I'm back...I think?

For some unknown reason I have been unable to access my blog. I hope the problem is now fixed. Apparently, things have changed since I last posted. I sure hope I still have all my blog friends. I sure have missed you guys, and hope to catch up with you soon!

10 Words To Describe Our Children

Well, it is another cold, rainy Saturday (hopefully the last COLD) and we are all taking full advantage of a day like this...as my children like to say...we are "Chillaxing". Randy and I were in our room talking about how over the years, the kids have changed, yet...stayed the same, and how much they differ from each other.

So, we came up with 10 words to describe each of them.

Matthew

1. Musical

2. Affectionate

3. Hungry

4. Routine

5. Gassy

6. Talkative

7. Funny

8. Mischievous

9. Autistic

10. Silly

Stephen

1. Studious

2. Conservative

3. Curious

4. Inquisitive

5. Mischievous

6. Musical

7. Adventurous

8. Spiritual

9. Honest

10. Nerdy

Caleb

1. Talkative

2. Musical

3. Handsome

4. Thin

5. Smiley

6. Mischievous

7. Prankster

8. Tender

9. Happy

10. Diplomatic

Shelby

1.Natural

2. Ditsy

3. Mischievous

4. Gabby

5. Giggly

6. Casual

7. Musical

8. Helpful

9. Strong

10. Compassionate

Simple Scrapbooking Giveaway

My friend Becky over at Holiday In The Sun will quite often feature some of her favorite bloggy friends and I for one always enjoy visiting them...such talented writers, artists, and incredibly inspirational women. The most recent blog recommendation is Karla's Korner. Karla is a writer, and an artist...she has written and illustrated 16 books. She is also a motivational speaker...inspiring women to be all that God wants us to be. I truly enjoyed visiting her blog and I am looking forward to getting to know her better. Currently, Karla is hosting a giveaway. If you enjoy scrapbooking I encourage you to stop by her blog, introduce yourself and enter to win. Entry is very simple and the prize- a set of four scrapbooking "books"....one for every season! Tell her Monica from The Greene House sent you. I hope you will stop by and meet my friend Becky too...her blogs are always so uplifting...she is from Florida and in my opinion she is a ray of sunshine.

Good Luck To You...I Hope You Win!

Time To Remodel The Greene House

I'm ready for a new blog design. There are so many great free layouts available out there and I always have such a hard time choosing. This time, however, I would really like to get something more personalized... but I am finding that this is even harder! Not sure whether to get a whole blog set...or just a nice header and some buttons. I am pretty simple so I am thinking less is probably more. I've contacted one designer...her prices seem fair and she has sent me so many links with just page after page of samples...I am just about cross eyed from sifting through it all. I have no clue what I am doing...and would love some help!

A Very Sweet Blog Award For Sweet Friends

What a very nice surprise. I got a blog award this week from a new friend, Alexandra, aka "Ma" over at Ma, What's For Dinner. She has some of the best recipes and meal idea's that she created in hopes of enticing her 3 boys to eat. She makes their mealtime fun and encourages her boys, Keegan, Cooper and Brady to participate in preparing their meals. My personal favorite recipe is the "So Chic Sushi Rolls" It is a Vlog...so be sure to check that one out and while you are watching...please notice little Brady. He LOVES Mayo...it just cracks me up!

OK...so this award has a couple of rules. First rule I am supposed to list 10 things that make me happy. There are so many things that make me happy...but here are 10 of my favorites.

1. My Husband Randy Makes Me Happy: My love, my confidant, my best friend. He is intelligent, handsome and so funny. He is there for me always, he supports and encourages me in everything I do. Randy has made me laugh every day for the last 26 years....and I hope we have many more years to laugh together.

2. My precious children Make Me Happy: I was told that I would most likely never have children...but I was blessed with four. Each of the four are so unique, each with their own personality, talents, and gifts. I admit, occasionally the can make me mad but they always make me happy. They make me laugh easily and sometimes, even make me feel like a kid again. Each one of them bring joy to my life. I am very proud and love them so much.

