Happy Birthday To The Love of My Life

In my life I have known two of the greatest men around. One is my father and one is my husband Chris. Today I celebrate the day my husband Christopher Michael Medrano made his entrance into this world. Yes I will proceed to rant about his awesomeness, and it is my honor to do so. Chris is one of the most honest people I know. He bucks the system a lot, and I love that he is not afraid to stand up for what is right. Even though he has no fear to say what's on his mind, he is also very humble. He doesn't like to make things about himself, and he will probably scold me a bit for writing this. Chris loves his children and spends all the time he can with them, even if it means missing a beloved Cowboys game. He is intelligent in an unpretentious way. I love that he thinks for himself and does not allow media or other's to sway him. Chris loves me and puts up with my stubborness and lets me be goofy. He doesn't mind what I look like in the morning because he always lets me know I'm beautiful. What I love most about Chris is that he loves God with all his heart, and he is not afraid to admit his own frailty and shortcomings. He is not flamboyant or abrasive in his faith, but everyone knows where he stands. Chris is a worshipper at heart and when he plays his guitar it is truly for an audience of One.
I love him with all of my heart and am glad to call him mine. Happy Birthday Chris, you make this world a better place.

Family Unit

I have been thinking a lot about the dynamics of a family lately. I remember after having Kaylie how I struggled with whether I could love another baby as much as her. I knew deep inside I wanted another child, but I was often hesitant on pinpointing a time. I finally realized I could wait forever and there would never be a "perfect" time. When I found out I was pregnant with Micah I was excited, but still a little worried about how this would effect Kaylie. She is pretty close with Chris and I. I feared it would be difficult for her to share time that had soley been devoted to her. After Micah was born my fears began to melt away. She was so excited and proud of her little brother. Now Kaylie has never been maternal. She doesn't play with baby dolls and she tries to help with Micah, but she's not jumping to change diapers or anything. In spite of this she still has this deep love for her brother. Recently we were loading into the car and Chris was about to put Micah in. Kaylie didn't see the carseat in his hand and asked where Micah was. Chris jokingly told her he was staying home. Kaylie burst into tears. She was so upset. She did not want Micah to be left at home alone. This is what I love about Kaylie. She is intuitive. She can read feelings and she never wants anyone to be left alone. She does have her share of terrible 3 year old moments, but deep inside is an enduring goodness that is so pure.
Micah is still carving his place, but he already has made a deep impact on our lives. Micah makes me stop and realize that I don't always have to be doing something. He loves to be held close and will let me know he does not appreciate my focus being on something else. I like to multi-task, but he has shown me sometimes it is good to just be still and enjoy the moment.
If there is anything I have learned about family it is that everyone has a place. No matter how we evolve over time as we grow we each bring something vital to the table. I am learning to appreciate my husband and each child, for who they are and how they make our home a happier place.

Farewell Crane, Poole, & Schmidt

Last night marked the end of an era for, in my opinion, one of televisions greatest primetime dramas. Boston legal ran five seasons, all of which kept me glued to the television.

I was never an avid fan of The Practice, but started watching the last season when James Spader's character was introduced. I followed over to the spinoff the next season. I appreciated this show not just for the legal drama, but for its ability to dispense heartfelt comedy throughout. The chemistry between James Spader and William Shatner was simply dazzling. While the show was unabashedly liberal in its slant, I loved it because it made me think. It challenged many of my own beliefs and allowed me to sharpen my own thought processes. It was a show that could explore issues from alzheimer's , aspergers syndrome, racism , and even mad cow disease with such effortless seguays. At the end of the day I feel it really brought out the true humanity in all of us. No matter what your political leanings, people can still find a deep mutual affection in the things that are deeper than hot button issues. This was executed beautifully in the friendship between Alan Shore and Denny Crane. I will miss the show very much. The series finale only made me wish that at least one more season could have aired. If you never watched check it out on netflix sometime. I now leave you with a picture from one of my favorite episodes when Denny and Alan dressed as flamingos for Halloween.

