Heading back home.....and leaving "home"..

The other night, Jack and Q made ice cream! Grandmama (Race's mom) got them a non electric, ball-shaped, ice cream maker that you roll around on the floor. You place the ingredients inside one end of the ball, and the ice and rock salt into the other end of the ball, then roll away! Even Walker got in on the action. They had the best time with that thing! The kids were so proud of for being able to make ice cream all by themselves. Pretty cool little contraption, that I believe she picked up at Lands End.

We have been here since Christmas day, and each day, Em, The Dude and thier boys have been over here hanging out and visiting, too. Em's boys are unbelievably good! I am always so struck with admiration when I see the parents of little ones who remain patient, see the humor in situations, and generally just realize that this is all part of the training! What a nice thing to watch. I am not so sure that I "got" that, when my kids were all little. They are doing a great job there, and it really shows in those little boys. They are just a joy to be around.


Grandmama and Frank pulled out at o'dark thirty this morning, heading south. We had a wonderful visit with them. Dad fixed steaks, baked sweet potatoes, and mixed vegetables for all 13 of us last night( Thom had to leave earlier in the day). We all had such a good time talking, exchanging stories and laughing. Grandmama and Frank had to turn in early, but some of us held on till the wee hours. Great fun.

Today, we head back home. When we get there, it will be quiet, and full of "to-do" lists. The kids will busy themselves with the Christmas toys that we left home on Christmas morning, as well as playing with the pets who will be so happy to see them after being gone. Race and I will take down the tree, (which is, no doubt a fire hazard at this point) we'll do some cleaning and just settel back in. I have a lot of school work to attend to in the next few days, and I KNOW that Race wants to get out in the woods to hunt some.

I am making Mom and Dad promise to come down to visit us in the next week or so, so that we can treat THEM for awhile. And we are also hoping to drive south a ways and meet up with Gregg and Lynette for supper or something in the next few weeks...(guess I need to let them know about that, huh?)

Anyway, our holidays are winding down, and I have to say that I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family. To have been given such a perfect example to follow in raising my own kids. My mom and dad love each other...FIRST. And then, they, as the leaders, led us. They would not be divided....EVER. My parents showed us what it means to be selfless. To do just TRY to always "do the right thing". Even when you don't FEEL like it, and even when it is totally unfair. To accept people for who they are, and to only judge people by their actions. And always offer second chances to those who royally screw up and would like to try again. But also to know where to draw the line when misguided souls would foolishly take advantage. They taught us to stand up for one another, and to stick together as a family.
These things.......seeing them lived out in an everyday fashion, with all their ups and downs.......are the greatest gifts that my parents gave to me. I am convinced that these are the greatest things that any parent can do for their children. I sincerely hope that I am giving my own kids that wonderful inheritance so that they can move it on down the line.

Have a great day!
Melissa

Still Holiday'in..

We are still at my mom and dads, and I am starting to feel the pull of the list of things to be done at home, nagging at me.

Yesterday Race and Thomasina went hunting, but so far no one has killed anything. Race saw several large does, but they would have required hauling back across the creek. That creek is pretty deep right now! So, he held off. Tonight Austin is going out with them. They will all be back at it because all the freezers are pretty bare!
We exchanged gifts with Race's mom and Frank, which is always fun. The kids got a cool ice cream maker, that they are planning on trying out tonight.
Today we took the kids up to the skating center, so that Grandmama could watch them skate. Having grandparents who own their own skating rink tends to make children learn to roller skate REALLY well. And they do. I, however, am slightly less coordinated. I donned my roller blades and only fell once. The falling looked bad, but the getting up looked a bit worse!

We all took a trip up to IKEA and looked, and looked and looked.. , all wide eyed at all of the cool, clean, efficient furniture and gadgets. We took home a catalogue and a lot of new ideas for the house. The plan is to brainstorm through the catalogue, and make another trip up in a month or so. You cannot beat the prices for the quality! (Ahem, the cinnamon buns in the cafe' are also tough to beat!) It was alot of fun........until we headed out a little later than planned, and saw the traffic...........and then got rear-ended by a little Nissan. We barely felt the bump in the suburban, but the girls car was all torn up. No one was hurt though, and after about 15 min. we were on the road again.

