June 9, 2007

Psalms 15 was the scripture I mentioned previously. I think it clearly outlines what kind of person I need to strive to be and boy do I have a long way to go!

Mike and I are going to the IRL race tonight at TMS. I haven't seen Indy racing since we lived in Indiana! We're hooking up w/my mom and dad so it should be fun and interesting! I prefer Nascar (go Kasey Kahne!) but I'll watch Danica Patrick race, even if she is being a brat right now!

Not alot to post today. It's the weekend so I have limited access to the computer with everyone being home! Oh, I am excited that a week from today we're going to see Kenny Chesney in concert at Pizza Hut park in Frisco! I love him! He's going to be there w/Sugarland, Sarah Evans and Taylor Swift. Our first family concert outing...and Kenny's the Entertainer of the Year (for country music!) for his third straight year so it should be a great concert!!! (p.s.-that's whose pic is at the top of the blog, btw)

Take it easy and stay cool...like me =-)

m

June 8, 2007

I'm bouncing through all of the activities that have resurfaced now that my complete family is home! I'm glad their back! Their time in Honduras was life-changing and Shelby is ready to go back! I'm not sure what it is that is drawing her back but I am trying to really listen to her and her heart and find out why...she loved the kids there and she thoroughly enjoyed Mark and Paula...maybe it was just something different, where it seemed that being totally dependent on God is a necessity rather than seeing it as an "option" while she is at home. I'm not sure but we'll talk about it more as the days settle in.

Alix is having 2/week cheerleading practices and it's kicking her backside!! She loves it, though. She loves working out (yuk!) and feeling a difference in how she feels. I guess I need to do some kind of working out. I like to walk, but w/it being in the 90's here already and not cooling down much in the evenings, I don't like walking outside. Maybe a treadmill...?!? I doubt it. Then I would complain that there's nothing to look at while you're walking like there's so much to look at when you walk outside. I hear that you're fully committed to things you want to do, so maybe I'm not fully committed yet! Pray for me that I figure out some form of exercise since I need to do it not only to decrease my weight capacity but to feel better and look better...I'm getting really close to having those arms that wave in the wind without having to move my arm at all!

I have an answer to prayer. Some of you may know about the situation, but most may not. I'll just say that Shelby did make a huge decision in the form of a positive choice this week that I know was very hard for her but we feel God is really trying to grab ahold of her and bring her back to Him. It's a rather long story, or maybe uninteresting to most, but suffice it to say, it's a huge step for her and a decision that will have a forever life blessing and have far greater impact on her than what she was opting to choose before. If you want to know, I'll share w/you individually, but just remember that we do serve a mighty God who is bigger than anything or any situation that we think he isn't concerned about or that He doesn't have time to deal with!

Mike's trying to get back in the groove of things at work. He thoroughly enjoyed his time in Honduras and speaks of it frequently yet I think he's glad to be back to a nice, air-conditioned, sit-down job! He said he doesn't see how Mark and Paula do all they do on a daily basis but he's so thankful that he got an opportunity to go for several days and I'm sure he'll be going again with Shelby in tow!

I'm going to close for now. No humor today, sorry guys! Still too tired from catching up on all of the sleep I didn't get while Mike was away! I guess I just kept going because I knew I had to but now that he and Shelby are home, I'm wiped out!! I will post a scripture or two later. I'm doing a Bible study of sorts w/Shelby (and trying to get Alix to do it!) and am finding familiar scripture in a whole new light! Check back later to see what I'm finding in God's love letter to me!

Good day, mate!
m

June 6, 2007

Yesterday was Shelby's 15th birthday. Does time fly or what?! It has been a little crazy since she got back from Honduras on Monday night. They ran into problems getting home and didn't make it into DFW until about 11 p.m. She had a long day, stuck on an airplane but seemed genuinely glad so see Alix and me at the airport! She talked alot and wanted to share so much but we were all so tired. However, when she got home at 11:30 p.m. (or later), she and Alix had to watch the infamous "Papaw's video" which is quickly gaining great reviews from those who have seen it!! I think they watched it about 10 times, laughing their heads off! It was music to my ears and they had a great time reuniting. A Norman Rockwell moment...!?!

Then yesterday hit and everything was back to normal...fighting over computer time, nothing is "fair" as far as Shelby is concerned and Alix was left out in the cold-left for Shelby's "friends" and left out so I/we could handle issues w/Shelby's birthday, finding a routine again, etc. I felt bad for Alix...we had 10 great days together, one-on-one time and then she's immediately on her own again because at times, Shelby is rather demanding of our time =-(

We hooked up w/friends and family at DoubleDaves in Keller and Shelby met 2 of her friends from school there. Of course, being 15, she was more into her friends than the rest of the people that showed up for her birthday, but isn't that what being 15 is all about?! Thanks to those of you who were there. It was good to at least be in the same building with you even if we didn't get to chat as much as I would have liked to! We'll make up for it in the summer, shall we?!

