The Gift Of Childcare

Here's yet another "inspirational" that I thought up.  I was inspired to write this yesterday, after a fun experience. ;)

I love kids.
Okay....allow me to explain.  A lot of teenagers these days are quite self-centered.  Even I am sometimes...wanting to do what I WANT, when I WANT, and not really caring about anything else.  It's not easy to grow up in a day and age where society encourages you to sit back and have everything handed to you on a silver platter.

But that isn't what this post is about.
I like doing more than just sitting back and being lazy.  I love helping out adults/parents and I especially love taking care of kids.  Especially small ones.

For as long as I can remember, I've been a "little mommy".  When my sister was born (though I don't remember this TOO well...since I was only six...) I took care of her, I loved her, and I took care of ALLLL my baby dolls like they were my baby sister.  (nawww)
Whenever me and my cousin and sister would play dolls (which we did a LOT growing up) I was always the mom.  I always had that maternal instinct to take care of the babies/kids.

As I got older, I was able to nurture those passions and loves.  Now I work at our dance studio, teaching ballet, tap and jazz to 2-3 year olds and 4-5 year olds.  My little girls are the highlight of my week.  I love spending time with them.  To them I'm "Miss Fallon (insert real name there)", and I get to carry them, hug them, let them sit in my lap, and just get to be there with them.

I've heard some teens say that they don't like kids, or that they're not "good with kids".  Essentially what I've got from that is that they are A. have no siblings, B. don't know what to do/don't have that maternal instinct or C. they think all kids are bratty, snot-nosed, and gross.
I don't have any of the above.

Yesterday I was helping my sister's music teacher at her little kid music class.  They were learning about stringed instruments, and Miss Susan (Glory's teacher) asked if I could come in and show the kids my violin and viola.  I agreed, and brought three instruments with me (my viola, my violin and my student model violin for the kids to play with).  The first kid to get there was a little girl.
I knew this little girl because I teach her dance class.  The way her face lit up when she saw me made my heart melt.  :)
"Miss Fallon (insert real name here)!" she yelled, and ran to me to give me a huge hug.  Her mom knew me, and went to pick up her son from school, knowing her daughter was in good hands between me and the Miss Susan.  ;)  This little girl held my hand the entire class, she sat at my side or in my lap, and she was really interested in hearing the violin/viola since I was the one playing it.  ;)  I was honored.  When Miss Susan introduced me to the class as just "Fallon (insert real name here)" My little girl said "No Miss Susan, that's MISS Fallon, and she teaches me dance!"  *heart melts into puddle on the floor*
I received hugs and kisses from this little girl yesterday, and she said that she would see me at dance in two days.  :)

I also knew one of the boys in the class, since I taught his sister last year.  His sister knew me when she came to pick him up, and rushed to give me a hug as well.  So did the mom (she's also my dentist! LOL)! ;)

This got me thinking.  So many little girls look up to me.  They know me as "Miss Fallon (insert real name here)", their dance teacher.  I've seen little girls around town or at the store a few times, and the moms always recognize me and say hello, and talk with me, and the little girls always give me hugs.  I'm so happy to be in those little girl's lives.  I feel like I'm making a difference.  I love helping them, I love taking care of them and getting to be their teacher and pseudo-big sister.

Glo's other friends all look up to me, they talk to me, and play with me, and know if they ever need anything, they can go to "Fally (insert real nickname here)", Glory's older sister.  :)  It's an amazing feeling.Even at P.E., I'm a big sister to my sister's friends.  Her best friend takes dance with her, and that little (not so little, she's ten like Glo) girl loves me.  I get a billion hugs, she sits on me, and she and Glo are always playing with me, and cracking up together.  She's my second little sister.

To know that I am making an impact on the lives of these little girls (and even some little boys too) makes me feel so incredibly blessed.  It's a gift to take care of small children (and even big children).  When a little girl gets hurt in dance class, the first person she runs to is me.  She knows she can find comfort in me, and that I'll either take her to mommy or give her a bandaid and help her feel better.  One of my three year olds did that  few weeks ago in dance, she hit her head on the ballet barre and got scared.  She instantly ran to my side, crying, wanting to be held.  I picked her up and helped her feel better.  I got her to stop crying and continue dancing in less than three minutes.  Not a lot of people can do that.  I've been told that I have the magic touch.  ;)

I thank God for this gift that he's given me.  The gift of childcare.  I hope someday I can use this in more than just a volunteer setting.  I'll follow wherever He leads me with it, whether it's to have my own family, or take care of other people's children, I'm up for the challenge.

Do you have the gift of child-care?  If not, what are special gifts that you DO have, something not everyone else can do?  We're all made special and individually, with God's hand on each of us and our talents.  Tell me about yours.  ;)  Own it!  Be proud!

In Other News...

Friends!!! I am sorry for neglecting 2Thine for the past few days...I've been wanting to do a few posts, but I haven't gotten a chance to sit down and write at all recently!! :P  I suppose this will be a catch-up post, about everything with me and what I have in store for future blog posts!!!!

This blog has suddenly become quite inspirational...with all these popular posts!!  I'm glad that my writing seems to be appealing to you all!! :)


Anyway, I've just been really busy lately!!!  I have so many emails to get caught up on.....and papers to write for school and practicing to do on my viola.  It's a lot of work.  Plus writing tons of blog posts and other things!! :P  


My cousin had her confirmation over the weekend, and we had an awesome family dinner.  
I am now into My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.  It's awesome.  Seriously.  I am in love with it.  
I've been doing only a little bit of writing lately, and most of it is OC fanfiction/stories.  :D  I'm working on a new book! :)
I cleaned my room (it's a miracle) and there was more glitter on my floor than dirt/dust.  XD
I have issues.  Friend issues mostly, and others.  I'm giving up and giving it to God.  I'm tired of drama.
I love Dance Moms, I love drama that isn't my own.
Because of Dance Moms I am now giving my sister Dance Intensives.  I have learned that I make a pretty good dance teacher.  I pick it up from my job at our studio.  My sister hates me for being her tap teacher though, because Tap is what I'm most passionate about.  XD
I'm thinking of starting a business.  It's all in the works (my head), and I'd appreciate support/prayers.  I decided I want to be an entrepreneur.
My mom is such a fangirl.  Fate of the Jedi's last book (Apocalypse) comes out today, and she's waiting for it to go online at Midnight so she can buy it.  This coming from the woman who's bedtime is 8:30...this is a big deal.  We're going to read it together and fangirl and freak out over it tonight/tomorrow morning.  ;)  I'm excited.

