tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091980503988861722024-03-05T09:34:43.317-08:00....and sometimes I make sense!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-78586078128958288122013-05-25T09:13:00.001-07:002013-05-25T09:13:16.300-07:00Four years and 8 semesters ago.......Soooo.... I had a sudden, random urge to look at my old blog today. Last post: 2009! Yikes! I mean, to be fair,I have been a full time college student majoring in English which means that I am so busy reading and writing papers all the time that writing a blog that no one but my mother in law actually ever read went pretty low on my list of priorities. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to realize that my fellow bloggers are all a few years behind as well. I say blame Facebook. We blame Facebook for everything these days, so why not? Seriously,I rather enjoy thinking about what a future historian will think when they come across artefacts from this period in a thousand years. What will Facebook mean to them? Will there be professors one day saying, "Please don't everyone write about whether the terrorist known as facebook truly brought about the downfall of Western civilization in the early 3rd millennium. That topic had been done to death!"<br />
I don't know. But anyway, here's a post. Maybe another someday soon........Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-79804482604599729612009-12-22T06:09:00.000-08:002009-12-22T06:17:33.797-08:00#6~ Grades!Spanish 1 - B+<br />Survey of Theatre - A<br />International Lit - A<br />Principals of Acting - A<br />GPA - 3.794!<br />The joy of having done SO well my first sememster - PRICELESS!!!<br /><br />I am so happy and so pleased with myself for pulling this off especially with a month-long illness. And all of those wonderful people whose encouraging words I carried with me to campus everyday; they are proud of me too!<br />Semester #2 - Here I come!<br />Spanish 2<br />English 102<br />Comm 204<br />Advanced Acting<br />Principal of EducationMelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-23109682759785606362009-12-02T09:36:00.000-08:002009-12-02T09:59:09.758-08:00#5 Saying GoodbyeWell, I guess even the best years of our lives will also have their sad moments.<br />My Papa, Earl Walker, passed away yesterday after a long, tough battle with Alzheimer's. He was 81 years old. Now I am a girl without a grandpa. Its rather a sad thing to be.<br />My Papa was a good guy. He loved Johnny Carson, Benny Hill and The Dukes of Hazzard - all shows we weren't allowed to watch at home. He had a great sense of humor, a contagious laugh and a youthfulness about him. All my life I can remember him having "toys". Sometimes they were real toys like his electric dump set; or grown up toys like his woodworking tools. Even as he began to lose parts of who he was, that youthfulness remained.<br />I think that what brings a smile to my face most right now, though, is thinking of the special bond he had with my son, CJ. Papa loved his 2 girls. I don't doubt that, but I don't think it is any secret he would have enjoyed having a son too. When CJ was born, Papa became Papa-the-Great for the first time. I noticed a special new glint in his eyes. As CJ got older, he and Papa started having special play days whenever we were in Caldwell. They would go to the park, the airport, and ALWAYS to McDonald's. They were buddies! I can still hear Papa say, "Where's my buddy, CJ?" and a little blond head would come running! How many of us even get to know our great-grandparents? I never knew any of mine. CJ got to be "buddies" with his. What a special gift.<br />I miss you, Papa. You behave yourself now til we all can join you. I love you! Goodbye.Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-37039509884607529892009-11-29T10:02:00.000-08:002009-11-29T10:34:41.119-08:00#4 FRIENDS!No, all you smarty-pants types, I don't mean to say that this is the first year that I have had friends. However this last year (give or take) has provided great opportunity for me to appreciate true friendships.<br />Of course, the year started off with my "ROCK STAR" birthday party. A house full of friends willing to wear costumes to celebrate my 35th birthday was probably all the proof I needed that I was loved, but it was just the start! Again, no major moments can be outlined as defining my friendship status, there are just a lot of moments of wonderful people willing to love and be loved that have really touched my heart.<br />I couldn't possibly name each friend or each moment but, how about a few highlights:<br />Jen O - Fabulous, fabulous, Jen. She has given me little gifts, more than once this year, just to tell me that she appreciates my friendship. She has trusted me to pray and counsel with her. She even was friend enough to apologize when she - accidentally - hurt my feelers. For 10 years now, Jen has managed to put a smile on my face whenever I see her and this year especially, it has really blessed my heart!<br />CJ's Graduation - It is only a few kids in our area who will celebrate completion of their 8th grade year. Because of this, I was uncertain of how people would react to receiving invitations to a BBQ in honor of my son's. I was certainly not disappointed. My house and yard were full of great friends! The best part? These were mostly people who first knew Troy or myself, then came to know and love our son because of their love for us. That is a true blessing!<br />Myndie - I truly believe that there will never be a year in my life from now on in which Myndie - my BFF - isn't a special part! So that means she is a highlight in this year as well!<br />I could go on and on:<br />Brother/friends like Matt and Jeremy who trust me to help them in the tough times<br />Long time friends like Torry, Tami, Becky, Dawn, and Kathy whose friendships seem to gain another layer with each new year.<br />New friends like Derek who helped make a scary new experience like college easier and so much more fun.<br />Special friends like Cathlin and Avril who helped me learn about the gift of forgiveness and healing.<br />And of course, my pukers who have celebrated each new, happy moment with me this year.<br />I love you ALL, my sweet friends! You make my life a great joy to live!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-8691449652604340022009-11-02T09:27:00.000-08:002009-11-02T09:50:06.975-08:00#3 School!Of course this is a really big one for me.<br />If you have known me for very long at all, you will know that being a teacher has, quite literally been a life-long dream for me. Well, I am currently on my third and FINAL attempt at getting a college degree.<br />I, of course, first began this adventure in the fall of 1992. To sum that experience up quickly:<br />May - graduated HS<br />June - dumped by boyfriend who insisted I go to college with him in Lewiston<br />July - Moved into my first apartment in Lewiston got part-time job<br />Aug - Started school with 21 credits<br />Oct - Dropped 6 credits<br />Nov - Had screaming match with creative writing/poetry teacher (dropped 3 more credits)<br />Dec - Went home for Christmas, got report card, received 9 credits, decided college could wait.<br />(The good news being that when I went back to Lewiston to close out that chapter of my life after Christmas, I met my beloved - Troy)<br />My second attempt at college came when I was about 26. I took two classes and did quite well, but it just wasn't the right time to really pursue a degree. The kids were little and Troy wasn't really on board.<br /><br />So - attempt #3<br />I am a full time student taking 15 credits. I am loving every minute of it! The schedule that I have allows a good amount of time for me to do my homework without cutting into family time. I am pulling A's and B's in every class. (might be all A's if I hadn't gotten hit with this illness) Best of all, Troy is totally behind it! He is as excited as I am, and together we've been able to look at the big picture and what this degree will mean to our future!<br />If I work hard, I'll have this degree before my 40th birthday. Christian will just be graduating HS and Mackenzie just starting. This really seems to be the best time to be doing this. I am so glad that God's timing is so much better than mine!<br />I have to thank all of my friends and family who have been so encouraging to me in this big adventure. It has really made a huge difference! I have felt your prayers and am bolstered by the confidence that you all have in me!