tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10712015405620944432024-02-07T01:30:36.206-06:00A Blustering Wind...Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-8042160441216285502010-09-29T12:22:00.003-05:002010-09-29T12:39:45.933-05:00Running out of ideas...I don’t know about you, but I can NOT sit still and watch TV. I wish that meant that my house was never dirty and that there was never piles of laundry to do, but that is not what occurs. I, instead, fill my time with projects or look at magazines, but you will NEVER find me just sitting and watching TV. My husband has always been annoyed with this, but I think it’s a good thing. The only problem is…I’m running out of things to do. <br /><br />I cut coupons.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxz9IdLLMvHqNdLcnTmweqdAIFvqEjweCfRs0NNw5vTnyxbt4orPCUJnJeW-pQzeqjrrUwGvmVe__rhsmit0rbrmDoqJiJjT89nbJnI9OBqtA-MdWYu39PWzrXXkVP3CXhIareSdg1X4/s1600/IMG_5175.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxz9IdLLMvHqNdLcnTmweqdAIFvqEjweCfRs0NNw5vTnyxbt4orPCUJnJeW-pQzeqjrrUwGvmVe__rhsmit0rbrmDoqJiJjT89nbJnI9OBqtA-MdWYu39PWzrXXkVP3CXhIareSdg1X4/s400/IMG_5175.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522388839978067778" /></a><br />I look at magazines. (I think I'm addicted. Thank you Half Price for selling mags!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGIr59G9d8lliZ6wo4Ce4GqirDyyM7c5jLDdQjbod1Z3BKns4WNNcH2FtYu4tF9gCNYiUJ_mtiw6tmXl-oZ0F5kMBg2bQYSzLC2Y8osBxeFEGx7-IpWf-McvAwZpvVP0QQNeplYbl0qs/s1600/IMG_5214.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGIr59G9d8lliZ6wo4Ce4GqirDyyM7c5jLDdQjbod1Z3BKns4WNNcH2FtYu4tF9gCNYiUJ_mtiw6tmXl-oZ0F5kMBg2bQYSzLC2Y8osBxeFEGx7-IpWf-McvAwZpvVP0QQNeplYbl0qs/s400/IMG_5214.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522388843890829778" /></a><br />I’ve made a wreath out of paper, buttons, wire, etc.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJgaVmXybkaTkWt3riBYahDY96II0yUl5KnldXwbAYZIam54hTwCwdW2VqOo5lgDjVBJaYRUo-NzMQLUnLrN6LP_a5Nrg6wJYJV9nzeDV17Tz-ohnFAed6A-5sUTmvSoRLDJsqRlUaf8/s1600/IMG_5199.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJgaVmXybkaTkWt3riBYahDY96II0yUl5KnldXwbAYZIam54hTwCwdW2VqOo5lgDjVBJaYRUo-NzMQLUnLrN6LP_a5Nrg6wJYJV9nzeDV17Tz-ohnFAed6A-5sUTmvSoRLDJsqRlUaf8/s400/IMG_5199.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522388848173668386" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHs3N3xWHKpm-wRdklk0eusRNKxjabjwdBFKhGD4g_lpwdHwvbgzRs1IkbhRp4GxuGxiG_5wS1TZsDwBsFhab7BMh1-pDCBxVFkf91LLtY5f7dWzkjT7G0nUSXwuhltzlfKAb0kAUV90/s1600/IMG_5188.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHs3N3xWHKpm-wRdklk0eusRNKxjabjwdBFKhGD4g_lpwdHwvbgzRs1IkbhRp4GxuGxiG_5wS1TZsDwBsFhab7BMh1-pDCBxVFkf91LLtY5f7dWzkjT7G0nUSXwuhltzlfKAb0kAUV90/s400/IMG_5188.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522388853284299858" /></a><br />I’ve covered boxes with paper to make pretty organization.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9om8ealJWtNxQnj7lt7XGnH6iPbeNe87zGrZ33kpQo4Da0bxIKJpsVLJEYcEcHtYBGvuwAkjgUaG-VUQNxzMMN76pY6NagmzKu2B3WX6VjxiiSErRlx3xDp3yw3MsDCFNHgTUKe-khw/s1600/IMG_5186.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9om8ealJWtNxQnj7lt7XGnH6iPbeNe87zGrZ33kpQo4Da0bxIKJpsVLJEYcEcHtYBGvuwAkjgUaG-VUQNxzMMN76pY6NagmzKu2B3WX6VjxiiSErRlx3xDp3yw3MsDCFNHgTUKe-khw/s400/IMG_5186.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522390190948108706" /></a><br />I’ve sewed or sewn(not really successfully).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcZPXM3Oc54eee8jC3Oe0DSE3Hz91T3vfl71wlBa91QwyYS44ZuK6Fq2B91h90rIB7djuHXebNDtHApOfD10-RW6PDCHwF98I18zhBNgamH2HjIygoqmPOgDuPBqgGO52JVtG-1VKp18/s1600/IMG_5181.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcZPXM3Oc54eee8jC3Oe0DSE3Hz91T3vfl71wlBa91QwyYS44ZuK6Fq2B91h90rIB7djuHXebNDtHApOfD10-RW6PDCHwF98I18zhBNgamH2HjIygoqmPOgDuPBqgGO52JVtG-1VKp18/s400/IMG_5181.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522388860187098162" /></a><br />I’ve painted canvases for my boys’ room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdOJ8zDrKYARBc3UiDMLQwZMUDd46iLTz4mguYLHIbeG_HQpioIUMd7yVTNKvEz3XRzPwhLZEhIR2q3iGaej4hBON2tG6pG1nTsob6r6tLZyImbXry8H9DwcKFGk97CpVgvdGEbFGRXs/s1600/IMG_5205.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdOJ8zDrKYARBc3UiDMLQwZMUDd46iLTz4mguYLHIbeG_HQpioIUMd7yVTNKvEz3XRzPwhLZEhIR2q3iGaej4hBON2tG6pG1nTsob6r6tLZyImbXry8H9DwcKFGk97CpVgvdGEbFGRXs/s400/IMG_5205.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522390194876684434" /></a><br />I fold laundry.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXe8IKGrcg4PSixUN8borqThmyXUFeZMJMdZy4kbSBl2xtVcSx_VnMLUqw4h-f5naQK6jZ14p87D5BIIpdVIii47zEviOLRY3g0PCFYOTrMIegS4CMjccdX-NR0bNoaalhmilE8vM6igc/s1600/IMG_5174.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXe8IKGrcg4PSixUN8borqThmyXUFeZMJMdZy4kbSBl2xtVcSx_VnMLUqw4h-f5naQK6jZ14p87D5BIIpdVIii47zEviOLRY3g0PCFYOTrMIegS4CMjccdX-NR0bNoaalhmilE8vM6igc/s400/IMG_5174.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522390196953216930" /></a><br />What else can I do? I need new, fun, creative ideas.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-44054179409037671252010-09-15T08:52:00.004-05:002010-09-15T09:26:02.955-05:00"Bear"ing with him...Sweet Bear, my youngest, is proving to be a challenge. He deserves a post all his own. <br />I remember saying when he was a baby that Toby was my challenging one and he was gonna be my sweet cuddler! I was NOT correct! At about 6 months I realized the kid was less than cuddly. He liked to get into things WAY more than Toby and he loved the word NO, and as stated in last week's blog...his favorite thing to say now is, "I don't want to." <br />He's my kid, so I am allowed to say - He is weird! He would never keep his socks on his feet - they would be removed and placed over his hands. And as shown in the pictures below...He would, somehow, twist his shirt around his body. Weird. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsRuAxQ4smX6Yelzjvy8pGmqxoMppiP7YTd0QmVG7dMnLjWVaY4OvJ0R-mf8bv4BgavFjQrOLR6brU2Q9S8BHxib8J_twaCIVO3Gi2ojnDqYS2C1yVY9mB3h94gKdMEh4SmOp-ngxak4/s1600/IMG_3942.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsRuAxQ4smX6Yelzjvy8pGmqxoMppiP7YTd0QmVG7dMnLjWVaY4OvJ0R-mf8bv4BgavFjQrOLR6brU2Q9S8BHxib8J_twaCIVO3Gi2ojnDqYS2C1yVY9mB3h94gKdMEh4SmOp-ngxak4/s400/IMG_3942.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517139810808384418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgZV7MpvJXAGCApucqRa5tO6VVryW0OxDI14i-iMqro9ytPiKbmgKeyWFlL-nCBx1v586Kxkjhuu9xTnqDyElt_cPvWoIDZkeqooizWuuPqXAwPtzK7NKcS4xq9KMzKVOTVLT2sCbkek/s1600/IMG_4222.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgZV7MpvJXAGCApucqRa5tO6VVryW0OxDI14i-iMqro9ytPiKbmgKeyWFlL-nCBx1v586Kxkjhuu9xTnqDyElt_cPvWoIDZkeqooizWuuPqXAwPtzK7NKcS4xq9KMzKVOTVLT2sCbkek/s400/IMG_4222.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517139790015367826" /></a> <br />I stick by the fact that he is weird AND difficult, but I have to say - He is just so darn cute! Remeber the curls?! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPHsGdFKdEyb_Cr9rVubCBzNI2ZQMcfsPAa8vx4Ha8FlbgJogJNBzZ7eIxKTUydjt-r91gPUqeY82rTcANfq_SVhk9TgrvqN8pGLW4i2fied5phLJsVlAIlIYrqQ75xDgKcMSrML9qcI/s1600/precious+Bear.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPHsGdFKdEyb_Cr9rVubCBzNI2ZQMcfsPAa8vx4Ha8FlbgJogJNBzZ7eIxKTUydjt-r91gPUqeY82rTcANfq_SVhk9TgrvqN8pGLW4i2fied5phLJsVlAIlIYrqQ75xDgKcMSrML9qcI/s400/precious+Bear.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517139746057687426" /></a> I mean - look at that face! <br />This was last Halloween - he was Nacho Libre.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrYZ4VA6bPqSOY3l3RbPThv9b-fEu2mvXQ-JPOsVw2TitgeMSSSVX4sqwzlUjve_9nZDGddDtcQ-uJt1KTj5f25SqN3SKKxPR6wIeBkYPX3Fab5a9bkKhJ7BJsQz9gk2raBwNG6IBKZ0/s1600/Nacho+Libre+2009.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrYZ4VA6bPqSOY3l3RbPThv9b-fEu2mvXQ-JPOsVw2TitgeMSSSVX4sqwzlUjve_9nZDGddDtcQ-uJt1KTj5f25SqN3SKKxPR6wIeBkYPX3Fab5a9bkKhJ7BJsQz9gk2raBwNG6IBKZ0/s400/Nacho+Libre+2009.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517139776653604706" /></a><br />And...he is great with babies. That's a good sign. Here he is with Baby Emma (cousin).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehGOhKsMSzXWIaBHeEFdeJbzdwGGbsINbRECvCOQVmXHFzKVJsq-sqs0rKFmvxqqVmDkivzCUsu7YXytW00s9s44d78dz-zblhtHgG8-Mz-PmdlxMb9zh2G8xI1PtppG2qKzj2_HF7UY/s1600/Bear+and+Emma.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehGOhKsMSzXWIaBHeEFdeJbzdwGGbsINbRECvCOQVmXHFzKVJsq-sqs0rKFmvxqqVmDkivzCUsu7YXytW00s9s44d78dz-zblhtHgG8-Mz-PmdlxMb9zh2G8xI1PtppG2qKzj2_HF7UY/s400/Bear+and+Emma.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517139753977146850" /></a><br />Don't let the cute fool you though. He's always up to something or thinking about what he can break or get into. For example, he brought me a piece of furniture last night he had broken off. He is holding the handle and I have circled where the handle came from in yellow. He's proud of himself. Can you tell?! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYY4FpFfMzTvHZTlVKNnYPv8xY2V0SMM4ZoDMk3S5NhI6Ve5KWb031Gdx4bxA8xUTQReH6b7EZskVCDhf1llngI6kXtNSHu26qUdsXn6T5-5LWlPM4b_QEQ9FDlrO66ngMH7kb9QCCoU/s1600/Bear+with+handle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYY4FpFfMzTvHZTlVKNnYPv8xY2V0SMM4ZoDMk3S5NhI6Ve5KWb031Gdx4bxA8xUTQReH6b7EZskVCDhf1llngI6kXtNSHu26qUdsXn6T5-5LWlPM4b_QEQ9FDlrO66ngMH7kb9QCCoU/s400/Bear+with+handle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517146037593342210" /></a><br />Man I love him and the challenges he brings. It is just so wonderful being a mom!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-54217232787096392112010-09-09T13:37:00.007-05:002010-09-09T15:10:19.379-05:00Rededication...This is me rededicating myself to you, my blog! I have alot of catching up to do. We'll start simple. Toby is now 6 - YES, I said 6!!! He is in first grade and he is way too big for his britches! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOW-nitfTgY1n2lhZCBK-zqqAXkXaMvix3uBt8ofz_lct_S-VdzrZV_U-Y-1xflcCbVYWoqrnacfVfurkJvuD70i41zwvNSpslIJMqTjWFs6FwRFaiAQJ5Hbn3kDnMTJbkNNJbA5zTac/s1600/IMG_5067+copy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOW-nitfTgY1n2lhZCBK-zqqAXkXaMvix3uBt8ofz_lct_S-VdzrZV_U-Y-1xflcCbVYWoqrnacfVfurkJvuD70i41zwvNSpslIJMqTjWFs6FwRFaiAQJ5Hbn3kDnMTJbkNNJbA5zTac/s400/IMG_5067+copy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514986520754024914" /></a><br />I mean...look at those angels! Bear is 2 and man - he's a handful. His favorite thing to say is, "I don't want to." Come one Bear...give your mom a break! He's so cute and unsuspecting! <br />We recently moved to G-Town (Garland) a street over from my sister and I am loving it! I mean...I have my best friend and sister a street over and her 4 babies that I love so much! Maddie is in 6th grade and her youngest, Emma, is only a month and a half! Her two boys, Nickey and Tyler go to school with Toby. Here they are on their first day...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe0FcPN4cDGqk4VKFpWujoU7RTNmG9UmaVHFRwH7M5B55ZfA2RGe044cKva1u9HVFsBYR5V8fj9pyx2EDW0xejbkBNK41DxPUDknwDOFgoQbWZ8yvxzAQaYFOCnF1aD1ji5-SwQz8oeo/s1600/IMG_5076.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe0FcPN4cDGqk4VKFpWujoU7RTNmG9UmaVHFRwH7M5B55ZfA2RGe044cKva1u9HVFsBYR5V8fj9pyx2EDW0xejbkBNK41DxPUDknwDOFgoQbWZ8yvxzAQaYFOCnF1aD1ji5-SwQz8oeo/s400/IMG_5076.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515002265352131282" /></a><br />My cup overflows!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-74790601309973674802009-07-31T10:39:00.005-05:002009-08-04T08:58:01.167-05:00Africa in a nutshellI do not know how to properly sum up my trip to Africa. It was the first of many trips my family will take and I made relationships that will last a life time. The ministry we partner with, Tree Life Ministry, is run by some of the most amazing, precious people and I miss them so much more than I imagined I would. I was afraid I would be overly emotional most of the trip and unable to hold it together, but the people (despite their circumstances) are so extremely joyful that it is just contagious. The only time I cried was when I left. The thought that it would be a year before I would be back was and is so hard to swallow. <br />I didn't know how I was going to pick what pictures to put on my blog, but after watching the slideshow that Chuck Pope put together of our trip I decided to just post that. Enjoy all the precious memories I made with my Wonderful SalSaf Team - Blair and Lauren Robinson, Shelly and Bre Patrick, Chuck Pope, Jake Kelley, and my amazing husband, Jeremy Hendrix. <br />Thank you Jeremy for all your hard work put into planning this trip and the work you have already begun for 2010. I love you. And thank you sooooo much Jake, for keeping me sane. You made this trip so much more memorable for us! We love you tons! <br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5919897&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5919897&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/5919897">Uganda Slideshow</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user494926">Melissa Hendrix</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br />I can't post about Africa without thanking the wonderful people I can count on to take care of my most treasured boys. Toby and Bear spent a week in Gulf Shores, AL with Pam and Steve (the amazing in-laws) and Chris and Nikki (bro-in-law and girlfriend) and then spent a few fun days with their Aunt Jen. Thank ya'll so much for taking care of my babies and thanks to all my friends for your willingness to be on-call just in case. I am sooo blessed with such a big support team! I think I could leave my boys for a month and not worry once about their well-being. Missing them would be the issue! All in all I did really well being away from the boys. I had a year to pray about it and, as usual, the Lord came through with flying colors. I have to say the reunion at the airport was amazing... <br />My three boys in full embrace <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAL4c6hLfrW50oSNwrcmCKiyIUZqAmUYmmircySwAHvtCDbhlVFB3zdx1oSUVr3ulO2V4LNHJt1dk48c1n_HdqCCuZKO_qkowElZB7FxBiI-MpRZ1fxSj_hvZrNR84ovMlpg0F551ELg/s1600-h/Picture+077.jpg"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 374px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365845120079007074 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAL4c6hLfrW50oSNwrcmCKiyIUZqAmUYmmircySwAHvtCDbhlVFB3zdx1oSUVr3ulO2V4LNHJt1dk48c1n_HdqCCuZKO_qkowElZB7FxBiI-MpRZ1fxSj_hvZrNR84ovMlpg0F551ELg/s400/Picture+077.jpg"></A> PawPaw made shirts for the boys to wear to the airport <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWk2YmGDPJdtg8M3LPXWuZbSRzQI_COney-gCpaWPgrKt_AIGAVVtcmdY62pYTrsYEYQIzwWymr3WoQHsMzmj2jP3Oo9IZYapW_FapsX9caFwoJyinVAP-yAzfJdOH4DDdD_R37b4sdc/s1600-h/Picture+042.jpg"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365845113651216194 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWk2YmGDPJdtg8M3LPXWuZbSRzQI_COney-gCpaWPgrKt_AIGAVVtcmdY62pYTrsYEYQIzwWymr3WoQHsMzmj2jP3Oo9IZYapW_FapsX9caFwoJyinVAP-yAzfJdOH4DDdD_R37b4sdc/s400/Picture+042.jpg"></A> The boys in their shirts <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfxsIclwQsCvRPzYv1nmJgM-4K2C2PJSYRZX6e-XJ98_yTurnQBraoZPgYMItDllCr-26zt8vGwmdclO0ly7GdV1gnZVbrHRnj-7-ErRx4pqhYFBqT9T3lYLrJv3BEOuusywpVEYxzzY/s1600-h/Picture+044.jpg"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365845111989433330 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfxsIclwQsCvRPzYv1nmJgM-4K2C2PJSYRZX6e-XJ98_yTurnQBraoZPgYMItDllCr-26zt8vGwmdclO0ly7GdV1gnZVbrHRnj-7-ErRx4pqhYFBqT9T3lYLrJv3BEOuusywpVEYxzzY/s400/Picture+044.jpg"></A> How cute are they??? I will devote an entire blog to the trip to Gulf Shores. It's too cute to cram into this post! Talk at ya soon.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-22751590286283328512009-07-01T09:18:00.006-05:002009-07-01T17:03:07.406-05:00So...I've gotten quite a bit of flack for returning from my blogging hiatus for Michael Jackson, so I feel compelled to appease. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhr3uGEqIRy7R9PMhYzxGKB8fPJS3w0JFuOWPkuzpS1mmhxESk3-zBHbltzaIAfYLALAx7lJb0M8b0BAprMzeZQFxzQKj-wJXfhzkoy3iCiwHWKgBktSnUlDAwLOia8QyrbqB0Q8NXVOo/s1600-h/house+email.BMP"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhr3uGEqIRy7R9PMhYzxGKB8fPJS3w0JFuOWPkuzpS1mmhxESk3-zBHbltzaIAfYLALAx7lJb0M8b0BAprMzeZQFxzQKj-wJXfhzkoy3iCiwHWKgBktSnUlDAwLOia8QyrbqB0Q8NXVOo/s400/house+email.BMP" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353515597554802866" /></a><br />Let me update... We have moved into an amazing house in Irving. I really love it. We've already made many memories here. For example, on Bear's first birthday (Superbowl Sunday), I was feeling the loss of my mother rather strongly so I didn't really get in gear and have a party for him, but my sweet friends came to the rescue. Melissa, Janelle, amd Krystal came with their wonderful families and we had cake and made it a birthday to remember. Thank you friends.<br /><br />More recently, my oldest baby turned 5! Yes, you heard me right...5! He had a combined birthday party with friends, Titus Burger and Ben Norris. It was a blast!<br />Here's the Birthday boys. Ben, Toby and Titus!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfu_esrHkLmkzfyp32g5G-IIqZSgQKqqMv8ogFA6v390v1h0nRHRkhBTFHdrnyWZRJxtBQ5BdDpLle5QwUr1I1JQ8d4QSuB2OnrhEgaPykKs1DezZxjiqNZvxXKcEhQ9S-2Xca0-KWj8/s1600-h/birthday+boys.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfu_esrHkLmkzfyp32g5G-IIqZSgQKqqMv8ogFA6v390v1h0nRHRkhBTFHdrnyWZRJxtBQ5BdDpLle5QwUr1I1JQ8d4QSuB2OnrhEgaPykKs1DezZxjiqNZvxXKcEhQ9S-2Xca0-KWj8/s400/birthday+boys.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353581327958394914" /></a><br /><br /><br />Man, How time flies! Look at what a difference just a few years makes...<br />This is Toby at Chuck E Cheese at his 3rd birthday, hence the 3 fingers. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwCZ7L31uZylJap6_-nnxRcW-72iOC-zhfYDFBkg8KjJFt7tX6QN3UjYjNwqM_xbHljmT_4dKv0GkURT-thC5KpH7cLSZCxQV9ET5OKRgqaVk3CXU41Qg0VtM7CwKlY5CCsI01-9maV4/s1600-h/Picture+031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwCZ7L31uZylJap6_-nnxRcW-72iOC-zhfYDFBkg8KjJFt7tX6QN3UjYjNwqM_xbHljmT_4dKv0GkURT-thC5KpH7cLSZCxQV9ET5OKRgqaVk3CXU41Qg0VtM7CwKlY5CCsI01-9maV4/s400/Picture+031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353589558549282434" /></a><br />And this is Toby at 2 yrs. old at Six Flags. Look at those cheeks! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAIfa-nebF8yZn8Mjs03TcTtzYE-SY7iJBOTgZ0SMQT34C3H3WToBkraLQFmJ2cay1lShuliw-5OdyE_I_YOF4qKR9rC1rIW9NvSsE60JfhoF-YhGnoyfaKMLMzZ5wONcNoq7fIKc0m4/s1600-h/TobySixFlags+054.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAIfa-nebF8yZn8Mjs03TcTtzYE-SY7iJBOTgZ0SMQT34C3H3WToBkraLQFmJ2cay1lShuliw-5OdyE_I_YOF4qKR9rC1rIW9NvSsE60JfhoF-YhGnoyfaKMLMzZ5wONcNoq7fIKc0m4/s400/TobySixFlags+054.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353590105549357922" /></a><br /><br />We leave for Africa in 5 days and I am so afraid to see the changes in the boys when I return. We will only be gone a few weeks, but while Jeremy was last in Africa Toby went from grunting for juice to stating full out, "Mommy, may I have juice please." It was the strangest thing! I truley do want to just freeze time.<br />Well, this is just a little catch up...Until next time.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-43806808811793531472009-06-26T16:12:00.008-05:002009-06-26T17:02:31.245-05:00Back from the dead...Or so it feels. It's been ages since I blogged. I feel it necessary today though. I am newly aware of my drama-prone personality. In such fashion, I must declare that I am DEVASTATED at the recent loss! Was that dramatic enough for everyone? I recognize the kook that Michael Jackson is or was, but I can not properly portray what a huge part of my childhood was spent mimicking him. I could grab myself (to my mother's dismay), moonwalk, and spin and scream "hee hee" at quite a young age. :) My mom used to record any time he was on TV for me and I would spend hours rewinding and replaying my VHS tape to perfect each dance move. Thanks mom. I can't say why I had such a fascination with him, but man, I did and it made me truley sad to hear the news. My friends are all laughing reading this, and my husband and sister would truley gag, but I love you Michael. :) I do not know where he stood on believing in God. I know he stated in an interview with Oprah he did, but I shutter to think that he is gone now and was not welcomed into Heaven by my sweet mom.
<br />
<br />Here's my favorite MJ song:
<br /><a href="<div><object width="420" height="339"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x1on7b" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x1on7b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="339" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x1on7b">Michael Jackson - Man in the mirror</a></b><br /><i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/dangerous_world_tour">dangerous_world_tour</a></i></div>"></a>