I love being up here with my family, but I really need to be getting back to my own house, to get school back up and running on time, and just so that we can relax a bit more before Race has to leave again. That time is getting here entirely too fast, and there is a lot that we would like to be able to do before he leaves. ACK!

Have a good day!
Melissa

Ooooo....A belated Merry Christmas! If you want to know all about ours, before I have a chance to sit down and really write about it, go to Em's blog, (on the sidebar at Me and the Guys). She told about it beautifully.

We have had an amazing holiday, and it has left us feeling wonderfully blessed. We are still at mom and dads, and we picked up Race's mom from the airport last night. SO it is really a wonderful time. We are enjoying each others company, catching up from lost time.......................and......eating, of course. Mom and dads house is the absolute ULTIMATE in southern hospitality!

Can't wait to catch up on all the blogs from the holidays, and I will have to sit down with a cuppa joe to read Dy's. I can hardly wait! I know that the happy light beams can be seen from miles away, shooting out from THAT house!!! So many prayers answered.

Have a wonderful day!

O.k., I THINK we're done. Really.....I think we're done Christmas shopping. I feel like I have to keep running back out, because I forgot someone. But now I am getting really excited about the gifts that I got for different people, and can't wait to see how they react when they get them.

I'm happy to say that we were able to secure a ticket for Race's mom to fly up! We will be going to pick her up from the airport on the 26th, and taking her out for a bite to eat, before heading back to Mom and Dads to visit with everyone.

I have enjoyed SO MUCH having Race home for the holidays. I am not sure if EVER, in our 15 years of marriage, he has been home and participated in all the "holiday stuff". From the tree, to the lights, to the shopping, to the wrapping, to the baking. This has really been an undescribable blessing for us all.

The kids each made their own gingerbread houses today. Normally we build an imaginative gingerbread house for the Christmas party at our house, early in the month. But because of our trip, we were unable to pull it off this year. I really missed doing the party AND the gingerbread house. We have done our own home, the North Pole, a log cabin, Redwall Abbey, and a bunch more, all out of ginger bread. My only rule is that EVERYTHING on it must be edible. This year, the kids were going to do Big Ben, because of our trip. But with no Christmas Party to show it off, we decided that idea might best be done next year.

Last night Thom came over for dinner. We had Crab Bisque, a salad, french bread and Christmas cookies for dessert. AND my new, FAVORITE cocktail.......The Cosmopolitan! I LOVED that drink! And it's so pretty.

Race brought out the lap top and showed us pictures that he has taken from all over the Mid East and Africa. The pics were amazing, and the commentary hilarious. For every picture of a woman in a burka he would say, "And that's my wife, you know, over THERE"......"And , right there- those are my two boys.." Heh, heh, funny guy. Anyway, this is the first time that we have been able to sit with him and look at these photos with him, and have him tell us something about them. It's cool to see your husband in front of the pyramids! It was a good time.

Have y'all had any problems with your blog time and date stamp screwing up? Mine is only working about half the time, and if I forget to check it, sometimes it will put my new post back in Nov!

Bridget, did you get my email?
Lynette, the pic. and card was to die for! I think that you may have a little artist on your hands there! Tell Will that the picture was beautiful, and all of my kids were quite impressed.

Have a great night!
Melissa

You can thank me later..

THOMASINA has finally posted about her singles happenings. I shamed her into it, by pointing out that her priorities in Blog World are somewhat askew. (snort!)

Go ahead, go read..........you can thank me later.

O.K., so someone has to go to the store tomorrow. We are out of saltines, and running low on butter.

Race and I have been cleaning out our unfinished basement (which we hope to have "finished" sometime before we die). It has turned out to be quite the undertaking, but we are making progress. One of the problems is all of Race's stuff. He has A LOT of STUFF. Not junk, mind you. But stuff for work. Each job, each trip, each country requires different protective gear, weaponry, techno gadgetry, etc. So we are in the process of trying to figure out the best way to organize the "Go Room". I will say again, it is quite an undertaking. And Thank-heavens that EM has an awesome Ebay business, and can sell some of this stuff for us!

