We are SOOOO Happy!

I give up! I wave my white (stained) flag and fully surrender to the Gods of a clean house.

Alright, calm down all you Jesus freaks. I don't really believe in other Gods... especially ones who specialize and grant wishes answer prayers about clean houses...

(Um...if there is such a thing please feel free to private message me k?)

But I do surrender. Fully. Totally. And with a defeated heart.

And a part of me doesn't.Give.A.Darn.

Its me against 7. 14 little hands to outdo anything my big 2 hands can put together.

No sleep due to the 5 month old and his obsession with his momma...

Mt. Laundry that I have chosen to dust rather than fold...

Cluttered counters and dried soaking dishes...

A cat drinking out of the toilet because someone didn't do their chores...

(and a wet toilet seat)

And if I trip over ONE MORE TOY... 

Can I get an AMEN from all you mothers out there?

Oh, I KNOW your out there...

I see your pictures on facebook...

But thats ok. Im gritting my teeth learning to accept my new normal. Biting my lip embracing the dirt and praising the Lord remembering that my kids will only be little for eternity a moment...

No, seriously...

I plead 7. And learning a BIG lesson that houses don't have to be perfectly clean at all times of the day. And going to bed with work still to be done is fine... after all, I can bet my five cents life savings it WILL be there in the morning...

And like the saying goes...

My kids are hopefully happy!

Trouble is our favorite family game.

We know what Link The Cat's lost whiskers fur looks like under the microscope.

Digger wasps can be identified and promptly killed.

Play-doh does come out of carpets.

Heat Changes things...fire is bad...BAD!

And:

And we, my dear friends....

are seriously delirious...

Have a GREAT day!!!

Xoxo,

GiGi

In With The Same...

Wow.... another year, another blog post. I still can't believe im writing 2013 on all of our papers...

We ended last year with an amazing BANG! Penelope made sure we will forever remember 2012 with a 3 day hospital stay from severe dehydration. It was serious at the time, im glad the result was a quick fix and by discharge she was 100 percent healthy. although I might always be remembered as the mom who threatened to handcuff herself to the chair if I wasn't granted the proper tests I wanted when I wanted them...

Did I get them??

Of course...

Did I say it with a sweet southern smile...

Exactly...

But regardless, I meant business.

We ushered in the New Year with family and great friends... but sometimes that line gets blurred. Especially since they live across the street. All of us, same neighborhood, same house and same life motto.

God first and family above all.

It was a GOOD night. A GOOD way to bring in this year. Another year full of fresh beginnings and promise.

I didn't make resolutions like I usually do. I usually break them by February...

Instead I want to refine what I am focused on.

Not commit any more than I already am, but absorb what I am already in.

We are planning a BIG family vacation and are thrilled to go. Don't misunderstand me... not to Europe or a world tour... but for a family of 9... anything is B-I-G... But I will write more about that at another time.

Soon...

Because blogging is what I do... for almost 5 years and I DID say I would refocus...

and my blog is something I missed...

But more about that as well.

Gotta run. Kids beckon, family calls and life goes on..

Xoxo

GiGi

A Season Of Thanks...

I can't believe its been almost 2 weeks since I have blogged last! It seems to be true... the older you get, the faster time goes.

Especially around the holidays. I know this time next month, I will be ripping down taking down the ornaments from our tree wondering where the heck Christmas went. Thats why I am taking the time to enjoy it now. After a very hectic trimming day, our beautiful tree stands tall in our living room... but more on that later. First I want to share how our wonderful Thanksgiving WEEK went. 

Yes, I said week. What usually is one day of thanks and gathering for most, turned into an awesome almost week long time to enjoy each others company and anticipate the holiday.

First, the Monday before Thanksgiving, my father in law and step-mother -in-law arrived. Not for a visit... They MOVED here!! Finally, after years of talking and planning, the deed was done! They arrived just in time for a crazy, little red holiday. Our days were spent helping them settle in and all eating dinner together as a family. 

