One Million Dollars

I took a little survey and asked my closest friends and some family members what they would do if they were given a large sum of money. Almost all of them had paying off their debts, giving to charity, a new home or car, some said new clothes, a vacation and so on. Of course I expected everyone to say they wanted to full-fill their dreams. And for most, their dreams were simple and easier to achieve than they think.

My sister-in-law gave me this book titled The Secret. It took me 3 days to read it. It can be considered a self help book although I rather consider it a "life help" book. Everyone needs to read this book if they are stuck in a rut, not happy with their life or do not see any of their dreams coming true. Why? Because it tells you what you need to do in order to have whatever it is you want in life.

After reading it, I took a long hard look at all that I achieved in the last few months. Then I asked myself...."how the heck did I do that?" In some small way I already knew "The Secret" and was living it.

I started with no money, just a dream that a good friend of mine and I chatted about one day. I told her and myself that I was going to do this. Let me just tell you, people thought I was CRAZY! This was in August of 2008 that I came up with the idea of having a Scrapbooking Inn. Now, my complete dream has not yet totally come true since I do not have my Inn...yet. But it will, it is only a matter of time. When you read The Secret it will tell you to ask the universe for what you want....see yourself in that situation, feel yourself there and believe that it will happen. And, if you ask for something and it happens the next day it would be too soon.

So, I made my dream start happening with nothing but a bunch of notes, ideas, and support from family and friends. It was amazing to me that by December 7th, my store was open. Do you realize that it was only 4 months from when I decided I was going to do this? Here, I was already living the Secret to life. Now, that I have realized that I was in charge of creating the dream job I wanted, I can create anything that I truly want in life. So the question I have to ask is...what am I going to do with a million dollars? Believe it or not, I already have that answer. It is for me to know and you to find out....eventually.

How much I adore my kids....

I am not sure if it is because Valentine's Day is coming up or what, but I am sitting here admiring my daughter and I cannot help but to think how much I adore her. We are on our third round of watching the movie Jimmy Neutron, playing Legos and snacking. Her facial expressions and her actions are just so cute. Maybe it is her hair style today. She wanted two buns in her hair, for the first time ever. God she looks adorable. As I sat here with her, I just kept thinking of all the reasons I adore her so much. I have narrowed it down to 10 because there are just too many to mention.

10.} I adore the way she talks, her politeness and manners.

9,} The way she lights up and dances when she hears music or sees dancing and figure skating on TV.

8.} The way she shrugs her shoulders and smiles when she sees an animal of any kind.
7.} Because she is so concerned when someone doesn't feel well and she tries to take care of them. And, she does not like to see someone upset at all.
6.} Because she tries to help me fill and empty the dish washer, fold the laundry, vacuum and dust.

5.} I adore the way she looks at nature. Her smile when she sees a flower, she jumps up and down when she sees a sunset and yells with laughter when she sees and hears the geese in the sky.
4.}I adore the fact that she is always cleaning up litter. It doesn't matter where we are, she is already concerned about keeping the earth green.
3.} I adore the compassion she has for her brother. And all the affection and excitement she shows him.

2.} I adore the fact that she will just wrap her little arms around me and squeeze! She is very affectionate.
1.}When she says, "Mommy, I just love you soooooooo much!"

When it comes to my son, I am so proud of the child he has become. With all that he has had to deal with in his little life, he really turn out to be a good kid. Here are 10 reasons I adore him so much.

10.} His love for books, playing games with us, his love for the pool, and any moment that he can share with family.

9.} I adore his compassion for his sister and his willingness to help her with anything she needs.

8.} I adore his silliness and his effort in trying to make everyone around him laugh.

7.} Because he tries so hard to make everyone happy.
6.} Because he is already concerned about the welfare of others and the fact that not everyone is as lucky as he is.

5.}I adore his excitement when he gets to go shopping with his Grammy.

4.} His compassion for animals and children.
3.} That simple things make him happy.
2.} I adore his hugs and kisses and the fact that he is very affectionate. It is so funny when he says, "You're the best mom ever!"
1.} He never leaves or goes to bed without saying he loves me.

Now those are reasons to make someone grateful. My kids are my world, I only hope that they know that.

Thank You

Tonight I could complain of my sore throat, low-grade fever, and major fatigue....but I am not. Besides, I nipped it in the bud and went to the doc right away. Thanks to my mom who was able and willing to keep an eye on the store, I was able go. These are the times that I think, how lucky I am to have family close by and willing to help out when needed? Not many people are as lucky to be able to have such wonderful parents. So, instead of complaining I am going to be thankful....thank God for doctors, medicine, and that I am not feeling as bad as someone worse off than me.

