Hope for the Holidays

Losing a loved one and then celebrating may seem impossible but it's not. Losing over half your family then there comes the holidays not long afterwards. Yes at first you get mad and then you get angry. But would your loved want that? Probably not. There is hope to keep celebrating the holidays.

Avary's Post and Jessica's Challenge.

This is Avary on my dad's blog.

I am all about reading. I love to read and write. I write short stories about my day and things I read.

My story I wrote today was about a fary who live to help make different candle smells.

The fary loved all smells even bad smells. The smell of steamed




I just found this. I would love to see how she finishes it. I may let her finish it for now I want her mom to finish the story. So Jessica this is now your blog challenge. +Jessica Upton

Bookwormy

 1. Never be allowed to read the last chapter of a book, but be able to read as many books as you want, OR only be allowed to read one book a year, but be allowed to finish it?
Only one book a year.

2. Read only trilogies OR stand alone books?
Stand Alones

3.Have to start every conversation of your life with a quote from a book OR never remember any quotes and be able to speak normally?
Starting with a quote is something I do sometimes now.

4. Read 5 pages per day OR 5 books per week?
5 books a week

5. Have to steal any book you want to read from the library and not be able to give it back OR have to pay $40 for every book you want to read?
Steal it.

6. Only read your top 20 favorite books over and over OR always read books you haven't read before?
Reread because I like to go over things

7. Have to read 50 Shades of Grey repeatedly for an entire year OR go to every showing of the movie at your local theater for a month?
Reread... All that moaning in the theater? I'll pass

8. Be a librarian OR a book seller?
A book sellar

9. Only read your favorite genre OR every genre except your favorite?
Favorite Genre

10. Choose a very well written book (I'm talking words of gold), with a dull plot OR a very interesting plot written in a way that threatens to make your eyes bleed?
Going with with a way that makes your eyes bleed

11. Would you rather meet your favorite author while making a complete fool out of yourself OR have your most hated book character be your roommate?
I will take making a fool of myself over being stuck the most hated character as a roommate.

12. Be Katniss Everdeen, and get thrown into the games, with no guarantee you'll win OR be Harry Potter, and get thrown into the Triwizard Tournament, with yet again no guarantee of winning?
Harry Potter.

13. Have a pet dragon that accidentally sets things on fire OR a pet parrot that tells people what you really think of them?
Pet parrot - It would be like having Ridge on my shoulder.

14. Be the super villain in a story, and get to survive OR the superhero and die midway?
Depends on what my villainous self is doing. Lol I could see me being a superhero too.

15. Which character do you hate the most?
Bella from Twilight... It's so popular and girls are getting the wrong idea about how to act in life.

Avary's November Boodle Box

 

I was awake early today because apparently my cousin who Avary lives with has just now check her mailbox from Saturday. Avary came screeching up to me holding her box so we could open it up together. She loves everything in the box.

EcoTools Mini Essentials Makeup Brush Set: Avary doesn't wear a full face of make up yet. But like my other cousin's wife said this is a great way for her to learn about it. She said it was important for girls to feel confident with a make up brush instead of scared.

Herbal Essences Shampoo & Conditioner: Avary loved that it has a coconut smell. She wants to save them for her trips she has coming up. I like that idea. Avary loves travel size things which made this even better for her.

Knit Boot Cuffs : Sparks and wonder was going off in Avary's eyes when she seen these. There was something like this on Shark Tank once too. She is super excited about these and right now is wearing them as ankle warmers around the house.

Chocolate Covered Sunny Seeds: I didn’t even know that chocolate covered sunflower seeds actually existed.  I don't think Avary would have been overly excited about sunflower seeds, but chocolate covered ones?  She was pretty excited.

Leather Wrap Bracele: Avary has loved all of the "arm candy," as she calls it, in the boxes. She likes this one a lot.

Fall Paper Straws: Avary loves paper straws. She came home the other day telling me about George's house having paper straws. Now she has her own.

Physicians Formula Natural Bronzer: Avary didn't see the purpose of this so she gave it to my cousin's wife. Avary likes eye make up.

Being Happy when I have a Million Reasons Not to Be

 

There two cousins that I get along with the most: Sean and Ridge. If it is bad it has happened to us. Between the three of us there has been several shot wounds, self mutilation, 179 bones broke, a child murdered, told unable to have children, abused, we have all had our parents killed, and we have had all our share of relationship trouble.

One thing that the three of us pride ourselves on (and warning this may offend some) not a single one of us take a single pill to keep us in high spirits. Ridge has watched her twin get tortured, lost her for four years, had a child get murdered, went through a miscarriage, she has had hot grease poured down her throat, has has been stabbed and cut herself. Does she take a depression pill? Nope.

I have lost my entire my family. My dad ran off. My dad got me shot. Granted I jumped in front of him but I did. I watched him give himself over to drugs. I watch my grandparents get done wrong by my dad and his brother. I watched my aunt die. I watched my uncle get killed doing what my dad did. I am watching my grandma give up on life instead of fighting because she is scared to be alone. The woman who once told me I was never alone as long as I had God. Don't become a hypocrite.

