Last post of 2006

I know that I will be writing 2006 on everything for many months to come. I'm just that way. I don't like change. Well... I guess I do to an extent. If it is my idea then yea I am all over change and ready to dig in but when it comes to change that just happens in life then I drag my feet.

I have taken a blog break for no reason and when I sat down tonight I thought about all the things that have happened in the past weeks since I have blogged and suddenly none of them seemed crucial or too important to not wait a few days. Don't get me wrong I have some great things to share but they can wait.

Tonight I want to focus on my family.

I have an incredible husband that is getting a much deserved break. I call it a vacation but it is just a break between seasons. Now it is quiet and we are loving it. He has done nothing for a few days and he is in heaven. Actually "nothing" has included changing diapers more often and helping around the house. But I know he would rather be here than outside somewhere. Cameron is so incredible that in his little bit of time off he graciously volunteered to be a parent volunteer for Gracie's field trip. Now I didn't fully disclose all his duties while on the field trip so he went into the event a little blind but he did a great job lending a extra set of hands for little ones to hold on to while we were at the mall visiting Santa and Dollar Tree shopping. Gracelyn was on cloud nine that he was there and kept telling her teachers that her Daddy was coming. What a great man to realize that holding 4-5 year-olds hands was more important than getting a few more zzzzzz's while we were at school.

My daughter is 4 years and 5 months. She is ready to say 4 1/2 but I told her she had to wait another month. She is just a hoot. I am shocked that she is as smart as she is. She is where she needs to be as far as school stuff. She can write her name and knows all her colors, numbers, and working on the majority of her alphabet so she is just right where she needs to be. But she is so smart in her thinking and reasoning skills. Gracelyn loves to draw and paint and when you ask her what she is making she gets a little offended that you don't know right away. We are getting creative in asking what she is doing so as not to offend her so much. She pouts like a normal little girl who doesn't get her way and that is when we just have to turn our heads and laugh. It isn't funny all the time and we recognize the manipulation but it is funny that she is changing. She is such a girly-girl and can't wait to be a mom. We have talked non-stop about how she has to get married and then she can be a mommy. She has it all planned out. She got some new babies for Christmas and she calls them her kids. Very mommy like. She asked if she could be Cannon's 2nd mommy. Poor guy he is really in for it. Gracelyn asks him all the time who he loves more. Good thing he can't answer just yet because I might get my feelings hurt.

Cannon is 16 1/2 months old. WOW! Seems like I just had him last week. You know the old time flying thing. Well... it is so true. We are definitely having fun. He was in the room with me when I was putting the new baby bed together. He just sat and watched me. I wish I knew what he was thinking. He has no idea that his little world is about to be rocked but as much as we are looking forward to a new baby we are still focused on the fact that Cannon is a baby as well. Hence why we opted for another baby bed instead of moving him out of his and putting him in a regular bed. It worked out perfect. I want to enjoy my two babies for as long as possible and if keeping him in a crib is the ticket then I will take it! :) Cannon just jabbers and jabbers until we think we can make out what he is saying. We make it up but it is fun just the same. He is just so darn cute is all I can say!

Baby Melban (NOPE~NO NAME YET) is doing great. I get to have another sonogram on Wednesday to get an estimated weight on the little guy. It gives us another chance to see him and just maybe get confirmation that he is a HE. The last two sonos he has been breach and his little rear has been so far down in my pelvis that we couldn't see anything. I think he has flipped so hopefully we can see for sure what is going on. I have been having some signs of things progressing that I didn't have quit so early with the other two so I am getting my ducks all lined out and ready to go just in case this little guy decides to make an early debut. We are ecstatic that God has given us another opportunity to have a baby.

The rest of my family~well what can I say? My extended family is just wonderful.

Mom and Dad gave us an extra special gift for Christmas. They had their picture made professionally. Can you say shocked??? We were in awe that they did it and it was just wonderful. They are on my entertainment center and I just smile every time I look up there. I love the support and encouragement they provide for Cameron and I and it makes me proud to say they are mine!

My sister and her family are just precious and growing. Tyler, Keely, Maggie and Marlee are all super sweet kids and I love that the twins are getting more mobile. My sister on the other hand is running all over the place trying to keep up but it is funny to hear all her stories of the girls. The big kids are big helpers so that is a huge plus!

Cameron's parents and sister are all busy with Bella. She is just a pure angel in our lives. I know that Nana-B and Papa are loving her being with them everyday and they are soaking up the time they have together. Kassie is preparing for some college classes while she is here and and hopefully will start subbing at KU with me. Jerry is scheduled to come home in February for 2 weeks and I know the countdown has begun. I want each of you to say a prayer for our troops. Jerry is important to our family and his safety along with all the troops is my greatest concern. I am proud of him and his commitment to the Army. What a true American but in the same breath I do pause and pray for God's protection on all the soldiers over there.

