The blessing of FAMILY...

So, it's been a couple of days since I've posted. I have recently returned from my 2 day getaway to Orlando with the twins.  It was my cousin's wedding and a family get together, of sorts.  As you can see from my last post, I was coming unraveled right up until departure time...last minute packing,getting the twins dressed at 3:00 a.m., switching SUV's with my husband, making sure all the mapquest directions were in place, y'know the usual trip stuff. I am very meticulous with planning and organization when it comes time to go on a trip, so I was in SUPERMOM-OVERDRIVE!! I finally got on the road to the "START" point of our road trip where I met up with my sisters, their kids, and the 'rents. Thank goodness my sis volunteered to drive, so I could get some much needed rest.  So, our journey begins...and much to my surprise it wasn't bad! The twins were ANGELS & there was plenty of laughter and a case of the sillies from my sis and me...

We arrived (in one piece) and got settled into our room.  All four of the Lewis girls, my sister's hubby, their 3 kiddos, and my twins all stayed in a room with 2 double beds. I know it was cramped, but it was fun (no one wanted to stay with parentals).  We had never been on a family vacation before, so we were making the most of our 

time.  All of my cousins and aunts and uncles were there. I t was soooo good to see everyone! The first night was the rehearsal dinner and of course, u syoung bucks closed the party out! And, just when everyone in our room had crawled into their sleeping space, there was a knock at the door. It was my cuzzo telling us to get up and come hang out. So, three of us Lewis girls got up to see what the night was gonna hold.  Well, hours of hanging out in the grooms room talkin' (my other cuzzo), getting hungry all of a sudden and going to steak and shake in our PJ'S, then

 hangin' out in the car talking some more, and ending the night with knocking and running on family member's hotel doors...we ended the night at 4:40 a.

m.. All to wake up to all of our children around 6:30! UGHH! The day commenced with shopping and then the wedding later on that afternoon. It was so good just being with each other laughing, sharing old memories, and making new ones...

The evening came to an end way too fast. I was the first to leave since Sunday was my anniversary *7 years strong* and had to be back on the road to see my hunny! SO, my trip home started in the early morning hours on Sunday.  I had a smile plastered on my face the entire drive home. I had to acknowledge how good God is for allowing me to experience a love like family. Some people only dream of what I have...I was just thankful, so thankful. Well, I finally got home and was bombarded with tons of kisses from my kiddos (who stayed behind) and ,of course, my hunny. But, when I sat down to the computer there was a message from EVERY cuzzo, aunt,and uncle that I had just seen, not even 12 hours previous.  I was overwhelmed with emotion...They all must've felt the joy of just being together, as I had this last weekend. SO, hug and kiss your kids, pick up a pen and write your brother and sisters, call your parents, cousins, aunts, and uncles...and let them know you love them. Don't let another moment pass you by...in sharing the blessing of family!

A mother's work...

Oh my word!! It is 11:15p.m. and I am still packing the suitcase for the mine and the twins trip to Orlando for my cousin's wedding (I'm leaving in 4 hours). In the midst of all this organizing & shuffling of clothes it dawns on me that Matthew never said anything about where my other children were going to be. So, I give him a ring at work (which is crazy busy this time of night) and find out that he's working a double tomorrow and didn't think about who was going to pick up Zeke from school at noon, and who was going to pick up Bri from track at 5, and who was going to make dinner, and who was going to let Amiah in at 3:30...Aghhhh!  It's amazing the never-ending job of a Mommy and all the behind the scenes jobs she does...I haven't even left yet and the house and all it's activity is coming unglued...WHAT IN THE WORLD!!

SO fresh and SO clean...

So, here it is...my very first blog. My whole life I've been an avid journal writer, and lately I spend a lot of my time on the computer in my endeavors of becoming a teacher (lesson plans, emails, and software issues galore!) So, I figured, why not start this online journal for all to see.  My "about me" pretty much sums me up! I am the wife to the most wonderful husband IN THE WORLD, Matthew! Eight years later and he still gives me butterflies ( no exaggeration) I am Mama to 6, yes, you read correctly, 6 beautiful, caramel kiddos...Ashley, Brianna, Amiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, and Zipporah! They are definitely my hard work and the reason I power through everyday.  I am a christian and I am NOT afraid to shout from the rooftops how much I LOVE GOD!! I am what you would call an artsy/creative type and my style definitely reflects that! I'm a soul-diva with a hippie/disco spirit! (I *SO* could've lived in the 60's and 70's rockin the cat-suits, afro, and big hoop earrings, ya digg! LOL!) I'm sure you could catch me on any day wearing that exact outfit...o.k., maybe not the cat-suit, but def. the hair and earrings! Ask anybody!! I love to cook & eat...it's my favorite thing EVER! I truly believe life is too short for bad food...ask my husband! :o) I love to sing...anything, anywhere, anytime.  I sing directions for doing chores...(my poor children) I'm not too shabby in the singing department either...it was my first love, and then I met Matthew and then all my future plans as a recording artist/theater maven changed.  Love is a funny thing, y'know. I wouldn't change how my life has ended up because I am truly blessed. Some people search an entire lifetime to find what I found when I was 18!! God is good, ya'll! Now, I ain't saying that it's always rainbows, butterflies, and glitter...we have our rainy days, and lows, and days where I just wanna kick my hubby in the tenders and ship the kids off to Madagascar( I've threatened them with that a time or two *giggles*)...but those days are few and far between.  I love them to the moon and back and they've made me who I am today...all working into God's master plan. So, with all that said...sit back and enjoy the ride...it's gonna be one crazy adventure delving into the lives of a family of 8.  We're kinda like your interracial Cosby family meets "RUN'S HOUSE" with a little dash of "The Osbournes"...enough said!