7 Things Award

I won an award from my bloggy friend, Laura! I don't know the name of this award, but it IS an award! I feel so honored! Thank you girl :o)
Now, I have to give you 7 random things about myself that you don't already know!!!!! If you do know these things, just pretend you don't! M'K?

1) I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!! I love it so much that I listen to Christmas music all year long! It makes me happy! I also wear Christmas socks and panties all year long too!!! Well, not everyday, but it doesn't have to be December for me to have on a pair of cute "HO HO HO" socks :o)

2) I have a very rare skin disorder on my lower legs called Lichen Planus. Actually they say it is common, but I have never met anyone with this disorder so I call it rare! Very rare! They also say that it is very uncommon in children and I have had this since I was 3 years old. THEY also say that it typically runs a course of about 18 months and I have had it for 27 years now....SO, I don't think THEY know exactly what they are talking about! Can you tell that I don't really have much faith in dermatologist?!?! This is really a whole nother blog post in itself, but I really don't like to talk about it! So enough of this.....

3) I have never been to a concert and would really like to! I think it would be fun!

4) One day I plan on going to New York City in December! I wouldn't pass up a trip if it were given to me for any time of the year, but if I am planning and paying for it (which will be the case), I want to go sometime during the month of December!

5) I get car sick if I am not looking at the road. I can't dig in my purse, read, write, etc while traveling....Looking down makes me SICK....I usually stare at the lines in the center of the lanes and try to count them....only when I am the passenger in the car of course. I can't believe I just said typed that out loud! :o)

6) I do not like history. Not.one.bit! I have no idea how I passed in school! My dad gave me a quiz this past weekend of who is on the dollar bill, five dollar bill, etc...I got them all wrong! Oops! Oh well, I really don't sweat the small stuff! :o)

7) I have a HUGE fear of crickets, frogs, grasshoppers, & roaches!!!!! They seriously scare me to death!


Okay....So I am boring...Oh well! I am passing this award onto Shannon, Samantha, Jill, Julie, Beth, Shelley, & Haley.......Congratulations ladies!!!! :o)

A new chapter...

Wade and I are definitely at a new chapter in our life. While most of our friends and family have little tots running around, Wade and I are long past those days. Thursday Andrew turned 14!!!

It is hard to believe that we will have a son in HIGH SCHOOL in just a few weeks. It is somewhat bittersweet. I miss my babies being little, but I am enjoying (most of the time) the ages they are now. They are at a very fun age. We have some really good and interesting conversation each night at the dinner table and it is nice!

My parents and others keep telling me that once they hit 9th grade, it is all over with as the next four years will fly by. I am having a hard time picturing him walking into the high school in a few weeks, much less walking across a stage at graduation.....But, there is no stopping time so all I can do is embrace today, have fun and make tons of memories!

Dad & Sharon came down Saturday morning and set up their camper and we had a big cookout for Andrew's birthday. Andrew's grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all came to celebrate his day. They went jet skiing, swimming and just made a day out of it. My parents ended up staying a few nights in their camper so the kids are with them camping out and having a big time! Thank you Dad & Sharon for everything and thank you to all that were able to come and help us celebrate!!!!!!!

Andrew opening gifts with Avery standing over his shoulder checking out how much money he was getting, ha!!!

Mo money

Andrew & Uncle Josh

He racked up on the money this year, but this 14 year old was NOT disappointed!!! LOL! He also got some Pumas that he has been wanting. So I think he is a pretty happy camper!

I with the help of my brother, Josh, made Andrew's cake. Josh helped me "smooth" the icing and he outlined the "M" for me!!!!! It turned out pretty dang cute, if you ask me!!! :o) Thanks Josh for all of your help! :o)
14 candles.....
He got them all!!!! :O)

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY birthday Andrew!!!!! I hope your day was special!!!!!!! We love you, Mom & Dad :o)

Easely Amused

I had a blast tonight with a few of my girlfriends! We went to the new "hot spot" in town....Easely Amused!!!!! This week they had "Christmas in July" and tonight we painted a whimsical ornament called "Deck the halls"!!!! I'll be honest--I think my masterpiece painting turned out to be a hot mess, but I had an absolute BLAST!!!!!!

Girls, I had a great time and can not wait for our next date!!!!!! :o)

My sweet friend, Julie.... ME:O)My dear friend, Angela...Me & Julie

Me & Angela Group picture....Me, Pam, Julie, Angela, Machelle!!!!

We go back in a few weeks for another painting date and I hope that I will be proud of that one, ha!!!!!!