Enough random things....here is a taste of a few posts I have in store for future weeks/days/months/whenever I get a chance to write...
Political post (OOOHHH SCARRYYY)
Art posts
Writing posts
Why i love fanfiction
Life Lessons
Character Soundtracks
My Playlist/Funny Stories about the music I post
Dancer tips and suggestions (I know a lot of you are dancers and probably just as good if not better than me, so maybe we can have fun and learn from each other).  ;)

Thanks everyone!!!  One of those will be up within the next few days (hopefully).  Until then, check out Fangirls on Felucia if you don't already follow, where I post on a regular basis.  ;)

Bloom Where You're Planted

Topic of the day.....satisfaction with where you live.  :)

Something I've noticed about people is that you always want what you don't have.  I am definitely one of those people, as are the majority of the human race.  Whenever we go on vacation, and talk to people who live and work in the place we are vacationing, they are always saying how they dream and wish about living somewhere else.  And I sit there looking at them like they are INSANE because I go to where they live for a VACATION.

Example.  Last year, my family went on vacation to Sanibel Island, off the coast of FL.  BEAUTIFUL island, AMAZING place.  I would give ANYTHING to live there, and would move there in a heartbeat.  We were talking to a boy who worked in one of the stores we went to, and my dad was just making small talk with him, asking him how he liked living on the island.  The guy confessed that he didn't like it and was very sick of living in such a small place.  He told us that he wanted to go to college up in Jacksonville (I think) and live in the city.  I'm like, "DUDE!!! SERIOUSLY!?!!  The beach is literally across the street!! This place is EPIC, it has great food, nice people, an awesome atmosphere and it's just so beautiful!! Why would you want to give this up to go live in the CITY of all places??? NO NO NO NO!"

Another example.  A few weeks ago, we went to northern FL to visit a big antique show (and meet Savanna's family!!!)  Just minutes before seeing Savanna for the first time, my dad, sister and I walked from our hotel to the small Hess gas station nearby, to buy some snacks and drinks for our hotel room.  We were talking to the cashier, a nice young girl, and she was just asking us where we were from, and if we were enjoying our stay so far at the hotel across the street.  We politely told her where we were from and how much we were loving the weather, scenery and atmosphere of the city we were in.  She told us that she was tired of it and wanted to move to Orlando, where she used to live.  She said it was "too in the sticks" and that she craved city life. Again, I was thinking, "WHAT?? How can you NOT like this??? The weather is beautiful, the people are so nice, the nature is amazing, and you want to go to the CITY??? WHAT?? WHY???"

Once returning from both those vacations (and many others), I always find myself on the other side of that equation.  I always dream about leaving where I live in the city to move to someplace far off, where you can own land and animals and just have SPACE.  I find myself dreaming about living in a pretty little house on the beach, having a desk set up by a window overlooking the ocean, and doing all my writing/editing from there.  I always find myself wishing and praying that by some miracle we would be able to get up and move, buy some land and start a farm, or enjoy some peace and quiet in a tiny community where everyone knows each other and everyone is nice to one another.

But then I remember what my mother always tells me in situations like this.....God put us where he did for a reason.  You never know who you're going to touch by a small action you make in your community.  Sometimes I hate where I live...I can find tons of faults.  There's too much crime, too many annoying/rude kids on our street (we live near two public schools...elementary and middle), there's too much traffic, too many accidents, the stores are too busy, the people are rude, no one speaks english.....
But I forget how awesome my city is.  My dad works for our city, and I know a lot of the people who make our city work and run.  I know the City Manager, many commissioners, the HR Director (My Daddy! ;D), people in Marketing, the Fire Chief, many fire-fighters, several police-people, people in finance, aquatics, community relations, the lady who runs the help desk, the people who work in the mailroom, and many more!!!  The ladies in my dad's office are like a second family to me and my sister, and many others in the city are such wonderful people, who are blessings to us all, and many don't even realize what they do to make our city what it is!

We have fabulous fire-fighters and police-people for crime and accidents, which happen ANYWHERE anyway.  I know people who work at our local Publix, Wal-Mart, CVS, 7-11 and more.  They are all good people too.  I am proud of my city...of my COMMUNITY, even though it sometimes makes me frustrated.  Of course I dream of living somewhere else....we all do.

Now I shall pull a Yoda quote to prove my point...
"Many years, this one I have watched.  As he looked away, to the future, never his mind on where he was.  What he was doing!"
If you don't speak Star Wars....essentially that means that Yoda watched as Luke spent his whole childhood growing up wishing he were somewhere else, and not embracing where he was when he was there.  Don't do that.  Don't spend your life wishing you were someone else, living somewhere else, or doing something else.  Be yourself, and enjoy life.  Enjoy the here and now, and embrace your city/town/community.  Even if your closest neighbor is five miles away, or you only see your friends once a week.  Make the connections, and don't spend your entire life wishing you were somewhere else.

This has been on my heart lately, because I have been struggling with this.  After coming home from our latest trip to north FL, I wanted to move there SO BAD.  I still do.  And before you ask, no it's not just because Savanna lives up there....though that does help.  ;)  I loved the atmosphere, the people, the stores, the food, the "take it easy" and "slow down" sort of attitude it had.  I didn't feel rushed, I didn't feel like I was moving at superspeed, I felt at peace and relaxed.  As soon as we got home though, I was rushing off to orchestra, and the next day I did school all day, took my sister to piano, did more school, took two tests, and got sick.  I felt like everything that I loved so much while on vacation disappeared when I returned home, and I looked for anything and everything to blame all that emotion on.  I was mad at our city, and how crowded and busy it was, I was mad at the crime, for waking me up at 3am with sirens, and at all the annoying drivers on the roads for making my mom and dad tense in the car over traffic.  Everything went back to normal.....no one (mainly my mom) was as easy going and carefree as we were when we were on vacation, and I was utterly disappointed in that.