Most importantly I want to praise my heavenly Father! He is my one and true light of salvation and glory. What an awesome year he has provided for me. He made provisions for me that I didn't deserve and has never looked back. I am called to praise him and I do so proudly. I proudly shout I am a CHRISTIAN. I proudly shout that my GOD is GOOD. I proudly shout that I don't deserve his mercy but got it anyways. Each day he lays his grace upon me. Each day I do something to disappoint him I'm sure but I do recognize that he is mighty and good and faithful. Praise God from whom all blessing flow. Without God this past year would not have been the wonderful year that it was. He did amazing things in my life and I am certain that he will be faithful in 2007.

I challenge you to think of all the things that God has done for you in the past week, month, season, year and give thanks. Give thanks for his faithfulness. Give thanks for his mercy. Give thanks for his grace. Give thanks for his love and comfort. My family is just one of about a million things that is wonderful in my life. For that I am thankful!

God Bless you and Happy New Year!
Keri

The more the MERRIER!

I will say it again! I love Christmas cards. :) Here are a few of the latest we got in the past few days.

On the LEFT if Kayzlee Jalane. She is the daughter of Cameron's 2nd cousin Shyla. Kayzlee was born on October 5th and is just the cutest thing ever!!

On the RIGHT is the Richards. Tiffany and I taught at Landergin for a few years and she is now the mother of 3 precious boys, Justis(4), Navy(2), and Titan (4 months)

The TOP picture is the Stewart kids. Pike (4th grade), Grace (1st grade), and Emma (4). The moved to Houston this summer and are getting used wearing shorts during the winter months I'm sure! :)

The MIDDLE card is of the Ator clan. Riley(9), Jake(7), Nathan(4), and Lainee(2). I went to ACU with Randall and Teresa and am fortunate enough that Teresa is my co-teacher at KU. They are also the pastors at our church Plum Creek Fellowship. Can you tell we just love this family??

The BOTTOM picture is the Smithson girls. Jaci(1st grade) and Katy(3) are just the cutest things. Super sweet family that we just adore. They go to our church and Kami does my hair. If you are in the market for a new hair stylist I will gladly give you her name!! She does fantastic color.

______________________________________

We had an ice storm come through yesterday and woke up this morning to a few inches of snow!! It was just wonderful. Cameron has been out all day working on trees for some customers. We finally finished up our Christmas shopping and feel like we can just sit back and enjoy the season. Just 5 more days until Christmas. What are your holiday plans?? We have some great traditions that I will write about soon.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Cards

I love Christmas Cards!! I love reading the wonderful things that are written either comical or religious they are all special. I also love photo cards. Many that I get are from friends that I don't see on a regular basis so it is fun to see how much the kids have changed or grown. Here are a few that I have been looking forward to this year.

I'll start with some of my favorite people in the world! :)

Tyler (9), Keely(8), Marlee & Maggie(8months)

What a sweet picture of my nephew and nieces!

Top picture is of Bella my niece on Cameron's side. She is 7 weeks old.

The bottom picture is the Sullivans in McKinney. I went to ACU with Stacy and Brad for a few years. They have 3 beautiful children. Shelbi, Dawson and Courtney

On the left are the Ramsey kiddos. Macy is 4 and Jack is 14 months. Extremely close to my own kids! Amy & I graduated college together and have remained friends ever since. I just love this family!! :)

On the right are the Girty girls. Allison(6), Lauren(4), & Caroline (18 months). I work with their mother and graduated high school with their dad. Small world!!

On top are the Finley kids! The Finleys~Hunter(7) and Rylee(4) are great friends of my sister and through them I have gotten to know this neat family.

The middle picture shows the Bentley's. I graduated college with Jaime and through many emails and daycare situations have stayed in touch with her. Brandon(4) and Brooklyn(2) are super sweet kiddos!

Last but not least are sweet neighbors from across the street. We moved in the same weekend 2 1/2 years ago and have gotten to know the Zahllers fairly well. Their kids, Chris & Sarah are twins who are in the 6th grade. Mary is a breast cancer survivor and most of all (being Denver natives) they love the BRONCOS as much as we do!

My Ten Names

My good Friend Jennifer sent me this funny email. What are your ten names?

My Ten Names
1. YOUR REAL NAME
Keri Melban
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first three letters of your name, plus izzle)
Kerizzle
3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three of your last)
Kmel
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (fav color and fav animal)
Red Bunny
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, Street you live on):
Elizabeth Renegade
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letters of mom's maiden name)
Melkemay
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (favorite color, favorite drink)
Red Fresca
8. IRAQI NAME: (2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, any letter of your middle name, 2nd letter of your moms maiden name, 3rd letter of you dads middle name, 1st letter of a siblings first name, last letter of your moms middle name)
Elzalrn
9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/body spray)
Beautiful
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother & father's middle name)
Lynn Walter

Baby pool

I am so bad with the HTML stuff that I can't get my banners to show up BUT you can click on the following link http://www.expectnet.com/games/melbanbabygame to take a guess in our baby pool! There is also a link on the side bar. I got this off my friend Wade's blog. He just had a baby on the 5th of December. Hop over to his blog and check out Tate~he is just gorgeous.


