This is my first time doing anything like this. We have four boys all older than her and it’s just not really anything I had ever thought about doing before. When I came across this contest I thought it would sure be fun if she was chosen to go to New York and be apart of a Parents Magazine photo shoot. =0) We love all our kids so very much. Having Shelby is just the cherry on top! She is so sweet and fun. She loves the camera. I think the boys and I take pictures of her every day. She is happy and playful with her brothers and they love her and protect her like older brothers should. She has a sweet personality and is such a joy and blessing to have in our lives.

To cast your vote for our sweet Shelby please click on the following link:

http://photos.parents.com/category/vote/photo/359915

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10 Tips for Managing and Organizing Your Family

I had a wonderful vacation in Mazatlan, Mexico. It was the only time I’d been out of the country other than a few boarder crossings when I was younger. Amber took me on this wonderful trip. With her permission I am posting all of her very funny daily posts while we were on our trip. I could not possibly do a better job. Get ready to laugh and enjoy! I’ll post pictures soon. =0)  (Rated PG) LOL  

View from our room. It was absolutely beautiful!

Amber and I on the balcony of our room.

 
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Mazatlan…  by Amber McCarty

 Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 11:35pm

Had lunch on the beach today, wow, it was breathtaking….

Nothing like having lunch while multiple pairs of iguana eyes are watching you. I was attacked by a bee, while jurrasic period sized birds flew overhead. Margaritas, and pinas…and we had never had mexican nuts until today (LOL) Fairly pleasant…small, salty…with just a hint o lime! And I officially know NADA about numbers, and am pretty sure I will be flat broke by tomorrow. Im totally intimidated by the peso…I just pray when I grab something and go to pay for it… I wont later find out I spent 60 bucks on a magnant.. Have both been up since about 8 am yesterday morning…with just a quick nod of the head here and there when we could catch one, had taken the shuttle into town, only to be lulled into a nice comatose state by the shuttle…didnt even get off, and rode back to the resort..so about 4pm, we crashed, and yup, OH NO, haha..HAD to settle for a quick nap….So 2 hours later, somewhat refreshed…let the party begin again…yeah not really…lol..dinner, martninis and a night swim… Its hot, muggy…so for those that really know me…you know not to even ask about the hair!  

  

The beach is so pretty and the sound of the ocean is calming

 

We ate both yummy sandwiches from the deli and had our lunch on the beach after ariving.

 

Iguanas were everywhere. It really surprised me to see them walking. It kind of scared me at first.

 

These "prehistoric" looking birds were everywhere. We couldn't ever figure our what they are called. We asked but no one could tell us. Oh well. They were huge and neat to look at.

 

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Me on our way to the Golden Zone for some shopping and fun.

Mazatlan…day dos equis…I mean day dos…. by Amber McCarty

Friday, March 19, 2010 at 11:48pm

First off, let me tell you that there is so much moisture in the air….my oreos were soggy this morning!!!! There is nothing better than drowning yourself in coffee and soggy oreos first thing in the a.m.!

As mentioned in my buenos dias post…dont look up with mouth open….excited tourist that we were to see an iguana in the palm tree….oooing and ahhhing…when suddenly we heard a PLOP! Looked down….and behold…and dont look up again…. Headed to the golden zone today…basically shops galore…had lunch at the shrimp factory…excellent suggestion (thank you Ric!)…the best part…the 1.25 beer!!! LOL Melanie was swindled by the hat man on the beach. His name was Henry….and he was funny…so funny…Mel had to buy from him…sucka! Pictures to follow… 

Me and Amber at the beach.