Now though, two weeks being home, I am realizing that when the sirens wake me up at 3am, that means that our amazing men and women who work every day to save lives and protect us, are just doing their jobs.  And the annoying drivers will eventually get what's coming to them, and I pray for the safety of others, who DO obey the rules of the road.  When our city is crowded and busy, it is good economically and promotes good commerce for us.  Sometimes we have to change our perspective and see that maybe things aren't so bad after all.

I hope you enjoyed another "inspirational" by me. ;)  More of these to come soon.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Dear Daddy…

I love you so much!!!  You mean everything to me, you’re such an incredible person and I am lucky to call you my father. ;)  Happy birthday to the most amazing man I know!

Things I love about you:

Everything!!

Specifics:

Your advice.  You help me reason with my sometimes hormonal teenage emotions.

Your understanding.  You really care about how I feel, and help me to feel better.

Your sense of style.  Most men/boys/guys don’t like to shop, but you know my style and what I like better than anybody!! ;)

Your sense of humor.  Albeit slightly inappropriate, you’re hilarious, and our Friday nights are NEVER dull. :D

Your skills in the kitchen.  I don’t trust Mommy in there.  I’m glad you are such a fantastic cook/baker, because we’d starve without you. ;) (just kidding mom, I know cooking isn’t your thing. ;D)

Being shopping buddies with you.  I love to go to the store with you.  You are easily my best friend (not counting people my age…lol).  I love to spend time with you, just having some quality daddy-daughter time. 

Talking the talk we never talk.  Every Monday, you and me, orchestra time.  I treasure those times when we get to go out to dinner and sometimes shop and just talk.  I tell you all kinds of things, and you listen and care about them!!

The Three S’s. Slurpees, Sushi, and Stupidity.  After dance class, this is the sure-fire way to make me feel better.  Buy me sushi, a slurpee, and help me get over their stupidity. ;)  The Three S’s.  Get it?

Your stories.  Even though your childhood makes me want to cry……/depressing/…….I love to hear your stories, especially the more hilarious ones. ;D

You and Mommy.  You both make me laugh…Han and Leia…and I love everything about you too.  Daddy, you and mommy are amazing together, you make a great team. ;)  BTW, Bob at Riverside still scares me, but I’m glad you two connected with him.  XD

Trips and Outings with you.  Disney, the Keys, Sanibel, Sarasota, wherever we go, the fun follows.  Thank you for driving all those hours and always making the trips awesome.  I can’t wait for one this weekend!!!!

In conclusion, Daddy, you rock my world.  J  I love you, and don’t know what I’d do without you.  Thank you for EVERYTHING.  You’re appreciated, you’re loved, and it’s your birthday, so enjoy some cake.  <3

Happy 45^th Daddy,

Love,

Your Pumpkin Seed. <3

Happy Valentine's Day!

“"I’m looking for qualities beyond the physical" ~Dr. Erskine in Captain America

A common misconception in my generation and especially among girls is that if you see a boy, who is physically attractive, and you look at him, even for a moment, you are automatically in love. 

Well guess what?  I am firmly against this.  It annoys me to no end when people do this.  First of all, I am only fifteen, way too young to be dating or even looking at boys that way.  Second, if it’s for fun and just joking…so be it, that’s cool, just don’t make it serious. 

It seems like I am constantly picking at my IRL (in “real life”) friends…but this gets me often.  Okay, so allow me to set the scene. 

I am at P.E. group, where there are about five or six other girls (including me) and about twelve to fifteen other guys.  A few of those guys happen to be fairly attractive.  They’re athletic and are honestly pretty cute.  Just because I look at them, or notice that they exist, or remember their name does NOT mean that I am in love with them, or have a crush on them or am planning my wedding to him.  Because the physical attractiveness (though a bonus) is not what matters to me.  I am not looking for a hot guy to date or marry….that’s not what‘s important.  I want a good man as my boyfriend/husband. 

I think this is why I am attracted to the fictional character of Steve Rogers.  He is a GOOD MAN.  Yes, he’s incredibly physically attractive, but that’s a bonus.  I liked “skinny” Steve….before he became Captain America.  I like his heart.  He has a good heart; he cares for others and thinks of them before himself. He respects women and his friends, and himself.  He is humble.  He is kind. 

I want my husband to be like Steve Rogers.  I want a man who has a strong heart for God, and a firm foundation in his faith.  I want a man who will tell me the truth, and also what I want to hear.  I want a man who will love me for me, not because I am a super skinny lingerie model, or have a big butt or large chest or anything like that.  I want a guy who will geek out with me, get excited over Star Wars and Super Heroes, and who speaks my language.  I want someone who knows my heart and is my best friend.  I want someone who agrees with me politically and morally, and holds the same values I do.  Someone who will want to homeschool.  Someone who will stand by me when the going gets tough.  Someone to laugh with, and who won’t be ashamed if we’re a tad bit insane.  Someone who is humble, and sweet, and loving and smart and loyal and faithful and strong.  Someone who has a good heart.

(yes, that is a steve rogers valentine, made for me by my awesome friend chris!! thanks chris!! :D) 

And I know he is out there.  God has designed that perfect someone for me.  I will wait until he arrives, patiently and mooning over fictional men in the meantime.  But I will wait.  I know that everything happens in God’s perfect time, and that when it is HIS time, things will go according to HIS plan.  ;)

So who else hates it that people of the opposite gender can’t just be friends?!  Who thinks that it’s as annoying as heck when people make a big deal about the stupidest, smallest things that have to do with a boy? 

