"I Just Got a Job!"

Ok, so I just got a call from my girlfriend, Donna (she's also our senoir pastor's wife). She is the HR director for a educational company in Baltimore. She asked me if I would be interested in grading papers from home for her company. The pay is only $7 or $8 an hour, but that's more than what I make now. I was dumbfounded and for a moment was completely speechless. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I said yes, of course I would love to grade papers. She said ok and we hung up. I looked at my parents and Scott and said, "I just got a job!" I'm still totally stunned!

I am consitantly amazed at how God moves and directs our lives. We open up our lives to Him and He cares for us. He just plops things in our laps sometimes. His blessings abound and never cease to amaze me!

A Day With Nana and Papa...

Natalie went with Nana and Papa today for the whole day to Lancaster County. It was a nice respite for me to have the day to myself. Scott and I had lunch at Chili's and then we went to the Apple store. I ran some errands and cleaned up the house before settling in to make a few books.

I think that Natalie had much more fun than I did. My parents wanted to go to Lancaster County, PA today to find some significant places in the Martin family ancestry. (I will tell you more about the adventure into the Martin history in another blog.) Natalie thought they were taking her car, but there wasn't a whole lot of room for Nana and Papa's stuff.


So Natalie decided to just walk...


Bye!!!

Ok, so now they are ready to go. Say CHEESE!

Their day included visiting some graveyards were our ancestor who first came to America in 1732 are buried. Natalie helped push the stroller.

She was fascinated by the gravestones (sounds a little morbid, huh?).

And here we have a diaper change in the middle of a graveyard, which is in the middle of a corn field.


They stopped at a little Farmer's Market where Papa bought Natalie a big pumpkin and a little pumpkin.

Natalie is washing her "Pup Pup's" face after dinner.


All in all, they all had a blast! Natalie was so good and Nana and Papa treasured every moment in their hearts. Mommy had a nice day "off" too.

This is Me.

I'm Melis, and this is me in a nutshell:

I grew up in Wisconsin. Lived there for 18 years (except for a 2-year stint in Indiana) before heading off to Bible College in Minnesota. I thought I would meet my husband there, but that was not the case. I actually met him when I went home for the summer after my first senior year.

This is my man 3 weeks before we met. Hot, right?, except for that blasted 'stache! I met my man in 2000 when he came on staff at my home church as the Worship Pastor.  We got married the next summer and we stayed in WI for the next 5 years. 

Along the way I had a girl-child and finally moved from my hometown to the East Coast. I quickly discovered that I was meant to live on the coast. I love, love, love living here and hope to never leave. Over the past two years I've been pregnant 3 times with only one of those ending with a baby in my arms. The man-child was born this past spring.  I have been blessed to be at home with my children since before my oldest was born.  God has been very good to us along the way. 

Every once and a while I'll get an hour here or there when I get to step away from my role as Mommy, Wife, or Pastor's Wife and I get to just be Me.  During those precious moments I like to read, write (blog), hang with my girls doing whatever--coffee, shopping, movies, spa days, anything.  I'm a blog junky!  I love to read them, write them, wish I could design them (anyone want to help me???).  I contribute to the coolest Mommy blog out there.  It's called I'm a Lazy Mom and is based on the idea that being a lazy mom is preferable to being a crazy mom.  I would love to write for more blogs.  Maybe someday someone will even pay be a bit for posting.  Oh and don't even get me started on my full-blown addiction to Facebook.  I had a fleeting fling with Twitter, but now it's all Facebook.

One of my greatest passions in life is seeing women find wholeness and healing through an honest relationship with God and with one another.  I serve my local company of women through the Exectutive Board of Destination: excellence, an exciting cutting edge ministry to women.  

I have a great many dreams of future ministry and life.  I would love someday to write a book or books.  I'd also love to travel and speak into the lives of women.  In the meantime I am just enjoying everyday life with the most amazing family and friends!  I absolutely love my life.  I love my rockin' little family more than anything in this world.  We are simply the coolest group of people you will ever meet and my highest priority in life, second only to my relationship with Jesus.

So that's me.  In a nutshell.  I hope you'll come back often.  I love you.  You are a most precious creation of a loving God.

