Cant...hold...back....anymore!!!!!!

I was always told that there are a few things that may be improper to discuss publicly; among those, religion and politics. I have really tried to behave and follow those guidelines, but unfortunately cannot hold back any longer, besides, i figure if you are taking the time to read this, you are most likely either family or friends, and already know where I stand. I am a God-fearing Christian woman, and feel that as such it is my responsibility to choose public officials that share my same values and beliefs. I don't always consider myself republican. Although I find that for the most part, their conservative views represent my own. Even they have disappointed me from time to time, so lets just say I'm a conservative, and whatever partisan group that puts me in that's where I am. I believe that killing babies is wrong. I will not support a politician that thinks otherwise, else my views wouldn't be represented. I believe marriage is not a social arrangement, but rather a union honored by God Almighty, and should only be between a man and a woman. Lets not forget why Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed, it is not natural and displeases God. During the recent election I was troubled to hear that many of my Christian friends were voting for Barack Obama. Preachers, Ministers and church goers alike were flocking to the vote to "make history". Was it because of the color of his skin? Is voting for someone SOLELY because of the color of his skin not just as racist as NOT voting for someone just because of the color of their skin? Does it matter to these Christians that the person they elected into office supports things that their Lord and Savior DOES NOT support? I wish someone could answer these questions for me...

Anyway!!! Moving on...There are a few people that I would like to mention...

Starting with...Janeane Garofalo...for those of you who don't know who she is, don't feel bad, she hasn't been doing much lately and has made a recent bid not to float away into obscurity...which is what put her on my list today...Regarding the Tea Parties that were taking place all over America on Tax Day...I feel that these were completely legitimate. I agree with the complaint of many of the people out there that day. My three children will bear the tax burden put in place by our recent stimulus debacle. They will be paying for Pig Odor Research and Water Parks, Honey Bee Farms and New Snazzy Hybrid Cars (Made in Japan) to replace the current Federal Automobile Fleet. People have a right to be upset, and that silly ol' Constitution gives them a right to be vocal with their qualms...but our friend Janeane doesn't agree. This is what she said on MSNBC talking to Keith Olbermann about the Tea Parties...

"they have no idea what the Boston Tea Party was about, they dont know their history at all. This is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up. That is nothing but a bunch of teabagging rednecks."

Now, let me remind you that these were perfectly peaceful protests...perhaps this brainless idiot would have been happier with the protests if they had sacrificed a fetus or two while they were there. Please Janeane, spare us your political nonsense and go back to taking secondary roles in D-List movies that no one cares to watch. I'm over it. And to Keith Olbermann for so anxiously jumping on Janeane's bandwagon of hate...Is that Journalism?

NEXT

Miss California, Carrie Prejean; This is a beautiful young woman who, during the Miss USA Pageant April 19, 2009 was asked a question about her views on Gay Marriage, to which she replied...

"We live in a land that you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage and, you know what, in my country and my family I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anyone out there, but that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be between a man and a woman."

She was, of course, blasted for her views, but stood up for what she believed in nonetheless, and for that I applaud her. She's my Hero for the day.

Nana-versary - April 14, 2009

Beautifully Written by my Aunt Kimmie...I had to share it...

Dear Family:

I can hardly believe it; five years ago today our beautiful Momma/Nana went home to be with Jesus. It sometimes feels like so long ago, other times I feel like we just said our goodbyes. When it was a new loss, I found myself worrying about how unhappy or happy she was at the end, I hoped that she didn't feel alone and that she didn't feel any of the sadness that goes along with such a long illness. Lately, though, when I remember her, she's always laughing, being silly, like she could be. Remember how she made that funny little squawk noise when she was surprised by something; how she said Dad's name when she was fussing at him, "Jay"! Or how when she held things in her hands her little pinkies were always up.

I know she wouldn't want us to dwell on the unhappy...she loved us all so much; her capacity to love was HUGE! She loved the Lord in that same exhuberant way, as well; her Bible might not have survived another five years with her, LOL.

I am so amazed at the love the Lord has for us to bless us with such an awesome matriarch, even for such a short time. We must all be very special to Him to be entrusted to our Mom.

John, she stayed planted firmly on that promise that she would see you saved; I don't think gravity could have pulled her away from this world without that fulfillment, she loved you.

Beth and Melody; we had a role model so rare, I always hear her say: "that's not lady-like" and I immediately remember what lady-like really is; I never wanted to disappoint her. I can't imagine being a bad mother, I never saw the example of one. She was the epitome of the virtuous woman.

To the grandkids: Johnny, Stephanie, Kristin, Amanda, Josh, Stephen, Derek, Courtney, Jacob, Jordyn & Sydney - you all made her so proud to be a grandmother, but, she thought of each of you in such a special way, I remember watching her eyes when she talked about you, her face literally shone with the pride that came from being your Nana.

To the greats (Gage, Madeline, Isabelle, Delana & Zayne): Make your parents tell you all the funny stories they can remember about her. There should be volumes written about your Nana.

Dad: I know you're a "Hallmark crybaby"; but, I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am that you fell in love with our mom, she made us all who we are, even you. YOU DID GOOD!