Sean fell from a five storie building breaking every bone in his body almost. He watched everything thing that Ridge went through. He had to deal with the fact that his baby brother wasn't following a great path. He watched his sisters make irresponsible decision and people blame because he was the man of the house since my uncle skip town. People blame for leaving them to deal with their own problems.

The reason people shake their heads at us? We are happy without pills. Do we get high off something else? Sort of but we don't smoke. Well Sean sometimes smokes a cigar but his wife would kill him right now if he did more that. Trust me the three of us are very dangerous when you get us all going against the same thing. We have this thing called happiness that we find all situation.

We do not like to be labeled a victim. We hate it with a great passion in fact because that means pity. In the words of Eckhart Tolle:

When you complain, you make yourself the victim. Leave the situation, change the situation, or accept it.

We talk situation out, leave, change it or many times accept it.

The three of us are good about moving on, because that's what we have done all of our lives. So how do we stay happy? Twelve simple things.

 1. We express gratitude for what we have. Seriously the number one thing that we are all certain give gratitude for is the family we have. We have a lot to be thankful for in our lives. If we aren't thankful for what we already have, will have a hard time ever being happy.

2. Cultivate Optimism is something we have. We see our lives full of endless opportunities especially in trying times. Heck Sean and I have made several ways to help our situation right now.

3. Learning to forgive is something we actually have to work on daily. We still work on it. Many times we learn to feel nothing towards these people which is in fact worse.

4. We got for smart thrills in our lives. Sure we don't always make the best decisions but we seek enough to get our hearts pounding and making a situation better (sometimes) and of course we protect our family like nobody's business.

5. We live in the now instead of the past. People are happier when engaged in what they are doing as compared to when they lack concentration. From research, it has been discovered that people spend as much as 45% of their working hours in mind wondering.

6. We are very sure ourselves. We think it might be a McLachlan. We get very sure of ourselves when you tick us off or dare us or threaten us. When a person doubts their judgement, they are prone to a variety of psychological challenges like low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and mood swings. Not us.

7. We move every day. When you are happy, there is a higher possibility that you will engage in activities that promotes your health. Findings from a recent study performed by the American Psychological Association reveals that depression across all ages is significantly reduced by exercise. Trust me I can over do it easily because throwing heavy metal up and down gets me get the bad energy out of me.

8. We surround ourselves with people who are happy also. It took me a long time to learn the significance of this. But I can say it is very true. You have to surround yourselves with people who believe in you.

9. We do act of kindness. A pet peeve of mine is people who don't open doors. I don't care if it is another guy opening the door behind me I will hold it open. Kindness spreads kindness. Talking about kindness doesn't.

10. Sleep is something we all enjoy. We savor it for all it's glory but is that all we do? Oh no! We have lives. We move we get out. We just grin when people say sit down. You won't see us sit until around 9 PM because we have grown our bodies to accustom to that.

11. We have faith. Sure if you don't believe in God go ahead and mediate on something else. I am not holding a gun to your head and telling to believe in God. We have our faith in God. We use the strengths and abilities that God gave us.

12. We don't over think and we create flow situation. We get really into what we are doing that we don't notice the outside world. We don't over think things either. We are straight cut people.

This is how we still grin without doing something self destruction. Ridge laughs when people ask if she on a lot of medication. Sean will flip you off. I just shake my head no. We have God and each other.

Low Down and Dirty

Honestly,

If Alabama had done it I would be up in arms... Regardless it's disgusting and undermining...

Auburn coming away with the win last night against Ole Miss will always be under review with me. Why? Well look at what was on the front of their newspaper:

Finding a way? Seriously? I know there was over 87 pictures of last night's game to put on the front of today's paper but they went with the one where they caused a man's leg to snap in half. A lifetime changing moment in Treadwell's life. Treadwell underwent surgery last night and will miss the rest of the season.

Not the ideal image and headline combination to use when a player suffers a serious injury because it's hard to know how people will deal with it. It's a disgrace. This newspaper really needs to get their act together. They also brought a video to the world showcasing this man's unfortunate misfortunes.

Apologies But Is It Enough

Real classy Auburn. Trust me I was pulling for Ole Miss, but trust I am going to become the biggest Texas A&M, Georgia, Samford and my blood team Alabama fan for the rest of the season after this disgrace. 

People keep telling me the school has nothing to do with what the newspaper posts. That's bull. They have to approve it and trust me if they approve this that makes it even worse. There were several things from last night's game that is just showing how lack of morals people have and how low they will stoop for this game.

When I was Younger

Me at 13

Random Facts About My Self-Past

• Taking dance lesson was something I started doing at 3 years old.
• Playing the guitar was something that I took up at 6.
• Dance competition was something that I enjoyed.
• I can also play the piano and the saxophone, but only some saxophone.
• One of my painting sold for $315 once. It was a painting of my mom.
• Sewing is something I can do but I am not a fan of it. I am a pro at threading a needle, though.
• I do like working with wax. I was probably a rare kid for my mom because I was extremely excited when I got a candle making kit. 
• I have model for different companies in the past.

