Traditions

 Merry Christmas Followers...

This time of year has me thinking about traditions.  Especially since I am starting a lot of new family traditions this year as it is Kate's first Christmas.

I think Holiday traditions are extra special because for me they bring back memories of the care free days of childhood.  Growing up, the rule was that my brothers could not go downstairs until I was awake.  Insert a family tradition of doing everything and anything to get me to wake up.  Turn on all the lights, pull all the blankets off me (and take them out of the room), jump on me endless.  Oh the laughter and excitement of my brothers Christmas morning (this only ending the Christmas Kevin and I were engaged...yes 4 years ago lol..) 

This Christmas morning is the first time in 28 years I will not be at my parents house.  As excited I am to start my own traditions with Kate, im still a little nostalgic for my childhood.  It is going to be very different to not have my dad put up the tripod and video us open every gift (even though Im sure it will be on when we get there to open presents with Kate later that morning).

Kevin and I have been talking alot about different traditions we want to start or carry over from our childhood to our children.  We took Kate for a walk around the neighborhood Monday night to look at all the Christmas lights (she loved them and pointed and giggled!)  Kevin wants to open one present on Christmas Eve, I want to make a special breakfast for us and sit and watch the Disney Christmas Parade. 

What are some of your Christmas traditions? 

  I am wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas filled with your own traditions (new and old). 

The Mile High Messiah

Well ladies and gentleman... another week and now they have named him the Mile High Messiah.  What a difference another "W" makes.

People.com had an article today about all the things you don't know about Tim Tebow.  The Today show did a whole segment on his Divine ways!  What happened to all the Tebow haters? 

Success is obviously the best revenge. 

This kid has heart.  He has a the drive to win.  He never gives up.  He succeeds.  

 And he is proving week after week, love him or hate him, he is an NFL quarterback (poor John Elway's worst nightmare right?).

Way to go Tim.  Keep making Gator Nation Proud.

Why do people hate Tim Tebow?

Tim Tebow.  Current Denver Bronco's quarterback, former Florida Gator QB (where he won 2 National Champtionships and a Heisman Trophy- insert Gator Chomp here). 

Those are the things sports columists should spend their days writing about. Instead of writing about about the Denver Broncos 5 straight wins or Tebow's 6-1 record as a starter this year,  they write about his religion, about "tebowing" and why they hate him so much. 

What is "Tebowing" you ask.  "The term designates a now-viral mockery of his habit of kneeling down and bowing his head after a touchdown to commune with his God" says Howard Portnoy in his article Is "Tebowing" an attach on Christianity? posted on 12/4/11.  

The real question is: Would it be an issue if he bowed toward Mecca as a believer of Islam?  Would Detroit Lions players Stephen Tulloch and Tony Scheffler mock him after tacking him for a loss or scoring a touchdown if he were a Muslim?  Would their be Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and aprox 10,900 results to a Youtube search of "Tebowing" if he were a Muslim?  I think we all know the answer to that question.

Think about your favorite sports star, actress or singer.  In an acceptance speech did they thank God?  Did they cross themselves as they walk up to the plate in a baseball game?  Why is it ok for them to do that but not Tim Tebow? 

In a discussion I had about this very subject at work last week, a co-worker told me that it is because people think Tebow is throwing religion in their face.  Come on now, for him its a symbol, just like a cross one wears around their neck, a yamaka etc.  Lets take it one step futher and ask, is holding hands with ur significant other throwing it in someones face that you are in a loving relationship?  Are single people going to be in an uproar over public dispalys of effection (and im not talking about dry humping here people- lol).

I understand religion is a touchy subject with some people.  But someone being religious should not be a point of such hate and mockery.  He is not preaching every press conference about how God is the reason he is an pro QB, or how one should convert to Christiantity or they are going to hell.  The only thing he does is show his love for his beliefs. 

I just think people need to stop hating on him because he is a Christian.  And we, as a socirty, need to stop making it ok to hate on people because of their religion. 

Listen, im not saying everyone has to LOVE Tim Tebow.  He has faced many critics in his past, and will face many in his future.  Lets just not attack him for being a Christian. 