I do.  I don’t mind if we’re just playing around, but sometimes it just is really annoying, ya know?  I mean….just because I think someone is cute, or is nice, or I remember their name, or I say hi to them doesn’t mean that I automatically “Like-like” that person.  It’s a common misconception among teenage girls…..which is something I really don’t get. 

My mom has pointed out to me that I have no problem being social with people who have common interests as me.  It’s true.  I can talk to a total stranger about Star Wars or Avengers or The Clone Wars, but if there is no common interest, I get pretty awkward.  :P  So if I am awkward around a guy my age, it’s not because I’m madly in love with him and shy to say anything, it’s because I have no clue how to act in front of him or what to say without sounding like a total idiot because there is no common interest. 

One more thing that I need to get off my chest is that this fact about girls and guys not being able to be friends over the age of ten without it being romantic is true even for internet friendships.  I am friends with a few awesome guys, all really nice and cool, who I talk to often.  We’ll tweet back and forth, email sometimes, and even chat over Skype.  But as soon as my IRL friends (and even my family before I threatened them with my lightsaber) found out about that, I was suddenly in love. Guess what?  I’m not.  I have friends, and there is no crime in that.  Even internet people do that, which is just rude.  I mean, come on, why is it so wrong for two people to be friends?  Just friends?  Why is that so hard for people to wrap their minds around?  Is it that difficult to understand? 

Now I’ll lead into a second part of this post….Valentine’s Day.  Valentine’s Day is today.  Happy V-Day!!!  This is the day we celebrate love….though I think love should be celebrated every day.  The whole “guys and girls can’t be friend” thing is almost put in neon lights during this time of the year.  Friends dare friends to do stupid things, and to say stupid things, and to make moves and all that.  It’s not right.  If you’ve got a boyfriend or a girlfriend, good for you!!!  Celebrate with them!  Show them how much you care!! But if you don’t, don’t moan and whine about how you’re “Forever Alone” because it’s just lame.  I joke around saying I’m “Forever Alone” all the time, just because it’s a funny Tumblr thing.  But in reality, if you say that, and project that attitude, you WILL be alone.  God meant for man and woman to be partners.  He created women to be a companion to men.  Lifelong companions.  He created that person for you.  Don’t do foolish things just because you /think/ you’re in love.  Because guess what?  Your Heavenly Father loves you more than Johnny from Math Class ever will, and He will send that right person into your life when He is good and ready to. 

So don’t rush into things friends, wait upon the Lord, and He’ll show you the path to true love.  I’m letting God write my love story, while I fantasize about it in movies and books.  And that’s cool; it’s fun to think about it now.  Just wait and let HIM do His job, and you’ll get the fairytale ending more amazing than you ever could have dreamed. 

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone… I love you.  :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

A post in which I ramble on and on about how excited I am for Christmas.

*ahem*

*begins to sing*

IIIIII.....CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S CHRISTMAS!  I THINK I'M FINALLY GETTIN' SOMETHING, CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S CHRISTMAS...MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See that Veggie Tales Christmas special I just sang?  Yeah...I'm cool like that.  ;)

GUESS WHAT GUYS?!?!

CHRISTMAS. IS. TOMORROW.  I. START. CELEBRATING. TONIGHT.

I smell cookies!  And I wrapped a huge present for tonight, this morning!  We've been watching all the Rankin/Bass Christmas shows on TV!  The house smells all Christmasy!  We already went to Christmas service at church and there are presents under the tree!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*jumps around for a little while*

*ahem*

*starts to sing again*

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS......EVERYWHERE WE GO.....

Well duh it is.....Christmas is TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  8D

*clears throat*

I'M DREAMING.......OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS.........BECAUSE
I KNOW IT'LL NEVER COME.....I LIVE IN FLORIDA....IT'S HOT AND STEAMY.....AND IT WILL NEVER EVER SNOWWWW.....OHHH.....I CAN KEEP ON DREAMING ABOUT A WHITE.....CHRISTMAS!!!!  BECAUSE IT IS PRETTY MUCH IMPOSSIBLE.  UNLESS I THROW CRUSHED ICE IN THE AIR, BUT THAT WOULD PROBABLY MAKE PEOPLE STARE, AND I WOULD BE GROUNDED FOR LIFEEEE......OHHHHH......I'M STILL DREAMING OF A WHITE.....CHRISTMAS.......*song drifts off into whistling or humming like in the Charlie Brown Christmas special*

Well......it's true.  XD  It's Christmas Eve, and it's a gorgeous 88 degrees and hot and humid here in South Florida!  WOOT!!

In case you haven't noticed, my Christmas excitement is immense.  XD

What do I have to do today.....hmmmm......we have to:

Finish making more cookies.
Deliver presents and cookie tins to our friends at random places like the neighbors, the fire stations, my grandma's house, the local 7-11, Wal-Mart, Publix and many many more!  ;D
We have to take all our gifts to my grandma's house, and pick up my great-grandpa.  :D
WE NEED TO PICK UP DINNER!  WE ARE EATING PIZZA!!!!!!!!!  FOR CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER!  :D

see that?  that's a Christmas pizza.  it's a boot.  or a stocking. I honestly don't know.

Then we go to my grandma and grandpa's house for Christmas Eve!!!!!  We eat our dinner (PIZZA!) and then we celebrate! :D  We have dessert and fun and sing and play musics, and then we go on a walk! :D  (I am dreading this part, because it is too hot outside) xD  When we go on our walk, Santa Claus comes!  ;D

SANTA SANTA SANTA!  XD

We open PRESENTS!  ;D

PRESENTS PRESENTS PRESENTS!!!!!

We of course know that Christmas is not all about presents.....but it is fun to get thems!  ;D

We have tons of fun, as a whole family (all 8 of us!) and then eventually my family goes home.  :)  We watch a Christmas movie on TV, and then my parents put me and my sister to bed, (we usually have our separate rooms, but my sister and I always sleep over with each other (tonight it will be in her room) on Christmas Eve.)  ;)  Mom read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and then we sleep!!!!!  (well, kinda)  XD

The next morning, we wake up, and SANTA COMES AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAY FOR SANTA!!!!!!!!!!  ;)   LOL.  ;)  (Just so you all know, I'm just being super-Christmas spirity today.  I am just having fun, for all you Santa Claus hatahs)  ;)  Hehe!!!