Are You a Book of the Bible?

This is me...


Go to www.quizilla.com/users/reflectedgrace/quizzes to see what book of the Bible you are.

(I stole this idea from Morlie's Blog page.)

Scott and the Transvestite...

So last night we were at the mall and Scott decided he was sick of his long hair. (I personally like his hair longer.) So we went to Penny's and Scott asked how long the wait was. The lady said it would be about 5 minutes. So I headed off to Williams-Sonoma (a virtual heaven on earth as far as I am concerned!). I was standing at the checkout just getting ready to pay and Scott called. He didn't say anything, all I heard was background noise. Finally he says, "Oh my gosh, I think I just did a really bad thing! Oh my gosh!" He met up with me a few minutes later and was breathless. So I finished paying and as we were walking out he began to tell me what happened.
It went something like this...
So Scott was sitting there waiting his turn for a haircut and saw a "guy" came out from the back salon. He went behind the counter and talked with the receptionist. "He" was dressed from head to toe as a women. He had a skin tight v-neck sweater and a short skirt on. His hair was fashioned in a short bob. He carried himself very femininely in spite of his five-o-clock shadow. Sooo...Scott, being the discerning person that he is, knew the moment he saw this "guy" that he would be the one to cut his hair. Without thinking he stood up and took off. As he walked away, the guy called out "Scott?" "Scott Ball?" But Scott Ball was all ready halfway out the door of Penny's and wasn't looking back. That was when he called me.
The way a person dresses and carries themselves says alot about who they are (or at least who they want people to think they are). Scott felt horrible and relieved at the same time. He was ashamed that he just walked out on the guy, but relieved that he didn't get his hair cut by him either. I couldn't believe it! How could you do that? How could you be so judgmental and prejudice? But then he asked me what I would have done if it had been me waiting for a haircut. Whoa...That's a good question! I honestly don't know what I would have done. I don't think that I would have had the quick reflexes or courage to just walk away like Scott did, but yet, I would have had a hard time letting the guy cut my hair too.
Pastor Alan has been speaking from the 23rd Psalm lately and just last week spoke on leaving behind goodness and mercy wherever you go. So I asked him, "did you leave behind goodness and mercy?" It's a hard call. The guy never met Scott. He didn't know if Scott had to leave for an emergency or maybe just didn't hear him call his name. But it doesn't really matter what the guy thought. Isn't it a heart matter for the believer?

So I ask you, what would you have done? Was Scott totally out of line? Did he leave behind goodness and mercy?

That's ELMO'S World!

La la la la.... Natalie loves watching Sesame Street after breakfast and before her nap. It's her routine. She knows it's coming and looks forward to it. This morning she was just relaxing on the couch with her nuky (only during Sesame Street, bedtimes, and car rides), baby, and burpie. I was cleaning the kitchen and just happened to look up. This is what I caught her doing.

She holds her burpie up under her nose like that when she's sleepy. But what I caught her doing was holding the burpie up to Elmo's nose on TV. I waited and waited to see her do it again so I could snap a picture, but she saw me with the camera and came running. The moment was gone.

Later, I looked up and she was dancing to the Elmo music on a water mat she has. She likes to watch the fish inside dance along.

The Pied Piper...

So yesterday at church, Natalie had a string of girls and boys following her around the entire church just like the Pied Piper. They all wanted hugs and kisses and to be acknowledged by Natalie. She walked up and down the rows of pews. All you could see was the top of her head and then a whole line of kids following. She talked to them the whole time. I guess she was telling them what to do or something like that! At one point, Scott asked Natalie to stop running in the sanctuary (remember the stitches!). So some of the other mothers asked their kids to sit down and stop chasing Natalie. So all these little girls (ranging in age from 5-10) sat down on the front row, and Natalie took her place on the bottom step of the platform and proceeded to "preach" to them. It was hilarious!
Then last night we went over to Tim and Suzie's for the Home Fellowship thing. Natalie had been absolutely out of control before we left. She was having meltdown after meltdown over nothing. Once we got to the Pope's she was happy as a lark! The kids had been at the Chambers and they weren't there yet. The second they walked in the door, they were asking "Is Natalie here? Where's Natalie? Natalie?..." And she was off with her trail of children behind her for the next 3 hours. Inside, outside, upstairs, downstairs, through the living room, on the deck...all the while Sophie, Taylor, Jordy following behind. I think that some of the neighborhood kids even joined in on the action. She was insane--totally oblivious to Scott and me. Running and screaming, having the time of her life. I have to admit, though, it was nice. We just sat back and enjoyed "playing" with our friends as much as she did.