Wednesday, my friend Michelle had to work, so I watched her kids and baked and cooked and baked some more. I was getting ready for a pre-thanksgiving party at my house. Not sure how it started but sloppy joes were on the menu and dessert was planned. Basically, we all hung out and laughed. The kids played outside till an adult realized that it was way to cold to still be outside and we laughed some more.

Twas the night before Thanksgiving...

@PureGuile and me Xoxo

 Our guests arrived around noon and the eating began. It basically didn't stop till we all went to bed. Appetizers, snacks, turkey, pies,cookies....

We ate ourselves sick.

The kids played and played and played some more...

And us adults just kept on eating and laughing. Isn't that how its supposed to be???

The men-folk carved the two turkeys. Between the 4 of them, some meat managed to actually make it on the table.

(Although I think my father-in-law was full before we sat down...)

The Men

The kid table...

Michelle, Jenn (cuncles wife) and I

After dessert, we hung out and relaxed. The kids were on their 10th wind of energy, and some of us may have gotten the giggles... 

 They know who they are!!!

A certain someone(s) Michelle got a crazy idea to saran wrap my cousins car and another someone me might have eagerly agreed...

 

The victim and Caleb

 So while he innocently rocked the baby and sang really weird versions of our Christmas classics, out...

10 OF US slipped...

Unnoticed! 

(Hey, I never said he was the smartest victim ;)

Our neighbor/other daughter/permanent fixture in the house Beth and Hannah

My firstborn and Michelle BEFORE the BIG seran wrap scandal of 2012

 Saturday night we piled all the kids in one house (we have kids old enough to babysit) and climbed in our big white bus ( to the next block) and had a not so impromptu wing night at the Cuncle's house. The big Gamecock/Clemson game was on and what better excuse to get together and have a great time?!

 Wings, Taco soup and grandmas pecan pie were consumed and victoriously the GAMECOCKS won....

AGAIN!!!!

 So, Thanksgiving 2012 goes down in the books as a success. Surrounded by people we love and are so very Thankful for. With full bellies and bursting hearts....

And now 'tis the season is officially here. Our tree is up and is beautiful.

I am trying to enjoy every cozy night...

But certain things Link The Cat make it hard...

But more on that later...

Oh yeah, I have a LOT to say about that!

 

Xoxo

GiGi

Thoughts As I decorate...

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is next week. The Official kickoff of the holiday season. Usually my FAVORITE holiday...

Until the next one comes along. Then that one easily becomes my new favorite.

This year I am hosting Thanksgiving and I can't wait. My cousin and his wife, my friend Michelle and her family will also be joining us... along with my Father in-law and his wife.

18 people gathered to celebrate being Thankful. Its going to be FABULOUS!

This week I have been spending free time getting my Thanksgiving table ready. I waited until last minute (of course) to perfect the decor. Luckily my Hobby Lobby had 80% off Fall harvest decorations.

My chandelier is halfway done. I posted a picture of the base with the garland around it. Lots more *Bling* and sparkly will be added. I just need to make another quick stop to pick up something else...

Don't worry, I'll be sure to post a picture of the finished product. I still need to iron the table cloth, find my chargers and goblets and candlesticks. I can't wait to get it on my table.

The baking has already begun. Michelle and I are each making a turkey to combine at dinner...  and of course, one of every pie will be present at desert.

The kids table will extend out into our living room and a special thanksgiving craft will be found on each kids plate.

I can't wait!

My older girls had a babysitting job today. and my littles were on the computer reading books. The house was abnormally quiet as I wrestled wrapped the garland of leaves around my light fixture. Thanksgiving thoughts started entering my head and I really was humbled by all I can give thanks for. 

No, seriously... Think about it. Of course everyone has the basics of health, happiness blah blah blah but recently my eyes have been opened to a whole world of crazy.