I CANNOT WAIT FOR TOMORROWS!!!!!!!!!!! EEEPP!!!!!!

Okay, okay.  Merry Christmas my friends!!!!!!!  :D  I love you all so much!!!!!!!!!!! <3333

God Bless, and have the Merriest of all the Christmases!!!!!!  :D

Why I Love and Hate the Holidays

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year!  Who DOESN'T like Christmas time?
I can't think of too many people...only Scrooges.  ;)

But for those Scrooges out there.....I can see why one might not like the Holidays.  From the First of November to the First of January, the stores are packed, traffic is horrible, people can be rude, stores will run out of things, and there are always those /annoying/ (who thinks there are a few annoying Christmas carols out there?!  I can think of a few annoying ones, but I love them all too much....xD) songs on the radio!  What's a Scrooge to do?

For me, Christmas is definitely the most wonderful time of the year.  I love the music, the atmosphere, the friendliness of most people, the smells and the tastes of the Holidays.  The Christmas season really starts for me after Thanksgiving.  It's just like, once Thanksgiving is over....it's officially Christmas time.
And here we are, only 8 Days until Christmas!  :D  I feel like yesterday was literally JUST Thanksgiving.  ;)

Christmastime brings memories of family, fun, laughter, joy, good food, presents, and amazing Church services.  I seem to forget all the stress and trouble that comes with the season of giving.  :P

To get to the happy memories....a lot of work is needed!!!  Shopping, cooking, baking, more shopping, partying, celebrating, family togetherness, finding that perfect gift, avoiding crowds, avoiding lines, it all comes at the holidays!  I'm thinking about my personal experiences here....
My mom is the most amazing mom ever.  She does everything (except cook)!!  She does EVERYONE'S shopping during the holidays.....without her, Christmas wouldn't happen!  She shops, she puts it all together, and then we celebrate.  I can understand her stress.  We're all always a bit stressed at the holidays.....with so much to do, for only what, one and a half days?!

This is why we need, need, NEED to remember that Christmas IS NOT about finding the perfect gift, not about shopping and beating crowds, or getting each other presents.  In fact, we shouldn't even be getting anything.....because IT'S NOT OUR BIRTHDAYS.

It's Jesus's birthday!  We should be celebrating HIS birthday!  HIS birth!!!  The birth of a Savior who comes to rescue a broken and sinful world from their mistakes!  Too often, we forget this fact during Christmas time......and we honestly shouldn't.  It's the REAL purpose of the season.  My church has an ongoing project called "THE GREATEST GIFT", where you give Jesus the greatest gift (financial gift) that you can, for HIS birthday.  You can give it anywhere.....to the church, to the charity of your choice....wherever God lays it on your heart to donate the money.  :)

So this season....as we near Christmas Day......promise to yourself and to the Lord that you know it's NOT about you....it's about Jesus.  Try hard not to get caught up in all the stress that comes at the holidays....it's not worth it.  This is supposed to be the Season of Giving!  The season of Love!  :D  For goodness sakes, it's CHRISTMAS!  Enjoy it!  But remember the true reason for the Season!

Merry Christmas, I'll be blogging again soon!!!!  Have a blessed season, I love you all!!!!

<3 <3 <3

I Love The Holidays

Can you believe that the Holidays are already upon us?  O.O

I am taking a break from my hectic, slightly unproductive NaNoWriMo writing experience...to write this lovely post for you all.  ;)

My Holiday season has already begun.  We are decorating, playing the music, singing the songs, watching the movies, and doing everything else in preparation for Christmas.  :)

I am watching Elf right now.  <3  

My family has a lot of great traditions that I am excited for.  They are all coming up so soon!!!!!  :D  I'm so happy!!!

On Wednesday, Nutmeg, Chibi and I are going to volunteer with a friend of my dad's, at his work, who is ironically called "Turkey Lips".  ;)  Mrs. Turkey Lips does an annual volunteer project where a bunch of us get together to decorate boxes for our city's Thanksgiving food drive.  :)  We tape on pictures and info pages, and then at the end of the day we count the total number of boxes.  ;)  Chibi, Nutmeg and I have been doing this for at least four or five years now.  It's a tradition! :D  

We also do the Christmas Gift Bags for the senior center with Mrs. Kim and deliver them with Mrs. Cindy (both co-workers/friends of my dad's).  We're also going to do cards for the military this year, and 'Shop with A City Employee'.  Shop with a City Employee is when we go to our local Wal-Mart, and Wal-Mart gives money for under privileged kids to shop for Christmas gifts.  :)  Then we have a little holiday party, with cake, juice, candy canes and other fun things.  :)  

I am very excited for these things!!!  :D  

By next week I'm sure our Christmas tree will be up.  :)  

My dad and I went Thanksgiving shopping yesterday, and I officially LOVE Thanksgiving.  ;)  We have traditions for that too.  ;)  

My dad takes the day before Thanksgiving off of work, so he can come home and cook.  ;)  We bake, cook, and bake some more into the early hours of the morning, while occasionally getting groceries that are needed from the stores, and watching Christmas shows on ABC Family's Countdown to 25 days of Christmas.  ;)  

On the day of Thanksgiving, we cook the Turkey and make the potatoes, and a bunch of other food too.  We also clean and set the table, since we have around 9 people at our house for the holiday each year.  ;)  My great grandpa's friend Mr. Arnie has become one of the family and joins us for Thanksgiving.  :D  

My sister, mom, dad and I watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while cooking/cleaning/getting ready for hosting the holiday, and then we watch the dog show afterwards.  ;)  

Before to long, one of us (by us I mean either my mom or dad) goes to pick up GGP (Great-Grand-Pa), and Arnie, and then my grandparents and Chibi arrive.  ;)  Chibi, Nutmeg and I hang out, talk with the adults and play games, and then get ready for dinner.  ;)  We say our prayers, each girl saying what they're thankful for, and we recite Bible verses too.  ;)  

We eat, we talk, we laugh, we celebrate, and I am so excited for it all.  ;)  Then, before the night is over, we give Chibi early birthday presents, while everyone is together, and take turns playing our respective instruments, playing Christmas carols and having an all around good time.  ;)  

*happy sigh*  I can't wait! :D

Christmas is a whole 'nother set of Traditions for another post though......;)  I'll give a three word preview:  Cookies, Celebrating, Lights.  ;)  

Love you all, have a blessed Thanksgiving if I don't talk to y'all.....I'll be writing my life away with NaNoWriMo.....

