The Real World is NOT What They Said

When I was in college, my professors kept telling me what the real world would be like. Competitive, hard work, always fighting for my place in the world.

I graduated with my degree in Communications (which is college-speak for "Congrats! You have no marketable skills without a higher degree.") and went out into the world. It was not what they said. At all. Here's how.

1. I was told the market would be competitive. I went to a local newspaper and to freelance for them. I was hired as a full-time reporter weeks later without even trying. No competition.

2. I thought I would *love* what I did. I thought I would write news stories that would change the world. After a few months of what seemed like nothing but county council meetings and chasing ambulances, I was beginning to hate the world of hard news. I did love the lifestyle pieces, but they were not as often as I wanted.

3. My professors sang my writing praises all the time. I thought surely my editors would do the same. Not so. I was publicly chastised for using quotes the publisher didn't like. Yay, reporting!

4. When I became a photographer, I thought work would fall into my lap and was shocked when it did not. I got business, but not much.

5. I was sorely disappointed to not be hired as a wedding photographer because Uncle Bob had a nice camera and offered to do photos for free. Nobody, in all my training, ever said I would be passed over for a loud, balding uncle/friend/cousin with a camera.

6. Now that I've been a stay-at-home-mom for many years, I never thought I would have a hard time getting hired for a job again. I've seen all the reports about moms returning to the workplace, but I never thought it would happen to *me*. I thought I would be hired immediately.

7. In my attempts to become an author, again, I was never told I would have to be my own marketer. I know how to write, not market myself. Honestly, I can market others easily enough, but trying to toot my own horn isn't that easy.

So there are a few things about the real world that took me by surprise. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was nonetheless.

Goals: Can't Make 'Em if You Don't Try

I have goals in life. I mean, don't we all? But I have lofty goals. I have many goals I haven't reached and I've been 29 for a few years now! I'm not getting any younger! (Or older, if I have my way.)

So I thought I would share some of my goals with you. Accountability and all, right? And I realized I can't achieve my goals if I don't try. I will fail if I don't even make the effort.

Here are my life goals. All of them. Some I have achieved, and they are crossed off. But way too many are sitting idle without my doing much about it. Ready? Here we go.

Family:

1. Become a mother
2. Adopt a child
3. Foster children who are aging out of the system
4. Be the "cool house" where kids feel comfortable hanging out and talking to me
5. Raise children to not be homicidal maniacs and/or criminals
6. Raise children to love the Lord
7. See children married off so they're their spouses' problem

Career:

1. Write a book
2. Write more than one book
3. Attend a literary conference
4. Have a sit down with a publisher even if they don't pick me up
5. Be sure a publisher picks me up
6. Hold/own a hard copy of each of my published books
7. DJ my own radio show
8. Become a public speaker and encourager 
9. Get paid to write and/or talk

Faith:

1. Realize I don't have it all together
2. Realize nobody has it all together
3. Pray more, gossip less
4. Show my faith to everyone around me
5. Give my friends a hand up when needed
6. Serve my community and church more
7. Help my husband be the leader of our home
8. Help my children grow in their faith and love

So these are my goals. Some are a little more lofty than others. Some are fairly simplistic.  Many I can't accomplish at this point yet (no arranged marriages for the kiddos, thank you). But many I can. I can attend a writer's conference. I can work on becoming a DJ or public speaker. And of course I can always pray more.

Help me stay accountable, okay? Thanks!

Top 10: Things You Didn't Know About Me

Self-confession time! Here are ten things you probably didn't know about me!

1. I have a sweet tea addiction, but I didn't try it until I was 21 years old. 
2. I have a mad crush on Food Network's Guy Fieri. Marshall knows and seems okay with it.
3. When I was a kid, I wanted to play the cello, but the music store was out of them. The trombone was the only wind instrument I could get a sound out of so that was what I got. I have been playing since I was 10.
4. I shave my toes. I hate shaving my legs, but every few weeks I shave the hairs off my toes because they gross me out.
5. I insist on grocery shopping alone. It's like a mini-vacation away from the kids.
6. I take timeliness very seriously. If we're going to be 5 minutes late, we might as well not go.
7. I once won a hula hooping contest.
8. If someone had told me when I was 13 I was going to marry Marshall I would have laughed in their face. I'm so glad I was wrong.
9. I'm not above bribing my children to get what I want out of them.
10. As much as I love visiting family who live at the beach, I would be thrilled to never go to Myrtle Beach again. I wish all the family there would move up here to the mountains!

