Our Thanksgiving...

Well, our Thanksgiving was extra special this year because Scott ran in his first race ever! He ran in the 10th Annual YMCA 5k Turkey Trot in Bel Air, MD. Scott joined six others from our church in the run. Some ran, some walked. All week long prior to the run he kept trying to convince me that I should just stay home. He said things like, "it's going to be cold, icy, icky..." Yeah, I'm from Wisconsin, so like that's going to work on me! Natalie and I just bundled up and cheered him on!!

Here is Daddy getting Natalie ready for the day. It was about 630am Thanksgiving morning.














Scott just after registration.


















Here's the whole gang. (Front - Robert Butler, Sean Forrest, Amy Stevenson (our fabulous church secretary), Donna Bosmeny (our senior pastor's wife), Back - Scott Ball, Tom Butler, Pastor Alan Bosmeny (our senior pastor).)














Our little family - The Ballroom













The Elkton First Pastoral Team - Scott (worship/technologies/creative arts), Sean (youth), P. Alan (everything else!)


Natalie was so sleepy!



The runners get going...



As they ran we went back to the car and ate a snack. On our way back we came across this giant turkey. Natalie loved it!!!














I tried to catch everyone as they crossed the finish line, but I missed Sean, so I took this picture of him waiting across the way for the others in our little group. He gave me the heads-up as they approached the finish line.















Here comes Scott!!!!! (Sean was great about cheering everyone on!)

















Pastor Alan and Scott ran almost the whole way. They stayed together and only stopped once or twice. Here they are crossing the finish line together.














Ooooo....It was a tough run for Scott!!!















Here's Robert...















And Tom...















This guy!!! You would not have believed this guy!!! Do you remember the soup nazi from Seinfield? Well, this guy was the race nazi. He was yelling at people as they approached the finish line...."Women to the left! Men to the right!" He would actually try to physically stop people from crossing the finish line if they did not have a registered number! It was crazy!!!




Here come Donna and Amy... They walked the 5k, but decided to run the last little bit! Go Girls!















Here is the post run picture. Everyone looks a little less energetic!














On our way home, Natalie fell asleep.


Meanwhile we got stuck in Thanksgiving traffic on I-95. So we listened to Arlo Guthrie's infamous hit, Alice's Restaurant.


This is a bona-fide Hawaiian license plate.


We're bored in traffic. The people in the car next to us were laughing at us. I tried to take their picture, but traffic finally started moving and they zoomed off.


One of the bridges we cross frequently and an all too common toll booth.




Another unique license plate that is rarely seen across the country. Notice the tag line at the bottom of the plate: "Taxation without representation."


Natlalie woke up and took off her socks and boots.



So that was our Thanksgiving morning! In the afternoon we went to Amy's daughter's house and joined their family for dinner. We had a wonderful time and ate lots of yummy food! Mmmm.....turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and macaronis? Yes, we ate macaroni prior to our grub-fest. (Amy's son-in-law is 100% Italian.) Overall it was a wonderful day!!!

A lesson on Blessing and Cursing...

Saturday afternoon I went grocery shopping by myself (a miracle) and was loading the groceries into the car when I knocked my purse over. I picked it up, put it back into the car, and finished loading my trunk. I returned the cart and headed home. As I was pulling into our neighborhood I reached for my phone to call Scott to come help me carry groceries in. My phone was gone! I ran inside and told Scott. I was fraking out. That phone is my life. It has all my numbers and stuff in it. It's the only phone I have. I mean we don't have a home phone! So anyway, we hopped in the car and headed back to the store. I realized that it must have falled out of my purse when I knocked it over. I ran back into the store, but no one had seen it or turned it in. I looked all over the parking lot and found nothing. I was so mad by this point! I just knew that someone took off with it and I began praying down curses on them. Yes, you heard right. I did say curses.

I was so mad! That is my phone! MY phone! My cute little PINK phone!! That phone belongs to ME. I belong to God, thus my phone belongs to God which means that no one can just walk off with it! I spent all afternoon cursing the person, praying that their life would fall apart until they returned my phone. I was so mad--like a holy indignation because that is MY phone--GOD'S phone. Meanwhile, back at the ranch... Scott had called he sprint people and suspended the service on thephone so that no one could use it--my way of cursing them even more. He started looking for a new phone FOR HIMSELF. He actually told me that I could have his and he would get a new one! Ha! That boy! I gave him a really hard time about that one. How is it that I loose my phone, but he's the one that ends up getting a new one? He even bid on one on ebay! The phone hadn't even been missing for an hour yet!!!! My tech-savvy man...how much I love him!!!! I was convinced that my phone would be returned to me because it belongs to the Lord. I just knew that the person who took it would be so miserable with it that they would return it just to get rid of all the misery.