I took the boys to martial arts, and Savannah and I ran around and picked up a few last minute items, and of course got coffee (she got a frap).

We are trying to convince Races mom to let us fly her up and spend a few days with us, and we are REALLY hoping that that works out. We would LOVE to see her.

Thomasina is coming over for dinner tomorrow night. We are having Crab Bisque. Maybe a crisp salad on the side? Oooo...and I have a treat! I got the stuff to make Cosmopolitans! What a pretty cocktail! Don't know about dessert yet. Any ideas? Nothing too rich, because the Bisque is chock full of cream. We are looking forward to hearing about her latest adventures at the whole Matchmaker thing, (since, OBVIOUSLY she isn't EVER going to post about it!), and also showing her our London pictures. Can't wait!

G'night!
Melissa

Well, last night at about 12:00, I was sitting in my dimly lit kitchen, looking bewilderingly at my 14 yr old son. He was sitting across the table from me eating cheese flavored rice cakes, and laughing in silent, hysterical laughter, while he tried to recount all of the funny things that happened while skiing. But why was I bewildered, you ask? Because he was doing all of this with an enormously swollen lip, and the remnants of a very bloody nose. Apparently, Mr. Alpine skiier had cleared one jump, and was about to clear the next one, but was unprepared for the ditch in front of it. One ski caught, and SLAM! Face meets ice. If he hadn't turned his head in time, all the weight would have come down square on his nose. What was so shocking, is how little it bothered him. All he could talk about, (with his disfigured face) was how much fun he had, how he had gone down the black diamond without falling, and all the funny things that were said. THIS, from the once little six year old boy who would need a stretcher to carry him off of the Pee-Wee soccer field, if he accidently stubbed his toe. THIS from the boy, who at 10 asked to be taken to the hospital and put to sleep, to have a splinter removed. And there he was......sitting in the kitchen, taller than me, with his face all swollen and smeared with dried blood......laughing hysterically at the great time that he had.
Did you hear that? That was the sound of time swooshing by me...

As my latest batch of Saltine Toffee cools in the fridge, I thought that I would share the recipe (for you Jess).

Saltine Toffee
1/2 cup of butter and 1/2 cup of sugar in a sauce pan, until it is melted. Let it bubble for a few minutes. Then pour it over about 35 saltine crackers that you have placed, in one layer, on a foil lined cookie sheet. Place in 400 degree oven, for a few minutes until it is really bubbly. Take it out and spread with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. Let them sit a second until warmed, and then spread them evenly. Place in the fridge until hardened, break and enjoy! Then hide the saltines, so that no one eats them before you can make more.

It has been kind of a lazy day around here today. I am finishing up a lot of last minute Christmas details. And I guess we will be doing a lot of wrapping tonight. We will do some baking tomorrow, and then Thomasina is coming over for dinner on Wednesday night. I bought the book The Littlest Angel to read aloud...(we have quite a collection of Christmas picture books, as I try to find a worthy book each year), so we may get to that tonight. It is pretty quiet and relaxed here this year. And it feels so good.

Well, the Saltine Toffee should be about done, so I am outta here.

G'night!
Melissa

First, and foremost. Laney: I read your comment below, about "Hot Mamma and her family goes to London", and may I just say...(sniff, sniff)...... God Bless You....You dear, dear woman. (sniff,sniff)...God Bless You. A thousand thank-you's.

I finally talked to Dy last night. (Thanks Jess) They are all plugging away like champs. She really sounded great. Like a woman on a mission. Just to give you an idea, she said that she will absolutely freak if she goes into labor early.......................because she still has 3 more rooms to insulate! Yep, she's doing fine. Also, I know that I can't be the only one who was concerned that she would buy her new baby girl's clothes at Lowes, but as it turned out some of her cyber friends were a step ahead, and have sent baby girl clothes, and other things that have just been awesome. She is genuinely touched by the kindness of these people.
Anyway, I was so relieved to speak to her, and just to find out that things were going well, and that they were carrying on like the troopers that they are. Thought I'd give a bit of an update.