Crazy homes, crazy families and crazy lives. Its really getting overwhelming sometimes.  It makes me thankful that I protect my kids from the craziness this world holds and that I guard who enters their life fiercely.

It makes me thankful that within the walls of my little red house, we can provide a shelter from the storm. A safe haven for our children...

Im thankful for the friends we have, even if they are few... they are good! Im Thankful for the family we are surrounded by and those that are near in our heart.

And most of all, Im thankful for our boring and traditional life.

Get Up and Vote!

 Election day sure has changed for me over the years. I went from placing my vote in my teens and early 20's and always voting my line. I was a 3rd generation im not tellin. My vote was easy and simple.

But as I got older, earned a higher degree in Life and common sense, Its now months of following the campaign trail. Visiting local rallies, and indoctrinating informing my children on how important it is to remain on the line we run.

Every 4 years it gets a little more intense.

This year is no different. My girls are teenagers. For my Emma, this is her last year NOT voting. She will be free to vote as she chooses. She will be a fresh young victim of this world to brainwash and pollute. Im using this last election, and these next 4 years to teach her what a huge impact 1 vote can have.

And even if it didn't have an impact...

Voting shows where this country's heart lies. What our main concerns are and what we really feel is important to us.

Thats how I vote. I can't be enticed by money or fancy words. My loyalty to my God runs deep and no tax cut can ever compare to turning my back...

Or helping my country turn my back on him!

Hubby and I just after we voted.

So, like a good little girl and boy, we trekked down the old country road where our polling place is and casted our vote.

Our polling place is an old country church down a small winding road. The cemetery resides next to the parking lot, full of past members of the community. Probably most of the community.

We go there quite often, the smell of the old church brings back many other voting days gone by.

I predict one day far from now, my wrinkly old hand will pull on the door of the church and with one whiff, I will be brought back to my "younger" years when I would drag the babies down to the voting polls.

I took a picture of me "casting" my vote but hubby kindly informed me that it was illegal. Darn it!

But our small voting place ran out of stickers.

Really??

REALLY!!!!

Its the only reason I DO vote! 

Not really, but I do get giddy when I DO get to put one on.

I walked out pouting. I wasn't a happy camper...

Until I went to Bi-Lo

Hey, Im a loyal customer. I deserved something tonight..

Didn't I?

XoXo,

GiGi

#Instabusy

A Month Of Thanks

I love this time of year. Its a time that all day, every day we are meditating on all things #Thankful. #ThisNovember I am participating on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 30 day challenges.

With so much going on all over the world, this should be a piece of cake.

With praises of Thanksgiving being confessed from our minds, lips and fingers, perhaps our complaints will be quieted.

Follow me on Twitter

And on Facebook.

Join me in publicly proclaiming each day all the blessings we are surrounded by...

And most of all, pray for all those still devastated by Superhurricane Sandy.

XoXo,

GiGI

In Which We Said Yes...

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2012

First, let me say... for reasons I will keep to myself, we opted to stay home this year from our churchs festival and allow the kids to go tick or treating around our neighborhood. We don't normally let them...

Sorry to be so vague. It had nothing to do with our church themselves so please don't get the wrong idea. Im just not sharing because I can! And since this is my blog, I call the shots. ;)

Anywho... the excitement level in our home was beyond anything humanly normal. Schooling was almost impossible and punishments were threatened to no avail.

But soon enough it was time to gather our awesome friends, who also happen to live all on our block and get as much candy as possible!

Here we are right before we attacked Aunt Diana....
She chased the kids down the driveway. Rumor has it, she eats little children for dinner....

Like a pack of wolves, they ravished the neighborhood. Running over anyone that got in the way...

Along our journey, we ran into the cutest little bunny:

our neighbor Ashlyn

She was sweet and kind and happily handed out candy to all children.

 And then we came upon a magical dwarf in a white castle who gave us candy...