So, 10 things about me you might not have known... Did anything surprise you?

What I Learned at Disney

We had a great time at Disney World, but then, who doesn't? Right? It was awesome and magical and all that stuff you think of. Blah, we've all heard it before.

But here are a few things I learned in Disney World that one might not expect.

• Timeshares are truly awesome. Hotels are not. We are so lucky that we were incredibly stupid years ago and bought a time share. That meant that instead of a hotel room, we had a 1200 square foot condo to stay in. We had a full kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and 3 televisions. (At home, we only have one bathroom and one television - this was so cool!) We *heart* timeshares!
• The lines at Disney aren't really as long as they say. At least in January... We had several lines that said 20 minutes, but we never waited that long - and that was a good thing. And that was more or less the longest wait time we had for anything that didn't have a fastpass.
• Leggings are NOT ATTRACTIVE! Unless you're a size 2, don't wear them. And please, for the love of God, please don't bend over. Not only do I not want to see the out line of your panties, I also don't want to know the color and pattern on them. We can see right through those leggings!
• Children are old as 10 can comfortably ride in a stroller and still fall asleep. Seriously. I was shocked, too.
• Soft-sided coolers are the best invention ever. We took our lunch, snacks and drinks every day with us into the park because we're cheap thrifty on a budget. Sure we bought some ice creams, but otherwise, nada! It was a lifesaver (those lines were longer than the ride ones!).
• You can eat like a horse and still lose weight! I think our entire group would agree. We ate - very well - between the packed lunches, snacks, ice cream and homemade meals every night complete with cookies. But with all the walking around, we managed to come out on top. My mother-in-law lost 2 pounds last week!
• When your child is scared of characters with giant heads, be grateful they even get into the picture in the first place. SB is scared to death of characters with fake heads (as I've said before) and this was no exception. She was a little wary of all the characters. Mac - no fear. Ever!    

• Portable DVD players are the bomb. When you're in the car for 12 hours, you need entertainment. Our old DVD player broke a while back, but we were able to borrow a friend's and it was amazing. Wall-E, Shrek and Peanuts kept the kids entertained for HOURS! 
• My kids really are growing up. SB rode her first full-sized roller coasters this week. I can't believe it! Her words after her first one, "That was awesome. Let's do it again!"  

• There really is magic in Disney World. It was amazing watching my kids' faces light up like they did. It literally brought tears to my eyes seeing how things affected them. *sigh* It was grand!

Thanksgiving Top 10

Tomorrow is the day we all have been waiting for - it's a month till Christmas!
No, I'm just kidding. I'm not ready for that yet. Tomorrow is the day we sit down with the families we have - be they the family we were born in to, adopted in to or those we chose for ourselves - and give thanks for all that we have.

It's been a rough few years for us. Everything with Mac's adoption, the expense involved, Marshall being in business for himself (which means not having a regular income). The kids are growing into the sassiest things alive. We had the miscarriage earlier this year. There are so many things we can look at and says, "Geez, it's been so hard (living a middle-class American life where we get to do things like eat every day and we have two cars and a mostly solid roof over our heads). You know, it's been hard."

But why is it so hard for us to realize just how blessed we are (you know, that we do get to eat not once a day, but any time we want! and that we have cars and electricity)? So I wanted to give you what I'm most thankful for this year.
Drumroll please...

