tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68874023072573843022024-02-19T00:29:03.601-08:00Melissa's Merry MayhemMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-17088826764446832242011-11-04T08:57:00.000-07:002011-11-04T09:12:20.752-07:00Condemnation or Compassion?Recently I have spent some time visiting and participating in an online community/forum for pregnant women. The group that I have been participating in has over 7000 members, and all these are just women who are expecting in March of 2012. What I have noticed is the constant judgment that occurs. Judgment on women's opinions, actions, parenting styles, beliefs. You name it, someone is judging it. And when I mean judging, I do not mean making a judgment on whether something is right or wrong because it is necessary that we do that, but rather, I am referring to standing in condemnation and actively criticizing.<br />
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As I have thought about this over the last couple of days it has made me sad. It's no wonder why people put on "masks" when they go out in public, why people don't want to share their struggles, or ask for help, or be real. Who would want to do that when the responses are judgmental and critical instead of compassionate and helpful? Even going out to Walmart can bring judgment on yourself. How many times have I heard, and actively participated in condemning the way those people are dressed or acting? Just letting your kids play outside can bring judgment on yourself. How many times have I seen the kids playing on the street and condemned their deliquent parents (without even knowing who their parents are) for not keeping an eye on them. How many times have I condemned women who have had an abortion (yes, I have made the judgment that abortion is wrong and against God's law, but I do not have the authority to stand in condemnation of these women) How many times have I condemned my neighbors for one thing or another? Yes, I am and have been guilty of being the judge and jury myself many more times than I would like to admit. <br />
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But then I think of Jesus. Jesus who was the friend of sinners. Jesus who asked the pharisees in regards to the adulterous women in John 8:7 <i>He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.</i> Jesus who dined with sinners. Jesus who diligently taught and took as his closest companions some of the lowest, uneducated and disrespected members of society in those days (tax collectors, fishermen, etc). Jesus who showed compassion to the thief on the cross. Jesus who died on the cross for people who hate(d) him. Jesus who sees my own wicked heart and lets me yell at him and cry to him, and push him away at times, yet he still loves me more than anyone even though he knows the deepest secrets of my heart. <br />
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Although Jesus is the judge and will one day cast judgement on the people who have rejected him, right now he isn't holding hell as a gun to our head for our wrongs. Instead he is holding out compassion, salvation, new life, and an eternity in heaven with him for even the worst of people who will accept his gift.<br />
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What am I holding out to sinful, struggling people? Am I holding out condemnation and criticism? Or am I being compassionate. Am I holding out the hope and victory and freedom that we can have in Christ?<br />
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Food for thought.... <br />
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</i><br />
<i>~Change my heart, Dear God. Let it be like you!</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Love As I Loved</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ron Hamilton</span></span><br />
When our Lord was speaking to the crowd, a beggar came<br />
Who fell down before Christ and called out His name.<br />
The disciples quickly came, <br />
And they turned the man away, <br />
Till they saw the Lord's compassion<br />
And they heard the Savior say:<br />
<br />
Love as I loved,<br />
Give as I gave;<br />
These are the people that I came to save.<br />
Love as I loved, and I will shine through.<br />
Let others see My love in you.<br />
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Yesterday my time was filled with vain and empty things,<br />
And I was so busy with all that life brings. <br />
People crowded in my way, <br />
But I pushed them all away they were just a senseless bother<br />
Till I heard the Savior say:<br />
<br />
Love as I loved,<br />
Give as I gave;<br />
These are the people that I came to save.<br />
Love as I loved, and I will shine through.<br />
Let others see My love in you.<i> </i></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-88084083595961162192011-10-14T12:14:00.000-07:002011-10-14T12:14:19.548-07:00Beautiful Growing Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY00KxndgraWp1LzAonOm80bxaz2q-0ZQdy-L1N1-Ay7YhR455ZXCtYCRc8gcLZXIQ5We9FJEFkeJpNa3sQS9xVwaAedLpiylobFvfzYqIweTRZGq_FPzqRKk-8x0xWUOjGvSOGiw9Vj4/s1600/2011-10-13_22-13-44_718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY00KxndgraWp1LzAonOm80bxaz2q-0ZQdy-L1N1-Ay7YhR455ZXCtYCRc8gcLZXIQ5We9FJEFkeJpNa3sQS9xVwaAedLpiylobFvfzYqIweTRZGq_FPzqRKk-8x0xWUOjGvSOGiw9Vj4/s320/2011-10-13_22-13-44_718.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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My beautiful little boy is growing perfectly! I am in the middle of week 20! For those of you who don't know, that is the HALFWAY point!!!!! I can't believe we are halfway there! And as I think of the crazy schedule between now and then with holidays and birthdays, I know the last half of this pregnancy is going to fly! Before we know it, March will be here, and so will our little Brycen James! <--did you catch that?! That is the name we have chosen for our little one! We will call him Bryce for short. I love it!<br />
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Today I went shopping for our little guy! I bought a few adorable little onesies on clearance at The Children's Place for next summer/fall. Shopping for babies is very fun, I have to admit! And since I don't expect any kind of shower, I will get to shop quite a bit this time around! I am taking it as a personal challenge of mine to find infant gear and clothing at good prices. We already purchased a set of matching Graco baby equipment on craigslist for an excellent price. That was an answer to prayer! Now we've got all the other little detail things... crib sheets, pacifiers, bottle nipples, burp cloths, clothing, etc to shop for. Little by little, I will get it done. :-) and I will enjoy ever minute of it!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-85943438244573900272011-10-06T06:07:00.000-07:002011-10-06T06:07:26.872-07:00Living off LoveI'm pretty sure that is what my husband is doing lately, because he surely isn't living off of sleep. He is working an evening/night shift at work and recently had early morning work added to his route (he's a fuel truck driver). So now he is getting home anywhere from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. and then having to get up at 4:30 a.m. to go out and fuel up another work site. Once in a while he's able to get home 10:30 or 11:00 p.m. from his evening route, but that's not the norm. <br />
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Oh, and did I mention that he's trying not to sleep too much during the day because he is redoing our roof all by himself? And any extra time and energy he has is given to Camp Bayouca helping with their fall retreats. Thankfully, at least, the last one of those is this weekend. <br />
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I am proud of my husband for being such a hard worker, but I'll admit, I'm a bit concerned at the schedule he is trying to keep up. I can see the exhaustion written all over his face. It has definitely been a matter of prayer for me lately.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-16014000418569398932011-10-04T07:35:00.000-07:002011-10-04T07:35:24.754-07:00Help When NeededThe last couple of weeks have been emotionally exhausting. I have had some very specific struggles regarding our daughter Megan and her disorder, Dysgenesis of the Corpus Callosum. I could write a book about the last couple of weeks but I'm not going to. What I am going to write is that I was discouraged, and disheartened. I felt like I was dealing with it alone. I was tired of expressing my struggles only to have them be constantly minimalized and brushed off as insignificant with people saying things like "oh, that normal for 7 year olds", or "my kid does that too." I spent a lot of time in tears crying out to God (and to my mom and husband--thanks guys for listening an being there for me!)<br />
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But you know what. God came through! (he always does!). It was accidental on my part, but I do NOT think it was accidental to God! Just when I needed it most I stumbled upon a woman through an online forum, who is a fellow mother of a child with a disorder of the corpus callosum, and a wealth of information! I no longer have to feel like the expert, but have someone who I can go to for help and encouragement AND <u>understanding</u>! <br />
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Psalm 46:1-3 <br />
God is our refuge and strength, <br />
an ever-present help in trouble. <br />
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way <br />
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, <br />
though its waters roar and foam <br />
and the mountains quake with their surging. <br />
<i>Selah</i> <br />
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Psalm 61:1-4<br />
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Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. <br />
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,<br />
when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. <br />
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. <br />
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.<br />