3. Matthew's (my oldest son) Teachers, and Aides Make Me Happy: My oldest son suffered a brain injury during birth...which left him with moderate MR and he is pretty much non-verbal. It is scary enough for any parent to send their child off into the care of others...but placing your non verbal, mentally challenged child in the hands of others is frightening...and it requires a great deal of trust. For the most part...the non-verbal, handicapped child is at the mercy of those who care for him. Matthew has truly been blessed with wonderful educators, aides, and therapists. It is wonderful to put him on the bus each morning...and know that he is in good hands. I can go on about my day and know that he will be cared for in a loving way. I trust them completely and am very thankful to each of them.

4. My Pets Make Me Happy: I cannot even imagine my life without a pet. In fact I do not think there has ever been a time in my life when I didn't have a pet. They have always been the most loyal friends. It doesn't matter if you are in a good mood, or a bad mood. It doesn't matter if you are fat, or thin or tall or short. It doesn't matter if you are what the world calls beautiful...a pet is a friend that loves you just the way you are! Their loyalty cannot be matched.

5. My Great Niece Gianna Makes Me Happy: Who would have thought I would be charmed and smitten with a 1yr old! I thought that once my kiddo's got older that I would be spending this time doing what ever I wanted to do. I didn't think I would be spending time with a little one until again until my kids gave me grand baby's. Well, I was wrong. I spend my days with a rambunctious little girl named Gianna...she keeps me moving, busy and laughing.

6. My Friends Make Me Happy: I've learned in my that there is a wide range when it comes to friendships. Brian Chalker wrote that people come into your life for "A Reason, A Season and A Lifetime. As I grow older...I realize more and more that is true. Through the years, I have made friends who are wonderful. I enjoyed their company and they seemed to fit in my life perfectly...and then Poof, sometimes with no warning or reason, they were gone from my life as quickly as they appeared. I have had friends through the years who filled an emptiness, brought comfort during a troubled times, and sometimes even gave me a new and fresh view on life. Then something would change, or an argument would come out of the blue and Poof...gone. And then there are those precious few who have stayed throughout the years. Those jewels who put up with your moods, overlook your flaws...they wouldn't change a thing about you because they love you just the way you are...I have been blessed with all of the above.

7. My Blog Makes Me Happy: I have great respect for all who write a blog and make it all look so darn easy! It is a lot harder than I thought. When I was in school I had no trouble writing...I loved to write more than anything. Topics just popped into my head and I could sit down and write an essay in no time at all. I don't know if my mind is just not as open as it used to be...but I now have a hard time deciding what to write. The words just do not seem to flow as easily as they did in the past. Maybe I am just trying to hard? Maybe I just need to relax, take my time and try to remember that it is all about FUN...which is without a doubt the biggest reason that I wrote in the past.

8. Music Makes Me Happy: I would rather listen to music than watch anything on television. I like pretty much all types of music...it can change my mood, help me relax, make me want to get up and dance, take me back to the past and remind me of beautiful memories.

9. My Camera Makes Me Happy: Oh another love from my past. It doesn't matter where I am or who I am with...I can find beauty ANYWHERE just by looking through the lens of my camera.

10. The Porch Swing On Deck Out Back Makes Me Happy: A glass of iced tea, good music on the radio..a nice breeze, snuggled up close to my sweetie, as we watch our children and their friends enjoying the back yard....That is all I need to relax and unwind.

So that is 10 things that make me happy. The second rule of this award is to share it with my bloggy friends.
Now...I know that some do not care for the award and tag exchange...and that is fine with me. If you would rather not put the award on your blog...I promise it won't hurt my feelings. But...I would love it if you would share 10 things that make you happy at your own blog and invite me over to read. Please pass the award along to your friends and or anyone you think deserves it. Take a moment and make someone happy today!