Haunted Inside

While plenty of people decorate their houses for Halloween, a house certainly isn't the scariest building to begin with for a scary factor. Many buildings other than a house come to mind for being haunted. Especially in today's time, most people don't die at home anymore, granted there are a few.

My Top Picks for Haunted Buildings:

1) Prisons - Evil people dying many not getting claimed by their family so there is a disgruntled spirit.

2) Asylums - Yeah I don't even like going near the psych ward on a normal hospital.

3) Hospital - Death. I don't do hospitals on a good day. I just smell it.

4) Court building - Nope never been an idea of mine to be a lawyer for this year.

5) Funeral homes - Nothing about dead piled up to be made up or burn up sounds like a swinging good time to me.

6) Schools - Deaths do happen at school. But who knows spirits of angered students can always return... Moaning Myrtle comes to mind.

7) Churches - It's too quiet sometimes in a church. Plus visitations and funerals can happen there too. Creeps me out when I am the last one to leave church and the lights are turned off.

8) Malls - Don't ask but after 7 PM I get squeamish at malls. I think I have read too many mystery novels.

It's Always Under 90

I have recently been diagnosed with low blood sugar. For me it was another blow to my health that was already in a bad situation since my iron is low as well. It was like I was destined to be tired all the time.

But I was determined to not let it get control of my whole life. I had been have working out twice as hard. My latest appointment with my physician basically told me I was making it worse on myself. I asked if it would be acceptable to get a personal trainer so I could stay fit.

So I am pouring over recommendations and I find one that was recommended from my doctor. My doctor wanted to see me work out. He told me to work out as hard as I possibly could. My numbers were off the chart for the first time in my life. I was lifting weights like I never had and running until my legs were numb and I ran even harder after that. I was in so much pain at the end. My doctor told me never to do that again that I had got that out of my system.

That has really helped me. I feel like it was what I needed. It therapeutic in several ways. I put all my anxiety and anger into that work out. I am now working out a decent pace, and it has really helped to balance out my life easier now. I think once you push 300 lbs off of your chest over 15 times without hesitation you feel like you are the hulk.

I am still trying to get in complete balance and that may take some time. I'm okay with that though. It's something I have to work up to like benching 300 lbs. Stamina is something I love and I find it in everything I do. I intend to do the same with my health. I refuse to give up or give in.

Avary's Boodle Box

Avary received her October 2014 The Boodle Box theme was “SPOOKtacular” and included the following BOO-tiful treats:

White Bling Chevron Watch - Avary loves this. She didn't even want to take it off for me to put in the picture for the review. It's the silicone kind and so it's very durable and flexible.

Rhinestone Ghost Necklace - The Girl Ghost Necklace is a huge hit with Avary. She wants to wear orange (a color she normally hates) all the time so she can wear the necklace too. My cousin informed her it would be fine with other colors as well especially black.

Fantasy Maker RIP Nail Polish by Wet n Wild - The fact I recognized this bottle as soon as Avary showed it to me was a sign. Ridge and her best friend have had several bottles of this for MANY years (think when we were in middle school). It does work really well.

Hard Candy Foiled Again Shadow Sticks - I love that they include age appropriate items like this. These eye shadow sticks are not only perfect for tweens and teens, they are fun for everyone and the colors are great. It's great for slowly introducing make up to Avary.

Silver Snake Ear Cuff - I thought this was a ring at first. It’s an ear cuff. It’s a cool Halloween accessory and like the information card says, perfect for girls who don’t have pierced ears. Avary really like it.

Sunny Side Up Silicone Egg Mold by Fred - Avary hates sunny side up eggs. So instead I am going to add food coloring mix to the batters and use the mold that way.

Black and White Chevron Infinity Scarf - Avary was all excited about this! She is already a little fashionista. She had several outfits planned out to wear with this.

Avary's Box #2

 

Avary came running to me with her new box this morning. She loved this month's theme. She loves neon and animal print. She was all over this box this time and I thought the last time was bad. 

Salon Effects Twin Pack in Wild Child / Kitty, Kitty by Sally Hansen - She loves these. I know she is dying to put them on her little finger nails.

Leopard Print Purse Ring Organizer by Jewelry Nanny - She only has two rings. But she is growing up and that is going to change quickly I'm afraid.

Bow Midi Ring - Speak of rings... She loves this bow ring. It fits her like a regular ring for now. She loves it because it has so many "diamonds in it."

No Crease Hair Ties in Glitter and Animal Prints by Sisterly Ties - She was squealing about these the moment she opened the box. Pink, glitter and animal print? Did they make this box just for her?

Pink Leopard Shoelaces by EpicSports - She was pulling the shoestrings out of her Keds faster than than Snape runs from shampoo.

Pop Beauty Lip Balm - She was very excited about this too. It went on bright hot pink but she seemed to love it so why not?