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<br />You can picture me swaying back and forth in sheer delight while listening to this! Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-53419462469666243822008-09-13T21:33:00.001-05:002008-09-13T21:33:39.467-05:00The Olive Tree<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aErAcxQ1cGOBYvmmxWEJ5pBCFBB3SoegFoomsu_x0pVUBDGAZAXBzpyoyH2qN953GbN0oO3BcPg1uFBKVozYnI2-2mWKP7aenk9yhS-7iMqbRw0BlznyNH3arId-5J05Sksc9y3uoLI/s1600-h/IMG_2914.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aErAcxQ1cGOBYvmmxWEJ5pBCFBB3SoegFoomsu_x0pVUBDGAZAXBzpyoyH2qN953GbN0oO3BcPg1uFBKVozYnI2-2mWKP7aenk9yhS-7iMqbRw0BlznyNH3arId-5J05Sksc9y3uoLI/s400/IMG_2914.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245686217026664706" /></a><br /><br />Woohoo! I actually uploaded some of my newest art...see my Olive Tree blog!!!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-33882552151724493382008-09-13T20:40:00.009-05:002008-09-13T21:45:39.970-05:00LONG TIME NO BLOG!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXd8N4M1SpDp9Szk7XXtHJc_aIzMSl8xFB2OPsgSolFiLsPRdAd4-GaTZ0I9cPfKfPfAbeS2rRyvZFshqmm0IPv1qz3yzWyA1BkwnnM2HDWRw60jQjCkIL6Thyphenhyphen3avJjUHTP018JyTe0g/s1600-h/IMG_2919.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXd8N4M1SpDp9Szk7XXtHJc_aIzMSl8xFB2OPsgSolFiLsPRdAd4-GaTZ0I9cPfKfPfAbeS2rRyvZFshqmm0IPv1qz3yzWyA1BkwnnM2HDWRw60jQjCkIL6Thyphenhyphen3avJjUHTP018JyTe0g/s400/IMG_2919.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245687755653822802" /></a><br />My sweet niece, Maddie and her crazy friends. Bear is in there too. <br /><br />Oh to be 10 again!!! My niece turned 10 a few weekends ago. 10!!! I remember when Jen told me she was pregnant. I was a niave 17 year old at the time. We've been through alot in just those 10 years. We've added precious family members and lost some irreplacable family members. I would have never sat down as that 17 year old and pictured the life the Lord had planned for me. I would have NEVER imagined what 10 years would bring. I count my blessings and pray for strength. I recount my favorite verses for motivation and pray for Jesus to come quickly. I am seeing what it truly means to "run the race," to "wait with expectation," and to "lean not on my own understanding." I so long to tell Maddie, not to mention, my sweet Toby (4 yrs. old) and Bear (7 months old) what it means to love God. To REALLY LOVE God...To celebrate each moment just because God gave it, to find contentment in all your circumstances and to truly be thankful. Please ladies, find a way to perfect this and reveal it to your sweet loved ones, and then, TELL ME HOW! Wouldn't that be the ultimate?! <br />I mean, look at them...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JWrWtbCK_9-1wjtvCARDiubkOIHnBoWohzaiqUMaUmdr4VBSWSmmhl71ygYVae1lc15YHHafkRnrqGDTnqM0intjxEJTbsOmCHrD3_d8GKWLVWa1l9AB8gMVqJtKCV8FMiFsal4hEB4/s1600-h/IMG_9338_edited.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JWrWtbCK_9-1wjtvCARDiubkOIHnBoWohzaiqUMaUmdr4VBSWSmmhl71ygYVae1lc15YHHafkRnrqGDTnqM0intjxEJTbsOmCHrD3_d8GKWLVWa1l9AB8gMVqJtKCV8FMiFsal4hEB4/s400/IMG_9338_edited.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245697930822027170" /></a>Daddy and Toby<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHRPJLy9Sh4y7Ac6AtcpZxxtm8WdYLhIiW_CW3fgUWNu2ghRDFOtCX8OqcamgxjvxNjBcqHtCPGMCKPqWxavHG15bDathFInpW2Navxmx31kDLGicWcYMkwqL6bZ7c7FMc3oQQWvXYsU/s1600-h/IMG_2923cropped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHRPJLy9Sh4y7Ac6AtcpZxxtm8WdYLhIiW_CW3fgUWNu2ghRDFOtCX8OqcamgxjvxNjBcqHtCPGMCKPqWxavHG15bDathFInpW2Navxmx31kDLGicWcYMkwqL6bZ7c7FMc3oQQWvXYsU/s400/IMG_2923cropped.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245698832541831586" /></a>Mommy and Bear<br /><br />I am surely lucky. Man, they are funny! I really need to write down the stuff that comes out of Toby's mouth these days. I need a permanant video camera for sure. This weekend at Maddie's birthday party, the kids put on shows. Remember when you used to do that? You would plan it all out in the back room and then proudly march in the living area to show the grown-ups. When did I become a grown-up? What a funny thought! I guess that's where 10 years gets me - Happy Birthday Maddie!!!!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-49570702169715170422008-05-26T20:55:00.004-05:002008-05-26T21:04:55.986-05:00Toby's debut performance!Toby had his very first program! He had to stand in front of people and sing songs WITH movements - the whole 9-yards! Knowing Toby as I do, I knew this was going to be interesting to say the least!!!!<br /><br />Escuse the camera work. Very shaky! It was our first time. In this first clip - (Toby is wearing a brown polo with blue stripes) He literally covers his face and shakes his head! Bear makes his vocal debut in this clip as well.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1046152&server=www.vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /> <embed src="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1046152&server=www.vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/1046152?pg=embed&sec=1046152">Toby's Program</a> from <a href="http://www.vimeo.com/user494926?pg=embed&sec=1046152">Melissa Hendrix</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com?pg=embed&sec=1046152<br />">Vimeo</a>.<br /><br />In this clip - he just decides to turn his back on everyone! This is classic!<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1046460&server=www.vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /> <embed src="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1046460&server=www.vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/1046460?pg=embed&sec=1046460">Toby's Program 2</a> from <a href="http://www.vimeo.com/user494926?pg=embed&sec=1046460">Melissa Hendrix</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com?pg=embed&sec=1046460">Vimeo</a>.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-89075198143204660332008-05-20T18:50:00.000-05:002008-05-20T23:20:46.077-05:00That's what friends are for...I am making a point to write a normal, non-depressing blog. Balance is healthy! And I count myself fortunate when I examine my life and the ladies I am honored to share it with. I must declare proudly (and somewhat arrogantly) that I have the BEST friends ever known to man. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX2Js9X2tHDBCKNu5Kbzk0HmqjAbt6badyvoMmCKWUJdORgAOn8H53BxcMxvPLEudhL1HF6jLsT9cM-56ffrSbzWPzQsdnTZ25xLHaoH7Ewv186bge4ysANK7RK4ND2DGov_xmujRuHc/s1600-h/brittemandme.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX2Js9X2tHDBCKNu5Kbzk0HmqjAbt6badyvoMmCKWUJdORgAOn8H53BxcMxvPLEudhL1HF6jLsT9cM-56ffrSbzWPzQsdnTZ25xLHaoH7Ewv186bge4ysANK7RK4ND2DGov_xmujRuHc/s400/brittemandme.