Hope I didn't come across as a bummer today, I really am in the mood to celebrate her. I think everyone of us should write down one special story (there are more funny ones than sad) and share it with each other via e-mail this week.

I count us as the most privileged family in the world, raised, reared and loved so well. So, pinkies up, everybody! Happy "Nana-versary"!

Holidays at the Addis home

Tis the Season! I am three holidays behind so I'll play catch up really quickly.....

Halloween was a blast, Gage was a Clemson Quarterback (it's about time we got a decent one!!!), and ever so handsome, and both my prissy little gals were Hannah Montana. See BELOW...

Aren't they stinkin cute!!!!

okay, moving on, we still have a few more holidays to cover....

It seems like the very nexy weekend, we were preparing for Thanksgiving. We had a great time with our extended family, although we were missing the California crew terribly. Hopefully we'll get Derek and his peoples to come East Coasting next year???!!!???!! Anyway, enough campaigning for now, back to the topic at hand...Turkey Day...I'm terrible and didn't take any pictures that day, but I figure since Thanksgiving is about family, and being thankful for what you have, here's what I'm thankful for....(I caught this picture when no one was looking, after dinner at Ryan's buffet...)

And last but not least, my favorite Holiday of the year... Christmas is in 2 days and the kids are SO anxious and excited. We sent out Christmas cards this year. It was quite and adventure trying to get the right picture. It seems like I couldn't get them all looking at the camera or smiling at the same time. I think I went through at least 100 shots before I gave up. I eventually did find one that worked really well, but below you'll get a taste of what I went through to get it...

As you can see, it was quite an ordeal, all-in-all we had a blast and eventually wound up with a great Christmas card....


I'll post more after Santa pays us a visit. In the meantime, to all reading, Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas;

Lots of Love,

From the Addis Home

Isabelle (Stinkerbelle) (Izzy) (Elle)

Name : Isabelle Grace

Age : 2

Hobbies : Dancing to "Happy Feet", Eating anything she can get her hands on. Expressing herself artistically on every wall, important piece of paper, or picture she can find. Laughing, singing, playing. You name it, she'll be as happy as can be doing it.

My Youngest...my baby...she has grown up so fast!!!

She has always had a smile that would light up any room, anywhere.

And a sense of humor.....

Isabelle is as beautiful and mischievous as they come. She's quite a little jokester, always hiding things and she gets this look, this little grin on her face when she knows that you have just realized that something has gone missing and only she knows where she put it. She loves Dora the Explorer and speaks Spanish better than most adults I know. It pains me to watch how fast she is moving from giggly baby to bouncy toddler and into such a fun kid. I'm trying to hold on to memories of my babies, but everyday they are growing up. It's happening right before my eyes. I've been blessed beyond measure to have the children I have. Each of them is so different, unique and special. They have each taught me so much. Gage taught me patience, Madelyn tamed my tongue, and Izzy keeps teaching me everyday how to laugh. No need to be so serious when there is so much fun to be had.

Princess Madelyn

Name : Madelyn Susannah

Age : 4

Hobbies : Playing Dress-Up, Acting like Hannah Montana, Gymnastics, All Things Girly and pretty


May I introduce MISS Maddie Addis. The girliest girl in the world. She's so beautiful it hurts...and I think she knows it too. She's in Kindergarten this year. She comes home everyday telling stories of boys on the playground that said they were her boyfriend, but she told them no they weren't, etc, etc. It's pretty cute for now, but one day, Russell and I are in real trouble. She is so precious and so smart. You wouldn't believe how bright she is. I know every mother says that about their children, but this time it's true ;) She's a sponge for information. If she hears it once, you had better believe it has been permanently stored...keep that in mind when offering opinions about people when she is within earshot. She will still tell anyone who will listen that Rosie O'Donnell is an idiot...and she was in the other room when I said it. My sweet little Maddie has taught me to tame my tongue...because little pictures have big ears!

Ragin' Gage

Name : Gage Michael

Age : 7

Hobbies : Coloring, drawing, playing baseball, football, bouncing off walls, Playing Lego Star Wars

Gage is such a special boy. He's sweet, so so sweet. He is polite and respectful. He has good manners. He's funny. When he was a baby, he had colic and cried for months without rest. I was 19, and he was teaching me how to be patient; how to be a mother. He is now in the second grade, and doing very well. He has a memory that blows me away. He tells me he can take pictures in his mind, and then will grab paper and a pencil and recreate everything he saw in great detail. In our church Christmas Program, he could be heard singing above everyone else, and by the time it was over, he was called back out to the stage to take a bow. He stole the show.

What Happens in the Minivan Doesn't Stay in the Minivan...Apparently the only thing guaranteed to Stay in the minivan are the fries we had for lunch.

Being a mother has brought my life so much laughter and happiness. I swear I've got the funniest kids ever. There is never a dull moment, so even when driving down the road, I usually have my camera within an arms reach so I can catch a few un-rehearsed performances from the stars in my life. Take a moment, if you would, and enjoy one such moment we had this summer. Isabelle was quite obviously the Star of this show. For a little background info, Isabelle was singing a song from "The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" and when her brother and sister joined in the performance, she got "so angry"...Have a sneak peak inside one of many Minivan Adventures.