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Thank you, God!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-7269817960715204562011-10-03T10:51:00.000-07:002011-10-03T10:51:28.724-07:00Children are a Gift!My husband and I are unexpectedly, but with anticipation, pregnant with our fourth child due to arrive in March of 2012! A little boy, according to my last ultrasound! We are thrilled. Maybe even more so than we were with our others, which is hard to believe since we have been thrilled with each of our babies! But there is just something different about this baby. It's a little bit of a miracle I guess... Considering that two and a half years ago I was sick to the point that we didn't know if I would live. And yet, by the grace of God, here I am today, my health is completely restored AND I'm expecting new life! Thank you, Lord!<br />
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So, I was reading a newsletter from Focus on the Family today and in the letter was this on a recent conference that a representative of Focus on the Family attended: <i>At one point, and American diplomat, Laurie Shestack Phipps, spoke. She wondered how we could talk about family, but not be concerned about high birth rates in places like Africa. Don't we understand, she asked, that so many children put a strain on opportunities for women, on public services and on job creation? Why don't we address the need for family planning (meaning contraceptives) and reproductive health (code for abortion)?</i><br />
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<i>Before I could say anything, another diplomat spoke up. she was Sarah Flood Beaubron, a UN representative from the tiny nation of St. Lucia. Here's what she said: "When I was growing up...(our nation) was asked and pressured to reduce our rates of fertility. Over the last year years we have seen that we are now below replacement levels... We have a population of 165,000 </i> <i>people approximately, and our resource is our people. We don't have gold, and we don't have oil, or anything like that. We are in a predicament, because we were asked and pressured and cajoled to decrease our fertility... this is now a very urgent problem for our small country..</i>."<br />
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<i>So there it was. The tired philosophy that children are a drain on resources, followed by the truth: <u><b>children ARE the resource.</b></u></i><br />
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Wow! That is powerful! Children ARE the resource!!! Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-30074712347896203822010-12-07T19:01:00.001-08:002010-12-07T19:01:58.889-08:00Merry Christmas from the Griffiths family!<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AaMnLlozaOWQA/0AaMnLlozaOWQOLA/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1291777275000/0/"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span>Holly Jolly Story Christmas 5x7 folded card</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>Make a statement with custom <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">Christmas cards</a> at Shutterfly.</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-68474382667649987602010-12-05T18:08:00.000-08:002010-12-05T18:27:10.761-08:00A Shutterfly Christmas (card, that is)I have used Shutterfly in the past for many different photo projects. They regularly have excellent deals and promotions that make using them completely worth it! Not to mention the fact that the site is very easy to use. Last year I used Shutterfly to make our Christmas card, and this year as I was planning my Christmas card I went to their site to check out <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery%20%20">holiday photo card backgrounds</a> and the <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards">Christmas photo card backgrounds</a>. Here are some of my favorite backgrounds:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/photocard/PHOTOCARD-103-4187-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1282092190000115777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/photocard/PHOTOCARD-103-4187-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1282092190000115777.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/photocard/PHOTOCARD-103-4296-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1282092208000116895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/photocard/PHOTOCARD-103-4296-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1282092208000116895.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br />
I love this cute little trees on both of these! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2901-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128874100800083429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2901-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128874100800083429.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And how fun is this?! This would definitely be a cute one to use for the picture bloopers! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2710-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1281039951000125175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2710-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1281039951000125175.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>And this one is just so beautifully classic. <br />
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I found several others that I loved as well, and then I began planning how I wanted to set my children up for pictures and what I wanted them to wear. I am pleased to say that, with the help of my sister's photography skills, we captured some great shots and I cannot wait to finish designing our photo cards. Of course I don't want to ruin the surprise, so I won't be posting the finished product on here until after I'm sure everyone has received their Christmas cards!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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P.S. After I finish up my Christmas card, I might just have to make one of these super cute <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars">photo calendars</a>! And pictures of my kids in these calendars would make them even cuter!!! *smile*Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-83175377070732141932010-05-15T12:11:00.000-07:002010-05-15T12:11:59.248-07:00Busy At Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs1TUOMMHJDuTSppXpN4NlxdVBiOVKjGJL6WIuocvJJFfpkU7U_QPqhRVYEcnvou7DTVNoC05HzQDIrlq2nn32wKmrtgkH3GzLwrer1qiVyrUhT7vrTaEqFFY6z-oOZieLwCS0VrdiPM/s1600/photo(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs1TUOMMHJDuTSppXpN4NlxdVBiOVKjGJL6WIuocvJJFfpkU7U_QPqhRVYEcnvou7DTVNoC05HzQDIrlq2nn32wKmrtgkH3GzLwrer1qiVyrUhT7vrTaEqFFY6z-oOZieLwCS0VrdiPM/s640/photo(6).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
While Tom was busy at work ON the kitchen this morning, I was busy at work IN the kitchen! Tom was temporarily setting the sink and countertop (until we get the new countertop that fits correctly in our space.) and I was baking some really pretty and tasty sugar cookies. It has been a lovely productive Saturday!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNDrP8J3V-mq-Fk3_d7XnKMLZZXpL_fmw83AEJzdnDW51Wf6MT5herZC0-LAD5I6K1KPZT0BKNLztQiB7uquKqURAmAKl3QWc4TDoi_HlIWDNmWQyRe8JNnMU9t211hX1Y0_02sceKqE/s1600/photo(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNDrP8J3V-mq-Fk3_d7XnKMLZZXpL_fmw83AEJzdnDW51Wf6MT5herZC0-LAD5I6K1KPZT0BKNLztQiB7uquKqURAmAKl3QWc4TDoi_HlIWDNmWQyRe8JNnMU9t211hX1Y0_02sceKqE/s640/photo(5).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-15617373980494012752010-05-13T07:57:00.000-07:002010-05-13T08:01:14.851-07:00JOYI feel compelled to share these sweet and precious thoughts from Bible study at church last night<br />
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Proverbs 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small.<br />
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Nehemiah 8:11 For the joy of the Lord is your strength.<br />
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Joy is an abiding sense of well-being which comes from knowing God. This joy gives me the strength to stand in the day of adversity knowing that "no power of Hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand." Nothing can harm me in an ultimate way for the end of this journey for me as a believer always ends in VICTORY and being united in heaven with my Abba Father.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-29340737407376429732010-05-10T20:30:00.000-07:002010-05-10T20:30:39.653-07:00Reasons to Celebrate!I have so many reasons to celebrate this weekend. Of course, Sunday was Mother's Day, and I have the privilege of celebrating the opportunity to be a mother to my three blessings: Megan, Kyle, and Caleb. They are such an amazing gift! With the help of God, I want to live a life that leaves them a legacy of faith, and is an example of the life-changing grace of God.<br />
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Mother's day is also a wonderful day to celebrate my own Mom, another of God's precious gifts to me. I remember the first few weeks at home with my sweet Megan. I wasn't prepared for how much work being a Mother really is. I remember having no idea how I was supposed to get my tiny baby from sleeping in my arms to sleeping in her crib. My sweet mom stayed up many a late night with me helping me to get things figured out. She has continued to be a blessing with her help, her godly advice and gentle encouragement. I love her dearly!<br />
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I also am celebrating the amazing gift of life. A year ago I had my liver-transplant surgery. It was the beginning of renewed health and optimism as well as tremendous spiritual blessings! Sunday was exactly a year later, and everyday I marvel at how much energy I have! God has used this experience to change my life in so many many ways. I never want to forget God has done. I pray that he will keep using the things that I experienced through the last year to change me and continue to make me into his image.<br />