$80.29 To Cure A UTI? For Crying Out Loud!!!

Can you believe it?! I woke up this morning at 630am to find that I have a bladder infection. I have had two or three in the past and so I knew instantly that I was in for a painful couple of days if I didn't go straight to the walk-in rather than waiting till Monday. Scott is playing in a golf tournament today so I packed up Natalie after we were all fed and ready to go. It took me FOREVER to find the clinic which was back off the road, and I never would have been able to find it if I hadn't called. UGH!
We walk in and there's the doctor. I later found out that he also serves as the receptionist, nurse, lab tech, and finacial clerk. Maybe just on Saturdays but it was still bizarre! He had me go back and pee in a cup which wasn't the easiest thing to do when you have a UTI and a Natalie standing there asking to have the "baba" that you are peeing into. He stuck some paper pH strips into the pee and then takes it back to the bathroom and flushes it. Then he came into the room and confirmed what I already knew. He gave me a Rx and sent me on my way (not before I shelled out $40 for a co-pay!!!!!! Can you believe that!!) The whole walk-in experience took us 10 minutes from start to finish. By the way, that did include the time it took to pull into the parking lot, get Natalie out of the car, walk inside, have the appointment, get Natalie back in the car, and head out of the parking lot!
So we headed to Walmart to get my medicine. Natalie insisted on one of those carts with the kid sits in front. They're about 20 feet long and a pain in the neck to steer. It wasn't that busy so I thought we'd be in and out. Yeah, that was a joke! The time that I didn't wait at the walk-in was made up waiting in Walmart. I got a few groceries, but even that was a chore. We stood for 20 minutes in front of the lunchmeat counter while the two ladies working stood talking about their kids. Meanwhile Natalie decides she want to get out of the cart and when I wouldn't let her, she threw a fit. She bawled her eyes out until we started moving again. UGH!!!
When I finally went back to the pharmacy, they told me that my insurance company had changed my Rx coverage and that I was no longer covered. UUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had some back and forth before they finally believed me that I always get my Rx with that car there at Walmart and have never had this problem! They were able to fix it, but my wonderful insurance company was so kind to pick up a mere $7 of my Rx. So when all was said and done...this stupid UTI has cost me $80.29 and a headache!! UGH!!!
WHAT A DAY!!!

About Last Night...

It went really well. Thank you to all who prayed with me for all the ladies. We probably had 25 - 30 ladies there. I didn't share any of what I thought I would...well, sort of, but not the way I had planned. It was really good over all. I really felt that what was said that evening by everyone who spoke was directly from the heart of God. It was a wonderful evening and I look forward to many more "About Face" evenings.
On another note, I talked to one of my best girlie friends tonight. I haven't talked to her in a while and it was so good to catch up! I miss her and her companionship. It's hard living so far away from the girlfriends that have been such a large part of my life at some very pivitol times in Melissa Martin/Ball history. God showed me before we even were offered the job here in MD two women that He had chosen to be my friends. It's so cool, because they have each gone out of their way to welcome me and be my friend. I look forward to many more friendships. I pray that they too will be a big part of my life to come. I long to have close girlfriends of the "BFF" sort that actually live near enough to go shopping with and have coffee together. Hello!
So here's a shout out to all my Girlies!
Blessings!

My Testimony...