In the mean time, you can find me on Twitter @FallonSkywalker, and I'll be around Gmail as well.  ;)  

*hugs*  

Driving to Sarasota

I am on my way to Sarasota, Florida, for a book-signing, where I will meet the Amazing Timothy Zahn.

*sigh*  Five minutes into this 3 ½ hour drive, and I am already losing my mind.  XD  my sister keeps messing around with her pillow, unable to get comfortable, and keeps bumping me with her toys and pillow.  >.> 

My parents are blasting their country radio station, which I usually don’t mind, except that they are seriously talking about ways that they can embarrass me.  In public.  *rolls eyes*  Thanks mom and dad, looking forward to 3 ¼ more hours of this.  ;) 

In all seriousness, I am very excited to meet my favorite author, and even take a little vacation, seeing we’re leaving a day earlier than expected.  :D 

Now, I am typing this up on my laptop, and will give updates as crazy things happen.   Aeahljfpewf  …..sorry, that was my sister’s FOOT on my LAPTOP.  Nutmeg, STAY ON YOUR SIDE!!!  Gah.

Okay y’all.  I’m going to turn up my iPod, dive into a fanfic, and try and block out the world for a few minutes.  XD  Correction, I’ll listen to the radio while Nutmeg takes my (NEW IPOD!!!  I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT!  xD) and plays Nyan Cat for a while.  ;) 

See you in a while,

JC <3  At 12:55 pm

We are now on the highway, driving past the great Everglades.  ;)  It is beautiful.  And it looks like rain. 

Oh dear…..my parents put in the Brad Paisley CD.  My dad is already singing along.  Be prepared for insanity, self.  XD  Love you all.

JC <3  At 1:01 pm

  These updates are more frequent than I thought.  I must be really bored.  XDD  We’re taking the scenic route to see the Everglades.  In other words, we’re on the highway, following the seemingly never-ending road that happens to be out in the middle of nowhere.  I’m taking pictures on my iPod to show y’all.  :-) 
So far I’ve seen a few animals!  A bird….another bird…..another bird….a dead possum….and a few more birds!  Shocking isn’t it?  Okay, I’ll write more later…..I need to focus on writing some more.  :P  We’re on the lookout for Alligators now though, since we are on Alligator Alley.  XD 

JC <3  At 1:10 pm

OH NO.  Remind Me, by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood is on.  OH NO OH NO.  XD  The song is fine, except my parents happen to LOOOOOVE this song.  The whole “They know they’re Han and Leia” thing comes from this darn song.  *rolls eyes*  And they hold hands, gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes….and I wanna puke…..how can I handle romance in any way shape or form EXCEPT when it’s my parents??  XDDD  Seriously though, they are cute, and I’m happy for them.  ;)  I’ll be here half looking for alligators, half writing the sequel to Reaching for the Stars. 

JC <3  At 1:16 pm.

Fruit Ninja, Nyan Cat, Cut The Rope….the music in these games are incredibly annoying.  Nutmeg has been playing them nonstop on my iPod.  While she kicks me with her feet, STILL trying to get comfortable, and her cluncky LaLaLoopsy dolls keep whacking into me.  Oh goodness.  :P

Now I’m listening to Online by Brad Paisley, and I love this song.  XDD  It’s hilarious.  I’ll post a video.  ;)  Warning:  Some mild language.  Over all, it’s hysterical and awesome.  ;)

JC <3  At 1:33 pm

Gah.  I am hungry.  Where’s the Rest-Stop?  I need food.  XD  My mom only has some gross fiber bars as food.  I need more than fiber bars.  LOL!  Okay, maybe a water will help….my window happens to be facing the sun right now…

App my sister is playing now:  Tigger Bounce in the Disney App.

Song on the Radio:  American Saturday Night by Brad Paisley (in case you haven’t noticed, we’re big Brad fans.)  XDD

JC <3  At 1:43 pm

Now I know why I’m hot!!!  The air is not working in our car.  It’s only 86 out today though, so it’s not THAT bad.  My mom just yelled at my dad.  Here’s the conversation that happened:

Mom:  I am hot.

Dad:  Yes you are.

Mom:  *hits Dad*  NO.  I am hot as in, turn down the air!

Dad:  Fine.  *hits button* 

Mom:  It’s not working….

Dad:  Hmm.  *hits more buttons*

Mom:  It’s not working!!!!

Dad:  The hyperdrive isn’t working right now, okay?

Mom:  No!  It’s not okay!  I thought you and Chewie FIXED the Hyperdrive!

Dad:  We did!!!  Last week…

Mom:  Ugh.

Dad:  *rolls eyes, goes back to driving*

Mom:  *mutters something about dump-buckets of ships*

Me:  *starts typing like crazy* 

Nutmeg:  I AM HUNGRY!!!!  I AM HUNGRY!!!!!  NUUU!!!  Nyan Cat DIED!  DDD:

Me:  *headdesk*  Er…*headlaptop*  :P

And that brings you back to the present.  Okay, so it didn’t go EXACTLY like that, but it’s close enough.  XDD  Hopefully we’ll be in Naples soon, because we are all hungry and hot.  *sighs*  Fun fun fun!  ;)

App:  Nyan Cat….again…..