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And lastly, I had the opportunity to celebrate by enjoying some time alone with my husband! We spent Sunday night in Rochester. I had an appointment in the transplant clinic Monday morning (which went very well). My parents generously agreed to watch our little ones while we had a one night getaway! I soaked up the peaceful time with my husband without the little ones to interrupt conversations. It was sweet and wonderful and I loved it!<br />
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All of these precious gifts are from the hands of my heavenly Father. I cannot claim responsibility for any of it. All I can do is praise God for his mercy and his grace in my life. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him! <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-81321185771084840152010-05-10T19:54:00.000-07:002010-05-10T19:54:30.809-07:00God's Word Protects Our HeartsOver the last several weeks God has been teaching me about how important it is to be careful with my mind... Impressing upon me the need to be careful, not just for my sake, but for the sake of protecting my children's purity and innocence. Our pastor has had several messages lately in which he has briefly touched on the fact that the world's philosophies are wrapped up in pretty little feel good packages and made to sound great, but, when it comes right down to it, go against what the Bible says.<br />
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Then a friend of mine published an article on her blog, <a href="http://amomentcherished.blogspot.com/2010/04/preserving-their-innocence.html">A Moment Cherished</a>, about protecting our children's innocence and I enjoyed some good discussions in the comment section about what it means to protect our children's minds from the evils of this world. I was reminded of how God protects and shelters us, and how He desires us to soak up light from his Word for when we are full of light it is easy to see the darkness. <br />
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Of course on Mother's day both our pastor, and our Sunday School teacher touched on the fact that as parents we need to make what we are trying to teach our children real in our own lives. I was also reminded how easily it is for our hearts to be slowly pulled away from God. It happens without us even realizing it at times... It's a slow fade...<br />
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Romans 16:17-19 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.<br />
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Hebrews 2:1 We must pay more careful attention therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. <br />
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God is still working in my heart about how this is to be manifested in the workings of our family. For the time-being he has impressed upon me the need to really be a student of His Word, and to be very careful about what I read by mere men because it is so easy to be led astray by flattering words and feel-good philosophies.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-2447962479584080752010-04-22T20:38:00.000-07:002010-04-23T03:41:45.640-07:00More Baby Shower Fun: The FoodAs promised earlier this week, here is the menu and recipes from the shower. Samantha and I got together on Friday and spent the day baking and preparing our refreshments. That was almost as much fun as the actual shower! All of the food was very very good, and we received lots of compliments and requests for recipes. I think a good recipe deserves to be enjoyed, not hidden away in my recipe box, so I'm happy to share them!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">The Menu</span>:</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPb5sMhfIniyx4u2NlaQ4Q5_cTOS1PjOMJgXMTcAd8LrwyzYea6i9jDQq2a8jY6U6c-bcm_m9teOT-Lp2szCEWK1g2M4cdXzCPHUWV4OjLyX7wM3OBWY_5F3250EkWwruHAuTTJoVrLXM/s1600/pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPb5sMhfIniyx4u2NlaQ4Q5_cTOS1PjOMJgXMTcAd8LrwyzYea6i9jDQq2a8jY6U6c-bcm_m9teOT-Lp2szCEWK1g2M4cdXzCPHUWV4OjLyX7wM3OBWY_5F3250EkWwruHAuTTJoVrLXM/s320/pizza.jpg" /></a></div> Breakfast pizza (the shower was at 11 a.m.) purchased from a local pizzeria and cut into triangles to dress it up a bit. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWo5f7MupOpc6YoKhCK_KDxLX564QGI2YXIh6n1JSOiyrl3a5xDWeyEDJwYePA7ZkKxesIeAKigqnZSJnUdf7wnxo9EAF1xSPK3KeJQ7_T8Cep_-B2un-XH16X_BXo3iupue2HzWSt6s/s1600/freshfruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWo5f7MupOpc6YoKhCK_KDxLX564QGI2YXIh6n1JSOiyrl3a5xDWeyEDJwYePA7ZkKxesIeAKigqnZSJnUdf7wnxo9EAF1xSPK3KeJQ7_T8Cep_-B2un-XH16X_BXo3iupue2HzWSt6s/s320/freshfruit.jpg" /></a></div>Fresh fruit: grapes, strawberries, and apple slices.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcL2Gz84kobS_C1fiyxgRuJvv1wkM3FsXRrGHfjFfBOmSO4lsRBW5CR-eRUoPDZ6vc3caWDqjo0HqOvJqCZayh3k7cnezQeEbjLxxo74p6K2k3sNgEOLy4FUPvTVbkfRRSr9dw2a7yKho/s1600/veggies+and+peanut+butter+dip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcL2Gz84kobS_C1fiyxgRuJvv1wkM3FsXRrGHfjFfBOmSO4lsRBW5CR-eRUoPDZ6vc3caWDqjo0HqOvJqCZayh3k7cnezQeEbjLxxo74p6K2k3sNgEOLy4FUPvTVbkfRRSr9dw2a7yKho/s320/veggies+and+peanut+butter+dip.jpg" /></a></div>Veggies, apple slices, and Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip. This peanut butter dip is amazing, and healthier than most dips. It is great with so many different things. Pretzels, mini rice cakes, apples, bananas, veggies... I'm sure there is more that would taste good with it that I haven't thought of yet.<br />
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<b>Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip</b><br />
1 cup Vanilla flavored yogurt<br />
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter<br />
1 tsp vanilla <br />
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Mix all ingredients together until smooth and serve with your favorite fruits and veggies.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnTpfof1f46wr5iqU07YDVQuyj3EPBlQxM_5l9oU2Er8GsqipKKLt81flGjTAIRQuwNrNLzwVr0LQq8E1drAZH7zXnLp_LFCcEyhz16nEaAM0SnwPY0ONASSSv4Zix7ClMsth8u6E-p0/s1600/stickybuns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnTpfof1f46wr5iqU07YDVQuyj3EPBlQxM_5l9oU2Er8GsqipKKLt81flGjTAIRQuwNrNLzwVr0LQq8E1drAZH7zXnLp_LFCcEyhz16nEaAM0SnwPY0ONASSSv4Zix7ClMsth8u6E-p0/s320/stickybuns.jpg" /></a></div>These sticky buns are AMAZING! I mean, the best I have ever had by far. Mmm.... I'm getting a craving for them right now just thinking about how good they are.<br />
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<b>Easy Sticky Buns</b><br />
16 frozen bread dough dinner rolls<br />
1 lg pkg (or 2 small) cook & serve vanilla pudding (NOT instant)<br />
1 cup brown sugar<br />
1/2 cup margarine<br />
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The night before place frozen roll dough in greased pan. Mix pudding, brown sugar, and melted margarine together and spread over top of frozen dough. Let rise overnight. Bake in the morning at 350 for 20-30 minutes. Turn sticky buns out of pan upside down while still hot or they will stick in the pan. These are just as good cooled as they are warm.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxukfgs5k5lQO9dgeocm1K8F0jDWfw33heNpD9QsLbPcfELAfdZzZ7vDsGomIFcJoiPa3EEcZpBAx6Y9WKwKlLnbTVbV9KY_PTXwOQv4p04AGmbFTMBifEAmDgh35bJbqq-v1nP2BeRSg/s1600/frozenfruitcups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxukfgs5k5lQO9dgeocm1K8F0jDWfw33heNpD9QsLbPcfELAfdZzZ7vDsGomIFcJoiPa3EEcZpBAx6Y9WKwKlLnbTVbV9KY_PTXwOQv4p04AGmbFTMBifEAmDgh35bJbqq-v1nP2BeRSg/s320/frozenfruitcups.jpg" /></a></div>These frozen fruit cups were a great cool refreshing treat. These would be great to make and keep in the freezer for the summer as a healthier alternative to popsicles.<br />
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<b>Frozen Fruit Cups</b><br />
6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed slightly<br />
6 ounces frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed slightly<br />
11 ounces can mandarin oranges, drained<br />
20 ounces can crushed pineapple, drained<br />
20 ounces frozen strawberries (2 pkgs), thawed slightly<br />
10 ounces frozen raspberries, thawed slightly<br />
3 to 4 bananas (more if desired), diced<br />
4 cups ginger ale (more if desired)<br />
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In a very large bowl, mix all ingredients together. With a measuring cup, fill individual plastic cups with mixture. Place cups on a flat surface such as a baking sheet. Cover loosely with wax paper and freeze. Thaw at least 30 minutes before eating. (note: if you don't thaw them a little they will be hard as a rock and very difficult to eat)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoc6Dch_zMHeo4H4PCLw3VDAKEaPf7hQdJokAbgmkxW_fIeytxJmZ9LBGJXj9_K-tMTrGeQ_aaZAHaGPpZzUskUzagY-Hd2k2YVRQ-ugRPmIYKHYAD2D7ZyNa4rhoCku2H46iHym7PR8/s1600/cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoc6Dch_zMHeo4H4PCLw3VDAKEaPf7hQdJokAbgmkxW_fIeytxJmZ9LBGJXj9_K-tMTrGeQ_aaZAHaGPpZzUskUzagY-Hd2k2YVRQ-ugRPmIYKHYAD2D7ZyNa4rhoCku2H46iHym7PR8/s320/cupcakes.jpg" /></a></div>Instead of doing a typical shower cake, we decided to make cupcakes. We made a batch of Pillsbury Funfetti cupcakes, and used store bought icing tinted blue with chocolate sprinkles on top. We also made a batch of Rich Chocolate cupcakes with store bought chocolate icing and little white sprinkles on top. I don't care for chocolate cake mixes so I found this recipe. I thought it turned out very good, although I think I overcooked them slightly. I have a much harder time telling when chocolate things are done since I can't easily tell by the color.<br />
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<b>Rich Chocolate Cupcakes</b><br />
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour<br />
2/3 cup baking cocoa<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar<br />
1/2 cup butter or margarine<br />
2 large eggs<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
1 cup milk<br />
