Weekend water fun

Saturday, my mom took the kids to a water festival while I worked. 

She said it was kinda lame because there wasn't much the boys could do. 

So she did what any awesome Grammie would do! 

She made her own 'redneck' water park of course. 

The kids came home excited telling me all about it. They sat in buckets, played with hoses and scared each other with little lizards. 

All the fun I remember having at my moms with my little brothers. 

Funny how life comes full circle. 

Memories my kids will hold forever. 

Family matters!!! 

Thanks Mom! 

Let Freedom Ring!!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

We hope you enjoy your day and stay safe!

Here at Melanies Mania will be calm and quiet - because my little maniacs don't care for the fireworks. Now don't get me wrong, I did buy a few small packs to light off, because every year I hope and pray that this will be the year that my kids enjoy them... But not likely.

So be safe and enjoy your day!!

Oh and go check out the IDSC on facebook! They are featuring my sweet boy today! As seen above!

Blessings and love!

Take me to the RIVER...

This past Tuesday the kids and I packed up to head to a cabin in the woods.

My mom rents this cabin every year and made it seem like it was going to be one of those cabins you see in scary movies. Its secluded she says, there is nothing nearby to shop at she says. Insert panic mode.

We decided, ok *I* decided this would be a great idea. To pack three kids, by myself, drive 2 hours north, and sit in a cabin and swim in a river - with fish - anyone who knows me, KNOWS I do NOT do fish... UGH!!

I am doing this for the kids - I am doing this for the kids - I am doing this for the kids!!!

So, after finding a sitter for our lovely pup, Jude - we headed out.

With my navigator AKA Skylar at my side we headed north.
We arrived 2 hours later to thee most beautiful cabin in the woods - after we passed a Walmart, Winn Dixie and a Dollar General... ( Nothing nearby? Psh)
We pulled up and it was breathtaking... trees dripping with Moss, A hammock next to the brick firepit by the beautifully clear river. Kayaks lined the shore by the dock. The inside decorate with tons and tons of ducks - the name of the cabin was Wood Duck Crossing. Yes, they name their cabins.

It was a beautiful full stocked 2 story home. 4 bedroom, 2 bath and an outside shower. Complete with board games - we played Monopoly, Skylar whipped us... and DVDs - we watched Little Miss Sunshine... and a nice kitchen... Momma made us Spaghetti for dinner, supplied us with tons of lunch meat and then made us Pancakes the next morning for breakfast. There was fresh fruit cut on the counter for walk-by snacking and drinks in the fridge. Yeah, we are kinda spoiled.  My 3 brothers even came down, it is rare to have us all together.

It was perfect! I learned to Kayak. Dakota swam all day, Eli loved throwing Pine Cones off the dock and Skylar took about 24 hours to warm up to the idea of being outdoors without her electronics, but she finally made it out and kayaked with Gramps. We only stayed one night. But it was great. It filled my heart meter back up and I SOOOO needed that. I have been feeling defeated lately.

We are now home and refreshed for what ever comes next...

Here are some photos from our trip...

View from the Porch

Skylar on the hammock

Dakota and Grandpa kayaking

Eli and Grammie on the big float

View from the deck

Happy Mothers Day to my MOM!

Have you met my mom?

She is pretty incredible. She is my rock in a hard, difficult, sometimes overwhelming world.
My mom was a single mother for a long time.
Did I mention all the times she struggled just to feed me when I was little? But she never gave up. She went without so I could thrive.
She taught me so many lessons in life. Things to do and things not to do.
Did I mention she was a teenager when she had me? No not like 16 and pregnant or anything, but too young to understand what being a mom was.
 Did I mention her mom passed away when she was little? She didnt have a mom to show her how to be the woman she is. She just is. And that is incredible!
Did I mention she asked me what I thought when she became pregnant when I was 13? She genuinely wanted to know what I thought about being an older sister. Clearly, I was SUPER excited! I was so excited, she had two more after that! ;)
Did I mention she raised me to go against the grain? I feel like I have said this a lot lately. Because it is who I am. I am a rule-breaker. But not for the bad. I like to be the "exception" to the rule. Often.
Did I mention she fought for me and my rights? Like all the time. Even the smallest issue at school, she was there, on my behalf, on my side. No questions asked. And she still is. Forever. And a day.
Did I mention the time I moved to California? She didnt believe I would actually do it, until she saw my ticket. I think I heard her heart break. But she supported me. Even when I came running back home with a newborn a year later. She supported me.
Did I mention my "messy divorce" years? She supported me for the most part then too. When I was a mess and my life was a mess and I didnt know which way was up, she threw me a life-vest and said hold on tight. And I did. And she was there. Telling me I was going to survive. I was going to come to the top eventually and she would be there. And she was.
Did I mention the time I gave birth to the most perfect boy and he just happened to have Down syndrome? She was there, in the room watching stoic and secure. Never wavering. At least not in front of me. She was my calm in a crazy day. And she knew. She knew I was going to rock at being a special needs mom. Because she raised me that way. She just held my hand and said - we are in this together. And we are.
Did I mention that time I got married? No not that time, but the second time. She set it up so I could have the wedding at my step-dad's restaurant. A place that meant so much to me. She made my brothers, who were my bridesmen, dress nicely and had my step dad walk me down the "aisle". She made me the most beautiful wedding cake because we couldnt afford one. She made my day special.
Did I mention that time I got pregnant? Again. She held the most beautiful baby shower. Again. She always has a way of making me feel so special. She is special.
Did I mention that my mom made a huge life change for herself? She is now sober. SOBER! I never thought I would see the day! She thought she did it for her. But I know she did it for me, and my brothers and my children. She just doesnt know it. I am so proud of her. In fact I couldnt be more proud.
Did I mention she did so awesome in this life change that my step-dad made the same change? Yeah thats right... both SOBER!
Oh - and did I mention that my mom is my BESTEST friend, like, EVER. Like ever ever...
And I cant imagine my life without her. And she did an awesome job at being a mom even if she had no one to show her the ropes.
See, I have her. To show me how to be awesome. But she had, like, no one...
And she is amazing. And continues to be amazing. And now she is a grandma and she is amazing at that too!! There is no stopping this woman!