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-12004981470111850382009-10-17T08:12:00.000-07:002009-10-17T08:30:06.966-07:0035! #2Yeah I know, if i don't get moving, I'll never get to #35 before I'm 36.<br />So.....<br /><br />#2 My New Husband!<br /><br /><div align="left">LOL! Don't worry you didn't miss anything. I'm talking about Troy, just the new Troy. God has really been working on this man and boy has He done a good job. Now, don't get me wrong; for 15 years Troy has been a good man, good provider, good dad, and a good husband for sure. This year God has just helped him grow so much in his faith that he has become even more! Everyday he shows me how much he loves and cherishes me. I can't walk by him without him stopping me for a kiss or just to tell me he loves me. All day long I get text messages from him just to say he is thinking of me. He is spporting me in going back to school. I could list at least a hundred little "sweet nothings" that he has done for me lately. It is such a great joy to be so loved!!! </div><div align="left">He has become even more invested in our kids lives. He is now a leader for our church youth group. He pitches in with homework. He makes sure we have family moments.</div><div align="left">He has begun to reach out to others with God's love and, let me tell you, take a man who other men already respect and look up to and pump him up with God's love and he can be a real force. </div><div align="left">This summer he chose to be baptised and that was such a great example to so many people.</div><div align="left">I am not feeling as eloquent as I would like to be as I've been sick for about a week but just to sum up: My husband is awesome! Thank you, Lord for giving me this amazing man! </div>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-52989933325553104152009-10-01T23:41:00.000-07:002009-10-03T08:35:34.481-07:0035!I've been in trouble with my mother-in-law for a while now for not blogging (I think she is my only real blog fan). So it is time to catch up! I thought to challenge myself to be a better blogger, I would create a "blog series". So here it is:<br /><br /><br /><br />35! That's how old I am. I know that is hard to believe - I certainly don't look it! LOL! Sometimes i act....... well, no not really I guess.<br /><br />Anyway, for some strange reason, I had anticipated this year of my life for a very long time. I can't explain why, but I always had this sense that - good or bad - 35 would somehow be significant for me.<br /><br />Well, I'm pleased to say that, so far, it has been a really great year (just over 8 months into it). So, my "blog series" - 35 - will chronicle 35 things that have made this year special.<br /><br /><br /><br />1 - Facebook! I know that seems a little silly. Facebook shouldn't be so important as to take the first "blog series" spotlight. But I have to say it has been a real gift to me this year! Through face book i have re-established old friendships, had more regular contact with distant friends, and - most precious to me - had more contact with my family than ever before! I love my family. I have a big one and see none of them often enough. The separation from my family that comes from living hundreds of miles away from them, is bearable in the day-to-day, but can sometimes weigh on my heart so heavily. Now, thanks to this incredible "social network" I can have "conversations" with Uncle Bob about my slinky green dresses, share random movie quotes with at least 4 of my brothers, and get regular updates on when my nieces are going to dance classes, cheer practice, or movie auditions! When I posted a note about going back to school, more than 30 people offered words of encouragement and congratulations! I get to see pictures of my amazing nephew, Joe, living out his dream of being a football player (and hanging out with cheerleaders). My sweet sister, Becca, posts videos and pictures of her sweet baby, Enzo, so regularly that it has become my habit to start my day by looking at his adorable smile.<br /><br />Last Spring, thanks to facebook, six people drove more than 300 miles to see me in Miss Saigon that had never done that before. - Okay David was already coming this way, but he stopped.<br /><br />I know we all lived many years without such a thing as facebook, but I am glad that those days are gone.<br /><br />Huh. In my mind this was a much more eloquent piece of literature. Well, it is nearly 1 am.Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-3131240773510429612009-07-02T10:21:00.000-07:002009-07-02T10:47:20.584-07:00WAITINGPatience has never been one of my more developed qualities. I may not be one to lose my patience easily, but I have not ever had a knack for waiting on God, trusting His timing, all of that good stuff. I tend to take matters into my own hands rather than continue to wait for His plan to become apparent. So eight years ago when my life crumbled around me and I had to, sort of, begin again, I promised God that I would wait this time. Admittedly, I didn't promise to be patient, just to wait. Eight years is no small amount of time any way you look at it. Honestly, I think if God had told me at the time that I would have to wait for eight years, I think I would have said forget it!<br />So, what have my eight years of waiting brought me?<br />Fame? No.<br />Fortune? Certainly not.<br />Nor has some amazing, life changing event occurred in my life. In fact, I can't even look at any particular event or moment that could be called the end of my waiting.<br />What I have is peace. "Peace that passes all <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">understanding</span>." I believe that is how He puts it.<br />I am "all good". My <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">relationships</span> with family and friends are all I could hope for them to be, I have 2 children who bless my heart everyday, I have a husband who... well, if I could describe how wonderful he makes me feel, I'd be over-qualified for a Pulitzer Prize.<br />In just a few weeks, I will be a college student again, and I am more confident in my own abilities than I ever thought I could be.<br />For the first time in my life, I am not at all concerned that my facade is going to fall and expose the real me. There is no facade. I am wholly exposed to the world around me and the feeling is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">exhilarating</span>! I am aware that the picture isn't perfect, but it is perfectly me. I am exactly who God wants me to be.<br />One of the big pseudo- <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">philosophical</span> questions of all time is, "If you died right now, would you feel like you made a difference; like you mattered; like you had made your peace with the world?"<br />My answer: If I died right now, the next words I would hear are, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."<br />Who could ask for anything more?Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-62255667532129730182009-06-22T11:50:00.000-07:002009-06-22T12:00:23.226-07:00In a Hurry but Felt the Need to UpdateSo...... *deep breath*<br />Life is good. CJ has finished his years @ Cornerstone Christian School and will be entering Jenifer Junior High as a 9th gradeer in the Fall. Prayers for this new chapter in his life are greatly apreciated. Mac is officially a middle-schooler entering 6th grade @ CCS this year. She is still pursuing dance and doing quite well. Troy is the greatest hubby I could ever hope for. He has the power to make me feel like the most amazing person on Earth. He works hard everyday and still comes home happy to see me and positive! I am not going to be on TV :(. I don't think that the show got picked up. Miss Saigon is over but it was AWESOME!! So many loved ones came to see me and many from miles away!!! Thanks! This show really gave my self esteem a boost! Now I am in the process of getting into college! I have a good on-campus job prospect, I have been accepted, and have applied for financial aide. I will register for classes in about 2 1/2 weeks and shortly after find out if I can actually afford it LOL! Please be praying that I will stay focused on God's direction in this and make the right decisions for my family.Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-10068747992880073052009-04-02T09:01:00.001-07:002009-04-02T09:12:44.678-07:00Loving and LosingI lost me aunt Sharon last Saturday. She was my father's only sibling and really a neat lady. She always seemed to be in a good mood even though I think that she often had good reason not to be. I loved her very much and will miss her.