Back to the story...so we all pile in the car and head to our friends' house for dinner. On the way I start to wonder out loud if it's right that I am cursing. I told scott that I have never done that and I kept asking him if it was right. It somehow didn't feel right. I asked him if I have the authority to bring down curses. He laughed and said, in his wisdom, "why don't you bless them?" My wise response: WHAT! Are you kidding me?! How in the world can I bless them! THEY TOOK MY
PHONE!!!!! But he was right, and God majorly started to convict me. So I repented right there in the car and began to bless them. It was not heartfelt AT ALL, but you speak things as though they were, right? So, I spoke blessings as though I meant it. I started to feel better right away.

We had a wonderful time at our friends' and when we got in the car to head home, Scott told me to call the grocery store to see if anyone had turned in my phone. So I did and lo' and behold THEY HAD MY PHONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We drove right there and all the while I am screaming and shouting praises to Jesus' name! Natalie joined in and even Scott did a little. They did! They had my phone. They had God's phone!!! Scott believes that the phone was there all along, but that God kept it hidden while I cursed and the minute I began to bless them he released my phone. He's on to something, I think!


HA!!! What a day!!!

Wheeeeeeeewwwwww!!!! I still can't believe how easy that was!!!!! What a hard way to learn such an easy lesson!!! Of course I got my phone back!!!! God is so good!!!!!



THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful with the words you use. Words are powerful and have the ability to bless AND curse.

A man who loves to curse will receive curses in return... "He loved to pronounce a curse— may it come on him; he found no pleasure in blessing—may it be far from him." Psalm 109:17

"The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked." Proverbs 10:11

"Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked." Proverbs 10:6

Cursing one another will only cause you more pain in the end. Cursing brings violence and wickedness. The heart ceases up and looses it's ability to love. You need to keep your heart soft and set on the things of the Lord. The Bible is very clear what will happen if you do otherwise.
"'If you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor my name,' says the LORD Almighty, 'I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor me.'" Malachi 2:2

Here it is--as plain as day...

"DO NOT REPAY EVIL WITH EVIL OR INSULT WITH INSULT, BUT WITH BLESSING, BECAUSE TO THIS YOU WERE CALLED SO THAT YOU MAY INHERIT A BLESSING." 1 Peter 3:9

The Mommy's New Boots...

Yeah, so, I got these new boots the other day. They're Ugg-wanna-be's, Ugg-abees, if you will. And well, I have been wearing them pretty much non-stop since I brought them home! They are by far my most favorite shoes I think I have ever owned. You see, I hate wearing socks and with these puppies I won't have to open my sock drawer all winter! I have even traded in my old ratty leopard-print slippers that I have had for 7 years for my beautiful Ugg-abees. Every once in a while though my feet get a little overheated. (It has been rather warm lately. Like yesterday it was something like 67 degrees! Yeah I don't really miss Wisconsin weather too much!) So I'll slip them off and lo' and behold who do I find wandering through the house with my little Ugg-abees?! Yep. It's Natalie! She just cannot stay out of my shoe closet!! I do believe that she already has surpassed my own shoe fetish, and she's only 18 months old! So, guess what she's getting for Christmas. You guessed it! Her own pretty pair of Ugg-abees. She's still going to want mine, isn't she?!

"Baby... Baby... Baby... Baby..."

So this morning we had a lovely breakfast at church for all the beautiful ladies. We had a wonderful time. The food was delicious. The company was pleasent, and the Word from the Lord was timely. What a treasure we have to be able to gather together and fellowship in His Name! God spoke so much to my heart. So much. I want to shout from the rooftops what He has done and is doing in my life. Although I feel that at this time, the story is still unfolding. When I feel that the Author is finished with this portion I will shout from the rooftops what He has done in and through me. Soon, maybe...

You know it's can be a scary thing, this stuff of trusting COMPLETELY! Not scary like I'm fearful, but scary--"Oh my gosh! I can't believe this is happening!" We can have the heart of Christ and know the nature of God, but we will never know the inner workings of the mind of Him. Deuteronomy 29:29 says that "the secret things belong to the LORD our God..." There will be things in our lives that we will wonder about. We may never know the answer because they are to remain secret. That's just the way it is. Deut. 29:29 goes on to say that "...the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law." There are things that are for us to know and be accountable to. As God reveals things to your heart, pay attention, remain teachable, and above all, follow His promptings! Don't let yourself get to the point where you are saying I shoulda, woulda, coulda. Take His Word and hide it in you heart. Take the Word of the LORD given through the prophetic and chew on those. Weigh them against the Word of God. Does the Word confirm something God has already been working through with you? Go to God Himself and ask Him to speak directly to you concerning the Word, and then be open to hear HIS voice, not just what you'd like Him to say. You're life counts and YOU MATTER! God isn't trying to make your life harder on you. He is actually trying to make it easier. Faith comes when everything tangible fails. Miracles happen when we take our hands off and invite God to move as He pleases.

So, Lord, I take my hands off and invite You to move in me as You see fit. Take my life and let it be consecrated to You. Everything that I am is Yours for the taking. Mold me. Shape me. Move me. Teach me. Have Your way in my life and in the life of my family.

Hashoo.

"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...