Zebra Print Nail Polish Remover Pads by NPW Gifts - According to my cousin nail polish pads are better than the regular stuff. "I mean you can get the polish off much cheaper with a cotton ball and a big bottle of nail polish remover right? Well you can, but it takes half the bottle to get glitter off your nails. Nail polish remover pads work much better for those tough jobs."

The Truth

"I didn't want to add more stress." "I didn't want to make you worry more." "I didn't want you to see me like that."

If I can't handle you at your worst how do you know you can handle you at best? This is something that even myself I have a hard time dealing with in a relationship. It's one of those things that people really start to realize once the honeymoon effect as worn off. You see the person's warts and you start wondering if you didn't make mistake.

Learning to let go of myself and just be a regular guy is hard but nobody is a gentleman all the time. That's only in books. Face Mr. Darcy had to go bathroom at some point. It's not fancy or glamorous but it's a fact.

Why hide the fact that you are human? I have two people in my life that if you read their Facebook you see two people that are just perfect. Reading their blogs? They show you their real selves proving that they aren't perfect. They didn't tell the world that they showed each other their warts but they knew and it was enough for them. They are happy and I can see them lasting well into their eighties without hardly an argument.

Just be yourself with the person you love because if you really love them then you are going to show that you don't smell like pineapple mango in the bathroom (the spray does but you don't), you clip your toenails in the bed, you have an obsession with watching the stock channel just so you see your initials go across the screen, that you keep locks from each haircut you get, or that you refuse to drink from a cup that doesn't have a lid.

Inspire Me

The Man in the Mirror

Confession Time:

I am major clown...

I get ready in the morning while dancing around in front of my mirror.

Gavin Degraw
Miley Cyrus
Queen
The Supremes
NSYNC
Rihanna

I crank up the volume and away my hips and feet move. It's not just a little shake here and there. It's head banging. It's moving my hips like Beyonce. It's swinging around like Usher. It's moon walking like Michael Jackson.

I have even been known to slap my butt to watch it jiggle in the mirror. It's bouncing my pecks to the music while I do my hair. It's going completely old school preteen girl using my comb as a microphone singing Beautiful Girls by Sean Kingston.

So many people think I am a morning person, I am really not. Don't believe me? Try talking to me before my coffee and shower. It is a not a pretty picture. I growl, bite, and kick. Music, water, and coffee make my mornings.

Allow Me To Introduce You To Myself

I am Nathaniel, +Jessica's boyfriend. Otherwise known as her world. I am introducing myself because apparently adding you when you wouldn't add your best friend boyfriend. Pretty sure most do that. A true friend scopes out the guy.You know like Mary Ann did. She annoyed the crap out of  me and she was in Thailand. So don't give me crap that I didn't put for the effort when I was the one that added you. You had every opportunity to write to me. I took the first step.

And the crap about me being a stranger? Really I am Jessica's boyfriend the one you claimed as your best friend. Though I am questioning your ability to be a friend. If you ever really was a friend. Jessica says you were but to me it sounds like the classic I want someone around to make me look better and to say I have friends and someone around so I am not the loner. If that pisses you off, I don't really care. It's how you were acting. I wouldn't be a stranger if you had really listened to Jessica.

But wait that is right, you aren't interested in Jessica's relationship or life. You claim it's because of what was going on your life, ever given the thought that she had a lot going on too? She has also been helping me with things going on with me. Why should she include in her life when she is around you talk over her or shut down completely? There is no sense in that. None for a so called best friend to do.

Why don't just admit the truth? You wanted someone to make you feel better and not to be alone. You hate the idea of me and Jessica because she is getting what you want. And none of it is bought things. She is getting a guy willing to stand up for her and a daughter that is happy go lucky. Yes, I am financially secure but only now. You would have found that out if you had put forth the effort. Jessica has not bragged to me once. Okay jokingly but seriously? Jessica brag? It's like you are giving crackers to Cookie Monster... Do you even know her? And I like you how you get underwear in a knot because she has prior plans before you. Again back to my point of you using her just so you aren't alone.

Speaking of listening to her, if you really had listened to her you would know that Jessica and Odette talk but Odette has rarely mentioned a wedding to Jessica. The person you are looking for is Mary Ann. Yeah her and Hunter talked about dresses some. But I am pretty sure you said you didn't approve of the wedding because it was too soon so you lied to Jessica the other day. That right there is a problem no one else has pointed out. You said it was too soon and therefor that's a big reason of why you weren't involved in the planning.

Oh and "those bitches" have nothing with you not being the maid of honor now. You don't deserve to be her maid of honor. You have proved to that to both of us. You aren't interested in our relationship and you put our relationship down too. I wouldn't let be that now if someone gave me a million dollars. See I am not all about money either. I love how you pick up on the money thing with all of us. Jealous much? Same reason with the girls and them having money. What the heck does that matter? Get to know them and it's not about the money.

I am letting all of this go now, but does that mean I am sweeping things under the rug? No it means that I am sweeping all of this into a garbage can and throwing it away with the rest of the trash. It won't be undo that way. It won't resurface.