<br />What I am struggling with right now is that I was already missing her, just as I have been missing such a huge portion of my family for the last 18 years or so. Due to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">proverbial</span> "circumstances beyond my control" the amazing extended family I grew up with was torn in two and has never been repaired. It is the kind of thing that you learn to live with (or in my case learn to live across the state from) but never really fully adjust to.<br />Last month I finally made the decision to hand my broken family over to God and trust him to restore it (knowing full well that that may not happen in this life). I gave up my feelings of guilt and responsibility and my fears and feelings of being rejected. Now I carry with me a "restoration rock" that reminds me that God is in control of this situation.<br />So, I know that what I'm feeling right now is just the enemy trying to strike where I'm weak. I just wish that things were different, sometimes. I wish I had the right words to say that would heal the wounds and restore my family so that my kids could know the joy of my youth.Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-59190048160149000272009-03-27T10:00:00.000-07:002009-03-27T10:10:01.616-07:00Reality TV here I come!!!So Lifetime TV (or "Men are Evil" TV as my husband likes to call it) is preparing to produce a reality show about community theatre. They contacted the Lewiston Civic Theatre and asked them to apply for the show. They were told to choose 10 people who represented the theatre in all different areas of production. I am one of the 10 chosen! I had to fill out a brief questionnaire and have a head shot taken. The kids, because they are involved as well, also will submit forms and photos.<br />I have no idea if we will be chosen to participate or how it will all go but I am rather excited at the prospect of it all. Reality TV is one of my most guilty pleasures, but I never thought that there would be even a chance of me being part of one. I'm still kind of laughing at the whole idea of it.<br />Somehow, apparently, at the end of it all, someone may get to be involved in the Broadway revival of Beauty and the Beast. That would be cool! Although theatre has been a passion of mine forever and I've always loved it, I never really even thought to pursue it at any level beyond pure enjoyment. ~ It's kind of my drug ~ but I have always dreamed of what it would be like to perform at a higher level. I'm sure I'm no different than anyone else. I wouldn't mind having my fifteen minutes in the spotlight! Heck, if it got me to Broadway, I HOLD the spot light!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-82169960008650559912009-03-18T09:21:00.000-07:002009-03-18T11:37:03.677-07:00More on my amazing boy!<span style="color:#000000;">I <em>HAD</em> to share this one!<br />So CJ and I are on our way to the bank yesterday to open his new savings account. (Good boy) As we head down the road he starts a very nervous introduction to a question, "Um, Mom, I've been wanting to ask you something for a while now. I feel kinda silly and I hope that it doesn't make you mad. I mean its not a BIG deal but I'm just not really sure what you'll say......"<br />"Son!" I stop him. "What is it? You know you will never get in trouble for just asking a question."<br />"Okay well, I was wondering if it is okay for me to use the word C R A P?" Yes. He actually spelled it out. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Now I have to add here that "crap" is a word that I am guilty of using <strong><em>WAY</em></strong> too much. I know he hears it from me <em>often,</em> so I am a bit surprised, really, that he is asking at all.<br />Then he goes on to explain that he tends to use the word "crud" and that seems like kind of a little kid word and he feels funny saying it. He thinks that C R A P (he's still just spelling it) is a little more grown up.<br />Now I have to interject (now that I have staved off the urge to laugh and cry at the same time) and tell him that using more vulgar words doesn't make a person sound more grown up and if that is his logic he's only a few years from thinking he should say s#*! instead and that certainly isn't okay with me. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">He agrees.<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">As this is going on, my mind travels back to previous "swearing" episodes with the boy:<br />When he was about 4, he had one of those cheap, hollow plastic hockey sets. One day, we were getting into the 4 door Cavalier I was driving at the time and he was trying to get one of the hockey sticks in the back seat. Suddenly I heard, "Ugh! This damn hockey stick!"<br />"Christian!" I nearly choked. "You can't say that!"<br />After a stunned pause, he says, "I can't say 'hockey stick' ?!"</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Seriously! - I about died trying to quell the laughter.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">"No, son, you can't say 'damn'. Its a bad word."</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">"You said not to say 'dang'."</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">"That's because it sounds like 'damn'."</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">BIG sigh, "Okay, Mama."</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">And I've never heard a foul word out of his mouth since - honestly!</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">In first grade, when his classmates were talking about bad words that they knew using the single letter abreviations - 's' word, 'd' word - he told his teacher that he only knew the 'm' word and the 'd' word. "Mom and Dad?" He told her questioningly.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Now it would thrill me to say that in our God-fearing home there is never a foul word to be heard, but that would be a lie. I'm certainly no sailor but I do tend to slip and Troy.... well, he... yeah he's a <em>bit </em>worse, lets say. My point being: the boy <em>hears </em>swear words. Maybe not daily, but often enough that he could have <em>easily</em> picked up one or two and - getting back to the main story - probably never should have questioned the use of the C R A P word.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">So I first have to take a moment to let him know how much I apreciate the level of respect that his request exhibts and thank him for honoring his dad and me that way. He blushes a little. Then I go on to explain to him that he won't get in trouble for occassionally using the word but that it is certainly not apropriate for school or youth group and shouldn't be over-used.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br />What a joy! Really, the kid is 14! How many 14 yr olds ask permission to say <em>"crap"?!</em>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-25726275171764754882009-03-09T13:08:00.000-07:002009-03-09T13:30:29.383-07:00I am Blessed!This weekend was my churches annual (3 years so far) women's retreat.<br />For the first time, I was asked to speak. More specifically, I was asked to give a testimony about a particularly difficult time in my life when I was about 15.<br />I was so nervous about this testimony for a number of reasons; not the least of which being the fact that although I have 30 years of stage performance under my belt and have been involved in leading bible studies and such for over a decade, I have never publicly shared a testimony of my own personal life before.<br />I shared some of my "ugly" with these women and I was very concerned about how they would react to it.<br />Well, the reaction was SO MUCH MORE than I had even thought to hope for! Not only did God allow me to reach these ladies with what I had to say, but I was truly blessed by them! They (pretty much every one of them) all came to me one at a time and shred with me some way that my story had reached them. What a joy!!!! Two sisters who are both grandmas of teens (though they hardly look old enough) shared with me that they are determined to start a praying grandmas ministry- gather other grandmas of teens together to pray for kids regularly- and that my testimony fueled the fire for them to get going with it!<br />I won't go into the whole testimony here and now but I will touch on the basic point that I made because it is something that I am passionate about.