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Mix dry ingredients, add wet ingredients one at a time. Mix well. Pour 1/4 cup batter into muffin cups. Bake @ 350 for 18-20 minutes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfetWfhWG94eKOsG3Lolyz4074IeWkGT3nPzSWh-YaBsk_wgfgiEQI0fHXHLuGxztp2zGIjNWeFhFB6z2SgKJSjbTbEF6PLqREEbQb1eGjMp8QsBiDKDUoxlPXRTNAqbCCP_oTDGhx0OY/s1600/candies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfetWfhWG94eKOsG3Lolyz4074IeWkGT3nPzSWh-YaBsk_wgfgiEQI0fHXHLuGxztp2zGIjNWeFhFB6z2SgKJSjbTbEF6PLqREEbQb1eGjMp8QsBiDKDUoxlPXRTNAqbCCP_oTDGhx0OY/s320/candies.jpg" /></a></div>And to add the finishing touch to our table, Aunt Laurel made these cute little molded candies. I'm not sure you can tell by the pictures, but they are in the shape of booties and pacifiers. They looked absolutely perfect and were the extra little bit of teal that our food table needed. I don't have the recipe for these, although I believe she just used the little melting wafers that can be found at most craft stores. Aunt Laurel also made the cutest little feet cookies to give out as the favors. Unfortunately, I don't have the recipe for those either, but I may have to ask her for it because they really were very good!<br />
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So there you have it, our party menu. We had 32 people at the shower, and we had more than enough food. However, I did have a mini panic attack the morning of the shower and sent my husband to the store to get more, but I shouldn't have worried, we had plenty with lots left over.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-11790243598334265192010-04-19T13:14:00.000-07:002010-04-19T13:14:27.979-07:00Baby Shower FunOver the last several months I had the privilege of planning a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Holly, with Sam, our other sister-in-law, and Anna, a friend of the mom-to-be. I think I have found my second calling in life: to be a party planner! I thoroughly enjoyed choosing a color scheme, making invitations, planning the refreshments, surfing the net to find fun shower activities, and shopping for festive party supplies. I also got the chance to get to know my sister-in-law, Sam, a little better and discovered that we see eye to eye in many things and get along really well!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUld5F3-key3BwM5_etW58JzLORiuOP9uRgf0_zcDgNomv65CBN8qpXhIMh0VmJgfX8ULjslGLlR8OpP3ggccnT3G3Id8mlShiQHmEoe5FT9H4U_pFx4fo2JxWDw_iJ3bgIoP1zvwv_yw/s1600/baby+shower+committee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUld5F3-key3BwM5_etW58JzLORiuOP9uRgf0_zcDgNomv65CBN8qpXhIMh0VmJgfX8ULjslGLlR8OpP3ggccnT3G3Id8mlShiQHmEoe5FT9H4U_pFx4fo2JxWDw_iJ3bgIoP1zvwv_yw/s400/baby+shower+committee.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Pictured: me [in the black], Anna, Holly, & Sam</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Here is the mom to be, Holly. She's about as cute as any pregnant mommy gets! Holly's expected due date is about 4 weeks away. I can't wait to meet little Luke! I just love the anticipation that comes along with pregnancy, don't you?!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6XwiVyvusZuZNMF0UfCkiCNyGtZAhfQkZyvnn6fyn9HSlsNVNX3ItICL7tmQrmqJAhGfwesp8-_UAYD3XcHscgV4gdc_FnWK5pSxjILoHi7V4y7Y9cAGTdm6B6fN51Ggwr2PSCVN7HU/s1600/holly+our+guest+of+honor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6XwiVyvusZuZNMF0UfCkiCNyGtZAhfQkZyvnn6fyn9HSlsNVNX3ItICL7tmQrmqJAhGfwesp8-_UAYD3XcHscgV4gdc_FnWK5pSxjILoHi7V4y7Y9cAGTdm6B6fN51Ggwr2PSCVN7HU/s400/holly+our+guest+of+honor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We chose teal and brown for our color scheme. Although we really didn't do much decorating aside from the food table. (Menu and recipes to come later this week.)<br />
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The centerpiece of the shower was my special project and my pride and joy: the diaper cake! {grin}<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmlqM-2sxIfwEUPQzrnQCFj1RkxBvN6hprojdTdaMvs6Urhqu4IyljL_aExv3_-qnDIBPLc63V3lC68tVTi7RKstuftJ0_basRTWDP_0QTPzcP1BtRodL6XDtu7nCyQmz8EdJiQs9biw/s1600/diapercake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmlqM-2sxIfwEUPQzrnQCFj1RkxBvN6hprojdTdaMvs6Urhqu4IyljL_aExv3_-qnDIBPLc63V3lC68tVTi7RKstuftJ0_basRTWDP_0QTPzcP1BtRodL6XDtu7nCyQmz8EdJiQs9biw/s400/diapercake.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I dislike it when children are excluded from family activities such as showers and weddings. They are as much a part of the family as anyone else. They want to, and deserve to be a part of these special occasions. So of course Megan came along. She was very good, and she enjoyed herself so much. Not to mention, she won the <i>how big is the mom-to-be's belly</i> shower game! We had just over 30 people there, and the 5 year old was the winner! She was so excited to win the little prize, which was a March of Dimes bracelet purchased for a $1 at Motherhood Maternity.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7YOcqTvAWm-RC2gikL5MjLFMT9R6RSAAK1xxczqgjczc7sAGUUo3yRamcunblIJau8pMkyiKf6P-qh1NNxGFv9Yuaq5TTMAwRuVof5dw5LliBRlAzjoyqh6KrbTxGCW73vZs-9k1iK0/s1600/Megan+watching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7YOcqTvAWm-RC2gikL5MjLFMT9R6RSAAK1xxczqgjczc7sAGUUo3yRamcunblIJau8pMkyiKf6P-qh1NNxGFv9Yuaq5TTMAwRuVof5dw5LliBRlAzjoyqh6KrbTxGCW73vZs-9k1iK0/s400/Megan+watching.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Megan helped clean up the wrapping paper and tissue paper from all the packages Holly opened. I thought she was putting it into a large garbage bag, but apparently she decided to dump the garbage bag out in Holly's bedroom and just keep adding the papers to the pile. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_DJ87vftAtagqpKBx-8uK8_HMT4l-g1OX0aMzU1pzGA7OCdBrwmNA2JCI0P7zjkUhnMLgf_TzOLpkDDyH4ASokQZ2Hi09MyZXsRNLYiQLSfaYsN_Lq5eh7KExkzJ2TsXByMfFB_guj4/s1600/tissue+paper+exploded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_DJ87vftAtagqpKBx-8uK8_HMT4l-g1OX0aMzU1pzGA7OCdBrwmNA2JCI0P7zjkUhnMLgf_TzOLpkDDyH4ASokQZ2Hi09MyZXsRNLYiQLSfaYsN_Lq5eh7KExkzJ2TsXByMfFB_guj4/s400/tissue+paper+exploded.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The shower went off without a hitch and was a definite success. Holly's little baby will be well clothed and bathed, and he will ride in a stylish travel system (stroller & car-seat), and sway in an adorable plush swing. Not only was she well-supplied, but she also felt well-loved, which is exactly what we wanted!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-44019344061472159842010-04-12T13:52:00.000-07:002010-04-12T13:52:43.259-07:00Girl After My Own Heart<div style="text-align: center;">This is what I found wadded up in Megan's pocket: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6w6q13qxj4-Qg1xW_yNmdyUUsvrqy7UpOzDHGXVxS6M6gpU7Wiox2jJMun1b2AAVqzNEghOA3lvPFG8AdmuAF05pH3MHb82ajALDz5b6qmPgtOSlifsGKZHgHfmZpE5ARTwuR52a4Fps/s1600/102_3136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6w6q13qxj4-Qg1xW_yNmdyUUsvrqy7UpOzDHGXVxS6M6gpU7Wiox2jJMun1b2AAVqzNEghOA3lvPFG8AdmuAF05pH3MHb82ajALDz5b6qmPgtOSlifsGKZHgHfmZpE5ARTwuR52a4Fps/s400/102_3136.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strike>Weeds</strike> Flowers & Chocolate! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPfg10CXuG3_5DxygamhtXwqqVkPfLXlzZRwpUnZIW4DDeB-PrHD0SQoAXflqJyzviSnCSfo-Vr-wP49UFM8dpk1QtKCWJYY5cDHJxjwHTf2E9KUViapnJfXRuikMxpd7D_R2XgL38_c/s1600/smelltheflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPfg10CXuG3_5DxygamhtXwqqVkPfLXlzZRwpUnZIW4DDeB-PrHD0SQoAXflqJyzviSnCSfo-Vr-wP49UFM8dpk1QtKCWJYY5cDHJxjwHTf2E9KUViapnJfXRuikMxpd7D_R2XgL38_c/s400/smelltheflowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She's a girl after my own heart! {grin}<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> </div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-192944928791448622010-04-08T19:32:00.000-07:002010-04-08T19:32:35.696-07:00It's Party Time!<a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/16471/ultimate-blog-party-2010-is-coming/"><img alt="Ultimate Blog Party 2010" src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k210/5m4m/buttons/events/blog_party_banner_horiz.png" title="Ultimate Blog Party 2010" /></a><br />
<br />
A good party has to have good music! This may not be your typical party music, but I sure do love this song!<br />
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<br />
<b>Here are a few of my favorite things! </b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">I love flowers and gardening. I have a very friendly black an white kitty named Dexter. I love to hear my 3 children play the kitchen pots and pans in their homemade kitchen band. I am so glad that my Mother-in-law taught me to knit nice soft hats and mittens to keep their precious little fingers and ears warm! And I will admit that I enjoy opening a present once in a while as well! Who doesn't?! :) These are a few of MY favorite things!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/melissalinn/kyleicepopmegandoll020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/melissalinn/kyleicepopmegandoll020.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/melissalinn/fishkissing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/melissalinn/fishkissing.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimu9N5I4DSOEvDmQbis8xsCSeH6O1BTm1wA27tnQb2pP0eEL0r7XuvU2ocu1x7iTSCeyC6RmR_kR2l1TMEUZeUr0AUHeqEqLNBhX1V7dDZ_lKbDmTAUuD_1UhCa_XDMhd8SmZefJ5BXF0/s1600/calebfeedingdexter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimu9N5I4DSOEvDmQbis8xsCSeH6O1BTm1wA27tnQb2pP0eEL0r7XuvU2ocu1x7iTSCeyC6RmR_kR2l1TMEUZeUr0AUHeqEqLNBhX1V7dDZ_lKbDmTAUuD_1UhCa_XDMhd8SmZefJ5BXF0/s200/calebfeedingdexter.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: #073763;"> </span><span style="color: #073763;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">I have fond memories of warm summer days horseback riding with my sister for hours when we were girls. I find it so satisfying to bake sweet treats for my family. The doorbell on my house is probably the loudest doorbell known to mankind and scares the bejeebers out of me whenever anyone rings it. I love to take my kids sledding on cold snowy days. I try my hardest to cook homemade healthy meals for my family. I have a wonderful husband who hunts geese, and many other types of wild game. These are a few of MY favorite things!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/melissalinn/weddingpics2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/melissalinn/weddingpics2012.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2h5e75F_H4-yiC3nND4s4N-nql35ZTmw2uIZT1wjKHDZMZoLiQUUZqfQwMqkJvAAF0IZRuuFqrmdCiu6l4AGTFCjqLzWXv_ujpCmvSOmyOwKHNNlNPNKQJsViQtvZnxVUte6ixHJX3Y/s1600/oatmealraisincookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2h5e75F_H4-yiC3nND4s4N-nql35ZTmw2uIZT1wjKHDZMZoLiQUUZqfQwMqkJvAAF0IZRuuFqrmdCiu6l4AGTFCjqLzWXv_ujpCmvSOmyOwKHNNlNPNKQJsViQtvZnxVUte6ixHJX3Y/s200/oatmealraisincookies.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">I love the pretty little white flower girl dress with a blue sash hanging in my closet which my daughter wore in her Uncle Drew's wedding. I always get excited for the first snowfall of winter, and even more so now that I have my precious children to share the moment! I enjoy big snowstorms, but I am always so ready for the first warm days of spring, and the first few little flowers coloring the dreary landscape. These are a few of MY favorite things! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegeuYP5FK_pa86ktFt0qYCtWKOmDlxSa-R7nLfqyCSl5RYf7gnlnRS-84ML9GHYJf-8rjFVdQ98XJdFIXnI0MtDiqlkiUFzHxRsCfIqjv1VndWyBoVC4192zc2euuD1ZKvQth1O_6bQk/s1600/spring+crocuses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegeuYP5FK_pa86ktFt0qYCtWKOmDlxSa-R7nLfqyCSl5RYf7gnlnRS-84ML9GHYJf-8rjFVdQ98XJdFIXnI0MtDiqlkiUFzHxRsCfIqjv1VndWyBoVC4192zc2euuD1ZKvQth1O_6bQk/s200/spring+crocuses.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/melissalinn/snowbabies007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/melissalinn/snowbabies007.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: #073763;"><br />