1. The ability to stay home with my kids. Even though I would LOVE to have a career (not a job, a career), I realized this year just how blessed we are are I can stat home and raise the kids. Yes, my working would mean a  lot of our financial peace, but it's not worth the cost of our children's formative years. 
2. Smartphones. Yes, they're a hassle. They never work right. But through this awesome technology I can be in touch with anyone at the touch of a button. It's amazing to me that I can chat with my friends in Hong Kong and New Zealand any time I want. It's a blessing when prayers are needed.
3. My parents. They are awesome.
4. My in-laws. Also awesome.
5. New friends I have made this year. At the end of 2010 I felt very alone when the BFF & family moved to Mars (Okay, Texas. Might as well have been Mars). I'm so glad they're back and that I've also made some amazing other friends this year though my No Kids Allowed Mom's Club. Marshall and I have been hanging out with people over 4-foot-tall all year and it's been fantastic! I'm so thankful God brought me friends!
6. I'm thankful for my church. For the leadership we have, for the people who are passionate about spreading the word about Christ's unfailing love even when we fail.
7. My two BFFs. Michelle is an amazing person whom I love dearly. And Sindu has been my rock for the last 25 (gulp!) years and I love her so much. Without them I think this year would have sucked. A lot.
8. The three people I live with. Marshall, Thing 1 & Thing 2. They are the most amazing people I have ever met and I adore them all. God has blessed me more than I could ever know with them.
9. All the things I take for granted - food, hot (running!) water, sweet tea, scotch tape, television, insulation, ink pens, microwaves, cars, public schools, our teachers, freedom of speech and religion, toys, games, cameras, LIFE!
10. The ability to worship the Alpha and Omega, Adonai, El Roi, El Shaddai, Abba. Father. I am so, so blessed to live in a land where we can praise Him freely. I am so thankful to God for adopting me into His Forever Family. I am so unworthy, but He wanted me anyway. Praise Him!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours this Holy Day. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Top 10 Reasons...

I'm recycling a post from last year to introduce November, which is National Adoption Month! Enjoy my Top 10 Reasons to Adopt:

1. There are 147 million orphans across the world.
2. Because you really do have room for one more in your house, arms & heart.
3. You really can afford it - regular DSS adoptions are virtually free. You can also apply for grants.
4. Because every child deserves to have a place to call home and a family to call their own.
5. Because your other children really want a baby sister (or brother).
6. Someone you know has been wonderfully blessed by adoption.
7. It's much less painful than birthing a child in terms of physical duress.
8. There's a type of adoption to fit what you are looking for (domestic, international, foster care, waiting child, etc).
9. Kids grow up and need moms & dads to come home to during the holidays and other life events.
10. God calls us all to adopt and even Christ himself was adopted by his earthly father. And God has adopted us all into his family.

I'll add a bonus reason today:

11. Because if I hadn't adopted, I would not have been blessed with my son, without whom I can not imagine life. He has blessed me so much more than I have blessed him.

The Top Reasons I'm a Bad Mom

I'm such a terrible mom. Let me tell you why.

• I make my children clean up their messes. They don't want me cleaning up because it involves a trash bag.
• I allow them to eat Mac & Cheese three days in a row, but it has to be accompanies with something gross like broccoli, carrots or apple sauce.
• I don't let them play barefoot in the street during hurricane-like storms.
• I'm a bad mom because I won't buy them a 23rd baby doll or Lightning McQueen something.
• Tea & soda are only allowed occasionally and even then it must be between the hours of 11am and 1pm. Otherwise it's milk, water or juice.
• I make my kids stick to a bedtime routine and don't let them stay up all night long.
• I'm a bad mom because we meet friends at places like Chick-Fil-A so they can play after lunch.
• I discipline my children so that they will grow up to be independent functioning citizens of society
• I consider cuddling on the couch to watch a movie fun.
• I drag my children to church where they learn about Jesus and play.

And the #1 reason I'm a bad mom...

• I'm a terrible mother because I stay home with my children instead of working, putting my children ahead of getting ahead.

Top Ten: Reasons I Love September

I love this time of year... Here's why.

1. I don't have to shave my legs if I'm wearing pants!
2. I can wear Orange all day, every day, and nobody comments on it (go Tigers!).
3. Say it with me: 5 days of school a week!
4. The leaves start to turn and the mountains turn golden. 

http://www.discoverkeowee.com/other_lake_keowee.html

5. Did I mention the not having to shave thing yet?
6. It's not 10-bajallion degrees outside.
7. The kids get excited seeing Halloween decorations (and I like buying candy early).
8. It's only 3 months till SB's Bday/Christmas/my bday.
9. It's Marshall's birth month.
10. This September is one year from when we finalized Mac's adoption!