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197094395033569090" /></a><br />It starts with my girls from childhood - Britt and Emily. I have had the pleasure of knowing Brittainy for, I'd say, over 20 years now. I remember blazing through the '80s in excellent nerd fashion with that girl. We have since gained a sense of style and full-blown families to boot. Britt has twins that Toby absolutely loves. She is one of the only other women that can make my Toby shake in his boots! She has that boy in check! More power to her! She'll need that firm hand this summer while he is terrorizing her house from 8 to 5! Love you girl!<br />Then, there's Emily. She expanded me and Britt's dynamic duo and brought some new excitement. Never a dull moment with that girl! She was a wild child through high school and we got into more trouble than I will EVER admit! You'll never get it out of me! Promise Em! Now it's hard to recognize that girl with all her "baggage" - I say that lovingly. Emily has 3 of the most beautiful kids! Man, when did we grow up? It's such fun! And we will have to continue to take trips to the zoo with all the kids! How stinkin' fun was that? What a ride?!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYa2O0G6rm9dCn-iqTbPBPvo_KSfP_j89B3IAf2vQuSNmHVUZvBcLHC4PeR49RSqDTCyRelkESVOaNpOislVKsUPy-Yk1MQoWYQ7kFrdiqwGTbTR2EK1Qp2BAF5IIIA1f177TbIMUDis/s1600-h/IMG_2587.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYa2O0G6rm9dCn-iqTbPBPvo_KSfP_j89B3IAf2vQuSNmHVUZvBcLHC4PeR49RSqDTCyRelkESVOaNpOislVKsUPy-Yk1MQoWYQ7kFrdiqwGTbTR2EK1Qp2BAF5IIIA1f177TbIMUDis/s320/IMG_2587.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197094124450629410" /></a>ALL the kids, plus some nephews<br /><br />Then, we move on to the "college friends" - as Britt likes to refer to them. Dallas Baptist sure did produce some of the best woman! These are the women I am growing old with. We are breeding like the end is near and laughing like we don't care. Every moment with these women is a JOY. Angelique, Cathy and Kassie are my prayer warriers and my strength in hard times - and we have shared many a hard time. We also, however, are able to revert back to teenagedom in less than 60 seconds. It's a proven fact. They are my good balance of common sence, godly wisdom, and just plain fun. I was more of a guys girl before these women. Always thought girls involved entirely too much drama that I wasn't willing to take - then these ladies came along. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHak9vR2UvOXaXRTTDD-ZXdttYePiVZwIOlAYEPQ28wVI8i3sGMZxJYAl-Dkbrb0XCRquoJnuv4t7_MKP37ddT7TAE4tZ5hcJTvFxWiAJYcrq-t-iT7Q8WKsCh5KQWppLHjHHxsy2Yqrc/s1600-h/meandthegirls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHak9vR2UvOXaXRTTDD-ZXdttYePiVZwIOlAYEPQ28wVI8i3sGMZxJYAl-Dkbrb0XCRquoJnuv4t7_MKP37ddT7TAE4tZ5hcJTvFxWiAJYcrq-t-iT7Q8WKsCh5KQWppLHjHHxsy2Yqrc/s400/meandthegirls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202672195192910050" /></a><br />Above from L to R: Me, Kassie, Angelique and Cathy<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPUiYlil2NhLRa5y20gmNHRO6o8wqE_hnZWO5TWHsBG9C9v3BclFVKb6vI-e6Q-Wh4A5x60kLXyptw_9Me0lam_WiOnqA7TBlCfB4anMo5-ILAfsXSSsGNNir3Y_s1vBDqckSr61qeuA/s1600-h/mygirls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPUiYlil2NhLRa5y20gmNHRO6o8wqE_hnZWO5TWHsBG9C9v3BclFVKb6vI-e6Q-Wh4A5x60kLXyptw_9Me0lam_WiOnqA7TBlCfB4anMo5-ILAfsXSSsGNNir3Y_s1vBDqckSr61qeuA/s400/mygirls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202672199487877362" /></a><br /><br />Then there's the fab 10! Yes I said 10! With the 3 girls mentioned above, then throw in a few of our suitemates and some volleyball players and you have the most down to earth, loving, easy-going women I have ever met. Among the 10 of us, we have 14 kids! Yes 14! And I CAN name them all! Not in order of age though. It's humorous actually. No wonder we need girl time! I went from childhood with 2 close friends to adulthood with a whole slew of wonderful women lifting me up daily! I count my blessings for sure. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhUBvLi2xHLp_9TwKJ6mjFWEurJKVD_AYJvhJ41qCHygonDIKrYz6uS4uLvpk5U70cX9ZX2e1gMXq6LzQAhi6P2AfqwEY6UabL3ZoJPYy1YnoiKrQEJHckqJ6lGxJFeS9MWsXThIiM4w/s1600-h/friends.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhUBvLi2xHLp_9TwKJ6mjFWEurJKVD_AYJvhJ41qCHygonDIKrYz6uS4uLvpk5U70cX9ZX2e1gMXq6LzQAhi6P2AfqwEY6UabL3ZoJPYy1YnoiKrQEJHckqJ6lGxJFeS9MWsXThIiM4w/s400/friends.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202674802238058754" /></a><br />Above NOT pictured: Lana and Kassie<br /><br />Not done yet! We can't finish up this blog without acknowledging God's impecable purpose in placing me at this church (where I am the Financial Secretary) in His perfect timing. I am surrounded - and I mean surrounded by wonderful women who are currently my crutches. I am struggling with each day after the loss of my mother, and in every weak moment I see the loving face of sweet Janelle or Melissa or Michelle or Krystal or Jennifer. The list is endless! I am in awe of the warriers I have struggling in prayer for me and crying sincere tears for me and with me. Sweet Janelle and Michelle get an earful on a daily basis and I will always look back on this hard time in my life and remember their sweet words of encouragement. I love these ladies and look forward to sharing many seasons with them.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrw-MBgAl6gaVEcRlOmP84otU4NZkGrWpbI09tIZV1duTMUylAHaN-QVlhwfttjGuXvWgqh7Yes7MXtRBpD0a6r61ZtkwbcZJ-TdrTEJEeZgXhQ8gY36p5qb1ErYVeCPa2rZfNG6C4PM/s1600-h/IMG_2621.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrw-MBgAl6gaVEcRlOmP84otU4NZkGrWpbI09tIZV1duTMUylAHaN-QVlhwfttjGuXvWgqh7Yes7MXtRBpD0a6r61ZtkwbcZJ-TdrTEJEeZgXhQ8gY36p5qb1ErYVeCPa2rZfNG6C4PM/s400/IMG_2621.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202678530269671698" /></a><br />Above pictured: Krystal, Lib (holding Bear), and Janelle<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmLxP9B7qD1W-p1tEOQHVgFqLQAfmE_5JBwjuq5ejxdSpoxhpl8zXGuVVtsR7HazoFY6YB7uKsnJVrf_StyOpMe3tpZXtaBq_hK0ckpdXkXpI7lmu0EzNzaTU1xxNczF_eSU-cJTWvnM/s1600-h/IMG_2624.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmLxP9B7qD1W-p1tEOQHVgFqLQAfmE_5JBwjuq5ejxdSpoxhpl8zXGuVVtsR7HazoFY6YB7uKsnJVrf_StyOpMe3tpZXtaBq_hK0ckpdXkXpI7lmu0EzNzaTU1xxNczF_eSU-cJTWvnM/s400/IMG_2624.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202679165924831538" /></a><br />Above pictured: Krystal, Melissa and IMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-46089032163925584652008-05-05T20:17:00.005-05:002008-05-05T21:35:10.251-05:00Out of the mouths of babes...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzmskgWZdb2zqLM6aPlOTx31VCGwLejDZYgzieVDP-zLHDEEu51ZbdJuwrziqb5g2qc8l2VIqqmwy9W44R_AqlizFRUgGXfrp3eVMRMT-_bE25KH7wvwskeEdRLpGhtUuQigNE5dRs7k/s1600-h/IMG_9982.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzmskgWZdb2zqLM6aPlOTx31VCGwLejDZYgzieVDP-zLHDEEu51ZbdJuwrziqb5g2qc8l2VIqqmwy9W44R_AqlizFRUgGXfrp3eVMRMT-_bE25KH7wvwskeEdRLpGhtUuQigNE5dRs7k/s320/IMG_9982.