Gotta Love Burl Ives

You know it's Christmas when you flip on the t.v. and hear the unmistakable vocals of Burl Ives belting from a snowman. Yes last night was that time when the story of beloved Rudolph is told in glorious claymation. I was a little excited to introduce Kaylie to this yearly tradition. As a child I always eagerly sought out the weekly t.v. guide during the holidays to pinpoint all of the Christmas specials we would be watching. Rudolph was always a favorite. I have to say watching it again has turned many of those rosy, nostalgic memories into a more realistic picture of quirkey animation with a silly storyline. With all of its flaws nothing can put a smile on my face faster than a tune from Burl Ives. Rudolph does the trick with a rousing song of Holly Jolly Christmas. Something about Burl's deep but warm voice. He just seems like a grandpa that would sit around the hearth with his pipe telling Christmas stories to all the grandkids. So here's to you Burl Ives. I may get older, but your Christmas spirit makes me feel like a kid again.

Bless Their Little Hearts

An excerpt from an article on MSNBC on the big three auto executives travel plans to Capitol Hill.

And for this week’s appearances here, all three company chiefs will skip the lavish travel arrangements. Mulally is coming by car from Detroit for this week’s second round of congressional hearings on government help for the Big Three. GM Chief Rick Wagoner will drive a Chevrolet Malibu hybrid sedan for the 520-mile trek from Detroit to Capitol Hill, spokesman Tony Cervone said Tuesday. And Chrysler LLC CEO Robert Nardelli won’t travel by corporate jet, but a spokeswoman declined to elaborate on his travel plans, citing security reasons.

To be even more efficient they could have carpooled in one of those nifty Escalade hybrids. I hear they may get 19mpg on the highway. Now that is efficiency. Can anyone say," Road Trip!"

A Happy Thanksgiving

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. Thanksgiving 2008 was a success. We celebrated with about 20 people. I generally prefer a more intimate Thanksgiving dinner around the table with the china and some candles in lieu of paper plates and a television, but we still had a good time.

Wednesday we got off early and headed home for the yearly cook-a-thon. Everyone pitched in this year. This may be my favorite part about Thanksgiving. We crank up the Christmas music and go to work making some of the most delectable treats. It is great family time, and gets us all in the mood for the holidays. Our menu this year included: turkey, ham, cheese ball, white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, and of course a pumpkin pie. We were up till about midnight. Chris and I finished the night off with a Thanksgiving episode of Friends.
Thanksgiving day we enjoyed a plentiful amount of food and some good wines. Chris was in good spirits after the Cowboys won their game. Of course I was thrilled as well (can you hear the sarcasm dripping?)


Here are some pictures from the day. Our family always seems to have more desserts than main dishes.


Micah is very excited about his first Thanksgiving, if only he could tear into a turkey leg.

Here we are enjoying a very competitive game of Candy Land.

Awesome dad doing the dishes
I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for!

A Grateful Heart

A few weeks ago Chris and I were at Tom Thumb doing our weekly grocery shopping. We were looking for a particular item, but realized the usual spot had been replaced by frozen turkeys. I looked around only to find two large freezers and a section of the designated poultry area full of more turkeys. As I looked at mountains of turkeys it hit me like a ton of bricks, we are so blessed in this country. Despite the economic woes we still go to our grocery stores which are conveniently located close to home and find them well stocked with everything we need. I do not mean to trvialize the hard times of many in this country. It is not easy to lose a home or a job, but many are very fortunate that this country offers options to those who have fallen upon hard times. We have all grown accustomed to a very high standard of living, and forget that doing without the 50 inch 1080p lcd is not necessarily poverty. I often find myself complaining about wanting new furniture or needing a vacation. Then I read about food riots in third world countries and diseases that threaten the very existence of tribes and people groups, and I am humbled by all that I have been given.

In these times of great uncertainty it is imperative to step back and account for all of the blessings in our lives. All of the stuff we collect is not bad, but without a grateful heart it is just clutter. I have been given a roof above my head, food to feed my children, a job, and family. I am grateful.