Avary's First Sub Box

My daughter received her first sub box thanks to my cousin, Erica. Erica did not tell me or Avary about it. It was a total surprise to both of us. And let's just say Avary approves times 1000 and so do I.

Naughty but Nice Cupcake Hand Cream - Before Avary told me what this was I swore it was a jewelry box. It actually smells like strawberry cream. Avary is very proud of it.

Hard Candy Kaleyedescope Eye Shadow Duo in ‘Daydream’ - Avary lapsed into a speech of how this can be applied wet for a more dramatic look or dry for a lighter, more shimmery look. As long as it's just eye shadow I am okay with it.




Strawberry Sponge Curlers - When I first glanced at these I figured they were bath bombs or something. But foam curlers for Avary? Even better. I think it's kind of funny. Perfect for her too.



Cupcake Wipes by Good Earth Beauty - There are only ten of these and Avary has big plans for them in Disney World. Maybe I will tuck these away for her to actually use at Disney.

Lily Fabric Keychain by Marinas Closet - I don't think Avary has ever owned her own keychain. I think 5 years old is a good time to change that too.

Cupcake Key Cover by Gama Go - Avary and I made a pack that this would cover our Huntsville House key when we get up there in the next month

Neon Beaded Bracelets with Rhinestones - Avary about knocked me over showing me her bracelets. Neon beads with one rhinestone bead. She loves them.

What's On My Mind?

... Jessica. Yes I know she is on my mind all the time. But I have big plans coming up and they had just better stick this time. She makes me happy when I was grumpy. Yes yes the usually lovey dovey stuff.

... Disney. Um yeah not going to lie Disney has warped my mind. I am trying to find unusual things we will need or may not need. I like the different stuff all the planning. Totally for my daughter, future wife and the Disney Queen.

... My nose. Yep I can no longer lay on my left side at night or I literally cannot breath. I woke up feeling like I had pompom balls in my head. It was bad and I went back to bed for awhile. Pretty sure it's time for the surgery I have been putting off.

... Books. I have a stack of books that keep piling high beside my bed. I have nonfiction, fiction, and devotions I want to read. However, when I get through reading my Bible in the mornings I usually have to run out the door to work.

... My Planner. Nice filofax. Pretty sure I have a boring life right now. I have been filing it in with different things though. Not sure if I am even using my planner right. Kind of sad.

... Vehicle. SUV, Car, Van, or Jeep? Um no van and no car. I want something bigger this time. Hm need to look into a good reliable vehicle.

... Phone. I am tired of using my jacked up phone. I have been borrowing my grandmother's or Bre's phone to take pictures unless I use my iPod. I need a phone. I want an iPhone. We will see.

... Furniture. I have bought some furniture for the new house. I have not bought it all. I have a lot of people donating furniture to me because they are updating or redecorating. (Not that I am not knocking getting free furniture but people can still afford to just up and redecorate their house?)

... Birchbox for Men. Is it worth the money? Will I like it? I need to watch unboxings on YouTube. I know I want Mantry.

Bloggers

I love to read...

I love to read blogs...

But when it comes to male bloggers there seems to be a shortage. I get I am rare species, but you would think there would be some other male bloggers writing about their feelings, hopes, dreams, etc. I am tired of male bloggers being tech or auto crap. Seriously show some emotions, the women get all squealy when we share our feelings.

I like to blog actually. I can show my creative side. I had a Xanga a very very long time ago and it was decent. But it, like Myspace, couldn't keep up with demands of a social setting. I do miss some of the male bloggers on there.

I am not knocking the female bloggers I read. I love reading them all. I like reading the content and seeing what everyone has to say on a topic of such or what kind of topic they have created. It makes me excited. However, male point of view would be nice to read from time to time.

I will have to be the change I want to see in the world. I have ideas on what to write about but I would love to hear your ideas. Send em on!

Most Magical Thing In the World

Now that you have a family where are you off to? To Walt Disney World with my Family!

I have been, my daughter and my future wife have not. Where are we going Disney World! I have been as a kid and I went the last two times that my cousin has went. So my excitement is building more and more each day.

I like many other fellow Disney goers know just long how it takes to prepare for a Disney trip. I am preparing for my little family's first Disney trip. I have two very excited girls. They squeal randomly. Avary will do a wiggle dance when she thinks about packing even.

We have a Disney Queen in our present and she is awesome at Disney trips. This girl has went to Disney about 50 times as a vacation and is just 23. Right now she is working there "helping" the characters. She has about 6 or 7 Disney binders with different kinds of information. She is trying to get certification as a Disney travel agent. This girl is going to be amazing at it too.

It's because of this girl that my family gets to go to Disney World. She is insisting to take us for free. She said that she loves getting to see people's reaction to their first Disney trip. And since my future wife and my daughter are going on their first trip Hunter is going to have double the fun. Disney should pay this girl. She takes them to Disney then makes them hooked and they go back and back.

I am learning a lot from her and I have started planning. I am purchasing a lot of supplies to make planner. I going to Office Depot tomorrow to start our planner. I know my future wife will be proud.

