all that fun really, but I do like preparing food for other people. OK, I'm so not Rachel Ray or Paula Deen here, but I can manage salads, appetizers and side dishes well on my own, and desserts are definitely my strong point in the kitchen. Yes, I do still panic just a wee bit on main dishes. I mean, you just don't want to screw up the main course. I guess I just need to experiment some more and build up my confidence. Maybe my little chef can come join me and give me some pointers. Hee hee!

Precious Time With My Dad

I had a fabulous 5 days with my Dad. It was all great – our stimulating conversations; doing crossword puzzles together on the drive; the wit and sarcasm flying around; exploring Asheville with him, my niece Janet and her fiance Chris; watching him interact with his younger sister my Aunt Laura; introducing him to Cades Cove; etc. To quote my 4-year-old-niece Grace, “It was amazing!”

Maryville: My Aunt Laura and her husband Leon were fabulous hosts as always. She and I got out walking in a local park during our visit. We also enjoyed visiting their church and hearing them sing in the choir. It was great to just catch up with them as well as listen to my Dad and Aunt recount stories from days gone by. I sure enjoy a good story, and I got to hear several I hadn’t heard before.

Asheville: My Dad and I met Janet and Chris in Asheville. We took a stroll in the historic district and had lunch at the Corner Kitchen. The food was good, and the restaurant was rather charming. We visited a few shops and then headed to the Botanical Gardens of Asheville. The gardens were not very picturesque on our visit, but I still managed to take some photos of the newly engaged couple. Cute couple!

The Smoky Mountains: They were even more beautiful than I had remembered. Our drive into Cades Cove was quite eventful. I don’t recall there being so many potholes on the loop in the past, but it definitely kept things interesting this go-round. We toured some of the cabins and churches in the cove as usual, and again, I was just struck with the magnificent views that those settlers had. They sure picked an optimal spot to set down roots and build their community. It didn’t last long, but it sure must have been nice while it lasted. Before we left the national park, we stopped at a roadside park along the river, and I got to run across some rocks again. I do love my rocks, and I sure do enjoy the Smokies. I'm so glad that I got to spend those few days with my Dad. I thoroughly enjoyed our time together. I love you, Dad!

Hours in the car: fourteen
Miles on the rental: A LOT
Number of time we were almost lost: once
Priceless memories: TOO MANY TO COUNT!

Going On A Roadtrip...

This weekend, my Dad and I are taking a father-daughter long weekend excursion to visit his sister, my Aunt Laura, in Tennessee. Neither of us have seen my aunt in about 3 years, and so we are overdue for a visit. She lives near the Smoky Mountains. In fact, if you walk to the top of her street on a clear day, you can see some of the majestic peaks in the distance. It’s lovely.

There is just something magical about the Smoky Mountains that beckons me to visit again and again. Now I like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for a couple of hours, but those places are so busy and fast-paced. I realize I’m going to get tons of hate mail after this comment, but it has to be said: there are limits to how much shopping a girl can do! [GASP!] I know that was harsh, but I needed to say it.

I know everyone thinks I’m a city girl, but remember I grew up in a rural area, and I’m a small town girl at heart. So when I visit the Smokies, I prefer the outdoor scenery in the park itself. Truthfully, I love driving through the mountain pass -- marveling at the sharp turns and steep dropoffs and trying desperately not to dwell on the stories my aunt is recounting...you know, stories about how a rock slide wiped this part of the road out last year, etc. WHAT? No, Mel. Don't think about that. Just focus on the yellow lines. Hee hee! I love stopping for a picnic at one of the many roadside parks along the way, seeing the waterfalls, climbing on the rocks along the river, exploring the trails and breathing in that fresh mountain air. There is so much to see and do.

Anyway, I can hardly contain my excitement already, and it’s only Tuesday. My Dad will be driving to my place from my hometown in Michigan on Thursday, and then on Friday, we’ll be on our way...

Saturday: My Dad and I will drive to Asheville, NC, to meet up with my niece Janet (my Dad’s oldest grandchild). She recently got engaged, and my Dad and I want to meet this “fella.” Asheville is about the halfway point between my Aunt’s home and Janet’s apartment, and so it is just coincidence that we just happen to be meeting in another one of my favorite spots. Yes, it’s like I’m coming home in a way, although we probably won’t be visiting the Biltmore Estate. [BIG SIGH!] Actually, it's probably for the best (and even I can't believe I'm saying that), but tickets are a bit pricey for 2 college students, and I can’t justify spending over $200 on tickets for all of us. YIKES! But our purpose for this secondary roadtrip is to meet up with Janet and Chris, catch some lunch, grill Chris a bit, and maybe visit the FREE Botanical Gardens of Asheville and take some engagement photos. OH and I confess, I’m already scheming how to fit in a visit to the Biltmore gate house gift shop – just because I can. Hee hee!

Sunday: We will be going to church with my Aunt, and I’m quite sure that some of us will probably get out and go for a drive, and if the weather is nice, I'll want to be out walking.

Monday: My Aunt and her husband Leon are taking us into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A few years ago, my Aunt Laura introduced me to Cades Cove, and it was love at first sight for the cove and me. We bonded quickly over some incredible scenery and interesting run-ins with the local wildlife, and I enjoy each and every visit. It's history, outdoor beauty and old buildings all in one place. I love it!

Tuesday: My Dad and I will drive back to Indy.

I guess you can tell that I’m really looking forward to this time with my Dad. I have 4 siblings, and so it will be nice to have some father-daughter bonding time on my own. I'm excited to catch up with my Aunt as well, give Janet a big squeeze and meet Chris all in the same weekend. I can’t wait. Have camera, will travel...

Where Has the Time Gone?

I got a phone call last week from my oldest niece Janet. She is in North Carolina at the Nascar Technical Institute, and she was calling with some BIG news: she had gotten engaged. WOA! Once I picked myself up off the floor and caught my breath again, I relayed my congratulations and excitement back to my nineteen-year-old niece. I am delighted for her, and I can't wait to meet Chris and get to know this newest (or soon-to-be) member of our family, and I certainly will be praying for the duo as they make plans for the future. I confess that I was more than a wee bit shocked, but life is full of surprises.

A year ago, I rode along with her family as we took Janet down to her new apartment in NC and got her settled in. Months before that, the family watched her graduate from high school and enjoyed her fun open house. A couple of years prior to that, we celebrated her sweet 16th birthday with a girls' only weekend. Before that, it seems like just yesterday that I lived with her family for a few months before I headed off to college myself. I was there as Janet's nanny while she underwent a medical procedure as a toddler. And further back still, I remember seeing her for the first time and snuggling with the cute little bundle and wondering what it be like to have her call me "Aunt Mel." [SIGH!]

And now, she went and got herself engaged. WOW! I'm old. Granted, I did become an aunt at just under 16 years of age, and so this was bound to happen sooner or later, but goodness, time has just flown by. And if I'm feeling old, I wonder how old my brothers feel? My brothers are 10, 12 and 14 years older than I am, and I'm sure they are thrilled that I am reminding them of that fact. Hee hee!

LORD, thank you for the blessing of having Janet Renee in my life. She is a darling young woman, and I am so proud of her. I pray that YOU would bless and keep her, that YOU would direct her and Chris as they plan their life together and draw them ever closer to YOU. AMEN!

P.S. LORD, please help the crazy aunt who is feeling a bit elderly at the moment. :)