Confessions

Just for the fun of it!!!!! Thanks LT!!!

Confessions!!!
1. The phone rings. Who do you want it to be? Wade
2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? Normally I do, but there have been times that I didn't.
3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? I think I do a little of both.
4. Do you take compliments well? No, but I am trying. This is one thing that Wade stays on me about!
5. Do you play Sudoku? Never played....
6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive? Probably NOT!
7. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? Yes, but this one time right before band GA camp.....ha!!! No really, one year I had to have emergency surgery due to appendicitis so I didn't get to go....BUMMER :o(
8. What was your favorite game as a kid? operation and connect four.
9. Would you slow dance with someone that you knew was married? Yes, my husband :O)
10. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you? Probably not.
11. Do you like to pursue or be pursued? I'm old fashioned and I like my man to pursue me, but I sure don't mind pursuing him either!!!
12. Use three words to describe yourself? in-love, determined, short
13. Do any songs make you cry? Yes. There are quite a few....Songs speak to me!
14. Are you continuing your education? Well, let's just say I am contemplating starting my education!
15. Do you know how to shoot a gun? ABSOLUTELY not! I have no desire to know either!
16. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed? My kids!
17. How often do you read books? not much.....I am still trying to read the book that I took to the beach and didn't finish!
18. Do you think more about the past, present or future? Here lately, I've been trying to "let go" of my past and embrace today and make plans for the future!
19. What is your favorite children's book? I don't think I loved books as a child either.
20.What color are your eyes? brown
21. How tall are you? 4'10"
22. Where is your dream house located? It is not built yet!
23. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth? Yes, when I was younger
24. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden? several, several years ago on our anniversary. Had a bad experience and have NEVER been back and don't plan on going back!
25. Where was the furthest place you traveled today? Work
26. Do you like mustard? yes
27. Do you prefer to sleep or eat? Being that I don't allow myself many hours a night to sleep, I guess I would say eat!
28. Do you look like your mom or dad? Daddy.
29. How long does it take you in the shower? 10-15 minutes
30. Can you do the splits? Girl, YES!!!! That is one thing I can STILL do to this day! :o)
31. What movie do you want to see right now? The Proposal
32. Do you think The Grudge was scary? I didn't see it.
33. Do you own a camera phone? Yes
34. Was your mom a cheerleader? Mom-no, Sharon-yes
35. What's the last letter of your middle name? "A".
36. How many hours of sleep do you get a night? oh, maybe 5-6...I've got to start getting to bed earlier!
37. Do you like care bears? I did as a child
38. What do you buy at the movies? Diet Coke
39. Do you know how to play poker? No
40.Do you wear your seat belt? Every time I am in the car
41. What do you wear to sleep? big t shirts or cute pj's...depends on the mood
42. Anything big ever happen in your hometown? I was born???? :o)
43. How many meals do you eat a day? Normally just 2, but I am trying to now eat 6 small meal/snacks per day....Gotta love Weight Watchers! :o(.
44. Is your tongue pierced? NO
45. Do you always read MySpace bulletins? Hate Myspace...No
46. Do you like funny or serious people better? Funny
47. Ever been to L.A.? No and is this an invitation??? I'm game!
48. Did you eat a cookie today? No
49. Do you use cuss words in other languages? I once was taught a few,but couldn't tell you now what they were! :o)
50. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads? I use Itunes and pay
51. Do you hate chocolate? Uhh, do I look like a hate chocolate....??? NO, love it! My weakness!
52. What do you and your parents fight about the most? No comment!
53. Are you a gullible person? I like to call myself a LITERAL person! :o)
54. Do you need a boyfriend/girlfriend to be happy? nope. I need my husband to be happy and can't and won't imagine life without him :O)
55. If you could have any job (assuming you have the skills) what would it be? Britney Spears :o)
56. Are you easy to get along with? I think so....
57. What is your favorite time of day? 5:00 p.m.!!!!
58. Do you have a crush on anyone right now? I still have a crush on my man :o) even though he is getting old as dirt, lol :o)

Feel free to join in on confession time!!!! :o)

Beach Day 5

Our last full day at the beach was jam packed full with fun!!!!! We were just trying to enjoy our every last minute and I think we did!!!


AJS showing his sis some love, ha!!!!
ABS & AJS playing...

"diving" for shells...The water was so beautiful...clear and pretty!

ABS & Daddy

They got splashed while trying to pose for a picture....oops...

She let us bury her...

AKS & Daddy wrestling! They did this the entire trip....

Then more wrestling in the pool...Avery didn't want any part of it...Smart boy!

BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I loved watching the sunset every night!

Writing in the sand...

They guys played Frisbee for hours that night!!!!! They had a blast!

One more day to go....whew...Almost done :O)

Beach Day 4

Back to my vacation documenting......I am almost done! This is mainly for the grandparents to enjoy, but I hope you will as well :O)

Day four:

We spent the day at Big Kahunas Water Park. We had loads of fun!!!!!! If you are ever near Destin, you should plan on going to this park! It has so much to offer and worth every penny!

I only have a handful of pictures because we left the camera in the truck so we could all enjoy riding the slides and "lazing" in the lazy river together. I did go and get it towards the end of the day to get a few shots of the kids.

Wave Pool Fun
Fun Fountains

One of the many slides that we enjoyed. This was one of the "smaller" ones, but it was so fun!

Daddy in the lazy river
An attempted photo under the waterfall....what was I thinking?!?!

We were completely worn out after spending the entire day there so we stayed in that night and cooked....Spaghetti...YUM:O)

Jet Skiing Fun

Thanks to my Dad and Sharon, we have had a really fun weekend jet skiing and tubing! I will probably pay for all of the fun I had tomorrow morning when my body is aching, but it was well worth it!!!

My 3 men....Go Daddy go!!!ABS getting ready to ride with DaddyDaddy & ABS...She yelled out to me one time, "Mom, I'm okay...we're having fun"....I guess she knew I was worried! :O) Wade is known to take you for a ride....literally!!!!!! He makes ME nervous when I am riding with him! ha!!!! The boys going tubing!!! Daddy came by slow so I could get a few shots of them.

And that was our weekend!!!! Thanks again Dad & Sharon! We had a blast!!!!!!

We have a winner.....

I'm so sorry that I am SO late in getting a winner picked and posted!!!! It has been a busy day and night!!!! You know...work all day and sew all night, ha!!!! Isn't she a cutie??? I ♥ her so much and I am so thankful that she likes the dresses and outfits that I make for her!
I know you all have just been sitting here waiting all day on the announcement..ha!!!!

Annah Brooke and I just put all of our entries into a big bowl and I let her draw our lucky winner!!

CONGRATULATIONS HEATHER SKAGGS!!!!! You are the lucky winner!!!!!! Please email me your address so I get your goodies in the mail to you! (melanieshea78 at yahoo dot com)

Thank you to all of you who entered!!!!! I was so excited at all of the entries!!!! Stay tuned....I have a BIG giveaway planned for my 500th post which is just right around the corner...well, unless I get into a blogging funk and it takes me a while to get there, just kidding....ha!!!!!

Again, thank you for entering the giveaway and being a reader of "Mel Tells"!!!! Have a wonderful weekend!

Summer favorites giveaway

*This is a sticky post that will be up all week. Scroll down for new updates*

I can not believe that we are in the month of July already! Where does the time go? Before I know it, the kids will be back in school, I'll be decorating for fall, and then Christmas! Who ever said that the older you get, the faster the time flys was right! It seems as if each year passes by faster and faster! Anywho...

I have a few new summer favorites that I'd like to share with you!

I have never been one that cared for "cold coffee". I mean, I have never even had one, but it didn't sound appealing to me...until recently. One the way home from the beach, we stopped by a Starbucks and I ventured away from my normal order of a Caramel Macchiato and I ordered a Double Chocolate Frappuccino. Oh. My. Heavens. It was fantabulous!!!!!!!!! So refreshing!

While my friend, Angela, and I were out garage sale shopping last weekend, we stopped by her mother's house for a quick bathroom break. Her mother had the best smelling hand soap/lotion in her bathroom and I fell in love. It is from the Bath & Body aromatherapy "stress relief" line. Eucalyptus Spearmint hand soap and lotion are definitely a new favorite of mine!!I am hosting a Summer favorites giveaway. The winner will receive a product (soap or lotion) from the Bath & Body Aromatherapy Stress Relief line, a $5.00 Starbucks card to treat yourself to a cold (or hot) drink on that hot summer day, & two of my favorite hand towels (your choice of fabric from my collection). You know that I can't do a giveaway without including my favorite initial hand towels. They add a little sass to any kitchen or bathroom. I heart them!

The giveaway will last until Thursday, July 9th. I will announce the winner Friday, July 10th.

*Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite Starbucks drink for ONE entry*

*Become a follower and leave a second comment for another entry* (if you are already a follower, that automatically earns you the second entry.)

*Post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a 3rd comment to earn a 3rd entry*

Good Luck!!!!!