Song:  Water by Brad Paisley

JC <3  At 1:49 pm

Next stop:  Cracker Barrel!!!  I’ll take pictures.  XD  Because you all /really/ care about this.  xD  Oh well.  Now the air is /kinda/ working, (ha, not really) and Nutmeg hasn’t stopped complaining that she’s hungry.  We’re already decided that we’re going to Cracker Barrel, even though my dad is trying to convince my mom to go to “Hooters”.  >.>  We’re mad at him right now…..he’s confusing poor Nutmeg telling her that they sell Owl Merchandise there.  XDD Okay, hopefully this “Only ten more minutes” will hurry up and get here so we can eat.  Then something more interesting might happen….LOL!! 

App:  iPod Camera

Song:  Alcohol by Brad Paisley, I’m Gonna Miss Her by Brad Paisley (What is it with us and Brad Paisley?!?!)  XD

That’s it.  SOMEONE in this car is going to be dead or injured before this trip is over.  >.>  I am going to lose my mind.  XDD  *headdesk/laptop*  God help me….;)  Love you all, thanks for putting up with me.  If I’m even half as crazy as my family is, I seriously apologize.  :P

JC <3  At 2:06 pm. 

And we’re back to insanity.  XD  The lady announcer person on the radio said something along the lines of “Whistle with me now!” and my whole car erupted in very off key whistling and giggles.  Ohhh.  :P

We’re driving next to a car full of boxes.  Cool huh?  No..I didn’t think so either.  *sigh*  That’s the most interesting thing all day.  XDD  We’re back in the middle of nowhere, and I’m starting to think that the Cracker Barrel that was only ten minutes away is now bordering on twenty to thirty minutes away.  :P

JC <3  At 2:12 pm

Great. My laptop is nearly out of battery. I saved my last session and I am now writing from my iPod, which I will email to myself when I get a chance. I'm taking pictures and such. Hopefully we're almost to Cracker Barrel. I am STARVING!!
JC <3 at 2:16 pm

I'm pretty sure they said we'd get off  in six miles six miles ago. >.>
JC <3 at 2:19 pm

Parents arguing over driving. While pretending to be Han and Leia. "Whos the captain who made the Kessel Rub in less than 12 parsecs??"
*sigh*
JC <3 at 2:23 pm

Finally!!  We are finally at Cracker Barrel after a fairly long hour drive. XD
I'm eating my favorite meal of hashbrown casserole and fried apples. ;). With root beer!!!!  ;)
My family is the same definition of crazy.
Dad:  its boss's day soon!
Mom:  good, you can take me out
Me: no mom, its Boss's Day, not Bossy day!
I'll write more soon, I'm eating!!
Bon apetit,
JC <3 at 3:01 pm

Back in the car now....my parents are arguing over directions, my sister is nagging to play on my iPod, and I am wishing I had Wi Fi. XD
Song: long hot summer by Keith urban
App: notes app. ;)We are currently having a “who can sing louder” contest in the car.  My parents have more Brad Paisley in, and Nutmeg and I are sharing my iPod, listening to the Shake It Up: Break It Down CD.  ;)  Twist my Hips y’all!  XDDD

JC <3 At 3:36 pm

Seems to me that the next leg of our journey will be a little bit more enjoyable.  So far, my mom hasn’t yelled at me or my sister to stop singing yet, so we’re having fun.  ;) 

Song:  Hip To My Heart by The Band Perry (on my iPod) Barefoot Blue Jean Night by Luke Bryan (on radio)  Now Ramalama Bang Bang is on my iPod.  ;) 

JC <3  At 3:45 pm

BEST. SONG. EVER.  My laptop is about to die, we are out of air in our car (it’s broken!) and my favorite song “We Owned the Night” by Lady Antebellum is on.  :D

JC <3  At 4:23

I am now sitting in the hotel room in Sarasota, Florida.  TOOK US LONG ENOUGH!  xD  Thanks for reading this far, we'll be going out and having fun for a while tonight, and then I'll go to meet Timothy Zahn tomorrow!!!  WHAT SHOULD I SAY???  ;) 

Guest Post by Mom...er....Leia Organa-Solo

Okay y'all, here's a new post for ya!!!!  This is actually written by my mom, as her 'alter ego' Princess Leia.  ;)  No joke, she SERIOUSLY THINKS that she is Princess Leia.  Er...she KNOWS she's Princess Leia.  She's short, loud and bossy...what more proof do you need?  (Just kidding Momma, I love you. ;) )  So enjoy, and share your thoughts!!!  

P.S. PLEASE read and comment on my Interview with Timothy Zahn!!!!!  ;)

Here are some thoughts as to my purpose and guiding principles for home-educating my children.  As told from my alter ego – Princess Leia Organa Solo.

 

 

You know I am a deep thinker, and for some reason I have the ability to see behind the curtain as to what is truly happening in our world once all the layers have been peeled away.  It is the fundamental battle of good verses evil.  It is the battle for the control of our very souls.  Our Creator is good and all good comes from the Creator.  Evil will continue to try to control all that is good, using all means necessary. Manipulation, control, greed, jealously, and contempt are tools of evil.  Knowing we are not perfect but are loved because our Creator is love is the fundamental essence of our lives.  We are to live in and manifest love because he first loved us.  That is the bottom line key to the universe. 

 

Now the reality is that living in this universe there is evil always trying to take us captive, destroy our lives, worlds, and our very existence.  What do we do?  What can we do?  How do you fight an enemy that seems to have so many willing supporters (I like to call them useful idiots), lies that seem to be truth, a media that does not question, and political leadership that can’t see past their pettiness and a shadow government that is controlling the outcomes from behind the curtains. 

 

I can’t believe, after fighting for freedom against tyranny once, we are right back where we were all those years ago.  How quickly people forget. The New Republic (our modern lifestyles and modern education system) has quite frankly made individuals complacent and ignorant.  Personal political powers have caused corruption and distrust of the government.   We have forgotten our original argument for the Rebel Alliance (freedom from tyranny) and the Republic (representative democracy).  We must get back to our core values of Liberty and Freedom and Individualism and Equal Justice.  We must learn our history and we must learn to connect the dots.