  

My late night FB fisacos have left me eaten alive by some flying creatures, not too sure what they are…but Im waiting for my leg to swell, oozing wounds to form…and I dont want to think about the rest… I have a complaint….our maid stole my pillows….I am short two, and very upset….then when we came back from dinner to change for our evening swim…we found our beds turned down for the night…oh excuse me…MELANIES bed was turned down…mine…was left the same shamble I had left it in before dinner…. We have learned some things about Mexico…one…DRIVE AT OWN RISK!!! Ive decided the white lines on the road, are merely there for decoration….CRAZY!!! Its almost like a ride at Disneyland…please, keep your hands and feet inside the cart at all times… Also, they dont believe in barbed wire fencing….instead…we have broken glass bottle  

Me and Henry. "Everybody loves Henry!" Bought two hats, one for my hubby and one for his dad.

 

topped fencing….really…I have pictures to prove it… Today we layed under the cabana on the beach…soaking up some sun. We had the pleasure of seeing a wedding take place…I think Mel cried…I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit…Ok I may have shed a tear…but that was due to the sudden wave of depression that swept over LOL Also…there is no such thing as a cabana boy…we waited, and waited….and he never showed up… Flamingos do not like flash photography…we know this from experience. We were extra giddy to see the resort had flamingos for decor…it may have been the martinis….no, not the fake plastic ones from the trailor park…but real ones… it was dark…so obviously, flash went off when I took a picture…and I dont think Mel and I have ever ran so fast in our lives….Those birds created such a ruckus…ruckus…yeah I think thats how you spell it…and they came a running like they were about to peck my eyes out…slightly scary, and Im hoping they are not like elephants…and will forget about the whole thing tomorrow….We took shelter in the first building possible…it just so happened to be the bar…LOL We now know how the phrase “happy hour” came to be…because by the time the hour is done…you are very happy… =) Mel has decided that is the perfect ending to our story…this is only because…well…lets just say…I have lots of dirt…can anyone say BLACKMAIL??!!….LOL  

Dos Amigas

Fruit cups for sale on the beach. We shared some tasty coconut.

From the inside of the white VW taxi in the Golden Zone. Check out the speakers and tire bumper on the side. LOL

 

Mexican barbed wire! LOL

 

My freind Amber. We ate lunch at The Shrimp Factory. It was yummy!

  

  

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Day tres…  by Amber McCarty

 Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 12:11am

Since I am having major texting withdrawals….Ive found that I have been typing myself notes all day long to remind myself of things I want to talk about….and its a good thing I have been…because I saw that i forgot to talk about the hermit crabs yesterday!! I found these hermit crabs, and they refused to come out of their shells…and I found shakin em around a bit…seems to help loosen them up just a bit…LOL…that and give them shaken baby syndrome…

Went to Stone Island today…to ride quads. We come to Mexico…and find the only redneck excursion…and book it…that is so us! It was a blast!! Riding on the beach, through the coconut groves, and the mango tree area…it was beautiful….not sure about Mel….but my eyes were sooo dry….but thats what we get…for demanding to use our designer Prada and Dolce and Gabana sunglasses….over the goggles lol Had the best freakin fish tacos in the entire world today…omh….!!! Discovered sex on the beach…and not only was it amazing…but I was able to enjoy it without getting sand in my butt crack….LOL…ok…if you dont get it…the drink….lighten up peeps….LAUGH….i thought it was clever…heehee Speaking of sex…I was SO sexually assaulted today on the road….so we had to drive in these little red trucks with seats bolted to the bed….that was our pickup ride…LOL…anywho…we are sitting in the back of this truck….and this guy waves at me from another car…then…ok…guys…you know how you make that gesture….when you wanna put ur face in some chicks boobs…and blow raspberries back and forth between the two boobs?…YOU KNOW WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT! lol dont deny it…anyways….he did that to me!!!! I was sooooo appauled….but wanted to laugh so hard at the same time…is that wrong of me??? hahaha Painted some pottery stuff tonight…we are such artists… Had dinner….enjoyed happy hour again….found out I was a mixed drink genius…. Ended the night in the hot tub…talking to some people….I love making new friends… =) Having a fantastic time…will see what tomorrow brings….    