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197082442139584242" /></a><br />My 3 year old is nearing 4 years of age! His birthday is in June and he is getting so much wiser in his old age. Tonight he sang me a song that floored me...It goes like this:<br />What a mighty God we serve. <br />What a mighty God we serve. <br />Angels bow before Him. <br />Da na na adore Him. (He didn't remember this line too well)<br />What a mighty God we serve!<br />I can't say why this particular song has had such an impact on me other than the fact that I am struggling with the recent loss of my mother. I had previously written about how ill she was and on April 22, the Lord took her (at the young age of 57) to be with Him. Writing this seems so surreal. I am still picking up the phone to call her only to realize I can't. I am still laughing at jokes and thinking, I can't wait to tell mom that one. It just isn't real yet. People keep asking how I am and I in turn reply, I'm good. I keep saying that the Lord is sustaining me, and I assure you He is. BUT, when Toby sang this song to me in his innocent voice it hit me like a powerful sermon. We DO serve a MIGHTY God! The SAME God that healed the blind, that parted the sea, that walked on water, that brought Lazarus back to life...the very SAME God. I have read Isaiah 40 and Psalm 104 enough times to know we serve a BIG God. He holds the nations like a drop in a bucket. So WHY then is saying I am sad an understatement? I feel alone...like a part of me is missing. I guess it's all part of the mourning process and I hear how depressing I sound. I don't mean to put this out into the world to make everyone sad, or gain sympathy...honest. I just desire to deal with this, and quickly. Whatever can make this process more healthy or less painful...I want to try it. I've heard it said that writing things down is good for the heart, so hear it is. My mother was a WONDERFUL woman. She had a childlike mentality, and literally, wouldn't hurt a fly. She loved unconditionally and it was a good thing because I gave her heck when I was a teenager. She, along with my sister, have become my best friends and I knew her as well as I know myself. She knew me better than I know myself. She was a wonderful Nana! She loved Toby and desired to get to know Bear with all her heart. I thank God for allowing her to be present at his birth and now I thank God for giving her peace and healing her by taking her to be with Him. She is much happier and it DOES comfort me to know that if given the choice, she wouldn't choose to come back. She is healthy now in her beautiful heavenly body. And, I await the day I will meet her there. Until then, I am forever changed and forever humbled by this experience. People say to cherish your loved ones while you have them, and it goes in one ear and out the other. Well, I am getting busy cherishing. <br />God is still walking me through this season and I am learning. I am taking it all in and will be a better minister because of it. People in Africa deal with loss everyday. I feel so deeply for them and do not claim to relate to them. I can not wait, however, to minister to their innocent hearts stuck in a world wrought with despair. <br />Praise the Lord for hope in Him! Praise the Lord for 3 year old wisdom! Praise the Lord for life after death!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZ7HE9S7MHtzEeaHFJ7yLDrrl-z0Rg2bXkCSXlTIF8lB0rNQZjrNCe759E4OBxJFnBkV01vTzbfFCsZpOP7FguF2R6GsJsf1nC-tt3w2yYeVVZU_LVwUiIWzZEZOEXSZ9Pa2be4ggyOM/s1600-h/IMG_2677.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZ7HE9S7MHtzEeaHFJ7yLDrrl-z0Rg2bXkCSXlTIF8lB0rNQZjrNCe759E4OBxJFnBkV01vTzbfFCsZpOP7FguF2R6GsJsf1nC-tt3w2yYeVVZU_LVwUiIWzZEZOEXSZ9Pa2be4ggyOM/s320/IMG_2677.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197082742787294978" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-78598101666421381832008-03-11T14:16:00.007-05:002008-03-11T14:47:58.913-05:00The men in my life...and Maddie!Sweet Jeremy and Bear<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFn2UZ3AbsijW9Tk-52dOeFiDj3D4UtSpZfVZ3ydtp82ycBfZpJO4eFijEaNsrrrsuM3gb62VhbvuNOg7bN5DWsLgQn09_FhVP0leYhTYDH1Ij7EqCcIiGxIcUJd8f1hJ2gepxi4d2O0/s1600-h/IMG_2430.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFn2UZ3AbsijW9Tk-52dOeFiDj3D4UtSpZfVZ3ydtp82ycBfZpJO4eFijEaNsrrrsuM3gb62VhbvuNOg7bN5DWsLgQn09_FhVP0leYhTYDH1Ij7EqCcIiGxIcUJd8f1hJ2gepxi4d2O0/s320/IMG_2430.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176567967500774210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIVpJEEs0PGNELOoQ4HlR3bqbcYE7MN8JCiKs15U-oPu8Qy6UVXqAX9ap9x3r5X8bgCbDVUSECFJ7pg5GTVQ29ZXPHHQsdUaiTcAVK_P-iVIOCZ1N2wfG6A85WPdcgcsvplSSeGjJ7qM/s1600-h/IMG_2426.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIVpJEEs0PGNELOoQ4HlR3bqbcYE7MN8JCiKs15U-oPu8Qy6UVXqAX9ap9x3r5X8bgCbDVUSECFJ7pg5GTVQ29ZXPHHQsdUaiTcAVK_P-iVIOCZ1N2wfG6A85WPdcgcsvplSSeGjJ7qM/s320/IMG_2426.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176567039787838258" /></a>Silly Nick, Tyler, and Toby<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN306il3s7NdB-qSiipBa58qmPnznptvUQlYH-tmG-oH_LF51LEFMCdVCVwNiVm6q6u1RxTDLqgbcMr0DBJpHIbcuvIuYF1V63UpUxDLbsp643971fILLsvlaSEeHM5NDk21mezDEAJ8o/s1600-h/IMG_2197.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN306il3s7NdB-qSiipBa58qmPnznptvUQlYH-tmG-oH_LF51LEFMCdVCVwNiVm6q6u1RxTDLqgbcMr0DBJpHIbcuvIuYF1V63UpUxDLbsp643971fILLsvlaSEeHM5NDk21mezDEAJ8o/s320/IMG_2197.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176569281760766802" /></a>Me and my Maddie Paddie<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The good Lord has only blessed Jeremy and I with 2 children of our own, but pictured above are my sister's precious children as well. Jennifer (my sister) has gifted our family with 2 amazing boys - Nick and Tyler, and the Oh SO talented Madelyn. The Hendrix family will not be attempting to add to our family of four, but when I watch Jennifer with her 3 children, I am overwhelmed with respect for women who take on 3 or more children of their own. What a gift! What a challenge! I start to sweat just thinking about it. My dear friend, Brittainy, whom I have known and loved for a good 20-something years now, just announced she is pregnant!!! Yeah! But, she already has twins and my mind panics with the thought. But, Brittiany never hesitates to load her car up with her twins, my Toby, Jen's 3 kids and her nephew to go to the store, to dance class, or to the Arburetum for goodness sakes!!! What a mad woman! She is amazing and I thank God for gifting women like Britt and Jen with the amazing talent of caring for their amazing children and doing it with excellence. My hat goes off to all of you mothers of many!!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqupjwRVPXG_KnI-rhoQfMx6XHfxOlYcJvTRDiRf_gi1kvAxAJ6B-Gftr-AitYxxd8HHX5JOK4zTYAVa1TKHztaG3u2x3WMio-QKMS1zpgRnzag-oSOvxHoJYa9U4KbeQaDECoOJO47PY/s1600-h/IMG_2288.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqupjwRVPXG_KnI-rhoQfMx6XHfxOlYcJvTRDiRf_gi1kvAxAJ6B-Gftr-AitYxxd8HHX5JOK4zTYAVa1TKHztaG3u2x3WMio-QKMS1zpgRnzag-oSOvxHoJYa9U4KbeQaDECoOJO47PY/s320/IMG_2288.