<br /><br />Remember that not everyone will share their pain. They are scared, embarrassed, or ashamed, perhaps. Or it may be that they have no one they feel they can share it with. In my case, I wasn't ready or willing to share my pain. Still it is there, and someone needs to pray for it. Ask God to show you who is hurting around you and how to pray for them and he will! We don't have to know the details of some one's pain in order to pray for them. In fact sometimes we are too concerned with the details and that becomes more like gossiping than helping.<br />It only takes a few extra seconds when you pray to say, "God, show me who I can pray for today".<br />Then when you see them, just say something nice, like, "Hey I thought of you today and it made me smile." I think we'd all agree that sometimes a nice comment like that can change our whole attitude!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-62480903151307277232009-02-26T10:34:00.000-08:002009-02-26T11:02:15.301-08:00Couldn't get much better!So I just spent a few days in the Boise area visiting, and it was wonderful!<br /><br />Friday night I had a nice visit with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lil</span> brother Ethan, his wife Kimberly and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">kiddos</span>. I am so thrilled to see how God is blessing their family and how, even though they met with such sorrow this year, there is great joy in their home. We spoke at some length about being "real" and honest about who you are and how just being as vulnerable as letting people know that you aren't always "okay" is a real blessing to people around you.<br /><br />Saturday I got my Hamburger Connection fix!~ they make the best hot dogs and their special sauce is beyond comparison~ I got to see my sister-friend, Amber's new home in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nampa</span> and hug on my sweet Livvie who is really changing from baby to big girl quickly! AND I had a great dinner and visit time with several of my "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">besties</span>" from school days! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">I am</span> so blessed to have these great girlfriends that have known me since my days of acne and insecurity and still love me! We talked of kids and husbands and the way we were and it was awesome! ~ So looking forward to our reunion in 3 years!<br /><br />Sunday was church, a quick introduction to some of my mama's dearest friends <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">including</span> a nice time of prayer at her friend, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Josta's</span> home in the afternoon, then back to Caldwell to meet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Enzo</span>!<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Enzo</span> Cruz Luna is my newest nephew. He is the first child for my baby sister, Becca and her sweet hubby, Jaime. We all (lots of family) got together to meet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Enzo</span> at my dad's house ~ which he and Cheri recently did some redecorating/remodelling in and it looks fabulous! It was a great time and I so enjoy being with my family!<br /><br />Monday we took Mackenzie and my niece, Justine, to the mall to go to Build-a-Bear. If you have little girls in your life and you haven't been there yet, you should go. Its a kick. Then home for dinner with sister, Jen and her kids and a quiet evening watching a movie with Mom and Dad.<br /><br />Tuesday Mom, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">CJ</span> and I got to tour <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">MAF</span> (Mission Aviation Fellowship). <a href="http://www.maf.org/">http://www.maf.org/</a> Its a really great organization where my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">lil</span> bro, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Phill</span> works. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Their</span> primary purpose is to provide assistance to remote locations around the world that are most easily (or in some cases, only) reached by air. They <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">transport</span> teachers, missionaries, medical <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">personnel</span> and supplies~ whatever is needed. I am very proud of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Phill</span> for being part of this organization! Then we headed to Meridian to watch a dress rehearsal for my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">niece</span>, Kate's cheer competition that will take place on Saturday. She did great! And she is such a beautiful girl! I finished up Tuesday night making dinner at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">lil</span> bro P<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">hill</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">pseudo</span> bro John's new digs in Caldwell and watching a rather odd movie with some friends that I have adopted through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Phill</span>.<br /><br />Wednesday was the drive home which went quite well and arriving at my new house~ that I LOVE~ and finding it so nice and clean!!! My hubby really stepped up and had the place looking great! He even painted a wall (which also turned out great). It was a perfect welcome home!!!<br /><br />Today, I am just floating on the feel-good-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">ness</span> of the whole week! Thank you, Lord for all of my blessings!!!!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-42386102755335397972009-01-09T11:02:00.000-08:002009-01-09T11:46:30.871-08:00Can you feel my pain?!My son is nearly 14.<br />He is almost 6 inches taller than me! Of course as my dear little brother reminded me this morning, "That's not hard to do!"<br />Later this month, I will turn 35.<br />The tattoo that I got when I started college is now more than 16 years old!<br /><br />I realize that I am not really "old" by any one's standards and I certainly don't feel old. (at least not all the time) But I only just stopped having those nightmares about showing up at school with no clothes on or completely forgetting to do an assignment. Now I'm so tired by the time I manage to quiet the millions of "to do" lists in my mind when I hit the pillow that I don't even think I do dream anymore! I put off finishing college again for another semester which is no big deal until I consider that I have now put off finishing college for 30 semesters!!! By the time I'm a teacher, they'll be calling me "Old Lady Syverson". My Classic American Lit syllabus will include the Harry Potter Series! I guess I'm okay with my age. Its just the years in between then and now that have me bewildered.<br /><br />But my God is good to me. I'm sure he's getting a good chuckle out of my ranting at the moment cause in his mind I'm a mere babe, but he has given me good things in this life. I made a commitment to read through the bible this year and I cannot believe how the enemy has started trying to worm his way in to block me from my reading time. Granted it doesn't help that I started right at Genesis 1:1 and, lets face it, that isn't the MOST exciting reading for the first few chapters. Pray for me friends that I stop dozing off during my bible time! I am doing my best to rejoice in the greatness of God's creation!<br />So yeah that was my actual point here: I'm reading through the bible this year. Care to join me?Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-73455402892582960512008-11-26T16:38:00.000-08:002008-11-26T17:25:34.542-08:00Thankful!<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">Sunday morning, I sat in church alone. </span></div><p align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;"></span></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">That may not seem like a big deal, but consider the fact that I am usually sitting with my husband and his parents and we've been attending there regularly for nearly 15 years so on the rare occasions that they haven't been there I have sidled up to a friend. This Sunday, I dawdled a little too long at the coffee cart talking to a friend that was on her way out and entered the crowded sanctuary a few minutes AFTER the service had begun so I just grabbed a seat near the front by myself.</span></div><p align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;"></span></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">The service was lovely! All three of the men who typically rotate turns leading worship were playing guitar and singing accompanied by a few more of our most talented musicians and it was a beautiful sound! I actually stopped singing for a while just to focus on the amazing sound of the congregation singing together. Our pastor's niece shared a beautiful testimony about being thankful in the tough times that truly touched my heart. We enjoyed communion, some more great worship time and the Pastor Mark spoke. He also focused on the call to be thankful for the good AND the bad.</span></div><p align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;"></span></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">I was teary through most of the service, but I found I also had a perma-grin!!!</span></div><p align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;"></span></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">At the ripe age of 29..........plus, I have led a life that has been relatively.... how would you put it?......mild? No truly catastrophic moments, no life threatening illnesses; I did try to walk away from God a time or two but I never got very far. </span></div><p align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;"></span></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">Still I wouldn't say its been a turmoil-free existence. My marriage has certainly seen some rough and rocky road, my heart has been broken, my back has been broken, I have struggled with CJ's ADD issues and Mac's strong personality, I have lost dear friends to death .........and worse. I have failed in things I hoped to be great at, put off things I may never get to do, and realized I just couldn't do all I wanted.</span></div><p align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;"></span></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">But this year, I got a great gift. I have felt the joy of this gift coming in bits and pieces for, at least, the latter half of the year, but Sunday I really saw it for what it was. Ive read about it a thousand times, "I know the plans I have for you...", "To everything there is a purpose..." you get the theme. A thousand times I have told myself, through bitter tears, clenched teeth, weary, ragged breath, "God will use this pain for His greater purpose!" This year, He did. And may I say, my friends, it was so worth the wait!!!</span></div><p align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;"></span></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">This year, my husband and I were able to stand beside a couple we love dearly while their marriage was slipping into the hands of the enemy and offer support, encouragement and understanding that we would not have had to offer were it not for the bad times in our marriage. I was able to hold my six foot plus "little" brother who had just lost his baby boy and pray with him and offer comfort to him that I might not have had to offer if I hadn't known the heartache of being a mama in the good AND bad times.</span></div><p align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;"></span></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">Perhaps most importantly, I was able to forgive friends I not only thought I was incapable of forgiving, but thought forgiving them would make me weak and vulnerable. Because I was willing to forgive them, I learned the joy of living without bitterness, and I looked up from my pity party to see a swarm of friends who love me and have loved me and most of all a husband who is willing to give me everything God has asked of him.</span></div><p align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;"></span></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">I walked to the stage after Pastor Mark's sermon and I thanked him not for the day's sermon but because I realized that day, he is another person that God has put in my life and said, "Pay attention. Watch and wait for what I am going to do here. It will bring you great joy!</span></div><p align="center"><br /><span style="color:#660000;"></span></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;">Stop and offer up thanks for ALL of the things God puts in your path, all of the things he refuses to move for you, and most especially those that trip us up when we try to go our own way. Nothing else will teach you the true beauty of God's Love in such an inspiring way!</span></span></div>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-47991700015314041882008-11-12T12:01:00.000-08:002008-11-12T12:50:15.248-08:00Of Marriage and Metaphors<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#330033;">Some day I will write a book, I think, with a title something like, "Marriage is a giant elk head hanging on my living room wall!"</span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">I am an impressionist art loving, poetry reading, singer, actress, writer, former anti-war pacifist; born in California's Bay Area on the brink of the silicon era. From my toddler years on, my dreams have been of teaching, writing, travelling the world to experience new cultures and traditions. In my youth, I imagined my adult years would be spent on university campuses all over the world discussing great literature, opening the worlds eyes to the beauty of Shakespere's sonnets and Whitman's poiniancy. </span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">I would never have gone so far as to quit shaving my legs or going braless, and I know I could never have given up meat, or tied myself to any trees in protest. Yet somehow, I really never </span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">ever </span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">ever </span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">ever </span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">ever </span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">pictured myself </span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">laying on my couch... </span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">in my house... </span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">in Idaho....</span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"> </span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">staring up </span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">at the head of an enormous bull elk protruding from the middle of my living room wall!</span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">"This is compromise at its best." I thought as I laid there trying to accept this new addition to my home - while staring right into its nostrils.</span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">In just less than 14 years, I have gone from being the afore mentioned wanna-be peace child to....</span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">Troy's wife!</span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">Now is when it is absolutely imperative that I stress the fact that I love my husband, live for the children we have together, and wouldn't trade my life for all the poetry circles in the world!</span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">Still, I wonder: If I can trade <em>Simon and Garfunkel </em>for <em>Big and Rich, Flojos </em>for <em>Ropers, Shakespere in the Park</em> for<em> UFC Fights, Hemmingway </em>for<em> McMannus </em>and<em> </em>store bought<em> beef</em> for<em> home-butchered elk!!!!!!!!!.....................</em></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></em></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">How is it that my husband - whom I love dearly remember - is still the military-minded, country music loving, levis and t-shirt wearing, snowmobile and four wheeler riding, master hunter that I met in 1993?</span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">"Maynard? (that is what Troy's mother named the elk)" I ask him. "How on Earth did you get here?" Then more to the point, "How on Earth did I get here?"</span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">I don't mean here as in Idaho. I made that choice for myself. I mean specifically here under Maynard's nostrils?</span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">Time to explore the meaning of marriage and compromise!</span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#330033;">More to Come!</span></span>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-65376077118022369122008-10-13T12:32:00.001-07:002008-10-13T12:46:05.816-07:00Footloose!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCr_-m2wmCbgV5gb7-dsPsrMq1RmXjWSqEqDs0QsT5_-V3SrJCvoMv1NnJv8eVAFqv0e5bLYpaGQijlfd-UOxR8IWNXfYazj6GI5NxRcwsglgXPpueOTnj1ANzQTbLXnUY-yiQPpGQRkU/s1600-h/Footloose+cast.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256723955025125682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCr_-m2wmCbgV5gb7-dsPsrMq1RmXjWSqEqDs0QsT5_-V3SrJCvoMv1NnJv8eVAFqv0e5bLYpaGQijlfd-UOxR8IWNXfYazj6GI5NxRcwsglgXPpueOTnj1ANzQTbLXnUY-yiQPpGQRkU/s320/Footloose+cast.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=15892051&albumID=2075733&imageID=43780457#a=2075733&i=43780480"></a>That's me! Front row right of center (stage right that is~ your left). What a great bunch of freaks and geeks we are! </div><div>This is one of those shows that I wasn't ready to be done with. I really loved being a part of it. I played Ethel, mom of Ren, the lead character (Kevin Bacon in the movie. Although the musical is quite different.) It was not a particularly challenging role for me. I had only a few lines and one musical number (a trio), and I didn't have to dance. Woo! Hoo! I did my best and people responded well to my work. Its really the most you can hope for. The added bonus of spending so much time with some really great people just made the whole thing better!</div><div>Now its CJ's turn! He'll be playing a Lost Boy in Peter Pan! I am so excited to have him finding joy in acting the way that I do! I can't wait to watch him.</div><div>Well, I felt bloggy and really expected yo share some great stuff here, but I'm sleepy and my brain is not fully functional. So, that's all you get. So long Footloose!</div>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-41643325813934043762008-10-09T10:43:00.000-07:002009-02-13T10:24:43.863-08:00Is this the road less travelled?<span style="color:#330000;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Oh that God! He sure does like to lead us sheep!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I have come to realize that God has decided to start me on a journey that I never asked to take! I should have wanted to take it but, of course he didn't wait for my permission! He just set me down on the path! I also think it's possible that he then sat back and said, "Okay, let's watch what she does. Heh Heh Heh." ~ I don't mean that to sound like the Snidely Whiplash style evil laugh so much as the parent who knows that their kid isn't going to learn anything the easy way and figures that they might as well enjoy watching them try.~</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So, anyway, I guess this journey began about a year ago. In order to be a good support to someone very important in my life, I had to face some issues in my past that I never really worked through. In the process, I had the unique opportunity to see the other side of things more clearly. I gained some very valuable new perspective. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I forgave~ or perhaps more accurately- began to forgive~ someone I really never thought I could or even should forgive. It is interesting how you can preach to others the importance of forgiveness and how not forgiving only hurts you blah blah blah......... but then when you do it; when you really get to that point where you are willing to stop being so angry, it really does feel better. The whole world brightens up a bit.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Now, it seems, the journey is a sort of metaphorical house of mirrors. Each time I turn a corner, I get a different, head-on view of myself. Once I get comfortable with what I see, I get to move on. Of course, as I go I have that constant feeling in the pit of my stomach that I'm not gonna like what I see at the next turn, or that I'm going to get turned around and end up facing "mirrors" I've already faced. I feel some certainty that I will find my way out of the maze and when I do I'll step into the sunlight and feel that exhilarating rush of accomplishment. I just fret a bit - okay a lot- about all that comes first.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I try to stay focused on the positives in my life; all the good that has come from this journey and past journeys. This helps. God has been good to me. He has placed some of the worlds most amazing people in my path and this has brought me great joy! Recently I have received compliments that leave me speechless and help me to believe that I really am doing things right. Just last night a sweet, new friend said, "Mel, I'm so glad I know you." And another person whom I love wholeheartedly actually told me I was one of the best people he knows. When I receive blessings like that, how can I possibly choose to dwell on the negative? How can I NOT continue on this path? I must! I will! It is the road less travelled, I think. But I don't mind forging a path. Someone I love may need to take the same route and what greater joy could there be than helping guide them and making the way easier for them.</span></span>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809198050398886172.post-31583305152202411232008-09-24T11:44:00.000-07:002008-09-24T11:58:11.077-07:00Catching up!I've had this for a LONG time and never blogged here, so I'm catching you up with my MySpace bloggings:<br /><br /><br />Wednesday, September 17, 2008<br />My amazing boy! Current mood: blessed Category: <a href="http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.viewCategory&FriendID=101971670&BlogCategoryID=10">Goals, Plans, Hopes</a><br />My son is so cool!<br />Most of you know that Christian (CJ) was born completely deaf in his right ear. For the most part, this causes very little distraction in his everyday life. It really only becomes an issue when he is in a big crowd with a lot of background noise, or when things are particularly loud in any situation. It's also quite entertaining to talk to him about things like surround sound or directional hearing- these are foreign ideas to him. It will keep him out of the military which is far more dissapointing to him than it is to his mama, and occasionally it causes him some embarrassment when he doesn't hear something he should.<br />I have never heard him complain!<br />Seriously. Not once in 13 1/2 years. Oh there's been a time or two that he has talked about what it might be like for him to be able to hear like other people do, but no complaints.<br />Yesterday, I was watching a show on TLC about children with Progeria. That is the disease that causes children to age at an extremely accellerated pace. We were packing his bag for his DC trip so he stopped and watched part of it with me. He asked a few questions about the disease and I could see his eyes get a little bit teary. Then, he really touched my heart.<br />He said, "I am so lucky!" -Then he looked at me and apologized because he knows I don't beleive in luck and said, "I am so blessed. I think about all the kids in this world that are born with problems like this, or like Joey (my nephew who is physically and mentally delayed) or like what happened with Isaac (my nephew who was stillborn last month). I'm like, 'perfect'" he said. "I mean I've got this hearing problem but so what. It's not any big deal."<br />Now hear's the kicker. He said, "They must really be tough kids to deal with all of that and keep smiling. It really makes me apreciate what I've got."<br />And THAT really make sme appreciate what I'VE got! My son is so cool!<br />Man I am really gonna miss that boy for the next week!<br />Good thing I've got my stage son to give me hugs every night!<br />Please be praying for CJ while he is in DC! Sept 18-25<br /><br /><br />Tuesday, July 01, 2008<br />Love your babies! Current mood: disappointed<br />I was on my way to my church yesterday at about 11:45. (Yeah I skipped the actual service but was heading up there for some coffee training.) I was driving up 17th St ~ a fairly busy 4 lane ~ when I reached the Unity Church (corner of 15thAve.) I saw a little boy (not quite 3 by my estimation) preparing to cross the street with his little scooter in hand. ALONE!!!!<br />I screamed; pulled my car into the Unity church parking lot ~ not even bothering to park properly or turn off the engine~ and jumped out to stop him!<br />Of course, as soon as he saw me running toward him, he ditched the scooter and started running down the street. I slowed to a quick walk, grabbed his scooter and started talking to him. "Where's your mommy?" "Where's your daddy?" "Is your house nearby?" "What are you doing out here all by yourself?" All interspersed with, "No! Stay on the sidewalk, please."<br />Soon he was happily talking and giggling ~ not that I could understand a word~ as he skipped down the street. He was clearly not afraid of me anymore. "Where's home?" I tried again. He pointed up and down the street in a half dozen directions. Even as I was certain that at any moment a worried mama or daddy was going to cross our path, I was starting to wonder how many doors we might have to knock on.<br />Finally, as we approached the next corner, I saw a couple unloading a suburban. "Let's go talk to these people, buddy. Do you know them?"<br />Now, he started to look scared. "NO!" he said.<br />I approached the woman and told her the story. She called another woman over who actually lived at the house. "Yes!" she said. "That's Nick. He's one of the little twins that live next door. Nick, you better get in the house."<br />I turned to find my little friend, looking terrified, hiding behind a big tree in the front yard of what I now understood to be his house. "NO!" he yelled again. I was mortified to see how scared he suddenly was.<br />The neighbor's husband walked with me to Nick's front door and knocked. The man who answered looked quite angry to have been bothered by the knocking. When the neighbor started to tell him what happened, he screamed, "Nick! Get in here!"<br />Little Nick came out from behind the tree and headed for the house like he was bound for the gallows.<br />This guy wasn't interested in knowing how close that baby had come to being crushed by any manner of vehicle that might be driving up or down the street. He didn't even look at me! No thank you. Nothing. The neighbor lady said, "Please don't be mad at him."<br />Nothing. He closed the door as soon as Nick was inside. I left the little scooter where it sat, thanked the neighbors, and headed back to my car. My heart was in my feet. I couldn't really even feel good about helping the poor baby because I really just felt like I'd turned him over to the enemy.<br />Where was the hysterical, relieved parent, too happy that this baby was safe to even think of yelling at him or scolding him? I can't imagine. No wonder the big busy street and unfamiliar outside world weren't scary to him. He was escaping.<br />Pray for Nick. Pray for his twin. Pray for his parents. Pray for me. Pray that I read this all wrong. My heart hurts.<br />Hug your babies! Tell them they are special!<br /><br /><br />Sunday, March 09, 2008<br />Joey Scored A Basket!!!!!!! Current mood: touched<br />There are at present 30 children in this world to whom I am "Aunt" or "Auntie" I know- a bunch! (and mind you I have 4 siblings who have yet to have children and one who may not be quite finished- he actually has one on the way!) I love being an aunt. I love each one of these amazing kids and each one has a special place in my heart. From Andrew- the very first whose birth I think I anticipated as much as my own son's to Leah- with those almond eyes and jet black hair who often reminds people, "I'm from China!" There is Brehon who has always come running to give me a bear hug which, now that he stands more than half a foot taller than me often includes lifting me right off the ground and lilttle Emily who is a constant source of entertainment with her funny faces and happy, pixie-like demeanor. And of course the three wonderful children that my brother came to love as his own after they suffered hurt no babies ever should. I could go on about each one but the two most on my mind today are Ashley and Joey.<br />Ashley, 12 tomorrow, is a true beauty! A tall, lean figure, muscular as you would expect from a girl who spends every possible moment on a basketball court or soccer field. Her bright blue eyes twinkle with her constant smile in lovely contrast to her dark hair and fair skin. She is smart, hard working and quite popular among her classmates and competitors. The youngest girl in the state of Idaho to be chosen for her Jr Olympic team, we fully expect that she will one day earn a scholarship to play the sport of her choice at the school of her choice! It is no suprise when Ashley leads her team to victory! But we are proud of her every time!<br />Joey, twin to Robby, turned 12 in January. Beyond the age and the beautiful smile, there are few similarities to the sports star described above. Joey has seen great triumphs in his young life but they are not the kind most of us find ourselves hoping for in the children we love. Here is a list, in example, of some of his greatest acomplishments.... to date:<br />He lived<br />He spoke<br />He walked<br />He went to school<br />I believe Joey was four when they finally stopped adding to the list of things that add frustration to Joey's life; microcephaly, autism, cerebral palsey, epiliepsy..... But last week, in a real normal-kid moment, on a normal-kid basketball team Joey scored a basket! The crowed roared, his team patted him on the back, his mama cried, and best of all, for Joey, the score board changed. Not just the one on the gym wall but the one in our hearts and minds. Joey against the world- score one more for Joey!!! What else do you think he can't do? He'll be happy to prove you wrong!<br /><br /><br />Sunday, February 03, 2008<br />Rebecca’s wise words<br />This is a beautiful piece of wisdom from my beautiful young friend, Rebecca. She's pretty darn smart!!!<br /><br /><br />I can see clearly now, the rain is gone Current mood: vibrant<br />The past week or so I've been struggling. I've been taking things far too personally. I have been a little disappointed by the behavior of some of the people in my life. To put it bluntly, I've been feeling a little...unloved. I wondered why people didn't do more for me, or show their friendship in more obvious ways. All I was thinking about was myself. People were rude to me and hurt my feelings, and I just kept expecting a pity party. How selfish is that?!?!Then today, I was making a list of the people I wanted to send Valentine Crushes to. And the pity party was over. I am constantly in awe of my wonderful friends that would do anything for me, and they know I would be there for them in a second. I have been so amazingly and incredibly blessed with loving people in my life, that I don't know how to adequately express the joy that I feel. "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."Galatians 6:2My role is not to be served, but to serve. I realize that it is not my job to mope around and hope that somebody will say something nice to brighten my day. I should be spreading joy to others. I shouldn't complain when things don't go my way--I should be upset when I see someone I love hurting. I don't need to be in the spotlight. I need to step aside at times and let my loved ones shine. I need to celebrate their happiness, and help them through their pain. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..."Galatians 6:9-10I have always known these things, but I just kind-of got it. I finally realize that this life is truly not about me...and I'm ok with that :)<br /><br />Tuesday, November 20, 2007<br />Goodbye to the red-headed demon! Category: <a href="http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.viewCategory&FriendID=101971670&BlogCategoryID=13">Romance and Relationships</a><br />I never thought this day would come.<br />I have carried bitterness in my very heart and soul for so long now.<br />It became a comfort to me.<br />I knew I could always rely on that pain.<br />It would always be there.<br />I don't believe I ever had a desire to see it go.<br />I said that I did.<br />I lied.<br /><br />Now its gone.<br />And I feel so free.<br /><br />He loves me.<br />I'm his.<br />That is all that matters.<br />When he says words like regret.... remorse..... pain.....<br />I realize that I have asked him to continue to pay.<br />No more.<br /><br />Goodbye!<br />You have no power here anymore.<br />I love him.<br />He's mine!<br /><br />Wednesday, October 24, 2007<br />TAG!!! Your it!<br /> <br />TAG: Here's how you play. Once you've been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird, random things, facts, or habits about yourself. At the end, you choose 10 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them to be tagged. Don't forget to leave them a comment "You're It!" and to read your blog. You can't tag the person who tagged you. Since you can't tag me back, let me know when you've posted your bulletin so I can see your answers.....<br /><br /><br />I am terrified whenever I have to drive on a bridge. I used to have a reoccurring nightare when I was little that the car I was in drove off of a bridge and I couldn't get out!<br />Claymation freaks me out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also a nightmare issue. I used to have claymation nightmares.<br />My greatest fear, however, is insanity.<br />On my wedding day, I rose bright and early and sat down to have a nice bowl of cold cereal but the milk was sour. I lost my appetite and didn't eat again until after the wedding that night.