~Melissa

To my daughter Kathryn Ann

To my little girl;
From the moment I found out I was pregnant with you, I have been thinking about all the things I would wish for you in your life.  Simple things like love, laughter and happiness.  To bigger things like a good college education, an amazing group of friends, finding a job you LOVE, finding your soul mate and even some day a daughter of your own.  There are millions of things I wish for you through out your life, some of which are difficult to put into words.  However there is a song, Rascall Flatts sings, called My Wish.  It nails it on the head.  So here it is...

"My Wish"

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

I love you so much Kate.  You have changed me for the better and bring joy to my life every moment of every day.

Always remember... Mommy loves you...

Love you mostest,
Mommy
xoxoxoxoxo

What Im Thankful for...

Hi Everyone... Thank you for taking the time out of your busy days to read my blog.  I have been thinking about writing a blog of some sort for a while now, and decided to take the plunge on a great idea from my college friends Emily and Natalie.  ( and because of them you will be seeing a post in a few months called 30 before 30 get excited!)  The next step was to decide what to write about... so here we go... the adventures of a new mommy... things about Kate, things about me, general thoughts or craziness... Hop on its gonna be a crazy, fun ride!

As many of you are aware, I gave birth to my beautiful daughter February 25, 2011 at 4:41pm.  Since then my life has been filled with such joy, tears (oh the hormones after pregnancy are crazy), lots of dirty diapers, and laughter.  Kate is now 8+ months and has been developing such a little personality.  She is sooo smart and knows what she wants (and sure tells you!).   She has a little temper (wonder who she gets that from) and the cutest giggle.  So far this is my favorite age.  She is so fun and its exciting to watch her become her own little person. 

Ok, so enough about Kate... With Thanksgiving a few weeks away I decided to write down what I am most thankful for in life... So here it is...

The first thing I am thankful for is my beautiful daughter Kate.  Having her has showed me a love that I never knew existed.  Honestly, I could cry thinking about how much I love that little girl (ok maybe its also the hormones).  It truly is amazing.  God has truly blessed me with a beautiful and wonderful gift and I thank him every day! My life is exponentially better now that Kate is in it. 

Second (and only second because I cant have two #1's) is my wonderful husband Kevin.  He is truly my soul mate.  Another wonderful thing God has brought into my life and blessed me with.  We are about to approach our second wedding anniversary on Monday, and I truly can not believe how fast time has gone.  I feel like I have been married to Kevin forever.  I love him more and more each day.  He makes me a better person.

Next up... My wonderful family.  My mom, dad and brothers, what can you say about them.  We are a crazy, LOUD group.  We have so much fun together.  I love our Sunday dinners, yelling at my dad to turn down the tv, inside jokes, facebook hacks etc.  I cant imagine my life without them and am so grateful that we are such a close, tight knit family. 

Now onto my extended family. My mother in law, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Bubbies, Babcia, Babbabooie.  Without these people my life would have a huge hole.  The memories, laughs and cries we have all had together are irreplaceable.  I could write pages on why I am thankful for each and every one of you, but I don't want to scare people off on my first blog post.

Mickey Mouse... I know this may seem odd, but Disney and Mickey are such an important part of my life (and now Kate's).  Disney is a place I can go and forget every worry, stress or problem I am having.  Its a place I can relive my childhood.  I have had so many great memories there (fast past dance, hoopty doo review are just two).  I am so happy to be able to bring my daughter there to grow up a Disney kid like I did.  To watch the excitement in her face when she sees Mickey and Minnie.  It truly is the happiest place on earth!

Some say friends are the family you get to pick.   I am lucky to have some great friends.  I am thankful for them for so many reasons.  College drinking nights, vacations, tv shows, movies (cold mountain lol), dancing school, shopping trips, real housewife chatter, celebrity gossip texts, Disney trips, more laughs than i can remember make each and every one of these girls special to me. 

Lastly, I am so thankful for living in a place where we are FREE, thanks to the fine men and women of our Military.  I am thankful that these people keep me and my family safe each and every night, that they take time away from their families to fight for our freedoms. 

There are a million other things I am thankful for, and maybe ill blog again with a new list in the coming weeks. 

Anyways until next time.

Melissa
xoxoxoxoxox