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Quatro… by Amber McCarty

 Monday, March 22, 2010 at 12:09am

As our trip winds down…we took the day to…well…uh…relax! Its the word of the trip! In all forms…How was ur trip? Relaxing! The beach? Relaxing! The drinks? Relaxing! LOL You get the drift….

Morning started with a mimosa brunch…which I must say, was something new for me…I have never in my life been shnockered before noon. I kept saying NO! And the glass kept being filled…the waitor asked me…Why not? Celebrate! Its Sunday! Chu no have to work today! LOL Thats all it took…let the drinks begin…it was not a happy hour…it was a happy day!! In our blitz moment…we decided that fat rolls came about to be called that because…well…fat rolls make your underwear fall down…(ask mel…LOL)…dont wear a skirt in Mazatlan…. I wonder why Ive taken the time to do my hair at all this trip…it ends up in braids…within a matter of an hour….just keepin up on my hair straightening skills….thats it… Freddie inked us on the beach today…will last about 3 weeks…we are pretty sure we got ripped off….but after the deal with Henry…we felt we made out ok! lol Mel almost got caught up in a game of futbol….she wanted to play…I said nay… Headed back, laid out for a bit, worked on that killer tan…went to dinner…our last one…in front of the beach…sniff sniff…..and continued in our usual evening routine….happy hour…then night swim…only, we were extra happy tonight….and decided to be goofballs on the beach…in the dark…the extreme dark…and go take pictures…I thought Nessie was gonna rise from the depths and eat us alive… Ive decided…Im one funny girl…and all my friends must not have a sense of humor…because nobody is commenting on my crap…LOL
   

I am very disappointed with you. You have caused so much trouble with my family over the past week and a half. What ever did we do to you to deserve such torment? I did not invite you here to begin with. You hitched a ride on one of my family members without permission and invited yourself into our home. It must have been love at first sight for you when you laid eyes on our beautiful baby girl. You couldn’t resist her. Why oh why couldn’t you just leave her alone? Your essence is infectious and has spread throughout our home. Only one has yet to be contaminated with your poison. I pray he remains un-afflicted. Do you have any idea how busy we are? We don’t have time to clean up after you. Now, we have to sanitized every inch of this house in efforts to rid us of your toxins.  Furthermore, I have learned you stowed away on my in-laws with the hopes to further spread your venom among our distant family members. How dare you! Where do you get the audacity?

I implore you to never come back. Never infect another one of my children again. They are so little and helpless. Pick on someone your own size.  We don’t like you. You are not welcome here. Spread the word to all your buddies that we don’t welcome any strain of the flu! Stay away!

Sincerely,

Sneezing My Brains Out

P.S. Cameron says, “Stop following me, OKAY?!”

By Dan Carr / Concordia Publishing House

Delightfully illustrated, these stories deal with concerns youngsters encounter in their daily lives. Each book points out the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness, while the supporting Scripture verse emphasizes the point of each story. Recommended for ages 2 to 7. ]]> http://melaniederrick.com/2010/03/12/god-i-need-to-talk-to-you-about-my-bad-temper/feed/ 2 http://melaniederrick.com/2010/03/12/an-easter-carol-veggietales-dvd/ http://melaniederrick.com/2010/03/12/an-easter-carol-veggietales-dvd/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:18:05 +0000 Melanie Derrick http://melaniederrick.com/?p=243 An Easter Carol, VeggieTales DVD

By Word Entertainment Inc

Ebenezer Nezzer is out of control! Filling London with plastic Easter eggs, he’s on a rampage to make Easter “bigger than ever!” But just how hard can his mechanical chickens work before they’re, well, fried? In just one unforgettable day and night, Cavis and Millward (Bob and Larry) and a music box angel named Hope (voiced by Rebecca St. James) must convince Nezzer that Easter is about more than just candy and eggs.Inspired by Dickens’ Christmas classic, this very special VeggieTales film explains why millions of Christians around the world celebrate Easter past, present and future.

DVD Features: