Seven Random Things

Well, I was visiting my blogger buddy, Lynn's blog at Somewhere in the Middle and she got tagged to share seven random things about herself. She then invited anyone who wanted to join in to do so. So here goes (yes, I tagged myself). What!? It's fun.

Ok, seven random things about myself...This is actually hard - how weird do I want to let you know I am? Hmmm.

1) I often pop a Lord of the Rings dvd in while I sort or fold laundry. Not always, mind you...but often. Sometimes I listen to one of Beth Moore's messages or I download a message from church.

2) I prefer Diet Coke over Diet Pepsi.

3) I am a major procrastinator when I have to do something I consider difficult or potentially unpleasant.

4) Growing up, I dreamed of performing (ok, starring) in a Broadway musical. Closest I ever got was when my friend, Gerry, got us front row, center seats to see Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby. We were right behind the orchestra pit and I could even see back stage. Not the dream but still very fun.

5) I spend a lot of time on the computer to the neglect of - ugggh - housework.

6) My favorite comfort food is peanut butter and jelly WITH a glass of chocolate milk, preferable Nesquik.

7) I crave afternoon naps.

So there you have it. My seven random things. Now, I'm supposed to tag seven other people but I don't know that many blogs, so I'll tag the ones I know and if you're reading this and want to play along, consider yourself tagged. C'mon, it's fun. Let me know if you do 'cause I'd like to read yours too.

Tag, you're it!

Tater Mama at TaterTales
Elaine at Peace for the Journey
Calista at Can I Get a Witness?
Nancy at Olive Leave Ministies

Be blessed!
Melanie

Eeeby-Jeebies

I'm guessing it's all the rain we've had lately but the stink bugs are out in force the last couple of days! Let me make this perfectly clear - I HATE STINK BUGS!!!! They totally creep me out. I know they're harmless but there is something about them and their creepy little armored bodies that totally gives me the willies. I can be sitting on the couch minding my own business and all of a sudden out of nowhere comes a stink bug whizzing past my head. I sucked up about 5 of 'em into my vacuum and I know there's one I missed. I saw him by the motion detector a minute ago but now I don't know where he went. I'm sure I look ridiculous walking around my house with the vacuum attachment as long as I can make it saying in my sing-song voice, "ok, little creepy bug, where did you go?...I know you're in here..." And, even though I'm sitting momentarily at the computer, don't think for a minute that I'm not totally looking around every few seconds making sure it's not anywhere near me.

That picture above? There were actually 5 on that window, 3 on the bathroom window, 1 on the kitchen window, 2 on the living room window and...eeeewww there's the one I tried to get before and I don't think I can reach him; he's too high and I'm out of attachments. Gross.

Later.
Melanie

Go back to bed now sweetie...

My kids just crack me up. Last night, my sweet, mostly asleep daughter got up out of bed and came to me and said "It's not working." Now try to hear this as she said it, half-asleep, slurring her words with her eyes only barely open.

Me: What's not working, honey?
Her: Blowing on my stomach...it's not working.
Me: Huh?
Her: The fan, blowing on my stomach...it's not working.
Me: What???

She then ruffles through some papers on the table near me, hands me our little hometown paper and says.

"Here, hold this." Then proceeds into the bathroom and then back to bed.

She has no rememrance of this whatsoever and we all enjoyed a good laugh (me for the 2nd time) this morning.

Too funny.

Be blessed.
Melanie

Just waiting...

Where does the time go? I've been wanting to post but haven't had much of anything going on and I'm not nearly as witty as some of my bloggin' buddies whose blogs give me a laugh nearly every time I visit. Their humor is very Seinfeld-esqe in that they can find something funny to write about in just the day-to-day routines of life. If you haven't checked out some of the blogs to the right of my posts and you'd like a chuckle or two, by all means, give a click and check 'em out.

For me, life right now feels like the warm-up portion of a workout. I'm definitely on the go, my calendar is filling up slowly but surely and little by little activities are shifting into gear. However, we could use some prayer if you think of it. While I'm just warming up, hubby's schedule has kicked into overdrive and that means less family time and more stress on and the shifting around of already tight schedules. Thanks.

In other news, our sweet Apollo gets bigger by the hour it seems (he's 15 weeks old & 30 lbs) and is doing really well with his training. He's having fewer accidents, sleeps through the night, will sit, stay, come AND give a paw on command - that is when he wants to 'cause if he doesn't, even a flank steak won't pursuade him. I understand stubborness is a boxer trait.

I'm working on getting him to stop pulling on the leash. Why do dogs do that? Do they like that crushed esophagus feeling? I'll never understand that. I take him over to one of the local pet places for training and the trainer had the class pick an aisle to walk the dogs back and forth. One by one, the trainer worked with each dog as well and when he got to Apollo he said Apollo's doing very well. I'm thinking that's 'cause there's nothing of interest to him in the aisle; try takin' him down to the bus stop and tell me how well he does.

Well, that's it for now. I've got dishes and laundry just piling up demanding my attention. I pray all is well in your corner of the world. Hope you enjoy the latest pics.

Be blessed.
Melanie

Angel: "If I don't look at him, he doesn't exist."
Apollo: "Just a few more inches..."


My monkey...


I hate him.


Now What?


I'm glad you're comfortable.

Eager Expectations

For so many reasons, this time of year is probably my favorite. I love the crisp air and the beautiful colors that I'm already seeing sprinkled throughout the trees. There's excitement all around over various start-ups about to kick in - music lessons, sports, church programs, etc. For me, what I probably get most excited about is the start-up of Women's Bible Study and I'm definitely excited over this season of study. Because I couldn't decide between two of the offerings, I decided to do both (pray for me). Actually, there are quite a number of us who are doing the same thing for the same reason so I'm in good company.

The first study is The Essential 100 (or E-100). This study will take us through 100 carefully selected readings throughout the Old and New Testaments. We've been told the readings should only take about 15 minutes or so to complete and then each week we'll gather to discuss that week's readings.

The second study will be the 6th Beth Moore study I've done - Daniel, Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy. I am completely stoked about this study. I picked up my workbook on Sunday.

So what's the reason for all the excitement? Is it that I'll get to meet and/or catch up with some ladies I've come to admire and whose company I enjoy? That's certainly part of the draw but that's not the main reason. Is it the studies themselves? Well, that's a big one for sure. I did say I was taking a Beth Moore study and I'm a total groupie, as my sister calls me. But truth be told, as much as I love Beth, that's not the only reason.

The main reason is God. After only four years of participating in Women's Bible study, I've come to expect that God is going to do amazing things in my life through the study of His Word. There's going to be stretching, growing, learning and, if He should so choose, perhaps a revelation or two (oh, I hope). Not to say these changes are easy all the time because they haven't always been. Oftentimes, stretching hurts and, for me, there's often a need for me to let go of something which can bring up a lot of fear. But, oh the grace and the mercy and the relationship that I experience in the midst of it. It's unmatched.

One of my favorite songs is Travis Cottrell's "Falling". The lyrics explain some of what I experience during each season of Bible study. I hope the link above works. If it doesn't, I've got the lyrics below.

Be blessed.
Melanie

On the edge of something big and brave
Every breath is another step of faith
Part of me still likes the ground
Where I feel safe and sound
but You push me, pull me
and I finally let go

Chorus
Falling, falling
To the heart of someone so much stronger
Falling in to love

Ever closer, closer to the truth
One by one my fears fade into blue
Wherever You are taking me
Is where I need to be
And You have Your reasons
Who am I to say no

Chorus

I waver, You're steady
I falter, You never fail
You fight for me, I surrender
To You, to You

Chorus

My First Award

I received my first award! How cool is that? It comes from Nancy Douglas of Olive Leaf Ministries. Nancy is an author, speaker and an advocate for special needs children. Her blog is a blessing to many including me! Thanks, Nancy.

This award comes with a few rules. They are:

1. Mention the blog that gave it to you.
2. Publish these rules.
3. Share six values that are important to you and six things you do not support.
4. Grant the prize to six people.

What I value:
The Word of God
My family
My friends
Honesty
Laughter
A good midday nap

What I do not support:
Deceit
Athletes getting paid more than our military and law enforcement professionals
Generalizations about people
Disrespect
The Big Bang Theory
phone telemarketing (very annoying and always at dinnertime)

I pass this award on to some Godly women whose blogs have been a blessing to me. They are:

Lynn at Somewhere in the Middle
Calista at Can I Get a Witness
Regina at Grinders Switch: Heaven on Earth
Tater Mama at Tater Tales
Elaine at Peace for the Journey

Thanks, ladies, for letting His light shine through you.

Back to School

Ah, the first day of school! Did you know it is possible to feel compelled to do a happy dance and be sad at the same time? It's true. By summer's end, the boredom-induced bickering between my two, sweet, precious, most beloved children just plays jump rope with my last nerve 'till I want to see a school bus so bad I'm reduced to looking them up online and show them to my kids saying "see kids, you're going on one of those really soon! Yep, you sure are, oh yeah.