We've had the best day today. Church was wonderful, and Race is really loving it. Everyone has made him feel so welcome. Tonight, he and Jack took the jeep back out to church. We don't have a Sunday night service, but the men get together and play basketball. Apparently, they leave the robes at home when it comes to playing ball. Race said it was VERY competitive. He loved it. He has a funny way of playing basketball. He believes that they give you have 4 fouls.........so, you may as well use 'em. LOL

While they were gone, Savannah and I ran out to Target to pick up a few things......o.k...o.k....I HAD to go out to get more butter, because I am completely HOOKED on that damned Saltine Toffee. It's like cocaine, I tell ya. I gotta have it. Thank-you Cribchick . Thank-you. Anyway, I made the excuse that we needed wrapping paper..............but we got butter too.

One of Austin's friends from church invited him skiing today. I tell ya, Mrs. H is ONE BRAVE LADY. She was taking 6 boys skiing.........by herself. She's the kind of lady that you wouldn't want to cross, though! They are a great family, and we couldn't be more delighted with Austin's choice of friends so far. I know that they are having a blast. I can't wait to hear about it.

Have a great night,
Melissa

Checking in...

I have to tell you, that I am having the nicest holiday, with Race at home. It has really just been so wonderful. I can't remember when I have seen him so relaxed. He seems like himself again. He's fun and hilarious and he's spending time doing the things that we all love. The kids are just bubbling over with happiness, because dad is ...............well.................being dad. Their dad. It really has been great.

When he leaves for the next trip is going to be really hard. But I won't think about that now. I'll think about that tomorrow.

We had an ice storm here and were without power for almost 24 hours. It.was.cold! But, we made the best of it. And, hey, there's nothing better to getting up to the sun rising on an ice covered forest, hurrying to get dressed, and heading out to breakfast. My kids love power outtages. They love to get out the oil lamps and the candles. I can remember feeling that way when I was little, too. Everything just seemed so different. Funny how it doesn't really seem like that when you're an adult! Anyway, I wrote out my Christmas cards by lamp light, in the kitchen, with my down coat on!

For the first time in......oh....I dunno how many years.....Race has been here to help with all of the gift buying, and tree trimming, and house decorating, and all of the other stuff that we have always enjoyed doing at the holidays. Last night, we decorated our tree. (Yes, we are later than usual, but we were overseas, people, c'mon!) It was difficult to FIND a tree, because of the ice storm, but we found a nice one. And it smells wonderful. Our ornaments are a big mixture of home made things that the kids and I have made with the kids over the years, along with special ornaments that we have picked up from special places that we have traveled to. (I got to put on the London ornament!) I made home made pizza, and then later we watched a Charlie Brown Christmas and had warm, iced cinnamon rolls. Race is loving it. We are loving it.

I am starting to get worried about Dy. Has anyone talked to her? She and I played phone tag a few times several weeks ago before we left for our trip.. I have left a few messages, but I am not even sure that I am calling the right numbers anymore. Anyone been in touch?

Have a great day!
Melissa

A few London pics

O.K., here are a few pictures (remember, you asked for it). I am not supposed to put Race's photos on here, so I will have to "fix" them a bit, before I post them. But here are some that we took.

The view near our hotel, on the Thames. 

Me and Savannah on the Jubilee Bridge. 

The obligatory Red Phone Booth picture! 

The kids at Tower Bridge. 

Me and the kids at the Tower of London. Not too far from the sight of my beheading. 

Big Ben! 

Outside the palace at Whitehall, watching the Horse Guards. 

A few London pics!

Me and the kids, scarfing down fish and chips at Race's favorite pub, The Clarence. 

Pinch Me! I'm in London!

We are having a wonderful time! I don't think that I will ever tire of seeing and hearing Big Ben while walking across the Jubilee Bridge! We have seen and done so much. We took a seemlessly smooth ride on the incredible London Eye, we watched the changing of the guards and revelled in the parades with their bagpipes and pageantry as they marched by Buckingham Palace. We toured Westminster Abbey, (practiced our latin translation skills on the tombs there), and stayed late for the Evensong. What an incredible experience to partake in a familiar Protestant service and hear the sound of choir boys singing in that enormous gothic Abbey, built for the human voice. Truly a moving experience.