I have experienced my share of "dog bites and bee stings" in life, and sometimes I can become discouraged or afraid, but then I remember the blessings that God has graciously given me, and then I don't feel so bad!</span><br />
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<b>I'm so glad you joined my party, and I hope to see you again soon!</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-29451723839739270402010-04-02T14:48:00.000-07:002010-04-02T14:48:15.252-07:00Our Easter Party & Egg HuntToday was the big day! The day of our Easter party and egg hunt with my friend and her 5 children. My kids were so excited! I told them that the party was at 1 o'clock. Then explained that 1 o'clock is after lunchtime. So, of course all morning they asked if they could have lunch so their friends could come over and we could have our party. Afterall, they had seen me preparing since Wednesday when I filled the eggs, and then licked their lips as they watched me make bird nest cupcakes on Thursday. They could hardly stand the waiting!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5f_iiZgiBi9fgvko40TLmScmdxuB06lNb4gr3fKRly2I8djdsH43IBdb8obtqkSOrve8LsVveu21hUvZJU2qYXDZfNR_eQuXksUQyJ1h4EIziz41BZVO90tUnuYSD0JFTab0diha49o/s1600/birdnestcupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5f_iiZgiBi9fgvko40TLmScmdxuB06lNb4gr3fKRly2I8djdsH43IBdb8obtqkSOrve8LsVveu21hUvZJU2qYXDZfNR_eQuXksUQyJ1h4EIziz41BZVO90tUnuYSD0JFTab0diha49o/s400/birdnestcupcakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Didn't these cupcakes turn out so cute?! They were very easy to make. I just used a regular cake mix and store bought icing. Then icing was tinted a very light pastel green. I sprinkled on the chocolate sprinkles, and put three peanut butter m&m's in the center and voila, little bird nest cupcakes!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAooUhCrNDYMb55qX0fArHJPB3aYcOExH3KSZrtMF2kO5Wwd8v0SHYo2oXy5TBHR4ucuXQMmoRPIS9i8V0iiX8VEvpWNZ6tdxn4Eev-oGCFkQocCU9ttS3D8Seun139K2VNAA6oiLHYRQ/s1600/calebhunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAooUhCrNDYMb55qX0fArHJPB3aYcOExH3KSZrtMF2kO5Wwd8v0SHYo2oXy5TBHR4ucuXQMmoRPIS9i8V0iiX8VEvpWNZ6tdxn4Eev-oGCFkQocCU9ttS3D8Seun139K2VNAA6oiLHYRQ/s400/calebhunting.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Caleb enjoyed collecting the eggs with the help of various aunts, grandma, daddy, or whichever other adult or big kid was willing to help. His favorite part was eating the cupcake. We even had a 'special' cupcake reserved just for him... because he'd already claimed his by licking half of the icing off one this morning!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88ykjDIp6Tl8aROmjDzlzjHzACSUyR4wEFE8hflaaSqN_1UIz3S-14DdoWaFWXesc_sZ0fnyfNdcFsMWrwIooNlvzvoeVIPsrPaamo9MOpna1irgm9fYNbWASVvO_zL5KNDsqfKcQTRw/s1600/caleb+chocolate+and+boogers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88ykjDIp6Tl8aROmjDzlzjHzACSUyR4wEFE8hflaaSqN_1UIz3S-14DdoWaFWXesc_sZ0fnyfNdcFsMWrwIooNlvzvoeVIPsrPaamo9MOpna1irgm9fYNbWASVvO_zL5KNDsqfKcQTRw/s400/caleb+chocolate+and+boogers.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Mmm! Chocolate and boogers...what a combination! {grin} <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_M-rlL1cgeydZiGpW-85VgEeVLSEvJTcCSbyWDcU7aI71WkN5GkaoIumjfWpdAu7SDwYgTLGTJLfOxRPXukwF6oHaE-Ry0nNwDZyVDF7UWmsnvF_xvuQvA49r6hYxxI_xOh5FZ2jl-8/s1600/megan+found+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_M-rlL1cgeydZiGpW-85VgEeVLSEvJTcCSbyWDcU7aI71WkN5GkaoIumjfWpdAu7SDwYgTLGTJLfOxRPXukwF6oHaE-Ry0nNwDZyVDF7UWmsnvF_xvuQvA49r6hYxxI_xOh5FZ2jl-8/s400/megan+found+one.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Megan could not stop looking in her bag at all the eggs she found. She is so very enthusiastic when it comes to fun activities like this. I just love to hear her squeals! It is such a blessing to have a little girl who is so happy and loves life! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7DtIEMdhjOQPFtDDmsJjQBuB4vKXsGaBKoILy6YiDU45T3kvtGGSavPifHQMhMjqJxfxn1SN-Rt2zz7ePzBaREps9C25bB1GfngAUuEfaC73-LHjCrd0AFG4NpOU8t8kF2Pi1vNpyHw/s1600/kyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7DtIEMdhjOQPFtDDmsJjQBuB4vKXsGaBKoILy6YiDU45T3kvtGGSavPifHQMhMjqJxfxn1SN-Rt2zz7ePzBaREps9C25bB1GfngAUuEfaC73-LHjCrd0AFG4NpOU8t8kF2Pi1vNpyHw/s400/kyle.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Kyle was the typical competitive boy. He ran around like a man on a mission. By the time we had found all the eggs he was red faced, hot, and sweaty; and ready to rest for a bit and enjoy his cupcake and water.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhE8BJahtMYKiLjUPuC_V6XtIL4CE58qMO_T_9pIZ9LuIjQ6YhFKkT-KIh0QzFtTuTpEu66R-G4lDEpOTi1btVpqNgm-tp00OpyG95qgm81-LllxM1Oig4U97nMrs3BH-VAb9bfRuHffo/s1600/memegsnkyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhE8BJahtMYKiLjUPuC_V6XtIL4CE58qMO_T_9pIZ9LuIjQ6YhFKkT-KIh0QzFtTuTpEu66R-G4lDEpOTi1btVpqNgm-tp00OpyG95qgm81-LllxM1Oig4U97nMrs3BH-VAb9bfRuHffo/s400/memegsnkyle.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
After the egg hunt we all sat down and I went through the story of Jesus' death and resurrection using the resurrection eggs object lesson idea that I found <a href="http://b1g1bargainsblessingsbananas.blogspot.com/2010/03/simple-resurrection-object-lesson.html">here</a>. Egg hunts are fun, but I don't want the kids to forget the reason we celebrate Easter in the first place! I took a ton of pictures, some of which I'll share another day, and some I won't be sharing in order to respect the privacy of my friend and her children. I had so much fun planning our little party! And I am thrilled that it was a huge success all around. I've decided this will be our new family tradition! I can't wait to do it again next year, and I'm even more excited because we'll have a new little nephew to join our little egg hunters!!!<br />
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Happy egg hunting to all!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-76484235885118001252010-04-01T07:53:00.000-07:002010-04-01T07:53:56.007-07:00Kicking Off Spring Break With Pumpkin WafflesToday is the first day of Spring Break! I am looking forward to some extra time with my kiddos. I have all kinds of fun plans, including an Easter egg hunt with the neighbors, baking activities, trips to the park, and spending few days at my parents house with my family.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC3ZFZnJRezgGf6PasWkRwvrcLpfXT-asQrC_w9UhcdNNm7YZyDVarhMyL9oWa64YN1m7i9k52fa63mc48ZZbaFk6fCmlB4S1nBYYo_GQir-oAbEEi68gRYc_HFxOrPOQ81pO9_mw5Uw/s1600/pumpkinwafflesbatter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC3ZFZnJRezgGf6PasWkRwvrcLpfXT-asQrC_w9UhcdNNm7YZyDVarhMyL9oWa64YN1m7i9k52fa63mc48ZZbaFk6fCmlB4S1nBYYo_GQir-oAbEEi68gRYc_HFxOrPOQ81pO9_mw5Uw/s400/pumpkinwafflesbatter.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Today we slept in until 8 o'clock. Well, the kids did while I soaked up the extra hour of quiet. When they awoke I tried my hand on a new breakfast recipe to kick-off their little vacation. I found a recipe for pumpkin waffles on my favorite internet recipe site, recipezaar.com. I made a few changes to it because I didn't want the spices to be overpowering, and it was a HUGE success! Absolutely Delicious. I'm still licking my lips from it! Mmmm!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBhyphenhyphenK9-zDb9jVl2zslxB0_qa1iWw057qhoIgh_k_od2o6n-A0dbXOwiGixuk8vMZcmvMgXeqoMuyZ7zpllOwfk6LscsBLWaZHzsfPFa4YFXwNh_eycaSrVKt9HsM786h-naL7nv1IOZU/s1600/calebpumpkinwafflesedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBhyphenhyphenK9-zDb9jVl2zslxB0_qa1iWw057qhoIgh_k_od2o6n-A0dbXOwiGixuk8vMZcmvMgXeqoMuyZ7zpllOwfk6LscsBLWaZHzsfPFa4YFXwNh_eycaSrVKt9HsM786h-naL7nv1IOZU/s400/calebpumpkinwafflesedited.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I did decide, however, that I need a new waffle iron... Either that or I am going to have to make the batter into pancakes instead because my waffle iron is losing its nonstick quality. Getting the waffles out of the iron was quite a pain in the butt!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_XCeGrEPpx2xN-Qee6VcqKadGqNUEC2aUecIxbjbcb_mrrSAaXgGBR0jAD-9-UMRt97z82QA0dsVsrMEt_8bRhOHEAUcqZDw1uquUwVy8QKogCazjUOBdsdhjHNGJ7CblrV54K5hE-A/s1600/kylepumpkinwafflesedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_XCeGrEPpx2xN-Qee6VcqKadGqNUEC2aUecIxbjbcb_mrrSAaXgGBR0jAD-9-UMRt97z82QA0dsVsrMEt_8bRhOHEAUcqZDw1uquUwVy8QKogCazjUOBdsdhjHNGJ7CblrV54K5hE-A/s400/kylepumpkinwafflesedited.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I was a little worried about how the kids would like them because they can be very picky when it comes to waffles and pancakes... For example, neither Megan or Kyle will eat them if they have blueberries or chocolate chips in them. {they're crazy} However, these were a big hit for everyone.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHMNEtjcoqfKiWJsRuqOE1daBlGA_KcMglY7B8MOzCX3sXMRJT7BX534itszsvJBZGfGsI2hLPPFgaDqZxIgvtgozDKWCVVd3axiH0PypCAGB32bLIgQuGRO_6F_kBhOwiPbid4YqFEE/s1600/meganwafflesedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHMNEtjcoqfKiWJsRuqOE1daBlGA_KcMglY7B8MOzCX3sXMRJT7BX534itszsvJBZGfGsI2hLPPFgaDqZxIgvtgozDKWCVVd3axiH0PypCAGB32bLIgQuGRO_6F_kBhOwiPbid4YqFEE/s400/meganwafflesedited.jpg" width="300" /></a></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pumpkin Waffles</b></span><br />
