Auntie Rame +

Jaren quickly warmed up to Auntie Rame this time.

Look how freakin CUTE they are!!

I miss my sister SOOOOOO much when she's gone. :(

And I just had to show a little sight I found the other night.

I'm rolling my eyes...

Back to Normal, Please!

Hi Everyone!

I've taken a LONG break from just about everything.
Emails, Facebook, blogs, MOMS Club, friends, outings.

It is absolutely IN NO WAY personal, so don't be thinking negative thoughts. I think that with all of us and our month of various illnesses, it just got me down. Way down. No, you won't see a frown on my face in any photos. On the outside, I (hope) I look like my normal self. Yes, I'm still religiously taking my "happy pill"- and really, things are fine. I just struggle with winter. I always have.

That said - I am very much looking forward to Ryan going back to work tomorrow, and Evan back to school. I need my structure. My schedule. My routine. And don't get me wrong - I LOVE my husband and my sons more than anything in this world! And at the same time, I recognize that I'm not 18 anymore, and 24/7 with ANYONE is just too much! :)

So, quick recap - Christmas was wonderful. Ry's family, my family, all of it. Ramey is home, so I am spending as much time with her as I possibly can. It's been a wonderful few weeks - AND.... I'm ready for Monday!

Love to all,
Melly

Merry Christmas to You!

I didn't get around to sending Christmas cards this year. My only excuse for that is all of those stupid germs that have invaded our 4 bodies over the past month. So, to our friends, neighbors, relatives near & far - Merry Christmas!

We wish you and your families a healthy and safe holiday season!

-Ry, Mel, Evan & Jaren

Finally Feeling Alive!

*NOTE* Just one day after posting this, Ryan and I both got a 24-hr stomach flu. CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!!!

This afternoon was the first, in a LONG time, that I've actually felt "normal". Amen to that!! No puking children, no fevers, no sore throats, no gross tonsils and no exhaustion. Yes, Jaren and I are both still on our antibiotics (and mine make me queasy and dizzy at times), but we seem to be HEALING. Oh, I am so happy!! Thank you Lysol spray - for coating everything non-porous in my home. Thank you Bleach for Colors, for adding extra peace of mind in my laundry room. And thank you little white blood cells - for doing your best to gang up on those stupid pesky germs that have invaded our bodies this past month!

Mono y Gogo

What an interesting month it has been in our household! Everyone has been sick; we've had bronchitis, double ear-infection and Mono! Doesn't that sound fun??

While I will not be posting a picture of my tonsils (yes, please thank me. They're disgusting), I will gladly post a picture of Jaren in my ultra-cozy socks. They look like little gogo boots! Hence the title - Mono y Gogo....

My Leaf Helper

The tree in our front lawn decided to lose ALL of its leaves in one night. That made it easy for me to take advantage of the dry morning and rake. With absolutely NO prompting, Jaren took it upon himself to do the old classic - he plopped himself right onto the pile of leaves!

I think he's pretending to go to sleep in the leaves

Future Slumber Party

I love how these two are becoming such great playmates.

It reminds me of Maria & me. :)