Tonight I'm speaking at the "About Face." It's a ladies meeting thing we have every so often at church. We just started it and I guess it's going to just be a time where we can all come together and get to know each other. The wms executive board asked me to speak along with our youth director's wife. They wanted to hear our testimonies and the purpose God has laid upon our hearts. So for the last couple weeks since I agreed to do this, I have been praying about what to share tonight. I didn't want it to be all about me. I wanted to share with the women the word that the Lord would have for them. I believe that one of my purposes in life is to be the voice to God's heartbeat for women. I don't like talking about myself when I feel like I there are so many women that need to know their true worth in Christ and discover their own greatness as a daughter of the King.
In Wausau it was easier for me because Linda and I just did whatever we wanted to. We were the ones who planned the events and directed the flow of things. It was the vision that God gave us. I still firmly believe that God has given me a vision for First Assembly's women. I was going to say that it is hard coming from a place where you are the one making all the decisions to a place where you are basically bottom of the totem pole so to speak, but hard isn't the right word. It is just different. Not in a bad way, just different. I have been asked to co-lead the ministry to women and accepted. I am not sure to what capacity I will be used. The women's ministry is a well oiled machine that pretty much runs itself here.
I know that God has given me a simple message to bring to every woman I meet. He has given me ideas and vision of what to do to reach women. One of my most trusted friends and intercessor recently shared with me a dream she had about me. God speaks to this women and I listen to what He says. Through this dream He showed her that "you (me) are growing as a leader of women...you will be mentoring more women...your ministry is right before you." I was speechless when I read what she had written! As I read it over and over I cried. You see, it's like this: God gives you a glimpse of your life's purpose and so you head in that direction. He opens doors and you follow knowing that it is all in preparation for the future calling. Then suddenly the future is now and you are at the edge of the cliff ready to jump into everything you have been dreaming of and praying for for years. All the hard work and tough times have lead you to this moment in time....and you are scared to death to take that jump! You can't believe that you could possibly be ready. You were sure that the future was to be decades away and here it is, right in front of you screaming for you to come in. Do you hesitate and say, "Wait, God! I need more time!" or jump right in with both feet trusting that God know what He's dong even though things not be happening the way you envisioned they would? Well, that's where I am. There is no way I am going to sit still and let this pas before me, but that doesn't mean I am not still nervous. I still wonder why God chose me to do His bidding. But I know that God chooses those with whom He can mold and shape as He see fit, rather than those who have it all together.
So, pray for me. I long for each women to feel the kiss of heaven tonight. I don't want anyone going away thinking about me. I want them to leave feeling like the gorgeous, adored daughter they truly are.

Where do I begin?

It has been a while since I last posted. In that time our little family has been to Ohio and back. My sister came for a visit, and Scott had bronchitis. It's been a whirlwind of a couple weeks to say the least. So I think I'll just give the highlights from the last couple of weeks.
UPDATE: Natalie's stitches came out on Friday, September 2 while we were in Dayton. She did really good this time and only cried a bit while the doctor snipped them off. We were very proud of her! The wound has healed nicely. It is hard with scar tissue, but in time that will soften and fade.
We had a nice time in Ohio. Our vacations there are never really vacations because all we ever do is run from one place to the next visiting friends, family, and the malls. Natalie thoroughly enjoyed her time spent with mamaw and Papaw. She loved to run around their huge backyard and play with mamaw's exercise ball. She spent lots of time with her Great Aunt Debbie playing at Maw's with dolls and anything else she could find to play with (i.e. the new broom, Paw's cane, etc.). At Brooke's birthday party on Saturday night she had a blast with Brooke, Kristina, and everybody else. It was a very busy trip, but it's always good to go "home." I think we will always consider Wausau and Dayton "home" to a certain degree just because that is where we each grew up. (I will post some pictures from our trip if I can get them off Scott's computer.)


We were home a couple days before my sister came for a visit from Tennessee. We picked her up in Philly and spent the day sightseeing. Wee visited the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. It was fascinating! Definitely worth the time to see it. On Monday we packed up the car and headed to the beach. The last time we were there Natalie wouldn't dip a toe in the sand or the water, but this time, not only did she dip her toe in both, but she was up to her nose in the sand and drenched in the water. She had the time of her life! Aunt Jecca and Natalie spent a lot of time digging in the sand and playing in the waves. And of course we ate the whole time. We basically ate non stop the whole week Jess was here.