<h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Ingredients</span></b></h3>1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (I used half white, and half whole wheat<br />
3 teaspoons baking powder<br />
1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg<br />
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger<br />
1 pinch salt<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla <br />
2 eggs<br />
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar<br />
1 cup canned pumpkin puree<br />
1 2/3 cups milk<br />
4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled<br />
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<b>Directions</b><br />
<ol><li>Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt in large bowl.</li>
<li>In a second bowl, add vanilla, eggs, sugar, pumpkin, milk, and butter; beat well.</li>
<li>Gently fold in the flour mixture.</li>
<li>Cook according to your waffle iron directions.</li>
<li>They come out a deep golden brown. </li>
</ol><br />
Now that we are finished with our sticky breakfast bliss--->on to bath time!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br />
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Linked to:<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.goodtrueandbeautiful.com/category/just-for-the-joy-of-it/" target="_blank"><img alt="Good, True & Beautiful" border="0" src="http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv119/GTBSharon/Just%20for%20the%20Joy/JustfortheJoyofitcopy.gif" /></a></center>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-33207619480770437202010-04-01T04:40:00.000-07:002010-04-01T04:47:30.040-07:00Love & Respect: Chapters 5-7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHDaU8TZycO30_8IetNdik0locpnnzdxrkcTefjVPSmt4ka98xEoJUUVJvxzjS9vlWxRwLClSkpCfq3Umtbq_ngFIpSaje1I1LQwxzIwhyphenhyphenDC6CjKxz0FDQNWQ61Ymw0dIqHXjMWxijDE/s1600/loveandrespectpicture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHDaU8TZycO30_8IetNdik0locpnnzdxrkcTefjVPSmt4ka98xEoJUUVJvxzjS9vlWxRwLClSkpCfq3Umtbq_ngFIpSaje1I1LQwxzIwhyphenhyphenDC6CjKxz0FDQNWQ61Ymw0dIqHXjMWxijDE/s320/loveandrespectpicture.jpg" /></a></div>In these next three chapters Eggerichs attacks the fears that men and women have which keep them from attempting the Love & Respect solution. I am going to cover all 3 chapters in this post. I am going to concentrate on the reasons the wife withholds her respect, since I am a wife and that is what applies to me.<br />
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<b>Chapter 5: She Fears Being a Doormat; He's Tired of "Just Not Getting it"</b><br />
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<i>Who should make the first move? . . .You can't wait for your spouse to go first, even though it is preferable. All of us want our spouse to be the first to start doing the respecting or the loving. But can you afford to wait passively for this to happen, like some kind of neutral bystander? Can a husband wait for his wife to respect him before he becomes more loving? Can a wife wait for a husband to really love her so she will then show him respect? <br />
The fear, of course, is that you will show love or respect to your spouse, as the case may be, and get a bad response. So you tend to pull back, waiting for the other person to move first. But what are your options? Holding back your love or respect will just keep the Crazy Cycle spinning away, but being mature and making the first move could slow it down. (p. 74-75)</i><br />
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Making the first move is so hard! SO HARD! My pride level has to be taken down a notch, and this isn't an easy thing. If I make the first move because I think "I'm so mature" and the better person, my husband will see right through my hypocrisy and it gets us no where.<br />
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<i>Some wives fear that taking a respectful attitude during a conflict with their husbands will render them powerless. These women do not believe a husband will change into a loving man unless he is awakened to his flaws. And the only way he will awaken to his inadequacies and faults is to hear his wife's grumblings, corrections, and contempt... The typical wife knows instinctively that correcting and mothering her husband are not good ways to approach him, but what else can she do? If she keeps winning battles this way, it could help her win the war of changing him into the kind of man she feels he ought to be. She keeps on using negativity because she feels empowered by it. She thinks it gets through to him. She knows being nice doesn't get through to him because he just seems to ignore that. . . But over the course of the marriage, something slowly dies between them. She wins the battles, but deep down she knows she is losing the war. (p.76-77)</i><br />
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I can never change my husband. The only true change comes from the heart, and the only one with heart-changing kind of power is God. I need to stop trying to change my husband with my nagging, and criticism, and start being a wife of prayer. I need to give my control (which I've never really had, but sure have tried) over to God, and let him make my husband into the man HE wants him to be...something which I could never do. My job is to respect him as he is right now, with all his faults, and submit to him as my husband. Easy? No. Rewarding? Yes, I believe so according to what the Bible says in 1 Peter 3:1-6.<br />
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</b><br />
<b>Chapter 6: She Worries about Being a Hypocrite; He Complains, "I Get No Respect!"</b><br />
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<i>Obeying God's Word does not make a wife a powerless hypocrite. Actually, it makes her a woman who loves and reverences God. . . We are not called to change everything or everyone. We are only called to be obedient, and God will handle it from there.(p. 89-90)</i><br />
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<i>Trusting and obeying God's Word because we love and reverence God never, ever makes us a hypocrite! When the alarm goes off in the morning, we get up, even when we don't feel like getting up. Because we do what we don't feel like doing, does that make us hypocrites? No, it is a sign we are responsible people. Showing respectful behavior when we don't feel respectful is evidence of maturity, not hypocrisy. (p. 91)</i><br />
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<i> </i>Those statements were the only thing that really stood out to me in this section. This is not an area I struggle with mainly because my husband is definitely a man worthy of respect....<i> </i><br />
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</b><br />
<b>Chapter 7: She Thinks She Can't Forgive Him; He Says, "Nobody Can Love That Woman!"</b><br />
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<i>When you forgive him for being unloving, you give up your right to hold a grudge or be disrespectful in return. By forgiving you gain strength and freedom, and amazingly, in many instances you halt the crazy cycle. (p.103)</i><br />
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<i>Jesus said, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" (John 8:7). Do you know why Sarah can readily forgive me for being unloving? My mature wife has accepted by faith that, in the eyes of god, her disrespect is equal to my lack of love. . .Forgiveness comes when we see our own unrighteousness. How can we refuse to forgive an offense when we, too, have offended? (p. 103)</i><br />
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PRIDE...keeps me from seeing my sin, and makes me unforgiving to the sin of others, HUMILITY... opens my eyes to my true sinful self and lets me forgive the sin of others. Oh yes, I struggle with this. In fact I struggle with this so much that I have chosen to skip the next 7 chapters of the book. Why? Because they are purposely directed at husbands, and how they can show their wives love. I know how easy it is for me to read something like that and see every little thing that my husband isn't doing, and become frustrated and discouraged because he's not the perfect husband. Then nag and push him to be exactly like Eggerich's says he needs to be in the book and make us both miserable.<br />
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How do I know this so well? In the past I have been a reader of Christian romance novels. Although I knew the characters in the novels were fictional, and in most cases unrealistic, it planted the seed of expectation in my heart. I began to expect my husband to act like these dashing fictional characters who swept their wives off their feet, and never did a thing wrong. After reading those books I always felt a little disappointment and dissatisfaction in my marriage. It took me a while, but once I began to realize how the books were affecting me, I stopped reading them. I still enjoy reading fiction and don't mind a little romance mixed in with the story, but I try to be much more discerning in the things I do choose to read. <br />
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So, with all that said, I'm skipping over those chapters and moving on to Chapter 15. Starting in Chapter 15 Eggerichs writes about the energizing cycle and what the wife can do to keep it spinning by respecting her husband in specific ways.<br />