Why do you love September?

4th of July Celebration Ideas

Independence Day is fast approaching, and I thought I would cover some family-fun activities we could all give a try this weekend:

1. Host a Neighborhood Parade. Okay, if you're like me, there are no other neighborhood kids, but maybe do a Facebook invite and ask your friends to come over for a mini-parade, some lemonade and cookies.
2. Light Sparklers, set off small-time fireworks, or just use some glowsticks to have twilight fun.
3. Play Games - like Flag Relay where kids run little flags back and forth. The winners can get some yummy cakepops.
4. Make cakepops. If you're not familiar with these sinfully delicious and easy-to-make treats, check out bakerella's site.
5. Host a lemonade stand. And be super-sweet and donate the money to a good cause like the United Way or a local mission organization.
6. Make fans. We all know it's about 10 bajillion degrees in SC in July (what? It is!), so these useful and patriotic fans would be a smash! 
7. Have a water-balloon fight. Come on, adults, you can join in, too.
8. Tell the kids WHY we have Independence Day - tea parties, Jefferson and Washington, the whole bit. Extra credit for acting it out with costumes.
9. Have a cookout. Invite over the fam and friends and crank up the old grill! Burgers, dogs, corn - what more could you ask for?
10. Watch Fireworks. Of course - this is a no-brainer.

Day of the Fathers

Today is Father's Day, in case you missed the 10,000 Lowe's commercials that have been on TV this month.

And in honor of Father's Day, I wanted to salute my dear husband, Marshall, who is an amazing father and husband. He provides for us, he puts up with my only slightly better than adequate cooking, he himself is an amazing cook who should do so more often, he handles the children when I decide I need to hide under my covers, and he kills bugs.

The bug thing is very important.

He's also wonderful because when I begged him to tell me something he wanted for this joyous and festive day, he could come up with nothing, so we all lugged off to Lowe's (home of the 10,000 commercials). He picked out a few things here and there so he could get back to fiddling with woodwork and graciously allowed me to buy Bakerella's Cake Pops book that cost more than his items combined (and hey - it was something like 25% off).

I thought, in honor of Dad's Day, I would do a Top 10 things that make a good dad.

1. He keeps Mom happy.
2. He allows the kids to use him as a pony & jungle gym.
3. He changes poopy diapers.
4. He gives the kids a bath at least once a week.
5. He lets the kids play with his iPhone/Droid even though they make the screen sticky.
6. He agrees to tea parties with Mr. Snuggles and Mrs. Pricklybottom.
7. He knows when to hand over the car keys and when not to.
8. He attempts to listen and discipher his drama queen daughter's latest plight, but in the end turns it over to Mom.
9. He sticks up for his son when he's being picked on.
10. He prays with his family each day.

Whether you've been a dad for a few days or a few decades, we honor all of you father's out there!

And to the father of my children (yes, I mean Marshall!), thank you for all you do. I love you!

The Official Name Nerds Holiday

The Social Security Administration has released the Top Names for 2010, making this a name lover's holiday!

http://www.marketingcharts.com/topics/unique-baby-names-reveal-narcissism-epidemic-9252/

Here are the top names for 2010. You can see all Top 1000 on the SSA's website.

Here are the Top 50 for your pleasure!