So anyway, life is busy and we love it. Our senior pastor and a bunch of guys from church went to Mexico on a missions trip last week which left Scott in charge and preaching 6 sermons! Ha! Can you believe it. He kept saying that he has exceeded his once a year quota for the next half dozen years! He was sick as a dog too! He could barely talk much less sing or preach at three services in one day. But the Presence of God was with him and he did fabulously! I am so very proud of that guy! Not only is he the best father in the world, but he is so good to me. I can be difficult to live with at times, but he loves me in spite of myself. I am so blessed! He even got up with Natalie this morning and lay in bed for a few minutes before getting up. At lunch today (every Tuesday after story time at the library we meet at McyD's for lunch and play) I was telling him about my fantasy fashion team and how with the my picks for the Emmys I had pulled into first place. I was super excited about it. (I'm not generally a competitive person, but the Fantasy Fashion League brings it out!) I didn't think he'd care too much, but then he started telling me about his fantasy football team and we both got so excited for each other. It was so cool...kinda dorky, but cool.

I guess that's about it for now. Keep me in your prayers. I am speaking at a Ladies Get-Together on Thursday night. Pray that I speak only what the Lord has to say to the women there. Here are a few more priceless pictures of Natalie.

GOD BLESS!

Natalie's favorite thing to do is walk in my shoes. She walked around all day in these spending most of her time in the kitchen where the shoes made noise.

I had moved Natalie's bed away from the wall because I was tired of listening to her pound on the wall when she couldn't get to sleep. One day I found her like this reading the books that are stored in the drawer below her bed.

I changed her diaper one day and went to throw it out only to find this...a crayon and the case to my iSight (my webcam). Hmmm...I wonder how it could have gotten there?

Natalie was sad because Daddy wouldn't pick her up. She insisted on ALL her babies and had her arms so full Daddy couldn't have held her if he tried. She was mad...
...And this is how she handled it. She threw down the babies and jumped into Daddy's arms! Ha ha ha! There are some spiritual insights into that...

She's in Stitches!

Those pesky litle stitches that are keeping Natalie's head together are actually quite becoming on her. I knw I'm partial, but she is so gorgeous even with the big old wound in her head! Here are a few more pictures from last week.
She gt her stitches out on Friday while we were in Ohio. I'll write more about that and our trip later. But for now...Enjoy!

I was blocking her view of Sesame Street...

She was finally able to have a bath. She REALLY needed one! So now she's nice and clean and ready to go with a Barbie band-aid....

DAY ONE

Morning:




Evening:



For being such a good girl while Mommy and Daddy fixed her boo boo, she shared a fudgsicle with Daddy, although when it was gone, she was not happy anymore!

Five Stitches!

Natalie continually surprises Scott and me! She is growing so fast and becoming a beautiful little girl. But, she is still our baby and we would give our lives for her. If it was possible, I would have cracked my head open on Sunday night to keep her from having to go through it. Yes. You read me correctly. Natalie cracked her head open on Sunday night after church on a pew. She was running up and down the aisles between Scott and me (he was up front, I was in the back). During her last run she tripped halfway up the aisle and went face first into the corner of the pew bench.

Scott and I both rushed to her. I got to her first and scooped her up. She holds her breath when she's really upset and when I pulled her back to tell her to breath all I saw was blood. It was all over her face, gushing out of a huge gash in her forehead. I panicked and just kept yelling, "Blood!" over and over. I was bawling...uh! So traumatic even now!

We went running out of the sanctuary and I don't know what happened next. It was all a blur. Someone took her from my hands (Scott, I think) and layed her on the ground to try to get the bleeding to stop. I just stood there crying, not knowing what else to do. There were people everywhere praying with me, for us, for Natalie. I think I would have passed out if a great man of the church had not been there holding me up, speaking scriptures and prayers into my ear. All I remember are her screams and his voice.

We weren't able to completely stop the bleeding but we buckled her up and went to the ER. Scott dropped us off at the entrance and we ran in only to find the waiting room filled with a line to the door of people waiting to just check in. We must have looked a sight. Natalie had blood all over her face and covering her shirt. I had blood on my face and down my neck from holding her. When Scott joined us he had blood all over his shirt. We were a mess!