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Ah, but that is another post for another day... Right now it is time for me to get off the computer and get going for the day. Today is the beginning of Spring Break and I've got lots of fun activities planned for the next week and a half to keep us busy and keep them from getting bored and getting into trouble. I'm thanking God for the beautiful weather we are expected to have! I couldn't have timed this heat wave more perfectly!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-65211706608271848832010-03-31T14:52:00.000-07:002010-03-31T14:52:17.939-07:00Teaching My Children....HELP!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosqHzWg7Hit0RuFxc2SmYgNJTIZNz6VLI7Eigf1lhcf87kTQXeLGy5OcDAcWSChZ02m-XEpNq_UPvUJwIXzFpSH1t1EImJvEeblJ_3cQvf4AfT08_p5qLUGVwWv2QITDZQ5HXwp1hI3A/s1600/bible-open_phixr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosqHzWg7Hit0RuFxc2SmYgNJTIZNz6VLI7Eigf1lhcf87kTQXeLGy5OcDAcWSChZ02m-XEpNq_UPvUJwIXzFpSH1t1EImJvEeblJ_3cQvf4AfT08_p5qLUGVwWv2QITDZQ5HXwp1hI3A/s200/bible-open_phixr.jpg" width="200" /></a>God has not blessed me with the gift of teaching... especially when it comes to teaching children. I think it is so important to share my faith with my children, to teach them about God's love, and teach them their need for Salvation. However I am really struggling with it. I have such a hard time articulating these things in a way that they can understand. Just the other day I was talking about Jesus, salvation, and heaven with Kyle and after our conversation he decided he didn't want to get saved because he didn't want to have to die and go to heaven and have to leave his mommy. If it weren't such a serious important thing I would chuckle at his response, but instead it makes me very anxious that he's not understanding it. <br />
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Every other mother I know seems to have these things completely under control, or at least that is the impression I get when I talk to them or read their blog. Am I the only one who struggles with this? Do any of you moms who do have this figured out have any helpful advice? Do you have any good books to recommend,or online sites that are particularly helpful to you that would assist me as I try to 'translate' these important things to my children?<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-47914825854674847542010-03-30T07:25:00.000-07:002010-03-30T07:25:53.742-07:00Kid StuffThis morning Caleb came out of the bedroom sporting a pair of Kyle's underwear on his head. Knowing Kyle's tendency to not get all of his dirty clothes in the laundry hamper I thought to myself, <i>I wonder if those are clean?</i> So I called Caleb over, pulled them off his little head, and smelled them to make sure they weren't dirty. Satisfied that they smelled like clean laundry, I placed them back on Caleb's head and said to my little bugger, "It's fine with me if you want to wear underwear on your head as long as they are clean underwear." <br />
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A few minutes later I found myself chuckling over what I'd just done. Some days I am quite amazed at the bizarre behavior that seems to come with the territory of being a mom. <br />
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Yesterday Tom and I took the kids to get their pictures taken. I am very pleased with the results! The kids behaved so well. I do think it was their best behavior in a portrait session to date. I won't show all the pictures here right now, but I wanted to show these two pictures. I just thought they were so funny! It was the progression of peekaboo...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJek2NeEB4zVJePQjGBc5BYrItcHs5rq9KqxGvePg9YmFyQJ9i2BxKPqgpMdCqLXaxZ_ivyCTJ-lw65EDdUCtWdR1oZTyvyy66WWWIfCPr3CYyh6dI4EUKK8bXjfB-dB_yMDni6PF1-gM/s1600/flowerboxiseeyou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJek2NeEB4zVJePQjGBc5BYrItcHs5rq9KqxGvePg9YmFyQJ9i2BxKPqgpMdCqLXaxZ_ivyCTJ-lw65EDdUCtWdR1oZTyvyy66WWWIfCPr3CYyh6dI4EUKK8bXjfB-dB_yMDni6PF1-gM/s320/flowerboxiseeyou.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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By the way, their adorable Easter outfits were gifts from their Grandma & Great-Aunt Laurel! If you read this... Thank You!!! And thank you, God, for the nice weather in the forecast for Easter so I don't have to feel too guilty about dressing my boys in shorts in the beginning of April!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-66231811226116900022010-03-29T18:14:00.000-07:002010-03-30T07:24:56.450-07:00God Thinks of Me!I think it is just amazing and wonderful when I can look back over a series of events in my life and see how God has orchestrated them for a certain purpose. This happened just within the last few weeks when God brought along certain changes which led to me being unexpectedly plopped into a new study at my church. The book we are studying is called "When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances". Carol Kent tells the story of her unthinkable circumstance and how the grace of God sustained her and strengthened her faith. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iQfoSQ8NKTcSBoxMrVmrghbxQ3_SUIhpCvd8spq7ajGo1rJb-NpdcX9x2oZzC0_-scuFWhIQpOVIHDV8h0aNtsKy3F8OJCSIjUHM1_FCxqWmzkzc2Fb87B-FglXW_ht2xiJnwhwHONw/s1600/whenilaymyisaacdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iQfoSQ8NKTcSBoxMrVmrghbxQ3_SUIhpCvd8spq7ajGo1rJb-NpdcX9x2oZzC0_-scuFWhIQpOVIHDV8h0aNtsKy3F8OJCSIjUHM1_FCxqWmzkzc2Fb87B-FglXW_ht2xiJnwhwHONw/s200/whenilaymyisaacdown.jpg" width="200" /></a>I have been through my own personal unthinkable circumstance this past year with my liver transplant. In many ways it will never truly be over. There is not a day that goes by without thinking about this wonderful gift that makes life so uncertain. Every twinge I feel I wonder if something is going wrong, if my body is trying to fight the very thing that is allowing me to live. I am over the initial shock, but there is still a battle with fear, and trust, and faith that I fight daily. Because the circumstance surrounding this fight is out of my control, it has sent me to my knees and I have experienced such a strengthening of my faith, and trust in the One who saved me. <br />
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My experience and Carol Kent's experience are totally different, yet the things she writes could have come from my very own heart. I feel as though this book was written with me in mind. The topics we have read and talked about within our group have blessed me, encouraged me, comforted me, and pushed me further into the embrace of my sweet Heavenly Father.<br />
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I am so blessed to know that God is thinking of me... He knows the deepest struggles of my heart better than even I do, and He knows that I need this study. Wow! He's got the whole world to think about, yet he takes the time to think of little unimportant housewife Melissa. I mean, WOW!!!! God thinks I am worthwhile! There is nothing that fights my insecurities better than experiencing my Father's love!<br />
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And right now I am feeling completely overwhelmed by it!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-71492883535183524832010-03-26T21:44:00.000-07:002010-03-26T21:51:19.122-07:00Storing Up Treasures... Me? Nah.... A neighbor of mine came over recently and asked to borrow my hand mixer. I only have one mixer...a little mixer which we received as a wedding gift. I barely use it, I don't even really like it, but I had a very hard time handing it over...as if I wouldn't be able to get by without it {rolling eyes at myself}. Oh, I let her borrow it, and even acted very sweetly toward her, but my heart sure wasn't in it. Last week I read these verses in my devotional time, and God reminded me of how grudging I can be with my possessions.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #134f5c;">Proverbs 3:27-28 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. </div><div style="color: #134f5c;">Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—when you now have it with you.</div><br />
Then last Sunday in our Adult Bible Fellowship we discussed the use of worldly wealth, and the folly of hoarding it and/or making worldly wealth and possessions our idols. <br />
<h5></h5><div style="color: #134f5c;">James 4:17 through James 5:1-6 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.</div><br />
<div style="color: #134f5c;">Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. </div><br />
Yesterday I read an article on yahoo about the average middle class family. I realized that although my little family is far below middle class by American standards, I am so rich and so blessed! God has done that for me! Love, contentment, satisfaction, joy! These aren't based on the wealth of this world, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father who is giving me abundant life... and by the way, who also happens to own the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalms 50:10). <br />
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On to the events of today and those leading up to it...<br />
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Over the past 6 months we've had problems with our 'good' vehicle. To the point that we had to take it off the road and stop running it. Unfortunately Tom tried to fix it before Christmas, but the problem was bigger than what he had originally thought. At that time we didn't have the money to repair the bigger problem. We did the only thing we could. We had to let the truck sit while we waited until God would provide the money for us to fix the rest of the problem. About 6 weeks ago Tom sold a little junky Toyota 4 cylinder pick-up for 700.00. This was the money we were going to use to fix our truck, and oh how I prayed that it would be fixed within that 700 dollar budget. We took it to the shop of a friend of ours. He 'diagnosed' what he thought was the bigger issue, and we were praising God because it was going to be under budget. We ordered the parts. They were on back order so they didn't arrive until this week. <br />
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Today our mechanic friend called and apologized while breaking the news that the engine block is cracked. No longer an under 700.00 dollar fix....not even close, and we are left with a very broken vehicle for which we are still paying the loan.<br />