Popularity in 2010

Rank	Male name	Female name
1	Jacob	Isabella
2	Ethan	Sophia
3	Michael	Emma
4	Jayden	Olivia
5	William	Ava
6	Alexander	Emily
7	Noah	Abigail
8	Daniel	Madison
9	Aiden	Chloe
10	Anthony	Mia
11	Joshua	Addison
12	Mason	Elizabeth
13	Christopher	Ella
14	Andrew	Natalie
15	David	Samantha
16	Matthew	Alexis
17	Logan	Lily
18	Elijah	Grace
19	James	Hailey
20	Joseph	Alyssa
21	Gabriel	Lillian
22	Benjamin	Hannah
23	Ryan	Avery
24	Samuel	Leah
25	Jackson	Nevaeh
26	John	Sofia
27	Nathan	Ashley
28	Jonathan	Anna
29	Christian	Brianna
30	Liam	Sarah
31	Dylan	Zoe
32	Landon	Victoria
33	Caleb	Gabriella
34	Tyler	Brooklyn
35	Lucas	Kaylee
36	Evan	Taylor
37	Gavin	Layla
38	Nicholas	Allison
39	Isaac	Evelyn
40	Brayden	Riley
41	Luke	Amelia
42	Angel	Khloe
43	Brandon	Makayla
44	Jack	Aubrey
45	Isaiah	Charlotte
46	Jordan	Savannah
47	Owen	Zoey
48	Carter	Bella
49	Connor	Kayla
50	Justin	Alexa

Top 10: Things I Would Like for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a week away. The day mom's get appreciate for all the hard work they do - and still get to do all that hard work while their families sit around and simply "appreciate."

All moms want to be appreciated. But I think something all moms want is to be appreciated every day, not just some Sunday holiday that accounts for the most card and flower sales in the country. Not to mention the most long-distance calls.

So here is my Top 10 things I would like for Mother's Day. Honey, take note!

1. A day off. I can't complain, because I had a week off of parenting recently, but I would still like a break from laundry and dishes - and that does NOT mean leaving it for the next day. That means the family doing it for me.
2. A spa day - mani, pedi, facial, massage and getting my hair done. Then having the day off after that so as not to ruin afore mentioned coifing. 
3. My favorite meal...for breakfast, lunch and dinner...that I didn't have to lift a finger to prepare. Don't care who makes it, as long as it's not me.
4. I would like a new patio set. Okay, forget new, I just want a patio set. We eat outside a lot when it's nice weather and we're eating at a plastic Dollar General table I bought about 10 years ago when I was in college. I'm now 30, it's time to upgrade.
5. A cake. Who doesn't love a cake? Again, doesn't matter who made it, as long as it's chocolate and I didn't have to bake it.
6. A date with my hubby. Yes, it's mother's day, but that would be very nice.
7. A date with each of my children, alone. I would love to have that one-on-one time with them.
8. More children. Yes, I'm crazy. I would love to adopt again.
9. Okay, I'll take the card and flowers...
10. Lots of hugs and kisses. Because that's what being a mom is all about!

Top 10: Things about the kids I miss...

As promised, the next Top 10: Things I Miss...

1. Sweet little hugs and kisses.
2. Hearing about their morning at school.
3. Reading their books to them.
4. Snuggling in bed with them.
5. Mac's giggles.
6. SB's made up songs and stories.
7. Their duel performances on their "stage."
8. Baking./Cooking with them.
9. How excited they get when Marshall comes home.
10. How they keep me in line all day every day.

Top 10: Things I am not missing with the kids gone

The kids are away this week visiting Mimi & Poppy. Yes, I miss them, but the peace and quiet is amazing!

Tune in tomorrow for the Top 10 things I do miss... but today here's 10 things I'm not missing.

1. Being woken up in the morning with cries of hunger or needs for the potty.
2. Mac's inability to poop on the potty.
3. Breaking up 10 fights a day.
4. Watching Max & Ruby, Wubbzy or The Fresh Beat Band.
5. Making 3 different meals for dinner to accommodate the allergies and the pickiness.
6. Having to share my cookies and snacks.
7. SB's diva attitude.
8. Having to share Marshall.
9. Kids who won't sleep.
10. Having my writing interrupted.

Top 10: What Pets are Afraid of...

When it comes to children in the home.

1. Your position being usurped by a screaming, vomiting, dangerous little human.
2. Death by flushing (for fish and other small creatures).
3. The kid eating all your food (be it those scraps they now feed to the small human or the small human actually eating your food).
4. Being stepped on.
5. Death by squeeze (for larger and fluffier animals).
6. Having your tail or ears pulled.
7. Being treated as a PTV (personal transport vehicle).
8. Getting spanked for peeing on the annoying mini-human's toys.
9. Eating homework when you don't even know what homework is.
10. Being blamed for the mini-human's messes and broken items.