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176572580295650146" /></a><br />Britt's twins, Kenna and Avery, with TobyMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-71400772686007043312008-03-05T14:52:00.007-06:002008-03-07T13:08:16.102-06:00When it rains...Well...I am beginning to eat my mommy words...the words I say to my son, Toby, at least once a day..."You get what you get and you don't throw a fit!" (Can't coin this saying - my son actually learned it at Kids Day Out and taught it to me - he regrets that now.) Anyway - I am officially attempting to take that advice myself, yet at times - failing miserably. <br />My husband and I have entered a new season with God and the Almighty has yet to quit filling our cups...with blessings, YES, Always, But more so, with TRAGEDY! I am near throwing my hands to the sky and yelling, "My cup runneth over Lord, are you done yet?" I haven't done so yet, but I am tempted everyday!!! Please allow my drama here...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4QfedKrhOk20KXG3mhuFY6U44FxAExLZu_jJ1gUPxfpQv55kzuWYr5_5Sr6bzHeQ1IytQC2ejiTMvPUcZGgUY-JDZVYXkr2n5lOebslhfgTC3KuAdCtUe5ly0_EJ91DnBdsl4eVk5Yo/s1600-h/IMG_2325.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4QfedKrhOk20KXG3mhuFY6U44FxAExLZu_jJ1gUPxfpQv55kzuWYr5_5Sr6bzHeQ1IytQC2ejiTMvPUcZGgUY-JDZVYXkr2n5lOebslhfgTC3KuAdCtUe5ly0_EJ91DnBdsl4eVk5Yo/s320/IMG_2325.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174373353163990690" /></a>MY MOTHER...was diagnosed years back with Hepatitus C, which she got from a blood transfusion she received when birthing me, which has recently elevated to Cirhosis of the liver - both are uncurable and she has been on experimental chemo-like treatments to put the disease in remission since July in order to be put on a transplant list. We recently received the news that the treatments are not working and she has been completely taken off of any treatment for her condition. Where does that leave us? - at the mercy of God (no better place to be, I might add). The treatments took any quality of life she had left, and she doesn't even have the energy to walk to the bathroom, but that will hopefully return quickly now that she will no longer be on them. We are waiting with faded breath and I am so proud of her and her amazing spirit - she's definately teaching me a few things.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuW4ewwvGRkvpcsD-t0z8V4XBAOKDFWxtCpHNmbUN9NQeofm-KpbYv30vhuT4eJUl5X0oN-ulqAvTE8IkGTUCfOiTotgdgEmJ6UgGB0LmJVAp8Gc9odR8-Yvt7fbmqK1xbTJHPQuA6b8/s1600-h/IMG_0062_edited.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuW4ewwvGRkvpcsD-t0z8V4XBAOKDFWxtCpHNmbUN9NQeofm-KpbYv30vhuT4eJUl5X0oN-ulqAvTE8IkGTUCfOiTotgdgEmJ6UgGB0LmJVAp8Gc9odR8-Yvt7fbmqK1xbTJHPQuA6b8/s320/IMG_0062_edited.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174374590114571954" /></a>NOW FOR STEVE...My father-in-law had a sudden siezure one night in September while sitting down to eat his dinner like he did every other night. The ambulance came and he was rushed to the hospital, where he was put in an induced coma to stop his siezing. While there, they found a brain tumor which has now been operated on twice. We have become very used to hospital stays and I now know Presby Plano like the back of my hand. He has been in rehad and has progressed amazingly...his speach, his eyesight, and comprehension have been the main obstacles other than the continued siezures. We have a long road ahead of us, so there is no time for discouragement, but to stop and think about how life changed for our entire family one night during dinner in September is overwhelming. It seems surreal at times. We're living with Pam and Steve now, and I can't imagine how Pam would do it without the constant interaction with us and my 2 precious children. Steve is a champ though. He's trucking right along with this rehab deal and I can't say he's enthused about it. How frustrating it must be to relearn how to communicate with the people you love the most. We've gotten really good at Sharades though. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgELN3MxLlBKXdn068sE8Bhn1Oeq4j4-arblxZrxGsVgTk-FXjP6e_kvFTE2R5Nkx-GoP588ivuIFP2XXw9ftYcccz4tFWQHW6FloMFBnVsxhUjKRiExbaqGjSlZgIqLYsCR5H1JZSYCc/s1600-h/DSC01416.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgELN3MxLlBKXdn068sE8Bhn1Oeq4j4-arblxZrxGsVgTk-FXjP6e_kvFTE2R5Nkx-GoP588ivuIFP2XXw9ftYcccz4tFWQHW6FloMFBnVsxhUjKRiExbaqGjSlZgIqLYsCR5H1JZSYCc/s320/DSC01416.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175066726106966786" /></a>CASEY (pictured here in the very back)...My sister's ex-husband's sister - a sweet little girl born with a heart and lung deformaty of some sort (I never fully understood the details) passed away last week - the week of her 19th birthday. Her little body was tired and the Lord knew she wouldn't make it through a transplant and decided to take her. I was always amazed with Casey and how loving she was - since I am self-declared an awkward hugger. She would have scooped me up and held me in her lap if I had let her. Typing that makes me smile at how accurate those words sound. She really would have. I'll never forgive myself for squashing that sweet little girls hopes and dreams, when I declared as a stupid 17-year old, "We ALL know Santa is NOT real!" Well, needless to say, we ALL did NOT know that!!!! Sweet little Casey is now at the best party in the world (and in good company), but we miss her already.<br /><br />The least of my worries is my own ailment. I am a month from having given birth to a beautiful baby boy and yet thought I was giving birth all over again last Thursday night when I made my husband take me to the ER. Come to find out, I have a kidney stone!!! Who even knew a 27 year old could get a kidney stone? Evidentally they are common after pregnancy. Needless to say - I am chugging 2 liters of water a day - that's harder than I thought it would be. Poor Jeremy. He's got his hands quite full. <br />So here we are in a difficult season and I find myself rushing to my quiet time to renew my strength. Recently, I was reminded that the Lord takes my right hand and wispers to me, "Do not fear. I will help you." (Is. 41:13) Praise the Lord!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-31877587388404054512008-02-21T10:57:00.004-06:002008-02-21T14:00:50.273-06:00Creative Side...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXywNm_nCfWSR7x1fo6kFAIwVIaj4qQSucXqd4YQXXf2k6mGncyp2a-DdImxE5fDsJFU-w5RcfPQqHNfwoBYfMTtFzQASsjMoA60wlZDL6QslOTSJLp7VZIHyMpUvH9hpyAbo-x8-jS8/s1600-h/IMG_2315.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXywNm_nCfWSR7x1fo6kFAIwVIaj4qQSucXqd4YQXXf2k6mGncyp2a-DdImxE5fDsJFU-w5RcfPQqHNfwoBYfMTtFzQASsjMoA60wlZDL6QslOTSJLp7VZIHyMpUvH9hpyAbo-x8-jS8/s320/IMG_2315.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169479397508530370" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyenvukzQ_C6cWxIPC6-IEvqkXQxE1GCZu_Q1lmMi79KxuoijGI026o0-SlvvJNz5cDe8rX1RnPG2ZYr2-SzNDhFz5a2ziEPqjDnCnmktFivY0UGrc3BkH_-u-NREeeO9b5S5ZYc2mLk/s1600-h/IMG_2317.