My world land for this project can be found HERE.

We Are Family

As I wrote in my last post, Jessica, Avary and myself are all a family now. And we aren't boring people so why do boring things all the time? That's just conforming to society's idea of us having to be like the Jones and the Cleavers. No thanks. So here are some ideas I have found and come up with for us to have amazing family time.


Backwards Supper - Wear your clothes backward because nothing is normal this night! We are going to eat under the table, have dessert first, eat the other side of the utensils, eat on the back of the dinnerware, etc. I know we will all of it and that's what makes memories is funky out there things.

Music Making - Shake, shake, rattle rattle, if you have a headache stay away from our house this night. We are going to be making our own musical instruments and then jamming out and keeping the beat with real music. Don't forget dancing. Wiggle it all out.

Redneck Slip n Slide and Rain Shower - Tarp, dish washing detergent, and water? Things are about to get slippery! I love doing this. But I have also seen ideas for taking PVC pipes and making a ton different sprinkler ideas. Water park in our backyard? I think so.

Who Was Murdered Here? - Chalk and the driveway, need I say more? Outlining each other. Hopscotch, drawing, four squares etc. Possibilities are endless.

Meatballs on the Floor - Table cloth on the floor and a pile of spaghetti, say what? Well at this McLachlan house we are going to eat spaghetti on the floor with no utensils. Just use your mouth and make a mess.

Matilda - Eat chocolate, roll around on the floor, roller skate and blade through the house, hoola hoop, and read. I think our household can handle this. I do believe we can and while we are at why not watch the movie and read the book too.

Dollar Date - Dollar Store days! Pick a theme and buy stuff with that theme. Fun times discovering new things in the dollar store.

Glow On - Glow party, glow sticks are the only light this night! Yep there will be tons of popping and breaking and shaking in our house that night. Glow sticks make for a lot of fun. Plus they are super cheap if you look in the right places for them.

Camping... Indoors - Too hot? Don't like bugs? Yep roll out that sleeping bag in the living room and make the smores in the microwave! Plus we can do this while it's raining or a thunderstorm and tell ghost stories.

Camping For Real - I only go camping during the fall. I think it's because my mom only liked to go during the fall. It's so peaceful except when you hear the whistles and cheering coming from the campers watching the football games. I love warming up chili on a camp stove while sitting around a fire.

Funny Face Horse - The game is just like the game you play on a basketball court. One person shoots and the next person has to make the same shot. If they miss the shot then they are “H” and the game continues until someone is “H-O-R-S-E” and that person has lost, In this game, the first person is going to make a funny face. The next person tries to make the same funny face. The referee decides if the second person matched the face or not. If not… then “H”.

Dino Night - Dinosaur movies - Dinosaur or Land Before Time. Fossil cookies, dancing to Walk the Dinosaur, We can always dress up like the Flintstones as well. Who doesn't want to pretend to be a cave person?

I have many more ideas, these are just a few I loved the most. Jessica and I are going to get parents of the year if I have anything to do about it.

One Little Heartbeat At A Time

Did I have doubts? Of course. But I knew that God was doing this for a reason. Things like this didn't just come up back to back for nothing. God knew what he was doing in my life and I will be forever grateful for him giving me the blessings He has this year.

First I knew that I may have a situation where I would have to step in and adopt my sister. I was her Godfather. So I had been prepared to take over if I needed to do so but I was never expecting to actually have to put that into action.

After countless hours of social worker meetings, talking to lawyers, child services and going over finances, Avary is my daughter completely.

I was very nervous about the home study, but I just prayed and God was looking out for me. Having to write my autobiography was nerve wrecking enough, but the other things such as having to get a physical (to see if you have a normal life expectancy and normal mental health. Any prior mental issues could cause problems. Apparently being confused a lot isn't a big deal. ), personal interviews (the view to see if you live in a stable environment and how you handle situations) these were also the longest process because it's not just one interview and they are not always announced, then the criminal background check, financial Statements (financial records are reviewed by the social worker conducting the home study and they include annual income, savings, liabilities or debt, and overall net worth) and they went over my insurance and what insurance I plan on getting for Avary.

It was a long a tedious process but knowing that I go to sleep at night knowing that Avary completely safe the rest of her life makes it worth the process.

People have asked what the costs of the process was and I won't lie it was very costly. The home studies range themselves from $500 to $3000. Mine was in between those. And there will be post studies as well. Erica helped me get the best lawyer though so there are no loop holes.

As for a mother for Avary? Jessica will do just fine. Those two are so much like each other it's a wonder that Avary didn't come out of her. It is priceless. With those two my world is complete and I feel like I am sitting on a million dollars.

Yes in the future we plan to adopt more and hopefully have our own. As long as God is the center of what we do then who can be against us and win?

Mayhem Really Needs to Die

I really despise these commercials. I don't understand how this man has become as popular as Flo from Progressive. I want to really punch this guy a lot of the time.