Speaking of being thankful......
There were times in the past that I had to move back home, get a hand me down car, and start all over. Those times were very tough on me. Not because I was moving back home but because of the reason I had to move. Not because I had to drive a car that I really didn't care for, but because I had to get rid of the one I loved. Every time I felt that I was on my way to feeling complete, something happened that took me back to having to start all over. It really makes one appreciate what they do have and the ones who stood by your side the entire time.

What I am thankful for today....
I am thankful for all the times my friends gave me a ride, let me stay with them, let me cry on their shoulder, gave me money when I was broke, loved Gavin as if he were their own child, loved me even when I hated myself.

I am thankful for all the wonderful things my parents did to help me raise my son. I am thankful that they allowed me to come back home, gave me a roof over my head, a car to drive, food, money, and respected me as a mother. They not only took me under their roof, but my son and my pets. It just shows you that parents will do anything to help out their child when their child is in need.....at any age. I could never in words express how grateful I am for what they did.

Because of these wonderful people in my life, I am where I am today. I am thankful for what I have. My car is not my dream car, my house is not my dream house, and I really could use a new wordrobe.....however......at least I have a car, a home and clothes to wear....these are all material anyway. What matters most to me is the happiness and health of my children, the moments we get to share together and with our family. What makes me happy is to give to someone else, even if it is only a smile to brighten their day. I have my parents to thank for that.

I hope that my children grow up to be giving, respectful and caring of others. If I can achieve that than I have done my job. I want them to know that life is not about the things we can buy, but the things we can give to others. Life is not about us, it is about what we can do to make other people's lives better. I feel that those who only ever think of themselves are the ones who end up alone....just what I have seen through out the years. I want my children to feel as loved, appreciated, and full-filled as I do thanks to all of my friends and family. I know that because of all the wonderful people in my life, that I can achieve anything and I will never be alone. I thank God for everyone who is in my life.

Santa Claus, Tickety Tock and Mike Wasowski

My loving husband bought our daughter a talking Santa. Or, should I call it an answering Santa? When you ask this Santa certain questions it will answer you. It is very very cute....at least for the first five minutes. I am sure you are guessing right...no it doesn't have an OFF switch. Don't you just love those kind of toys? One thing about my husband is that he lives for sales and clearance items. Oh, I forgot to mention YARD SALES! He has calmed down a lot since we have gotten together. Maybe he is tired of going through all of his bins in the attic?

Well, there is a standing joke with my mom that my step-grandmother Edna makes toys go off. It is probably because she was fun and silly and loved animals and children. She never had any of her own. Yes, she has passed. In fact it was only matter of a month or two that she passed after my grandfather {see yesterday's blog}. I remember when I lived with my parents after my divorce to my sons father, going down to the basement to do laundry. The basement was where my son had his playroom. One thing I didn't mention in yesterdays story is that my grandfather also was an avid picture taker (I won't say photographer since he was not professional) and he also painted. His paintings were mostly of Edna. Down in the basement my parents had one of his paintings of Edna. Almost every time I passed this painting I said hello to her and told her I missed her. This particular day I came up the stairs and faintly heard something talking. Now, thankfully my mother was there so I knew I was not hearing things. Cautiously I walked down the stairs to hear it again. It was my sons Tickety Tock from Blue's Clues. You must know that it says a number of phrases. However, on this day all it would say is, "Hi, I am Tickity!" Laughing, I told my mom that I had said hi to Edna's painting. We both agree that she was saying Hi back.

Another time when I was vacuuming, home all alone, I hear a faint noise. So, I turn off the vacuum, to hear, "I've got my eye on you!" You can imagine the goose bumps I got at that moment. I knew my son had a Mike Wasowski talking toy from Monsters Inc....love that movie! It said the same comment again. Like the Tickety Tock, it says about 5 different phrases. This time I was determined to make this thing stop. I was thinking...ok, something is laying on top of it to make it do that. The batteries must be dying....etc. I take it out of the toy box and sit it on top of it. I start vacuuming again to hear this thing say, "I've got my eye on you." Out loud, I said, "Ok Edna, I get it....you've got your eye on me." It stopped. (No, I didn't take out the batteries and I didn't get rid of it either....the thought did cross my mind.)

Then came this morning. The talking Santa laying on the back of the couch. I am sitting there thinking....will Makenna notice if I hide it until next year? I didn't have the heart to hide Santa even though I was not looking forward to it answering again. I sit down with my coffee to check my email which is my daily morning routine once Gavin is off to school. Makenna is a late sleeper so I always have time to myself in the morning. So, Santa starts talking.....and talking....and I cannot get this thing to shut up! So, I run it into the mudroom and stuck a bunch of coats on top of it. Do you know that this thing went off all day?!?!?!?! My thought now is.......Edna must have loved yesterdays blog....a lot! I just wish she would pick less annoying toys.