Passing this award to 10 of my favorite blogs...here we go:

1. Becky @ Holiday In The Sun (Becky is such a kind lady...Her blogs always have a positive message)
2. Heather @ Little Wonders (I admire Heather. She is a great mother. You will fall in love with little miss Zoey)
3. Jan @ Jan's Sushi Bar (Oh my gosh Jan cracks me up...and I think she has a plan to make the whole world fat. Check out her Yummy recipes and that cute grand baby with the blue eyes and dimples!)
4. Tricia @ Shout (Tricia is a true advocate. She speaks what is in her heart. Tricia is taking a little break but hopefully she will be back real soon! )
5. Lee @ Headaches, Hot flashes and Hormones ( Lee does Video Blogs"Vlogs" Don't be fooled by that tiny frame--- she is one Spicy and Sassy Texas Gal!)
6. Kristen @ She Is Our Angel (Kristen is currently battling Cancer for the 4th time. She is a beautiful person, courageous, and a MAJOR inspiration. Stop by and say hello!)
7 Jeannie @ Jeannie's Happy World (She is truly A true Domestic Goddess! )
8. Madison @ Madcrafts ( Madison is the adorable daughter of Becky "see #1" She loves making crafts )
9. Josie @ The Poor College Students Guide To Raising A Baby (Josie definitely deserves and award...her little one is doing the potty training thing ...and she still manages to blog!)
10. Marley @ Have You Ever Been To Mars (Even though she hasn't blogged in more than 7 months AHEM...she still gets one cause she my girl!)

My 100th Blog Post

I had something completely different in mind for my blog topic today... that is, until I looked up and noticed that the next blog would be # 100. I didn't plan a party, make a cake, buy any balloons or anything. I don't know...I am thinking that 100 blog posts really doesn't seem like much. I am not even certain if it is a big deal or not? I have read many blogs that have at least that many new blog post every month. But this blog, just about a month shy of a year is just reaching the 100th post milestone.

This is not my first blog. There was another and in my opinion...it was a disaster. I don't mean a disaster in the sense that no one ever visited or read...because it was actually somewhat the opposite. I started the blog on WordPress with very good intentions...I planned to write about a variety of topics...but soon found myself stuck on one very intense topic. The disappearance of Caylee Marie Anthony...and eventually the murder investigation. Several blogs started out as voices for justice for the beautiful little girl and many of us became friends...or so I thought. But somehow it became so ugly, so much anger, hate and rage. My blog, like so many others over there became a hostile environment. I am trying my best not to think of it as a mistake...but more of a lesson learned.

You know, looking back on it all...I am absolutely certain that I hit 100 posts pretty quick over there...but I really did not notice. I suppose it just didn't seem all that important at the time.

I started "The Greene House" here on blogger on February 1st, 2009...and it was created as an escape from the other place.... to bring me back to my own life...a place where I could just be who I am. A devoted wife of 25 years, a loving mother of four, a daughter, a sister, a loyal friend...and a forever activist for my son.

Right away I noticed that the environment here at "Blogger" was much different. I immediately felt at home. But, I guess I still had a bad taste over all the ugliness on my other blog. So last June...I felt it would be best if stepped away from blogging for a little while. Last month...I made the decision to delete the "Wordpress" blog. Even though I knew in my heart that I could never blog there again...it was still very hard to just throw away so much of my time and effort. But I very quickly realized that I had done the right thing. I feel better...more like myself.

So here I am back on "Blogger" for another try. I can't say that every blog post will be about happy times, sunshine and roses...because sometimes in life there are hardships and storms....and I am after all only human. I am here to relax, enjoy myself...to hopefully make a few new friends and most of all.... to write what is in my heart.

So here's to the next 100 blog posts!

From my brain to my fingers....

Why is it that I always seem to spend more time looking for a new layout and template, going through photographs, picking out music and searching for stuff to decorate my blog...than actually just sitting down to write down my thoughts? I sure wish my mind would race like it does when I take my morning shower....but then again... I guess I would still have to get my thoughts from my brain down to my fingers.