Mel's Box of Chocolates

I love it when I read something over at another person's blog and it inspires me to write something.  This post is a prime example.  The other day I read ScaryMommy's post about what Motherhood Is to her and I couldn't help, but want to share what motherhood is to me too.  So here ya go. Motherhood is... filling closets with kids clothes rather than new dresses and shoes for you getting up in the middle of the night to change sheets {sometimes your own} because a sleeping child suddenly woke up sick being strong when your kiddos are nervous and anxious {even if you are puking on the inside} finally understanding what it was that your parents said "you will understand one day" craving "me" time, but then missing your kiddos like crazy when they are away from you putting on a brave face even when it feels that the world is caving in watching your children grow their wings, pushing them from the nest, and then sitting at the bottom of the tree to ...

Last night is sure to be a highlight of Zoe's summer vacation as she attended her first concert to see Miranda Cosgrove . We are big iCarly fans around here and also have a couple iCarly cd's along with Miranda Cosgrove songs on the ipod.  Zoe couldn't wait to see her in person and be able dance to her singing them.   Miranda is actually coming to the state fair next week and I was going to try to get tickets to see her show, but then I was lucky enough to win free ones from Julie .  I figured even with gas it would be cheaper than buying tickets and when I googled the Mann Center and saw it was a smaller venue, I thought we would have a better chance of actually being able to see Miranda rather than an ant we assumed was Miranda on stage. We originally had seats on the end of a row which was nice, but when the show started we moved over a bit to see the whole stage.  We had a great view!   I was looking forward to seeing Greyson Chance after watch...

I recently read an article that asked if parents should ban music that they deem inappropriate.  As a child, I was not able to listen to any secular music and even Christian rock was pretty much a no-no.  There was some Christian pop that I could get away with, but only after listening to it with my dad and talking about the message some of the lyrics were sending. With the Rock Band and Guitar Hero my son has really began to enjoy classic rock and my daughter goes gaga over Lady Gaga, has Bieber Fever, and rocks out to Taylor Swift.  She knows way more lyrics to pop songs than I do!  She will listen to a song once or twice and then the next thing you know has it memorized and will be busting it out. I, like I'm sure many parents do, worry about my children looking up to people who may not be the best role models.  While I want them to be inspired by people's talents and success, I'm not sure I want them mixed up with their mistakes and shortcomings. ...

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If you ask anybody who has seen Dave and I parenting in person they would all tell you that we are most definitely NOT helicopter parents.You may have even gotten a hint of my parenting style from the letter I wrote to the annoying beach mom . We are all about setting our children free so we can completely ignore them they can grow their own wings, and experience all life has to offer including the natural consequences they will undoubtedly encounter when they make a wrong choice. Life can be difficult, it can be unfair, people can be mean, and sometimes you are going to fall on your face. It's what you do when its difficult, unfair, mean, and you fall that is critical. I refuse to put my children in a little box and shelter them so that they cannot function in this world. My hope is to arm my children with the tools that they need to survive.  The tools to help them face the difficult times, help them turn an unfair situation into a win for them, deal with the mean people ...

I never experienced the whole college thing.  I was home-schooled from 2nd through graduation and attended a community college my junior year in high school so that I could graduate early.  I didn't go straight to full-time college either.  Matter of fact I didn't start college until a month after I was married. I was 21.  During my sophomore year I became pregnant with Dylan and then my senior year I was pregnant with Zoe. My college years were definitely not partying years.  Paying for your college experience makes a huge difference how important you take it.  College was very important.  I attended a local community college where I could get a four year degree through University of Delaware for teaching.  I attended every.single.class. on time, writing notes, staying ahead of my assignments, making the Dean's list every semester, and graduating with a 3.8 {darn math class!}.  Like I said. It was important. So I never experienced the ...

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The 4th of July came. and went.  It's funny because as a teacher I always say that with the arrival of the 4th of July comes the countdown to back to school.  Summer time just goes by way too fast. After doing a swell job the last two weeks of almost posting daily I fell flat this week.  For three days I didn't even turn on my laptop.  Imagine!  I did however still have my ever faithful Droid by my side for some mobile twittering and facebooking.  It's been a busy,  busy week jam packed with lots of fun including: parades fireworks jetski riding  {it was my first time and I loved it, of course no picture of me enjoying myself as I'm the only one who seems to take the pix} snowballs hot dogs on the grill at the beach boat rides crabbing and not pictured, pool days with friends, trolley rides to the beach, shopping, and even some yard work. We are enjoying our summer. Hope you are too!

Blog Summer Camp - Day 2 What were you like in high school? What extracurricular activities, if any, did you take part in during high school? Did you consider yourself a writer? My high school experiences are probably way different than most high school experiences considering I was the only student enrolled during the four three years I attended.   This would be because I was homeschooled from second grade through graduation.  Kind of puts a damper on the socialization for sure, but my education was most definitely the focus of my high school days.  I would hang out with friends at church, Tuesday night teen night at a local Christian Camp, and on some sport teams at the local rec center, but school was for learning. Being homeschooled taught me responsibility.  I was very organized and pretty much self-taught myself as I planned out my lessons and chapters and activities that I needed to complete.  During my junior year I attended the loc...

I never was a summer camper.  I spent my summers hanging out with friends, reading, playing tennis, swimming, and camping with my family.  I always wondered though if I missed out on something by never attending camp.  But now I don't have to wonder any longer because Calliope has designed a summer camp that I can't wait to attend. I'm going to Blog Summer Camp for the month of July.  If you want to see what I'll be doing {and sharing with all of you} then you can check out my schedule. Or check out camp and come with me! Today's schedule is all about blogging about the place where I blog. First of all, blogging is my hobby.  I do it for me. I do it for fun.  So you won't find me blogging in an office with a cushy, chair on wheels.  Nope.  Chances are if you came to visit, you would find me blogging from here... Comfy couch. Computer perched. Coffee cup {I'm usually a morning blogger especially in the summer}, cameras and ipod nearby. ...