If I can only be HALF the woman my mother is, then I have accomplished something.
And you know what? She isnt done being spectacular. There are many things ahead of us that she will be there for me and my kids. I will need her again in some way shape or form and she will be there. No questions asked. Again. Like she always is. Because thats her. Thats how she rolls.
Did I ever tell you, my mom is my rock? Yeah, I think I might have. But ts worthy of saying again.

Happy Mothers Day, mom.  I know it is never said enough but you are appreciated more then I could ever express in this lifetime.

And if I got to do it over and pick another mom, 
I would still choose you. Forever. And a day.

A lazy Saturday...

Today has been one of those days. A lazy Saturday.
While everyone else is outside being active - going to the beach, mowing their lawn, playing baseball, going for a jog - we are home playing.
I got no chores done, other then the menial homeschooling and meal making.
We played. All day.  Inside. and Outside.
And it was glorious.

I even got my Aspie to join in on the wrestling fun. As I blew raspberries in my sons ear, she was tickling his arm. When I ran around the couch pretending to chase my other son, she sat back and laughed, a gut chortling laugh, one that makes you throw your head back and laugh yourself. As we sat and ate lunch together, my daughter explained to me how her week has been great at school and how much she loves to play kick ball, while my boys hungrily munched on their boxed pizza and fruit snacks. My son showed me how he could fit a million toys into his knapsack, and my other son showed me how his truck made honking sounds. We all discovered together just how many times we could throw a ball into a bucket, and we cheered each other on when one of us made it in. We made popcorn and made a mess eating it. We ran outside to check on the growth of our newly sprouted seedlings and we brought them into the sun....

This is "that time".
You know that time that you want to go back to when your child has drawn on the wall. Or that time when you are so depressed you feel like you cant go on. Or that time you are so angry, you feel like your head could spin round.  This is that time that you go back to. And you smile.

Because you know...

You have done something RIGHT as a parent.

You created a memory. One that will hopefully last until your children are parents. And they sit back and tell their children about a time when Mom took an entire day and played with them. On their level. And there was laughter. And there was happiness.

Isn't that what life is all about? Those small seemingly meaningless moments that actually mean so very much?

Well I know it didn't mean much to them now. It was just mom playing and having a stuffed animal pillow fight or listening to their day or just trying to keep them busy. But it meant the world to me. As I sit here blogging, staring at the aftermath of my torn apart living room, I smile.

A warmth fills me up and a small giggle escapes my lip. (Because for one, I know my husband would have a heart attack if he saw this room). But you know what I see? I see one boy sitting on the couch with his "night night" blankie relaxing after a hard days play, I see another boy sitting quietly on the couch with his toy animal watching television, and I see a daughter snacking on a granola bar, satisfied with her life.

Thats it folks. That is my idea of what my heaven will be. Because it really cant be better then this can it?

This is me and this is my life and this is where I am. And you know what? I am still smiling.

Happy Saturday folks!

Happy Birthday Eli!!

My sweet baby turned two on the 9th! Where does the time go?? Seems like just yesterday I was in agony from pregnancy! Wow!  We had such an eventful day!

I made pancakes for breakfast as per his request. He ate so many I thought he would explode!

Then after his nap we headed out to a local park to celebrate with a few friends.

After that we went to dinner at Long John Silvers ( I know, not very healthy...)

And then my parents came and picked up the boys and took them to the local fair!

Phew what a busy day!!

Here are some photos to share in our day!!

Valentines Day Shirts

I have been feeling crafty this week. And a woman from one of my facebook groups decided to post a photo of a cute couple of V~Day shirts.

"I could do that", I shouted with glee. Ok well maybe not glee and maybe I didnt even shout, Oh heck I never even said it out loud. But in my head it was with glee and shouted, alright?!?! Dont judge me!

WHATEVER!

Anyways, i decided to go ahead and try with the boys shirts, okay they came out kinda crappy. But hey, they are going on my kids and my kids dont care. So then I finished those and thought I would step up my game for my daughters. I found a picture online and outlined it. An TA~DA her shirt was designed.

They love them by the way!
My husband on the other hand, sighed. And then went on about something along the lines of our kids being teenagers with christmas tree shirts or something, I dont know I stopped listening. Let my babies be babies. They will never grow, NEVER I tell you!

So here is the pics I took, of cell phone quality, at night, in my poorly lit bedroom.

Merry Christmas from Melanie's Mania

We wish you a merry Christmas!

Here is a quick view of how we spent our day!
We hope you enjoyed your friends and family as much as we have!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!


Christmas Eve night....

And the children were nestled all snug in their beds...

My family at my moms...

My Family at my moms for Christmas Day

Our awesome moustache gifts!!

We moustache you a question!