• The things he does are mayhem but to a dramatic level. Sure it could be true but at a highest level.
• He is just annoying. 
• Sometimes the things he does actually make no sense when he is talking in first person about someone else.

These are the things I hate about this commercial. This and the Godaddy.com commercial are my least favorite. I can watch tampon and Viagra commercials more than I can watch those.  

Baby When the Light Go Out...

What would I do if all of the electricity in the world went out?

 First I would freak out. Technology is almost like a baby to me. I like to nourish it and find new things to do with it and how to fix things with it. 

Second, light some candles and start walking. I want all of my friends and family together and cars run on electricity (Or part atleast does) so we will be moving to get everyone together. 

Then I guess we go back to the early 1800s. Letters, lamps, gas, etc. 

Also may want to add a few extra hospitals because some people will go nuts without technology. I think I could possibly be able to adapt. I am not sure of that though. However, I do believe I would try to adapt. 

 

Gotta Get That Boom Boom

My grandma had us all over for the Fourth today. She had made my cousins put together a playlist. Let's just say things this morning at my grandmother's pool party was wild.

Ever seen a five year old drop it low? I can officially say I have. Bad part? She's mine. I know I was glaring at her mother Tina with a fierce look.

My family are not the best role models. We have pole dancers (no not strippers), Well we did have a stripper, we have had flashers, and exotic dancers. So Avary comes by it naturally. It was just shocking.

Though we did leave when the song I'm in Luv with a Stripper. Well I made Avary leave. I knew how crazy and how funny my cousins would be.

I know it will be something tonight. Only my family.

Plan Dude

I am a tech dude. Pretty common knowledge about me that I like to have things done in a timely manner for the most part and I do like to stay on top of things. That being said, to remember something I have to write it down. Not type it or read six times... Write it.

Thus being why when my girlfriend kept looking at the Life Planner from Erin Condren, I decided I might need one too. I emailed customer service and all the have for the Life Planner is girly or more feminine insides. I decided to go with a Filofax after that. I can customize it to every part of my life.

I went with the Penny Bridge Filofax A5. I can house an iPad and have a planner as well. Which makes it easy to have a digital calendar that I can later coordinate with my paper planner. I like that I can do that. I know with my job I will be receiving an iPad within the next week and I am excited about having both of these.

I can honestly say with my planner I will keep up with a number of things. Like when it is my turn to do grocery shopping or make a meal or dessert. When we have a date night. I can keep track of what business I will be wiring or monitoring for on any given day. Also I can keep notes of the wiring I have done for a certain project that way I can have it easily accessed at my finger tips. 

I have many ideas of how to use this planner. The above ideas are the main ones being that I love my job and I love my family. I like to be devoted to both to get somewhere in this life. And my planner will help me do just that.

Not Anytime Soon

She had my heart the moment I seen her little black and somewhat white-gray picture.

I was upset yet but it was time to get over that and move on. My mom wouldn't want me to harbor hate and living in a hole.

Then the day came and it was over for me...

The tiny bundle was place in my arms. She did her crinkle coo at me and drifted off to sleep. I stared at the wrinkle little old man looking tiny baby girl in my arms that I had tried so hard to hate. She wouldn't be taking the place my deceased sister; she found her own space in my heart.

Avary Tilly McLachlan was placed into my arms placed into my arms six years ago this year.

She was the main reason for me to keep returning home while I was away at college, because it honestly hurt to return home and see places where I had grew up.

Avary changed so much of that for me. She let me see that it was okay to move on. She helped me to see the sparkle of Christmas even more. She was a baby on her back and we would lay her on her back under the tree and she would wildly kick and squeal especially with the lights were "dancing" and twinkling.

I feel privilege to look back and realize to see the impact I have had on her life already. She would run to me every single time I would come home. She knew I was going to protect her. I watched her grow from being two years old to twenty-two years old.

And now she is becoming legally mine. She loves the idea but knows that I am stricter than her biological mom and my dad. She gets away with a lot now that I wouldn't let her. However, this will be amazing thing for she and I both.

Avary knows over 200 mainstream and country songs. She loves zebra print and glittery. She already loves to shop and wears over sized sunglasses like a celebrity. She can get an attitude despite her being shy at times.

I was taking this three foot, five year old (who thinks she is twenty-five) out for lunch yesterday. She came down the stairs all dressed up. We get frowned at all the time for what we let her dress in but her mom let's her dress in whatever. But yesterday's outfit was not terrible. The thing that matter was that she had on little red wedges for little girls.

Avary grinned at me. "Look I have on red shoes! I'm like Kellie pickler! I'm about to show you how good leaving feels in my red high heels." I grabbed her up and spun her around. "You aren't leaving me anytime soon." She is my favorite little human.

In the future she will leave me and I may just have to watch her ... in her red high heels.

Days of Lists: Score!