I sort of felt Shelby's birthday got the short end of the stick and feel bad about it. Everyone was glad to see everyone else, wanted to hear about their trip to Honduras, and it was just plain crowded and noisy. It was rushed for one reason or another and it wasn't what I was hoping it to be...nor was it for Shelby. I could tell she was like "this is my birthday party?"...I don't think she was disappointed, but it wasnt' one of her better parties, either. It was hard to pull it all together since I don't have alot of her friends from school's phone numbers, etc (or we don't approve of the friendship) so I couldn't get friends there for her. I'm not going to beat myself up for it, it's just one of those things you wish you could do over again, but I'm not sure how I could have done it any differently. I guess I'll just have to make sure that next year, Sweet 16, is a good one for her. She'll be fine and will move on probably long before I get past feeling like I let her down =-(

Ok, enough of my whining...today is a new day and I spent my fair share w/my Heavenly Father last night to hear him tell me to look at James 1:5-8:
"Now if any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways."

I do lack wisdom in many things in regards to life w/a teenager right now but I am confident that I don't want to be like a surging sea tossed by the wind nor do I want to be unstable in all my ways. I want to ask in faith, without doubting, that God will guide me all the days of my life, especially those that involve teenage daughters!

Thanks for listening (reading)...I knew you would =-)

Thankful for a new day-
m

June 4, 2007

It was the train again...for some reason, after 5 years of living here, I hear the train all of the time! And as I try to think why in the world he/she has to blare it's horn in bursts of 10-20 honks in the same amount of seconds, I can't figure it out! I think through the track route that I know of in our neck of the woods and for the life of me, I don't know why they do it! I'm on a mission now!

So, it was no "glorious" morning this morning...just frustration at being woken up at 6 a.m. I went in to the kitchen for my quiet time and coffee (great combination by the way!) and realized that today is finally the day that Mike and Shelby come home! It seems like they've been gone forever! I'm so thankful for most of modern technology especially when it keeps you in touch w/family and friends. I think back to when missionaries would leave to go to the mission field and it would be weeks or months or even years before their family heard from them. Now..IM'ing is the way to go! Of course, when it's one of my daughters (ahem-Shelby) who is on the computer for what seems like hours IM'ing I wish the thing had never been invented!

Speaking of children on the computer...I came up with a sign-up sheet for the summer for the girls to "sign up" for their time on the computer. I know...I'm weird and way overbearing, but I'm hoping it keeps some of the peace! They can sit here for hours and hours and when asked to get off say "But I just got on!" because they lose track of time (uh, huh-right) So, playing with my new found best friend of a spreadsheet program, I devised a sign up sheet in half hour intervals for them to duke it out for time =-) And yes, I do have a limit on it per day. Just call me the "mean mom" but I think there are better things to do w/your time than sit at a computer and type randomly about absolutely nothing...oh yeah, right...that's what I'm doing now!

I'll get off before my "mean daughter(s)" kick me off for their social pleasure!

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of my hubby and oldest daughter!
m

June 3, 2007

I was awakened early this morning to the sound of clapping thunder and the crack of lightening strikes all around. It was extremely windy blowing our trees in the backyard around like rag dolls! Needless to say, I tried and tried to go back to sleep but it was to no avail. Between the thunder, wind and train (yes, I meant "train" and not rain), there was no rest for my tired body. I got up to check on things (being as I'm "in charge" since Mike's gone!) and heard the hail start in. It was so loud and pounding that it sounded like it was coming through the roof! At that point a groggy Alix arrives in my room carrying her bodyguard, Archie, and they crawl into the warmth and security of my bed while I trudge onto the kitchen. No going back to sleep for me but Alix didn't have a problem drifting off nor did Archie once he got in his favorite spot under the covers!

I was ready for the long haul having my crank flashlight/siren/radio in hand and coffee brewing when as quickly as the storm arose, it subsided! Ugh...no excitement and I'm wide awake! Maybe it was God trying everything He could to awaken me to spend time with me and it took thunder, lightening, hail...and the train! He'll do anything to spend time with me :-)

I had some great moments alone with God this morning while I hung onto alertness with the warmth of the coffee mug in my hands. He really is an awesome God and continues to amaze me at how caring and faithful He is, even in the little things. Funny-He' probably always that way, it's just that I'm coming around to seeing that again. When I take the time to thank Him for the answers to my prayers and recognize the numerous blessings He bestows on me on a daily basis, I am truly stunned. How can I ever take that for granted, His love and care for me? And why do I think that I can trust Him for awhile and recognize His greatness only to drift away ever so slightly or to take it for granted? He's patient and He's jealous for me so He would rain down Heaven and set His alarm clocks of "thunder and lightening" to bring me out of slumber and into His presence just to tell me He loves me so =-) I'm grateful and in awe.