Top 10: Ways to be Selfish

No, you didn't mis-read that. This is about how to be selfish, not how to avoid being selfish. Trust me, you want to read this.

1. Shop for yourself - regardless of where you are. If you're at Target munching on popcorn and perusing the shoe section, do not stop to think about getting your husband in iTunes card or pre-shopping for your niece's birthday. This is a waste of YOUR resources. Instead, forget your husband, give the kid a $5 and buy yourself those juicy new boots you were eying.
2. Be sure you use your time on you. Using your free time to write Aunt Irene a thank you note is a drag - treat yourself to a pedicure instead. You'll feel better about you!
3. When your husband asks you to make his favorite meal for dinner, decide instead to make yours. Better yet, order it out from your favorite restaurant...His favorite food smell gross anyway and he would never appreciate your thought.
4. When you finally do get your niece that birthday gift, keep it for yourself. She won't appreciate your thought and effort, and those earrings would look cuter on you anyway.
5. Use all the hot water before the rest of the family gets up. They don't mind cold, do they?
6. Tell your significant other they're not attending to your needs properly while you completely ignore theirs. It's only fair after all you do, right?
7. Decide that your $45 a month mani/pedi habit is much more important than your daughter's dance lessons. Prodigy, smodigy.
8. When your BFF calls, only talk about yourself and your problems. She couldn't possibly have any issues going on because her calves are slimmer than yours.
9. Attend church weekly, but when someone asks you to serve, lie and say you're too busy. They have plenty of other people and besides - you have your own problems to handle.
10. Only pray for yourself. Say, "Lord, I need a better car," not "Lord, use me to serve those who have no way to get to and from." Or say, "Lord, bless me financially," instead of "Lord, allow me to be a blessing unto those who have less than me." 

These are sure fire ways to act selfishly and get nothing in return. If you desire a life of loneliness and self-destruction, follow the directions above.

However, if you want to have a full, long and happy life surrounded by those you love most...well, do the opposite of what's listed.

The choice is yours...

Top 10: Best Christmas Gifts

My "critics" seem to think I have absolutely no Christmas spirit whatsoever. Oh well. I can't please everyone and if you don't like what I have to say, you can just not read my blog. Seriously.

But I do have Christmas spirit - tons of it. Ask my Bible Study - I used "jazz hands" just the other day.

Here are, in my opinion, the Top 10 Best Christmas Gifts.

1. Anything home made by a child. Bonus points for things made of macaroni.
2. Music. Music is the universal language and everyone appreciates music. So maybe Aunt Donna doesn't appreciate your taste in music, but iTunes is always in style!
3. Omaha Steaks. My aunt has gotten in the habit of sending us some Omaha steaks and potatoes. Who doesn't love free steak?
4. Spa packages. Doesn't matter if it's only for a few dollars. Anything that will make a woman feel pretty is a winning gift.
5. Jewelry. And I mean the real stuff. My husband has been telling me for 13 Christmas's now that he started off bad when for our first Christmas he got me a diamond cross. He says topping it each year is too hard. But always a winner!
6. Pictures. Either an actual picture of the receiver's loved ones or the gift of pictures - as in a gift card to their favorite photography studio. Memories are the best gifts!
7. A book or book gift certificate. For me at least... books are worth their weight in gold. Bonus if you get someone a Kindle.
8. A new car. Yes, it's far-fetched and I doubt it would ever happen. But we can all fantasize, right?
9. A Bible. Letting someone know that God loves them is an amazing gift. Plant the seed of love and pray for it to grow! And you can never have too many Bibles.
10. Time. I don't care who you are, a date with someone you love is the very, very best gift. We put little slips of paper with prizes in our advent calendar. Each person has a slip of paper to get a "date" with each other person. Giving the gift of time is the best gift anyone can ever get.