We took the kids to Piccadilly. All the shops and windows are magnificent! We let them shop at Hammleys. They were amazed at the World of Narnia that was built within, and were even more excited to find out that we had gotten cinema tickets at a posh theatre to see the movie that night. AMAZING! The kids have tried all sorts of food while we have been here, but everyone's favorite has been fish and chips served up in a smokey old Pub, called The Clarence.

We have walked for long periods down by the Thames, and the city is absolutely breathtaking all lit up, with Big Ben chiming in the background.

At the Tower of London, the Yeoman Warder guide, took great delight in using ME in his demonstration of a beheading, in front of about 50 people! The kids just ate this up. What fun!

Today we saw the British museum as well as the Baden-Powell House (guy who began scouting, i.e, boy scouts). Then we took the kids down to Covent Gardens to do a bit of shopping, and to see the sights. We ate dinner outside beside the Christmas Tree in the square. The kids drank hot chocolate, while Race and I sipped mulled cider to keep warm. Austin, Savannah and Jackson got such a kick out of all the entertainment in Covent Gardens, from the mimes to the singers, to the magicians. All very exciting!

The people here, have been so accomodating, and one feels st home almost immediately. The city is so service oriented, that it is incredibly easy to get around. We have been very centrally located, so we have been able to walk almost everywhere. I would LOVE to know how far we have walked total on this trip!

Well, that's about all I have time for, but I did want to check in. We are truly having a lovely time, and the kids have just taken right to everything. We are looking forward to coming home, but we LOVE LONDON!!!!! I have to run.

Cheers!
Melissa

C'mon in for chili and cookies!

In Dy's defense, she does not have an internet connection yet. I just hope that she doesn't get used to NOT BLOGGING. I mean, what if she just started enjoying the Forever Home and all it's joys with her family so much, that she just shrugged off posting about it. (shudder) Nahhhh...couldn't happen.


It has been snowing here all day. It is a wet, heavy snow, and alot of it sank into the ground, but there's an inch or two on the ground to play in. It is great packing snow for snow balls. I was led stupidly, once again this year, like a lamb to the slaughter, straight into an ambush. Race and Jack were outside playing in the snow, and Race told me to set the trash bag on the deck, and he would take it out. I opened the kitchen door, and started to open the screen door, and they started at me, nailing me with snowballs that they had collected for the ambush. I scream in terror, (remembering last years sneak attack that left my shirt filled with icy snow). In my confusion and panic, I try to open the screen door to release the trash bag in my hand, and Jack rushes at me. I took a direct hit to the face, with another missile-like snowball whizzing past my head and landing on the kitchen counter near the coffee pot. After taking another hit to the side of the head, I was able to slam the kitchen door shut. I staggered around momentarily bewildered. I creep up to the door and see Jack and Race exchanging high-fives, while taking out the trash. Savannah had been getting herself some chili, and saw the whole thing.

With snow on the ground this morning, we headed out to breakfast. This is a rare treat, because Race is not a huge breakfast eater. I, however, grew up on a farm, and could simply live on eggs,grits,sausage, biscuits and gravy. It was fun to trek out in the snow, down to the local breakfast hole with fresh coffee waiting when we got there. While we were there, we had the "safety talk" for our trip, and talked about "What would you do if....(insert various dangerous occurrences here)". I think we're set!

This evening, Race and Jack took out a salt block and some corn to put out back in the edge of the woods. (No, he's not hunting now...while we are handgun wealthy.....we are apparently rifle poor at the moment. A situation my former sniper husband intends to remedy soon!) Anyway, I love to watch the deer and turkey outside in the mornings. (Ahem.....I also love to see them neatly packaged in my freezer....but.....another time perhaps).

We are all feasting on chili tonight, with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert. I will try to get outside in a bit and take a few pictures to post.

G'night y'all
Melissa