Speaking of babies! We took a very quick road trip to Keller to visit the Jones'. Justin David was born at 8:06 am Friday morning. He weighed 7 lbs 4 oz and was 20 3/4 inches long. He is a precious baby. Momma and baby are doing great and they got to go home today. Here are a few pictures of the little guy! :)

I just wanted to share some reasons I love my husband! He is the absolute best person in the world.

All the reasons I love you!

~You are my soul mate
~You love your Kids more than baseball and cars
~You are willing to sacrifice anything for your family
~You are always thinking of ways to help me
~You let me stay home with my babies
~You laugh out loud at something funny on TV
~You put the toilet seat down
~You take your shoes and dirty clothes off in the garage
~You pray when it matters! (DAILY)
~You get up and go to church even when I don’t feel like it
~You love Oreos
~Coffee is a food group to you
~You love your dogs
~You sold your favorite Mustang to give me an engagement ring
~You love your parents and respect your mother
~Your son thinks you are a super hero
~Your daughter thinks you are a prince
~You know how to work hard
~Oral hygiene is important to you
~You are learning to pause the TV more
~You always help me if I ask
~You keep our yard looking good
~You take pride in your truck
~Your business is more about integrity than money
~You have dreams for our future
~Your customers respect you and your character
~You have a unique last name
~You value our kid’s education
~You love to build fires
~You put Christmas lights on the house
~You eat anything I cook
~You don’t snore habitually
~You get up and check the door even though you know it is locked
~You help me keep the house picked up
~You know how to make me feel special
And the #1 Reason I love you is because you love me!

I'm Melting!

Quick~What is that line from?

Gracelyn watched The Wizard of Oz for the first time recently and just loved it.

That also means the attempt she made at a snowman is leaving us as well. As quickly as it came it is leaving. Well kinda. Of course you can still see plenty of snow in the shade of our home but it is not pretty and glistening anymore.

Cameron has been very busy putting up Christmas lights for customers this week and weekend and it is really wearing him down. He HATES it. There is so much that can go wrong with Christmas lights. Fuses, burned bulbs, timers, etc... but it is almost over and then his vacation begins. We both can't wait for him to be able to relax. He will have a few clean-up jobs to do but for the most part he is done with his season. Until next year... OIE!

Found a fun little thing to add to the blog. You just type in your blog address and it generates a word cloud of words that stand out in your blog. It is funny to me to see a word and remember which entry it came from.

I sure hope that Cannon knows his name is Cannon and not No~No. He is in love with the tree and Christmas decorations. It is so fun to watch him go up to it and "pet" the tree. He does really good for the most part but every once in a while he gets really brave and grabs an ornament. He immediately looks at you to hear your response which is most typically no~no Cannon. If you get up then he drops it and runs. So typical of his age but so funny to watch him figure out life as well. I've caught him a few times laying under the tree looking up. That is my absolute MOST favorite thing to do!!!! So I got down there with him and we just looked up at the tree together and talked about it. He had lots to say and I couldn't understand a word of it but I hope he was telling me that he appreciated the effort it took for me to get under there. I also hope he was telling me that it was his most favorite thing to do too! I wanted to stay longer than him but after a few minutes he was onto bigger and better things like the dancing snowman we have. :)

We have been listening to Christmas music since the day after Thanksgiving on the local radio station. Either in the car or at home it is playing non-stop around Gracelyn. Today for the first time when Feliz Navidad came on she got a big grin and said, "Mommy, I didn't know we had Christmas songs in our car." I told her that we had them on for the past week but she just didn't pay attention to it. Is she a blonde or what? Now if she can just master the 3 songs we have to sing for our program at school we will be set!

Have a great Monday!!

Keri

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let is Snow...

I absolutely love snow. I love the cold weather, I love the cold wind, I love the ice and snow. I also love being able to stay home!!! School was cancelled on Thursday due to the snow and I want to go on record that in the 6 years I taught public school it NEVER closed. I only work on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the preschool now and Thursday was the lucky day for it to be nasty and for me to not have to work. As much as I love the snow I don't like driving in it!! :) I really don't like the idea of me having to carry Cannon around pregnant on ice. But we stayed home and it was wonderful. Cameron set out around 10:00 to start shoveling snow and got home around 7:00 after a long day in the bitter cold but he made some good Christmas money so we can't complain. Today he was out again but not before we ran to trusty old Wal-Mart for new mittens/gloves and hats for the kids to play outside. Although the adventure was short lived we did get some good pictures of the kids having a blast. Baron and Blaze thought the snow was pretty cool too. They have been cooped up in the shop for the past few days and this was a nice play time for them too. Enjoy our pictures of winter. I hope this is just a small taste of what is to come!!!