CUNCLE Neal

Twice!

Along the way, we saw this little poor pregnant lady about to give birth right on the sidewalk...

Michelle's son John

She was quite cranky... but then again, I remember all too well how much of a hassle it is to carry around that baby belly...

But she must have had the baby. I believe I saw her get in the car as skinny as could be... and much darker hair...

 And a schoolbag?????

Oh boy...

Down by the pool, the cutest little birdy fell into my stroller. He needed a mommy bird to hug and kiss him and rock him to sleep... So, I scooped him up and took him home with me. Hubby let me keep him cause he kinda looks like him.

What a nice guy.

As the sun began to set and the moon came out from behind the clouds, the night time began to feel eerie.

Goblins and ghouls scattered from door to door asking for candy. We heard giggles and howls...

and before I knew it THE WOLFMAN CAME OUT TO ATTACK US...

AHHHHHH :

HUBBY AND I

Naa, just my hairy hubby who has been celebrating NO SHAVE NOVEMBER since last year.

We had a great time. The kids ate too much candy and I yelled at the mess more than once. Penelope will now NOT stop eating lollipops which results in sticky everything...

Another Halloween that will now live in the past.

XoXo, 

GiGi 

Oh Sandy....

My friends front lawn...

Yesterday was spent mostly checking in on my family and friends... all who are on Long Island, close to the water and were face to face with Sandy.

I LOVE social media. When cell phone service began to get cut off, tweets and facebook statuses were the way to go.

 

Today, damages will be assessed.

Thank God, all my loved ones are safe... but I can't say the same for some of their houses. Water found their way in and crawled all over.

Of course my dear sister entertained me with stories of how her 2 dogs decided they needed to frolic outside during the peak of the storm. Or how her 1,000 lb ladradoodle thought that during the hurricane should be the time she says hello to her neighbors. I laughed and laughed imagining her screaming in the storm trying to wrestle those beasts back in the house.

She didn't find it funny...

Sorry sis.

Reason #54738 why I will never have a dog.

Hubby's step-father refused to evacuate as asked. It didn't surprise us. He never leaves the comfort of his recliner during any storm. The rest of the family headed a bit in-land and he stayed behind to try and keep up with any impact. I half expected to see him waving from the roof on tv...

OK...

 

Maybe I was secretly hoping to see him hopping around on his roof and dangling from a very dramatic helicopter rescue...

 

Just kidding....maybe...

Hey, Everyone needs their 15 minutes of fame right?

But again, besides property damage and power outages, my dear loved ones are safe and sound.

I wish I could gather them all up and tuck them into my little red house...

Where its warm and dry with something delicious bubbling on the stove.

 

Its mostly over now....

 

The worst is past and today will be the start of everyone trying to get their lives back to normal. Continue to pray for them. I know very few who still have power. Its cold and wet up there. November is just around the corner. Holidays are upon us. This needs to be cleaned up fast.

 

Closer to us, its snowing and snowing...and snowing. No flurries have fallen in our lawn yet but it has threatened. Im not sure how I feel about that. But I may or may not have taken a sneak listen to some Christmas music.

Im ready! 

Ready to glitter up my house with all things red and gold...

But first things first...

XoXo

GiGI

The P. Report...

After looking back at the blogs between Penelope's first and second birthdays, I shamefully realized I have not filled you in at all with what has been going on in our sweet P's little life.

Shortly after P's 1st birthday, she was diagnosed with severe oral aversions and sensory issues. Basically, to sum it up quick, she doesn't eat normal food. I have attached a link above that really nails the definition. We are not sure where it came from as none of my other 6 kids have/had it but she did have severe reflux as a newborn. We are thinking that might be it.

Anyway, the road with P has been a special one. Starting at 9 months old when it really clicked in for me that she had issues.

Dispite scares and tears with weight loss and numerous drs visits, avoiding feeding tubes and surgeries, all other developmental milestones have been exceeded with flying colors.