Staying close to my Father-
Melissa

June 2, 2007

Ever have one of those days recently where you just didn't feel like doing anything? Just didn't feel good but couldn't put your finger on it? That's my day today...not sure why I feel so yucky, but I do. Part of it is soreness from bowling yesterday...yes, bowling =-) Used some muscles I haven't used in a while! Then, I'm just tired, foggy and just not all here. Alix abandoned me to go hang out with Mamaw and Papaw since she knew this was another day at home! Just glad she can get out and have something to do!

She keeps text messaging me wanting to get a puppy =-( She's in Decatur w/my mom and dad and every weekend in the Walmart parking lot, people bring their puppies, kitties, etc to be given away or sold. You'd think she'd know better than to put that temptation in front of her, but NO, she thinks she has to have this one...it's the cutest one ever (since the last time she was there!) Poor Archie's getting thrown under the bus for a cuter, younger model. But he's such a good boy! Now Rosie, on the other hand...where is that bus?!! (JK) Of course I told Alix absolutely NO on the puppie yet she keeps texting me with all of the "I'll pay for the shots, I'll train it over the summer, etc" It seems I've heard this before-no, wait-I still have the paper she wrote up when she wanted to get Archie and I dangle it in front of her face every once in awhile showing her all of the things she "promised she would do" if she got him. Ah-ha! Got her on that one!

We'll be going out to Aurora Baptist tonight for their service. It's very small in attendance on Saturday nights, but that's not so bad. At least you're recognized and called by name by most! After church we're going to Zio's. I've got my free dinner coupon that they gave out on Mother's Day when we were there. Nothing like a fairly cheap dinner! Nothing like pasta to sit on your hips for the next several years!! Well, it's good anyway so we'll enjoy it tonight and pay for it tomorrow =-)

That's about it. Just a lazy, don't-feel-good kind of day yet assured of the nearness of my Savior and the comfort that He gives in the quiet times.
Smiles and hugs

June 1, 2007

Today has been a rather interesting day. Nothing spectacular, but it was fun. Alix and I went to Main Event in Grapevine and bowled for an hour. Our scores weren't the best, but we had a good time, got tickled at silly things and got a HUGE kick out of the "older man" next to us who had to hop right before he bowled! It was funny. You'd think he was a professional bowler since he had his own "cool" ball and shoes, but I think Alix and I did better than he did!

Somehow while doing my "bowling face" I bit my lip and I couldn't get it to stop bleeding! I used napkins and ice trying to get it to stop. People kept looking at me like I'd been in a fight or something! After it stopped bleeding, it was swollen some. so awkward! It still hurts and is tender tonight but hopefully it'll heal itself during the night.

My car was filthy so we decided to take it to a car wash and have it washed an vacuumed by someone other than ourselves! Needless to say, it was Friday afternoon, the sun was shining and the weather was gorgeous so everyone else had the same idea! I decided to go ahead and pull in but wasn't sure how much it was going to cost. I pulled up to try to see a price...$69.99!!!!! I wanted to back up and leave but was already boxed in by other people wanting their car washed! As the guy approached me I was trying to think of how I was going to gracefully get out of this situation without sounding cheap! Well, the sign I saw was just an advertisement of sorts for one of their hand wax specials. He had a laminated sheet with him that gave the various prices so we went for it! Alix was fascinated with it all but wondered how we would know they were done with our car and how they would know we were the actual owners. It's the simple things we take for granted I guess! The car looks great but as we were pulling out of the parking lot the weather on the radio says "chance of rain this afternoon and the weekend"...Alix busted a gut laughing at me! As of now, 9:25p.m., no rain =-)

I'm working on a Bible study of sorts to work with the girls on this summer. It's a book Shelby got called "Teen Virtue-A Christian Girls guide to Relationships". It has several chapters, or studies and a few questions at the end of the study. I'm going through and trying to turn it into a Bible study/mom&daughter type of study. I feel that the girls are constantly being bombarded with the WRONG WAY to approach dating, guys, relationships, etc and what have I done to steer them otherwise? things are sooooo different than when I was in school so at times I feel like anything I say will be irrelevant so why say anything at all? This book is GREAT and speaks in their language (whatever that is!) so I can use her words to spark discussion for the three of us. It's sooo important to me that the girls realize that they are worth sooo much more than they realize and that they deserve to be treated with respect and care, not as just "objects" like everyone else they are around. Why is that so hard to teach a girl? She wants to be noticed by a guy and at times will do whatever it takes to get one to notice her. What she doesn't realize is that if the guy "notices" her, what will happen when she doesn't look like he wants her to look? Those are the things I pray God will help me teach the girls. I pray that they both have hearts to hear and ears to listen to what God wants to say to them whether through me or through another Christian leader...just someone positive that can speak life into them instead of lies.

Ok, off my soapbox now. I just have so much I want to teach and share with my daughters and I feel like time is flying by way too quickly to get it all in!

I'll close for now. Thanks for sharing my life w/me and keeping me in your prayers!