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God is good and has not left us without resources. I did our income taxes and we are getting a return that will allow us to do what needs to be done. However, I had plans for that income tax money and it did NOT include fixing the truck. Among other things, I was dreaming of some lovely updates to my kitchen, including new flooring and some fresh paint. I did my best to convince my husband of changing how we were planning to use the income tax money (even with the truck broken down) in such a way that would allow me to still do the kitchen, but he disagrees. <strike>Unfortunately</strike> I do believe in submission even though it's not <strike>ever</strike> always easy. I tried to convince my husband that we could use our return in a certain way (not getting the truck fixed) which would still let me get my updates, but still he does not agree with me. So begrudgingly I am following his lead. Although I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I had the adult equivalent of a 2 year old temper tantrum about it toward my husband and toward God. <br />
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Earlier this week I didn't think I had much of a problem with this 'storing up treasures' stuff.... Ha! There is nothing like an unexpected circumstance like this to make a girl see her wicked heart that is trying to store up earthly treasures! So tonight I am reminding myself that God is my source of joy, not new kitchen flooring. I'll admit I'm not completely over it yet, but I'm giving it to God and I am praying that God will change my bad attitude. <br />
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<h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="UIStory_Message" style="font-weight: normal;">----------------------------------------- </span></span></h3>I just have to add that I'm amazed at how God worked out the details of all these things. Even tonight, as I was listening to music with my iTunes music player, the song 'One Thing' by Jonny Diaz began playing. Another little reminder from God. Isn't He so amazing, and so kind and patient in His teaching?!<br />
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<div class="lyrics">I bought my ticket and I paid in cash<br />
I thought that this time the ride would last<br />
And lead me to what I am looking for<br />
<br />
I see the world as it rushes by<br />
But nothing new is grabbing my eye<br />
Just everything that I have tried before<br />
<br />
Maybe I've been looking in the wrong place<br />
Maybe I've been thinking that the world will <br />
Fill me up full enough but it never works that way<br />
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There is just one thing that fills me up<br />
One thing that's true<br />
There is just one thing that satisfies <br />
That one thing is You<br />
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Show me everything I did not see<br />
While I was searching the world for what was right in front of me<br />
So much wasted wasting time <br />
<br />
I see that I've been headed down the wrong track<br />
Now I don't wanna ever go back<br />
To the way it was all because <br />
You're all I'll ever need <br />
<br />
I’m tired of settling for this world and its bitter dreams<br />
There's nothing here that satisfies like You</div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-88752585087143536492010-03-25T20:26:00.000-07:002010-03-26T13:32:09.073-07:00What It Means To Be Loved<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/melissalinn/hospitalpics/megannewborn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/melissalinn/hospitalpics/megannewborn.jpg" /></a></div><br />
At 32 weeks pregnant the doctors said Megan had a 50/50 chance of survival. <br />
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10 days later they said it was just a brain abnormality after all. Nothing life-threatening. How it would affect our precious baby, we didn't know. <br />
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Before she was born I was already completely in love. That bit of scary news didn't change a thing for me.<br />
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Megan was born 3 weeks early on June 2nd. Perfect, beautiful and a tiny 6 lbs.<br />
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Megan was diagnosed officially with Dysgenesis of the Corpus Callosum at 6 weeks old. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkXkIEGnCyQWFrEDENf4WcGOn6TjUbo88knKbgeMYNwyilefvmxzf2Kfh2ObTyxqrt3D5gboFTyK0udCKTUYQ-WI4orSTdrFCG6M001zUpQWYQWxcgFlT896tn6ykJqp_p-_Ju9Y36II/s1600/megsnkyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkXkIEGnCyQWFrEDENf4WcGOn6TjUbo88knKbgeMYNwyilefvmxzf2Kfh2ObTyxqrt3D5gboFTyK0udCKTUYQ-WI4orSTdrFCG6M001zUpQWYQWxcgFlT896tn6ykJqp_p-_Ju9Y36II/s320/megsnkyle.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Megan has challenges to overcome anytime she learns something new, but she is persistant... and always joyful! She is a treasure to our family!<br />
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My prayer as Megan's mommy is that she will know what it means to be loved. Not just by her daddy and I, but by our loving Heavenly Father who knit her together in my womb, saw her life before we had even thought of it, and says she is fearfully and wonderfully made. She is special!<br />
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<i>For five months and eight days my wife and I had waited </i><br />
<i>Gettin' ready for our baby girl </i><br />
<i>But when he called the doctor said I need to see you </i><br />
<i>and could you come in soon </i><br />
<i>then something died inside of me to sit with him and hear </i><br />
<i>the tests that said our baby may not live to be a year </i><br />
<i>then turnin' to my wife and he said "whata you wanna do?" </i><br />
<i>and she said... </i><br />
<i>I wanna give her the world </i><br />
<i>I wanna hold her hand </i><br />
<i>I wanna be her mom for as long as I can </i><br />
<i>and I wanna live every moment until that day comes </i><br />
<i>I wanna show her what it means to be loved </i><br />
<i>so we spent each day, watchin' every minute </i><br />
<i>and prayin' for our baby girl </i><br />
<i>and I will not forget the way I felt that moment </i><br />
<i>when she came into this world </i><br />
<i>but they took her from the room just as soon as she was born </i><br />
<i>and watchin' through a window I could see her holdin' on </i><br />
<i>when a voice inside me said... </i><br />
<i>I wanna give her the world </i><br />
<i>I wanna be her dad </i><br />
<i>I wanna hold her close for as long as I can </i><br />
<i>and I wanna live every moment until that day comes </i><br />
<i>I wanna show her what it means to be loved </i><br />
<i>Well ever since the day </i><br />
<i>we got to bring her home </i><br />
<i>she's been out to prove the doctors wrong </i><br />
<i>oh and you should see her now </i><br />
<i>she's as pretty as her mom </i><br />
<i>and theres a boy at the front door waiting just to take her to her high school prom... </i><br />
<i>and he wants to give her the world </i><br />
<i>wants to hold her hand </i><br />
<i>and someday she may get a wedding band </i><br />
<i>but she's gonna live every moment until that day comes </i><br />
<i>and we're gonna show her what it means to be loved</i><br />
<i> ~Mark Schultz</i><br />
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Is it any wonder that I feel like this is <i>our</i> song?! <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-27699686112831265892010-03-24T11:05:00.000-07:002010-03-24T13:25:13.529-07:00The Meaning of Mom (Contest & Giveaway)<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL5NJFoWlgvZUedBcKzO01ugOOGIJ0c5tU58jXsoW14b6MryhyphenhyphenYVWab8OXTjnsyzwUZqRp8NUsI9QrIsP5WkJoshRpje-5A-tjIMkgmIcBqOZVRS3WHnmUjTOwJcAL02r7poUVTAe6B4/s320/meaningofmombutton.jpg" /></div><br />
Calling all mama bloggers! I need your help! So, to bribe you into helping me I'm going to host a contest...AND... a giveaway! This is a first for me and my blog and I have to admit I'm fighting my fears of this attempt ending in failure. Please help spread the word to make this a success. (I'm not ashamed to do a little begging...)<br />
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<b>Why do I need your help?</b><br />
I'm planning a baby shower for my sweet sister-in-law, and I am looking for something to read at the shower. I want something unique and creative... something that provokes our thoughts and emotions about mothering and motherhood. It can be something that lends itself to tears, or laughter. I want it to be something that people will talk about even after they leave, and something she will remember and treasure for years to come.<br />
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<b>The rules of participation:</b><br />
1. Write something... anything... about<i> </i>the topic of motherhood, and what it means to be a mom. (preferably something original to you.) <br />
2. Place a link to this contest page in your post.<br />
3. Leave your post link in Mister Linky.<br />
4. Contest begins today, and ends April 14th. <br />
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<b>The Prizes:</b><br />
1. I will give a 10.00 Borders gift card to the blogger whose post I choose to read.<br />
2. I will give a 10.00 Borders gift card to a participant chosen at random.<br />
3. I will highlight my favorites on my blog throughout the duration of the contest.<br />
( I may add additional prizes based on the number of participants.)<br />
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Thank you to all who participate!!!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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<script src="http://www2.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?owner=melissalinn&postid=24Mar2010&meme=5068" type="text/javascript">
</script>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887402307257384302.post-42686082635495185962010-03-23T08:48:00.000-07:002010-03-23T08:48:10.995-07:00Rebuke Noted<div style="text-align: center;">I believe this was God's gentle way of rebuking me this morning. </div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Get off the computer. There are more important things!"</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/111/207760A72500BD4098444BEC9C54E7A0.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441766598211586159noreply@blogger.com15