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyenvukzQ_C6cWxIPC6-IEvqkXQxE1GCZu_Q1lmMi79KxuoijGI026o0-SlvvJNz5cDe8rX1RnPG2ZYr2-SzNDhFz5a2ziEPqjDnCnmktFivY0UGrc3BkH_-u-NREeeO9b5S5ZYc2mLk/s320/IMG_2317.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169479401803497682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOqbip4GXertoGCjWUCi7OYtaZ0tOcVLUXWaKX1hbcq36prUmIvPznWyB4c9fX0Pu33VNScp1f9Ee8gt55o2lv2sqqIm6-4MLTTy1KXKNL9KofGUJboZCHsS-HQHpDYZoQKW3PlM_S_0/s1600-h/IMG_2320.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOqbip4GXertoGCjWUCi7OYtaZ0tOcVLUXWaKX1hbcq36prUmIvPznWyB4c9fX0Pu33VNScp1f9Ee8gt55o2lv2sqqIm6-4MLTTy1KXKNL9KofGUJboZCHsS-HQHpDYZoQKW3PlM_S_0/s320/IMG_2320.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169479406098464994" /></a><br />Welp - I am exploring an outlet for my creative side. I have invested in wooden crosses, canvas, paints, scrapbooking paper, modge podge, brushes, wood glue, beads...you name it. I am enjoying myself tons, but would like to make money eventually - of course. Isn't that everyone's goal - to make money doing something they love? I am struggling to think of a name for my make-shift business, build an inventory and create a website...so I have my hands full. It would help if I were technically inclined, but as it is, I struggled to attach these pictures to the blog myself. I've got a long road ahead of me and not enough time to devote to it. That's the problem with hobbies...never enough time. I keep telling my husband I need to quit work and then the money will just roll in. He does not, however, share in my confidence. So, I'll keep working away and post my success story later down the road.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-78268748262567331552008-02-21T10:22:00.006-06:002008-02-21T10:53:04.699-06:00Then there were 4...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EKQffOJD9Anz-6t1gbdrkOxDVPF0MNTpNx0x8PCyxgKWDORXE16zG-uMU_mD-YxFWm9h1TaYO4qcCGrmoQKKt4F70tUo9BFXa0Vgq11Y14LmXDXss4X-RJhmbQZlv3O7s7HsH4V6Q-8/s1600-h/IMG_2302.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EKQffOJD9Anz-6t1gbdrkOxDVPF0MNTpNx0x8PCyxgKWDORXE16zG-uMU_mD-YxFWm9h1TaYO4qcCGrmoQKKt4F70tUo9BFXa0Vgq11Y14LmXDXss4X-RJhmbQZlv3O7s7HsH4V6Q-8/s320/IMG_2302.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169477490543050866" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvrvMISCP6E1j93qccLqG0b7CMfo8HOiKZ3YH-iomXkiciVBwRCHu_XKTTW4GxSDgkd21gEBPzNonD0-lu0eXmJCVYp1QI04cXUGnZI1hQHGNbzLdkzPpghHP6N7n2cEJ76wlmGwbgqo/s1600-h/DSC01086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvrvMISCP6E1j93qccLqG0b7CMfo8HOiKZ3YH-iomXkiciVBwRCHu_XKTTW4GxSDgkd21gEBPzNonD0-lu0eXmJCVYp1QI04cXUGnZI1hQHGNbzLdkzPpghHP6N7n2cEJ76wlmGwbgqo/s320/DSC01086.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169472452546412642" /></a><br /><br />Titus Bear Hendrix was welcomed into the world at 7:23 PM on February 1st! We officially have completed the Hendrix Family! It was my final pregnant experience, and I am still trying to decide if I cherrished every moment properly. One thing is sure though...I am cherrishing every moment now. I forgot how little a baby is and Bear is a wee 8 lb. 6 oz. baby boy... in comparison to his brother's 39 lbs. It's been 3 1/2 years since we've done the baby thing and we are relearning everything. Bear is a good teacher though and Toby is an amazing helper, so we are all set. I am trying to take in every bit of loving and quality time I can while I am on maternity leave. Hard to believe we've already been home together almost 3 weeks. It goes too fast and the thought of not being with them every minute of the day makes me ill. The Lord will work those kinks out though in time for April. I am confident of that.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-11449983128159036662007-09-23T19:58:00.000-05:002007-09-23T20:39:30.592-05:00Family...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdIVcTt1SpIRwtyqRkvqScP29CDbP8Ud6SLhQ-e8MWkNbwoRgx7ZQ6WtYcKCUFNyL4S-EvfsMSCA5JA-r_rxkfUty_6agNVVMSvKiugnHs4TJNPKzEqYe84Bh_MorhtjVhGBBi3sRnRw/s1600-h/IMG_0025.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdIVcTt1SpIRwtyqRkvqScP29CDbP8Ud6SLhQ-e8MWkNbwoRgx7ZQ6WtYcKCUFNyL4S-EvfsMSCA5JA-r_rxkfUty_6agNVVMSvKiugnHs4TJNPKzEqYe84Bh_MorhtjVhGBBi3sRnRw/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113569401382919138" /></a><br />I'm constantly amazed at how domestic my friends and I are at such a young age. I can't decide if it is the norm or not. I am only 4 months away from completing my family and I haven't reached the age of 30, and... I am having the time of my life! That's not to say we are running short on struggles. We have enough for us and the neighbors, but while we are together at places like Sea World (vaca this summer), at Cold Stone (getting ice cream), or sitting in front of a Cowboy game in the living room...I realize how wonderful it is to be me. I was not born for commitment - my husband will be the first to tell you that, and I have very close friends that do not have a family and are pursueing lives that include freedom...freedom to go to the corner store without having a sitter, freedom to get their hair cut without getting permission to spend the money, freedom to make plans on a whim, freedom to go to sleep whenever they please...FREEDOM. I can't even remember what that freedom felt like. I have it much better than most though. My husband is an awesome Daddy and can do without me just fine. My in-laws (I'm convinced) just sit next to the phone waiting for us to call for a sitter. So, let me not complain...I'm just extremely intrigued by it all. Intrigued by my friends who live completely different lives than me and can't relate to the constant ache in my heart when I am away from my 3 year old best friend. Intrigued by how perfectly woven each life is and how the good Lord constructs it all so perfectly. Most of all I am intrigued by our human syndrome of "the grass is greener." God knows I will have those moments in which I look elsewhere and THINK that someone else has a better situation than me, better job than me, better financial standing than me; the list could continue, But GOD FORBID it last for more than a moment, because reality is...I am blessed!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071201540562094443.post-9752396940348359032007-09-21T11:36:00.000-05:002007-09-21T17:01:37.162-05:00Finally entering the blogging world...I'm definately not well-versed in the blogging arena, but the good Lord knows that my words are plentiful. The name of my blog (from Job 8:2) is even inspired by my constant need to verbalize my thoughts or feelings whether they seem relevant to those around me or not. I do hope to put my words to good use, however, and join the many girls that blog daily about their precious families and exciting experiences. My exciting experiences may be few, but my family is plenty precious. Until next time...Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425830933793770064noreply@blogger.com0