But then the day comes and so does the real bus and my same beloved kids, now chatting happily together and dressed all spiffy in their new back-to-school-clothes, loaded with backpacks and smiles, climb on, happy to see friends they haven't seen since the beginning of June and eager to embrace the day. The doors close, my kids and I exchange sign-language "I love you's", the bus drives out of sight and then it happens. There's no music but someone's humming, there's toe-tapping which progresses into full-out dancing; there are high fives all around and then...a few tears.

Yes, there are a couple of moms new to this first-day-of school ritual and their hearts have just jumped into their throats with the realization that they have just entrusted their beloved child to a complete stranger! Oh, the rest of us remember that feeling well. We tear up too with the recollection and rush to hug, share stories and encourage them praising them for their restraint in not following the bus to school. I, personally, had no such restraint with either of my kids but that's a story for another day.

This day I skip home ready to enjoy the peace and relative quiet that awaits me on the other side of my front door. I say relative because, well, I do still have that 13-week old puppy who has to pee every 20 minutes and my beloved hubby works from his home office. Still, I'm heartened to hear no whining, no tattling, no teasing and no Hanna Montana. Peace (relative). 15...30 minutes, tops, goes by and I'm suddenly struck by quiet. Apollo's sleeping, hubby is busily working...It feels a little empty...There's no laughing, no giggling, no surprise hugs, no little faces at my front door asking for my children to come out and play. Just. Quiet. Sigh...

How long 'till the stranger brings my kids home?

Be blessed.
Melanie


This was actually taken on the 2nd day of school (I forgot my camara the 1st day)


Only 2 days of school and my sweet boy was just tuckered out.


He doesn't even go to school but he's tired too.

Proud Mama

I can't help it. I feel like one of those parents who whips out photos of their new baby every chance they get. But he's just so darn cute!

We had our neighbors over yesterday and they brought their 2 girl puppies (german shepherd/lab mixes). Our pups are all about the same age. I think Apollo's only a week older but he's already so much bigger and lumbers around like a bull in a china shop. The girls were pretty timid around him for a while but once they got comfortable they had a blast tearin' around our backyard together and we laughed our heads off watchin' them. Our sandbox was a big hit. I only wish I had video. Oh yeah, and he seems to like watching SpongeBob too.

Don't forget your vitamins...

Could it really be this simple? Folks, I think I may have found an answer I've been looking for for quite some time.

For years, I've lived with near-constant fatigue as well as a myriad of other little annoying general symptoms. Every year at my annual physical, I tell the doctor how tired I am all the time. I rarely have the energy to do much of anything but I plug along because that's what one does. Faith, family, work, laundry, dishes, pets, all of these responsibilities can't just stop because I'm tired. I always shoot for 10 hours of sleep but even when I'm actually able to get that much uninterruped sleep (which is rare by the way), it's still not enough. I have blood work done year after year and, aside from my cholesterol being on the high end of the normal range, all comes back fine.

When my kids were real small, I'd be told "of course you're tired; you have babies at home." Then it was "You're the mother of young children; it's natural to be tired." Occassionally there'd be an ever-so-slight insinuation that I was just lazy. When I would complain of how tired I am, certain members of my family would say "What else is new" or "You're always tired."

It doesn't exactly take a rocket scientist to tell that I don't have the healthiest of diets. I eat far too little of the heathly stuff and far too much of the unhealthy stuff. But still; I've just always thought there's something else I'm missing.

Well, I think I may have figured it out. Recently my friend and I got talking about vitamins; I think because I mentioned reluctantly wanting to cut back on caffeine. I say reluctantly because that's one of the primary things that keeps me going everyday but I hate how jittery it makes me feel. She suggested perhaps I needed some B vitamins for energy. I started looking into it and realized that I regularly deal with a number of the symptoms mentioned under B vitamin deficiency. So I went to the store, got me some B complex vitamins and I can honestly say I feel a little better. Even after only one dose, this stupid, ugly, embarrasing little crack in the corner of my mouth (also on the list of symptoms) went away. I've been trying, unsuccessfully, to get rid of that thing for months and it just wouldn't go.

Now, before you get all nervous about my self-diagnosing, rest assured that I plan to talk to my doctor and/or pharmacist about the whole thing, but I'm just feeling so encouraged. And slightly well-rested.

Be blessed.
Melanie