<br />When I was 4 I believed that I had been a Chinese man with 2,000 children in a past life.<br />I love reality TV!<br />I like to fall asleep with theTV on.<br />I am convinced that I am going to die at a reletively early age.<br />I am super starving hungry right now!!!!!!!<br />I once had the coolest black leather jacket but it was stolen off the back of my chair @ a bar. I swore that if I ever saw anyone in town wearing it I would take it forceably. I still miss that jacket!!!!! I think I know who took it..........<br />Okay, here's my 10 and why…<br />Myndie~ cuz I think its in our BFF contract<br />Phill~ cuz I love him<br />Pun~same as above<br />Lisa~ I'm wondering if I will know some of her facts <br />Mason~ Because he is the intellectual type & will likely have entertaining answers. <br />Gail~She never does these things <br />Kara~ She hasn't for a while<br />Torry~ Everything about him is interesting<br />Jen~ she'll have great facts, I'm sure <br />Kathy~ cause I never hear from her here but she is the fact master!<br /><br /><br />Tuesday, August 07, 2007<br />Take the Compliment! Category: <a href="http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.viewCategory&FriendID=101971670&BlogCategoryID=12">Life</a><br />I always have these massive life changing bits of info to share here. Right? Of course I'm right!!!<br />So, an observation I made today:<br />I was coming out of the grocery store today, headed toward Troy's '72 Chevy truck that I have been driving since my car died. There was an older man - kinda the good 'ol boy type- standing there looking the truck over while he waited for his buddy to come out of the store. If you know me at all you know that I will strike up a conversation any time with anyone, so I said, "Were you checking out my truck?" He smiled- several teeth were missing- and said, "No I was looking at you." I laughed a little, and probably blushed, knowing me. Then he said, "If I take the truck do I get you with it?" I said, "Well, you'd probably have a tough time getting my husband to part with either of us." As we both got in our vehicles to leave he laughed and said, "Ain't that always how it happens."<br />My thoughts turned then to the episode of 'How I Met Your Mother' that I watched last night. The main characters plus 'Barney's' brother were all out at a club and as the two single guys (one gay one straight) ran around trying to help eachother "hook up" The two couples sat on a couch complaining about the horrors of being hit on in a bar. The guys were feeling no pity for the the women who were both very attractive and thought that they should quit complaining. "Oh poor me! I'm so hot guys just won't stop hitting on me."<br />Later in the episode, they all went to a gay bar. The women were thrilled because they could dance to their hearts content and not get hit on and every time a guy came up and complimented them they liked it because they knew that it was sincere. The men however, were repeatedly hit on.<br />Now, the writers lead us to think, the men get to see what it is really like for the poor hot women who are constantly victimized by the horribly forward guys who have the odacity to hit on them at bars and clubs.<br />Really? Is this the way we are to see things? I know I have spent literally no time as a single in a bar. I was a child bride. But I have been hit on a few times. Aside from a time or two that a guy has been slow to back off and I have had to firmly explain that I was married and therefore not interested, I've tried to take it all as a compliment.<br />Now, it would seem to me that very few men - or women for that matter- are really going to continue to pursue contact with someone who has clearly said, "Thank you, but I am not interested." I can't help but think that typically when a girl becomes irritated with being hit on it has more to do with who is hitting on them. I'm pretty sure if it was Mr. Perfect body and great smile, they wouldn't be quite so off-put.<br />It takes a lot of nerve, I'm sure, for someone to approach a stranger and ask for a dance or offer to buy them a drink. Maybe they don't have the 'total package' but they still deserve at least the minimum respect due to any human in a social setting. If you are not interested, say so, nicely. If it doesn't hurt anything, dance once with them. When the song ends, say, "Thanks. It was nice to meet you." Shake hands and walk away. <br />In the end, there honestly is no great conspiracy amongst the male gender to force women (or other men) to hate them or be disgusted by them. Yeah some men are real pigs we all know that.<br />But ladies, really, our gender doesn't always have its' best foot forward either.<br />If you truly are so amazingly hot that you can't go out in public without being bombarded by proposals at every turn, next time pick out a pair of baggy sweats, an oversized t-shirt & flip flops. Skip the perfume throw your hair up in a pony tail and plant yourself in a corner all night.<br />Because, seriously, the whole, "I have a right to dress any way I want its just my style" while wearing 4 inch heals, a mini skirt and a halter top that doesn't quite cover the belly ring and lower back tatoo coupled with perfectly styled hair, salon perfect make up and super hi gloss lipstick and dirty dancing with your equally 'accidentally' hot girlfriends right smack in the middle of the dance floor in plain view of everyone, just doesn't send out the "Please don't hit on me." message.<br />Otherwise... JUST TAKE THE COMPLIMENT!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />Friday, May 04, 2007<br />Why I believe! Current mood: loved Category: <a href="http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.viewCategory&FriendID=101971670&BlogCategoryID=12">Life</a><br />HANDY CHART - God has a positive answer:<br /><br />YOU SAY<br />GOD SAYS<br />BIBLE VERSES<br />You say: "It's impossible"<br />God says: All things are possible<br />(Luke 18:27)<br />You say: "I'm too tired"<br />God says: I will give you rest<br />(Matthew 11:28-30)<br />You say: "Nobody really loves me"<br />God says: I love you<br />(John 3:16 & John 3:34 )<br />You say: "I can't go on"<br />God says: My grace is sufficient<br />(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)<br />You say: "I can't figure things out"<br />God says: I will direct your steps<br />(Proverbs 3:5-6)<br />You say: "I can't do it"<br />God says: You can do all things<br />(Philippians 4:13)<br />You say: "I'm not able"<br />God says: I am able<br />(II Corinthians 9:8)<br />You say: "It's not worth it"<br />God says: It will be worth it<br /><br /><br />Thursday, April 12, 2007<br />I really don't know.... Current mood: listless Category: <a href="http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.viewCategory&FriendID=101971670&BlogCategoryID=12">Life</a><br />Oh this has really been boring week. I have been all alone all week long in my boss's home.Just processing orders and making phone calls. I am clearly remembering, now, why I have so enjoyed being in the resaurant business. I need people around me!!!So here I sit, all kinds of contempletive, thinking, "I should write a new blog".<br />I have NO IDEA what i should write......<br />Here's something:<br />I have a new song on myspace. "Better Than Me" by Hinder. I heard it for the first time last night. (I was in the tub so I was a very captive audience.) It is a really good song. Take a listen. I think that someone loved me like that once. It is a shame that all of that desperate passion is wasted on our young and foolish years. A day like that seems to loom in my future. All of you, (not that many will read this) love is our choice to make. Find the right person to love and love them wholeheartedly. Don't waste your time choosing to love someone you shouldn't. It will only hurt you in the end. People change, yes, but seldom do they change into what we want them to be or even what they say they will. No one ever should be told, "I love you, but..." The one I fell for once was, "I am going to learn to love you, I just can't yet. I need you to love me enough for both of us." Sounds stupid doesn't it? Yeah. That's how you end up engaged to someone who doesn't even remember the engagement a year later. I have no one to blame but myself.I do miss the days of mix tapes and notes and I was once a real fan of the endless phone call.Being a grown up is not as much fun but things do hurt less.Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00602952314463028770noreply@blogger.com1