In Case You Were Wondering...

I know you're probably really not, but I'll copy you Mer and post my "25 Random Facts About Me" for those of you who have been sitting around thinking "Wow - I really would like to know 25 random facts about Melissa...not 24 and definitely not 26, but 25 please."

Well for those of you, it's your lucky day.

1. When I was in the 4th grade, I was 4th in the state of Texas for free throw shooting (according to the Elk's Club)
2. An ideal vacation would be traveling to the poorest, most remote part of the world and living amongst its people and their way of life - no joke.
3. I tried out for American Idol's 2nd season in Cali...even worse, I auditioned with a Bjork song (in case you haven't figured that out already - big mistake).
4. On the same line of singing, my fame to claim is the National Anthem - have performed that one more times than I can count - impressed? didn't think so.
5. I HATE injustice...passionately and emotionally.
6. Think of the biggest dog lover you know, then multiply that by 1000, and you've got me. They tend to keep multiplying in our house because I have a compulsion of rescuing them...then keeping them.
7. If I'm watching a movie and a dog dies, I BAWL...if it's a person, I don't seem to mind as much (don't worry - I'm in therapy for this one).
8. I used to only want 2 kids and always wanted to continue working cause I loved my job...now I want at least 4 kids and there's no job better than being a mom (never thought I'd say that!)
9. If I drink orange juice, I have to drink it with a spoon - but only orange juice
10. When I was little and my mom wouldn't let me buy something in a store, I would throw a fit; when she would grab my arm to tell me stop, I would yell loudly "She's hurting me!!!" and drop to my knees like I was being abused. That's where the drama started
11. My nickname was "Drama Queen" (see #10)
12. When I go running, I think of how I am going to escape kidnappers if they try and abduct me
13. My story in Germany (high school) when I would go running was: "I am the daughter of the US Consulate in Germany and if you kidnap me, you'll have swarms of CIA agents on your ass!" Thankfully I never got abducted b/c I wasn't smart enough to realize they'd just use me for ransom then kill me when they figured out I was worthless...smart Melissa.
14. I used to call radio stations (delilah) and give sob stories so I could my favorite songs played...and hear myself on the radio - I was cool.
15. When I was little I would create Christmas pageants and force my little sister to perform them (she did everything I told her to).
16. I always knew I'd work with those less fortunate for a living...
17. I've eaten fried bugs before (in Africa)
18. I could live off Black Forrest Gummy Worms (must be black forest, though) or Johannesberren gummies (only in Germany - I stock up when I have layovers there)
19. I wish Jason could do the nine months of pregnancy and I'd do the labor/delivery part...wouldn't it be more fair if it could all be split up? And yes, I'd chose the labor part every time.
20. I have this knack for shrinking my husband's sweaters...I'm starting to think it's a talent
21. I can play about any song imaginable on the piano and most on guitar because I play by ear. I took piano lessons when I was younger but quit because I hated reading music and would go home and play what I heard my teacher play - I think this frustrated her. Now I wish I could read music better though...
22. I sang and performed a Britney Spears song for the cast of "Friends" at a taping...yeah, and then one Brad Pitt as one of all episodes.
23. And when I had a chance to meet Brad Pitt (rememeber this one Cory!), he smiled at me, I opened my mouth to talk, and NOTHING came out - yeah, I'm one of those now
24. I once let my friend Adri cut about 10 inches off my hair with craft sissors in Ukraine cause I was hot...i also let my sister do the same thing in high school, the night before Junior Homecoming (and I was on the homecoming court) - i'm impulsive sometimes
25. I rarely cry in front of people...when I feel like I'm about to, I pinch the fire out of my hand to distract myself.

Sorry

So you can't really see the comics...another reason why Monday's so aweful. It doesn't even wanna give you the chance to laugh. :(

Too Many Blues

That's Baby, Hubby, AND Monday blues. :(

How are you suppose to return to work in full swing after an unexpected week-vacation (pretty much a vacation, at least)? This Monday has got to rank up there with one of the worst ever. It's like "here - let me give you a taste of what it would be like to stay at home with the love of your life and your little bundle of joy for a week..." Then, BAMM..."Now let me take it away."

Simply uncool.

I mean, I'm grateful and all for the break, but it's left me wanting more, hating today, and missing my boys. So for all of you who share the same sentiments, try and find some humor like I did (note: it doesn't really work, but you can try it anyway).

Might have to click on images to actually see them better...and it might not be worth it so don't feel like you have to.

Full House

That's what we have right now - yes, my mom swore up and down a thousand times that she would never move in with her children (a lesson she has personally learned the hard way, unfortunately); and I really believed her...I did...but now I have evidence that my dear, precious mother just didn't know what she was talking about (or that she was a liar, but I prefer to say the first). Because yes - MY PARENTS MOVED IN TODAY!!!!!!! They are currently sleeping in our guest bedroom, with Lincoln in his crib (1st time during the night!) in the room next to them.
No, jokes aside, I love it. It's been fun and it's temporary. It's what this darn ice storm does- it brings families together. :) Their power is out and could be out for the next week or so, and since my dad just had knee replacement surgery and has to be hooked up to a machine, toughing out the cold and darkness for them just isn't an option, SOOOO being the wonderful daughter I am, Jason and I insisted they move in till power has resumed.

And like I said, it's been fun. My mom's a wonderful cook and she LOVES doing it, so we've gotten delicious meals the past three nights now...Lincoln's quite enjoyed the new company himself, and they even brought along their odd little dog, Oscar, so yes my friends - we have 4, I said FOUR dogs at our house right now. So at this point, what's a few more...thought I'd extend the offer: if you're power's out, we're open. :) You might have to sleep in the cradle swing or the pack 'n play, but we can work something out.

BTW - I finished Lincoln's prayer journal today...precious.

Prayer Journal

I've started working on creating a personalized prayer journal for Lincoln. I say "working on it" lightly though, because most of the work has been done for me thanks to Vicki Dees (btw, if you haven't read her blog, YOU SHOULD - link on my page). She led a women's conference back in November and one of the things she put together was a list of scripturally based prayers for mothers to pray over their children. They're WONDERFUL and I am working on creating a prayer book with all of them and some of my own that Jason and I can read through for Lincoln. I am going to arrange them in a scrapbook-like format, The prayers are all delineated into different categories like "Salvation", "Future", "Future Spouse", "Forgiveness", to name a few. Below is one of the 15 or so prayers Vicki wrote that I'm putting in there...

Salvation
Father, it is not your will that Lincoln perish, but that my child come to repentance. Lord Jesus, I thank you that you came to save the lost, including Lincoln and me. I pray that Lincoln will become a believer in you.
Matthew 18:11, 14; II Peter 3:9

I Heart Ice Storms

Well like the rest of you who probably read this blog, we too are in fact caught in the middle of this treacherous ice storm - okay I'll admit, I don't quite think of it as treacherous - in fact just the opposite. You see, since this big bad storm, I've been able to spend incredible amounts of time with my husband and darling Lincoln, haven't had to work, have gotten to both work out and sleep a reasonable amount of time, have had zero power outages, gotten to play Wii w/ my ever so competitive husband (not always a good combination), gotten to hang out with my mom (who is shacking up at the hotel around the corner with my dad) and have had numerous friends come over to our house for dinner (since we seem to be the only ones with power), laundry, & games - why aren't there more ice storms??!!
The above picture is one our dear friends, Vicki Dees whom was one of the guest we were fortunate to be blessed with tonight. Once Jason and I realized we were the only one of our friends with power, we invited a bunch over to provide a hot meal and have some fun. Jody and Michael introduced us to a funny "mormon game" that was random and fun (except I seemed to be the biggest loser of the night...). Oh well...
And now here I sit, close to midnight, really hoping school continues to be cancelled throughout the rest of the week...man that would be amazing. A great benefit about working in the schools. :) I actually feel like a "stay at home mom".
Below are pictures I took today...Jason was taking a nap and I took Lincoln for a little "photo shoot." I know I'm his mom and all, but isn't he the cutest thing you've ever seen????? Geez.

Bundle Up

I'd rather have snow, but I'll take the ice if it means I get to stay home with this adorable bundle :)