 

 

I personally believe my talents and time are wasted in an “administrative role” (anything other than homeschooling).  Getting bogged down in bureaucracy and status quo makes one’s senses dull and blind. As a senator, I was able to represent my homeworld with a clear set of values, traditions, liberty and equal justice. As Chief of State I was simply an over-glorified babysitter.  A role I cannot and will not do anymore.  I will go back to focusing on fighting for the Creator’s truth, freedom and justice. Starting with my home and the future, my children.  They will know that we are in a battle for our souls. They need to be nurtured, protected and armed with truth.  However, most importantly they need to know how to think and how to make connections.  They need to learn how to see with their ears and hear with their eyes.   They must know history in order to see the future.  They must be connected with their soul and our Creator.  They must see beyond their personal desires to that of our Creator.

 

 

We need take our education back to the classical times, where thoughts are debated and discussed and individuals can make their own connections based on truth and not on political agendas. They must learn the basics of arithmetic, writing and reading in order to put the Creator’s plan into practical action in their lives.  Educating at home seems meaningless or impractical or even crazy on the surface, but it is mandatory for the survival of our future, at least for our family.

 

And let me just make this comment about the Jedi of the Old Republic.  While I respect them, I do not agree with all of their teachings, such as no attachments, and that anger leads to the darkside, etc.  Just because you lose your temper or get frustrated every once in awhile, it does not mean you are going to become a Sith lord. If that were the case, I would have force choked just about everybody I know.  Sith are pure evil, when the soul is lost and the evil rots your core.  

 

Thankfully, my brother Luke and his wife have corrected some of those 'rules'. He and I believe we need to acknowledge our emotions. Knowing where the roots of our feelings come from and not try to suppress them, however learn from them to become better people. I also believe that personal attachments, especially with those we love make us stronger, not weaker.  We must know love binds us together and is what wins over evil.  We must strengthen them, know that we are better when we have people we love and who love us in our lives. 

 

I realize that this is an extremely long thought, but one that has been on my heart.  If I can reach out to my children and relate to them and teach them through a galaxy far, far away then I will.  I will meet my children where they are and find a way to connect with their souls.  It is my duty, responsibility and life calling.  So my dear children, math is important and we need to learn all that we can with the time we are given.  There is a greater purpose than just “doing school”.  We are learning to “live life with purpose”, His purpose.

 

Thank you for reading and May the Force Be with Us.

 

Love,

Your Mom

a.k.a. Leia Organa-Solo

Happy Birthday To Me!

My birthday is today....
So far I've gotten Birthday Greetings at least ten times from Cad Bane's Chick, and messages from Endor, Leia, ALLLLLL the Lakehouse sisters, presents from JediKnightGrl and Rex'sgirl, and my family and friends too.  ;)

(those were all sent to my by CBC)  ;)

First off, thank you all SO MUCH for the birthday 'presents' and messages.  ;)  I love you all!!!!!!

Now, I shall share with you all my party, which took place last night.  ;)

First off, my HAIR.  <33333  I got my hair done up all special.  XD  It was a birthday present.  ;)  We shall discuss the process.....
I got my hair cut and colored, with red-copper highlights!!!!  :D

BEFORE 

Just getting started..... 

Coffee!!!!!!!!! 

Just after the hair-washing lady finished with me... 

AFTER!!!!!!  :D  Isn't it gorgeous?  xD  

My Daddy straightened my hair last night, so I could look 'hot' for Orchestra tonight.  XD

Well, that was part of my present.  ;)  On Saturday we began celebrating.  Chibi came over and we got my hair done.  But before that, we went shopping at the 'big' mall in town.  We went to Books-A-Million (I got the Dark Nest Trilogy Star Wars books....) and we went to Toys-R-Us, and also to Rainforest Cafe for lunch.  ;)  I got a free desert and sung to.  XD

At Toys-R-Us I got two action figures. ;)  Season 3 Ahsoka, and Hevy the clone trooper.  ;)

  

Oh my lovely finger in that picture.....XD  My dad did the landscaping....LOL!

Now it's party time. ;)  Last night my grandparents, cousin (Chibi), mom and dad and sister (obviously) and great-grandpa came over for dinner!  :)

My 'party room'.  Chibi and I did the decorations.  ;) It's Wicked themed!!!!!!!

Yay for Black, White, Pink and Green!!!!!  XD  It was really fun, we LOVED doing the decorations, and only were injured a few times.  XD

Now, onto the presents (which I really want to share, so don't think I'm bragging please!  ;) )

Me opening the Vera Bradley stuff from my grandma and grandpa. ;)

That's my Mara Jade Purse.....it will go with the Visions of the Future costume I will be making for Celebration 6.  ;) 

Closeup of my new purse from my grandma.  ;)  It's titled "Safari Sunset".  :D

The laptop case that I got......it also comes with a little cosmetic bag type thing for cords and such (at least that's what I'll use that for. ;) )

Chibi made me this lovely keepsake box....and the sides are decorated beautifully, but for personal reasons I can't post pics of it.  D:  But the top is gorgeous too, huh?  

New book!!!  Grandma gave me the book Emma by Jane Austen for my birthday!!!  SO EXCITED to read this one!!!!!  :D  

 These we just got today.  ;)  My mom got Traitor for herself, and I got the third book in the Dark Nest Trilogy.  ;)  (if you remember, I got one and two on Saturday).  :D

One more present and this post will be /almost/ complete.......
Mara Jade.  my sister got me a Mara Jade Barbie doll for my birthday.  ;)  But she accidentally slipped and told me two days before my party and spent hours crying because she ruined the surprise.  :P  So I got it early!!!!  :D

What?  WHAT???  So I can't be excited over my Mara Jade Barbie and take a thousand and one pictures of her outside and inside and in different outfits????  Fine.  *pouts*  many of these will reappear on DeviantART btw.  ;)

Now I am getting ready to go to Orchestra and have a fun birthday dinner with my Daddy.  ;)
Love you all, and thanks again!!!!!!!!  *hugs*

P.S.  I've got some EPIC posts in the works....so stay tuned!!!!!!  :DDDDD