FOUR AND A HALF HOURS we waited. Ridiculous! Natalie's "laceration" was an inch long and above her left eye. It was a good 1/8 inch deep. Deep enough I could see raw tissue. Ah! My Baby! She got five stitches and fought the doctors and nurses every step of the way. So much so, they had to restrain her in a papoosa (sp?), which is a sort of body board for babies. They wrap these wide straps around her to bind up her arms and legs and then take a bed sheet and wrap her up again so that she looks like a caterpillar in a cocoon. Oh..She hated that thing! The nurse then held her head with both hands. All I could see was her left eye . Every other part of her was covered (except her toes). She still squirmed enough that the doctor had to try multiple times to get each stitch in.

During this whole time of the stitching Scott held his breath. You know what that means! Yep, he started to pass out. He did make it to the chair before falling over, but wasn't able to stand up for a while. The nurse said something to him like, "if you fall over, I can't help you. You'll just have to wait till we're done." It was funny at the time and helped to break the tension caused by Natalie's category 5 screams. Once the switches were all in and Natalie was back in my arms, the nurse brought Scott some ice chips. Poor baby!

I never want to go through that again! It was so draining on this little family! I have to admit though, we surprised me. We all stayed relatively level headed and kept our wits about us. Natalie was in high spirits once she could forget about where we were and what happened. She was even able to laugh and play while we waited. I think she has handled the whole situation better than any of us.

So here we are after we got home. From time to time while we were in the ER I commented to Scott that I wish I had our camera. So many precious moments to capture for the scrapbook. He said, "or for your blog!" He's right on the money with that one! So I took a bunch of pics once we got home and have continued to snap a few ever time I change her bandages. I will post the daily pictures as I can.

Please continue to pray for Natalie and for Scott and me. We are doing very well, although Scott has become even more protective of her. He won't let her run or go up and down the stairs. It is really cute. He is such a softy and such a fantastic Daddy!

16 Months Old or 16 Years Old?

After lunch today, Natalie and I went outside to play. It has finally cooled off to a somewhat decent temperature of 86 degrees. It made play outside fun. Natlaie loves to play with her car. Today she decided to take her car out for a drive. Well, let's just say it is a very good thing toddlers aren't allowed to drive!


Before we can go anywhere, we have to get gas. Fill 'er up!

Ok, now we're ready to go! That's a great start!

Uh-oh! The car began to vear off the road and into the ditch. Luckily, Natalie was able to get out and redirect.

Completely disoriented by the accident in the ditch, she heads straight into the grass for some off roading!

But alas, even that is too much to handle. She's thrown in the towel and is headed out on foot!

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Let all who are listening...er, reading this know: The Emmys are only days away which means that you only have 26 days to grab your girls and form a Fantasy Fashion League of your own!

Think about it Ladies: Your husband is in the process of drafting his 7th team for fantasy football. Monday nights are consumed with PRE-SEASON games already. ESPN suddenly appears as your new homepage. What's a girl to do!? JOIN A FANTASY FASHION LEAGUE! and give your man some competition!

That's right girls, we have arrived! It's "the fashionista's answer" to fantasy football. It is based on the football concept, but is all about fashion - clothing designers, shoe designers, handbag designers, jewelry designers, and the celebrities who wear the fashion!

Go to www.fantasyfashionleague.com to sign up!


(I have received no financial benefit for this gawdy free advertisement.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY BIG MAN!!!!

Today is Scott's 27th birthday. He is one in a million, folks, a true gem. I am a blessed woman!
So Happy Birthday Baby. I love you oh so well.

Convoy of Hope

Rev. Rex Bornman of Convoy of Hope was at church yesterday. I have heard of Convoy of hope before, but was touched again by the ministry they do all over the world. I am amazed at the way God's people pull together to help those that would otherwise be left to rot by the world. So many times we turn a blind eye or look away all together to the hurting of humanity. But God's heart beats love for these people. The Bible is clear that until Jesus returns, there will never cease to be poor and hurting people. He did give us strict instructions though to care for these people. John 13:34, 35 says "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." When we look the other way or say to ourselves, "that's not my gifting," we are robbing ourselves of blessings beyond our wildest imagination!! We have to be givers! We have been given a great gift by the Father with strict instructions to give it away. It is Jesus in us. It's the gift that keeps on giving! Rex had a great thought yesterday, "God gives givers gifts to give!" When was that last time you gave of yourself to another human being? When was the last time you gave of yourself with no thought about what you would get in return? We cannot look the other way any longer! We have to love humanity for all it's worth! God treasures each and every person just like He treasures you! He wants all people to feel loved and valued! It is our job as believers to love the unloveable! We need to be lovers and givers of Life! Check out Convoy of Hope's website to see what you can do. The link to their website is to the right of your screen.