Sports that I play or have played in order of favorite to least favorite:

• Disc Golf
• Baseball
• Football
• Fencing
• Lacrosse
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Swimming and diving
• Beach volleyball
• Wrestling
• Taekwondo
• Soccer
• Men's basketball

Days of Lists: Waking Up in Orlando

• Go to Legoland.
• Go on a glass bottom boat tour.
• Go on the Disney World hot air balloon
• Take Jessica to Basin.
• Take a boat tour past the opulent estates and landmarks of historic Winter Park.
• View millions of stars in the domed planetarium and Florida’s largest public refracting telescope at the Orlando Science Center.
• Browse with locals looking for fresh produce, arts and crafts at the Sunday Eola Market.
• Visit Mount Dora.
• Visit Harry P. Leu Gardens.
  
  
  
  There are many things I am looking forward doing in Orlando when we return in January but that list is for a different time.
  
  

Old Man

For starters I actually read about Nicholas Flamel before HP. True story. So I was freaking out as a kid. Which leads me to what this blog is about. What Supernatural power would I have if I could choose.

I would never age and live forever. 

Eventually I would greet death like an old friend. You know, kind of like if I had an invisibility cloak.

“The line between confidence and arrogance is very fine, Josh. And the line between arrogance and stupidity even finer.”

—	Nicholas Flammel - The Sorceress

Dirty Dancing

I carried a watermelon.

So this post is going to be about my day with my daughter/sister. I am adopting my sister and she will be my daughter. She is my pride and joy right now (besides my gorgeous girlfriend.)

Today was Nathaniel and Avary Day. She is starting to take and like dance more and more. She will soon be taking private lessons. But I decided to take upon myself to teach her some of the basics, because I started taking dance at the age of three. I do not regret it at all. I have more leg strength than most athletes. So go ahead and call me gay. Most girls dream of a guy who can twirl them like a princess.

So I was teaching her today. She likes learning the cha cha more and more even though that's not the basics. I definitively have a ball room dancer on my hands. She loves learning more complicated moves than basics. Which is frustrating for me and her but we are working through it.

Plus, crazy as it she loves the movie Dirty Dancing.We love watching dancing movies. I like the older ones and not the hip hop bull from today.

Well we had finished practicing today and I decided to treat her since she had really worked hard on her tap and ballet. She was still in her leotard and shoes and I went out in mine leotard and my dancing pants. We were eating our ice dream from Chick fil a in the park. She was playing my iTunes and doing different little dances. I was cracking up at her doing some of those crazy dances.

She was so entertaining she started developing a little audience of parents as their kids played on the playground. And then fate stepped in and "Time of My Life" and I scooped her up and tried my hardest to mimic the dance moves with her from the movie. She was loving it all the way. And then came the moment for her to run into my arms.

We nailed it. She squealed. We both loved that moment. She loved it because I made her dreams come true of doing that dance and I loved it because I realized that I can do this dad thing. Not every day will be like this, no. But the memories of days like today will get me through the hard days. That's what parenting and marriage is all about making sure there are memories that are amazing to get you through the hard times.

Needless to say we got applause and went home very happy.

Target Haul with Avary

I don't believe I have written about Avary before so I will make this quick since that isn't what this blog post is about. She is my half sister and I will have custody of her at the end of June. That is part of the reason I am still in Tuscaloosa is to fill out certain paper work and things of that nature.

So we took a little trip into town the other day and we went by our Super Target by the Home Depot.
We are taking a two week long trip come the very end of June so I had to take the little fashionista to Target for clothes and things.


Girls' Maxi Shirt - Fresh White

Girls' Chiffon Tank Top

Girls' Fashion Drawstring Short

Girls' Jeans - Fresh White

Girls' 2-Piece Leopard Spot Bikini Swimsuit Set

Circo® Girls' Tank Tops - Assorted

Girls' Swim Halter Bandeau Cover Up Dress

Cherokee® Girls' Short-Sleeve Graphic Shirt

Girls' Geometric Skullette Dress - Kool Aid

Circo® Girls' Tee Shirt - Assorted

Cherokee® Girls' Lace Shorts

Cherokee® Girls' Bermudas - JuJu

C9 by Champion® Girls' Performance Yoga Pant

Cherokee® Girls' Jean Vest - Assorted

Cherokee® Girls' Bootcut Jean - Salina

Girls' Jean Short - White

Girls' Jeans Short - Artic Blue

Girls' Tank Top - Turbine Gray

Circo® Girls' Short-sleeve Tee Shirt - Navy Voyage

Xhilaration® Girls' 3-Piece Short-Sleeve Pajama Set

Girl's Cherokee® Harriett Thong Sandals - Gold

Girl's Cherokee® Fredrika Studded Huarache Sandals - Tan

Girl's Cherokee® Helaine Canvas Loafers - Multicolor

Crckt Girls Rolling Suitcase - Multicolored

SOHO Neonz and Nudez Hanging Travel Bag


This was just clothes (some) and luggage shopping. We still have three more places plus getting her necessities before we leave. She is super excited.

Avary:

My favorite thing was the studed sandals.

Days of Lists: Rumbly in My Tummy

This calls for a small smackerel!

I really want to try these one day soon.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Strips

Shrimp-Boil Kebabs

Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls 

Honey Garlic Pork Chops