She forever entertains us with her singing and dancing and has all the neighborhood kids wrapped around her little finger.

Everyone who meets her falls in love with P!

And everyone knows our P is a special little girl!

She has been in therapy for almost a year now...

With 2 of the most amazing occupational therapists a mom could ever pray for.

2 caring women who come twice a week and really care.

But after a year of never going beyond stage 2 baby food...

We took the next step.

P was accepted to a center downtown this week where they will focus on intense therapy 2-3x a week... along with her at home visits. Im excited and aprehensive all at the same time. This new therapist is great and really knows her stuff. I gave her my own evaluation this week when we met. But she is hard core. Our P does not like hard core. She has developed anxiety with anything mouth related... and as a mom, I get my back up when my baby gets nervous. 

A nutritionist was also brought on the team. All will co-ordinate therapy lessons to continue to GET P TO EAT!! NOT just baby food but mommas homemade steak and chicken and all the other meals her siblings enjoy.

After all, does she even realize how delicious Publix fried chicken is??

 Im so thankful for these services though. Thankful that they are just as passionate as I am to get her through these issues. It might take years, but with their help and referrals to other food clinics, I know I have other options besides feeding tubes 

(which has been discussed and avoided at all costs!!)

A swallow study at the hospital will also be done in a few weeks just to make sure all is well. Her therapists are very very thorough and want to make sure we are not missing anything.

But thats the latest for all of you out there in bloggy-land. I know many of my Facebook friends have been tracking Penelope's development and have been praying for her.

I THANK YOU for that. 

Im thankful that she is overall healthy. I know many other children out there have it much much worse and my heart breaks for them.

If you can remember, shoot a quick prayer up for our P, pray that one day she WILL know the excitement of going to McDonalds.

Thanks my friends. Have a GREAT weekend.

XoXo

GiGi

A Recipe And A To-Do

Believe it or not, Im already making my list and checking it a billion times for Thanksgiving. I simply LOVE LOVE LOVE this holiday. Every year I love it for different reasons. Of course, meditating on what I am thankful for is always first on my list. But Thanksgiving is always different... as in, we just never know who will end up at our table, what guests will be driving thru town and what we will do.

This year (again) dinner is at our home. It works out great that way. People don't have to pull their hair out trying to figure out how to accommodate and feed a family of 9. I have the big table, plenty of big pots and pans and cooking for 10 + people in a snap doesn't phase me.

We cook homemade, just the way hubby likes. We buy the biggest turkey we can find ( the hunt has already started) Our biggest has been 24 lbs.... which will ensure leftovers. And thanks to my mom-in-law, the next day, after black friday shopping, an insanely huge stockpot simmers on the stove with the most delicious turkey soup!

This year the head count so far is 18. Im still waiting to hear back from some, but I expect no more than 20...

But all are always welcome.

2 turkeys will be cooked.

2 kitchens will be going at once.

Dessert will be 2 of each kind of pie.

Pumpkin, apple, Chocolate, pecan.

And an extra Chocolate pie for my hubby...

Thats just plain tradition.

Home made whipped cream

and a tub or two of Vanilla ice cream.

This year, a new recipe will be added to our table.

Pumpkin bread.

The most delicious bread in the world. I have been making it all season!

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs beaten

1/4 cup water
1/2 cup veggie oil

Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Generously butter a 9 X 5 X 3-inch loaf pan.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.  Mix well.
In a large bowl, beat eggs.
Add rest of wet ingredients.  Mix well.
Combine wet ingredients with the dry and mix, but just before completely combined.

 

 Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.

 Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Remove bread from pan and cool on a wire rack.

 

This recipe is a HIT! Try it and let me know how it turns out.

 

Im in the process of stealing getting an AWESOME Apple muffin recipe from my Aunt D. Once I get that, I will share...

 

Maybe. ;)

 

Xoxo,

GiGi