 

Top 10: Worst Christmas Gifts

We've all gotten them. Bad Christmas gifts. From your cousin Jackie, from your Aunt Sue. I think mother-in-laws are notorious for giving bad gifts (Thankfully my mom-in-law is a great gift giver, I promise! She's like my personal scrapbook supply store and I love it.).

So I thought I would compile a Top 10 list of worst presents.

1. A Snuggie, especially one in camouflage. Unless you like camo, then the color choice would be cotton-candy pink.
2. A treadmill/exercise machine. Even if you ask for it. Because nothing says, "I love you" like telling your loved one they're fat.
3. Earrings shaped like French Fries. I had these. I loved them. Thankfully it was the 80s and I was a kid and nobody cared. But still a terrible gift.
4. A blender or other appliance. If you need an appliance, go get it. It's not a gift. Men: this is grounds for immediate dismissal by your woman. This also applies to cleaning supplies.
5. A Perfume SAMPLE. They are tiny. They are free. They are a terrible gift. Splurge the $45 and get your wife/girlfriend/mother a real bottle - even a tiny one.
6. Fruitcake. Seriously, does anyone actually eat fruitcake? One time at church we did a "fruitcake toss" game and broke ceramic Santas. (Go figure, the game was the brainchild of the lady who convinced me not to do Santa.)
7. Christmas ornaments. I love ornaments and I love getting ornaments from those I love. But giving me a Christmas ornament AT Christmas isn't always a great idea. You'll just pack it away until the next year.
8. Candy dispensers that "poop" the candy. Just don't. It's gross. Nobody likes it except for 11-year-old boys.
9. Any type of clothing that lights up. Not cool. Just not cool.
10. Pre-Packaged Lotion sets. You know what I'm talking abuot. It's $5 at WalMart (or $3 at Dollar General) and has lotion, body wash and a loofah. It smells terrible. Unless this is from your 8 year old nephew, it's a bad, bad gift.

Now, we all know it's not the actual gift that matters. It's the love and thought behind it that matters. Hopefully most people know that. But it's still a funny list! Hopefully you don't get any of these yourself this year. And if you bought one of these for a loved one - take it back and try again!

Top 10: Things I Take for Granted

We're all thankful for a lot of things. I've already given a Top 10 for that. But there are also so many things I'm thankful for that I take for granted on any given day.

So here is my top 10 things I take for granted...

1. Running water to wash my clothes & dishes, to bathe in and to drink. According to Charity: Water, almost 1 billion people across the world are without clean drinking water.
2. Insulation, heat & air conditioning, ceiling fans. They keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summer. 
3. Technology like cell phones, TV (& TiVo!!), radios and more.
4. A loving family. As I have shared before - there are 114,000 children in foster care right now waiting for a forever family because their first one wasn't able to care for them.
5. The ability to go where ever I want, whenever I want.
6. Hugs from my children and affection from my husband. All too often I brush them aside because I'm tired or have something to do. They are most important and those hugs recharge my battery like nothing else.
7. The ability to read. I wish I had a Kindle, but I read books all the time. And I'm even more thankful that I can read my Bible daily. In 2009, livescience.com reported that 1 in 7 American adults can not read.
8. Prayer. I pray daily and am so humbled to know that people pray for me daily in return!
9. School. Yes, my children currently attend a private Christian preschool, but the are not only able to go to school, but it's expected and the law where so many countries in this world would send them to work while they were still children. I also take higher learning for granted - my degree may not get much use, but I'm so glad I have it!
10. A God who not only made me but loves me even on my bad days. "And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." - Romans 5:5

Top 10: Things I'm Thankful For

1. The ability to pray and openly worship my Lord & Savior
2. My amazing husband who supports my whims & ideas.
3. My gorgeous children who make me laugh every day.
4. The chance to grow my faith through trials and tribulations.
5. The miracles of birth & adoption.
6. My best friend Michelle who laughs and cries with me.
7. The most wonderful family anyone could ever ask for.
8. The love of reading and writing.
9. PAI - where I can go and realize I'm a normal mom!
10. Food on my plate, a house to sleep in, electric blankets, clothes - all those things we all take for granted...

What are you thankful for this November?