Ugh! Saturday!

Why is it that I am the crabbiest on Saturdays? Is it because I know my house should be cleaned on Saturdays or that my husband has to go back to work the next day, or because all I really wanted to do today was get a babysitter and go shopping with my husband buying whatever I wanted? Instead I stayed home and cleaned the house, rearranged Natalie's room for the 50th time since we moved here, made dinner and read a book. Oh yeah, I watched half of Guarding Tess and half of The Other Sister (and bawled my eyes out with the latter. I always loose it when she screams "STOP LAUGHING AT ME!!" My heart aches for her!) While it wasn't an all together bad day, I was just crabby. For no reason really but still too crabby to notice that the building next to ours was on fire. So much so that the Fire Department was here and now there's yellow tape around the building. I don't think I even opened the curtains at all. I vaguely remember hearing sirens and thinking to myself that they sounded awfully close.

Even though I had to clean the house today, Natalie was a good cleaning partner. She loves to "help" although her "helping" is actually beginning to help. She likes to hand me the silver wear when I empty the dishwasher. She likes to wipe things, and she vacuums with her vacuum. Today I did find her on the couch watching TV, though--a quick break she said. Now, believe it or not, she went into the living room, turned the TV on, and climbed onto the sofa all by herself. This is how I found her! No joke! - remote in hand! Is she her father's child or what?!

So while Natalie and I were cleaning and oblivious to the fire raging next door, Scott had a men's wedding shower to go to today. It must be an East Coast thing, because I have certainly never heard of men having a wedding shower. I've heard of co-ed showers, in fact I think we had one before our wedding. But the guys are always clustered around the food table talking football and totally uninterested in the new towels and bed linens. The whole idea just seems odd. I guess it gives those closest to the bride and groom another chance to celebrate their new life together. Being a bridesmaid over 10 times in my life, I do know the wonderful joy of watching your dearest friends in the excitement prior to the Big Day! It is a priceless feeling! In this case, the groom is the son of our new senior pastor. He and his bride-to-be are a wonderful couple full of the love of God. They really do deserve all the parties in the world! I just can't get over the oddity of a men's wedding shower. Can you imagine it! The groom opens a haphazardly wrapped set of drill bits only to squeal in delight. "Oh my gosh! I love this kind!! When I saw these in the store I just knew I had to have them!" I'm sorry. I shouldn't be making fun of them. Scott had a great time and some really good burgers! Hey...That's all you need for a good men's wedding shower!


The other day when we got home from the beach I started a bunch of laundry. I stacked up the naked pillows in the hallway outside the laundry room awaiting their trip to our bed. When I finished loading the washer and headed to return the pillows to the bed, I happened to find our little Natalina perched up on the pillows helping herself to a snack from the beach bag. She loves to sit on things that are close to the ground--her height. For instance, steps-no matter where they are- are always a great spot. Then there's Daddy's guitar case, pillows, stacks of folded clothes waiting to be put away, books, more pillows, toys, her Natalie sized chairs and stools, her desk, her car, and anything else that seems to be her size.



As you can see her size is fast becoming not so little anymore! She is definitely a toddler with all it's joys and sorrows. I just had to take a picture of her yesterday as we were getting ready to go to the library. It was the first cool (and I use that term VERY loosely) all summer. (I think the high was 84 or something, but humidity was low which made the difference.) She wanted to wear socks and her Strawberry Shortcake tennis shoes. She looked like a little girl walking around the house (except for the Nuk in the mouth, but I need something to keep my baby with me a little while longer!). I can't believe how fast she is growing!