A 30 Day Challenge

I feel like I need to do a quick (or not so quick, based on all the thoughts swimming around in my head) check-in for myself regarding my emotions and feelings at this point in our new way of living.

Change is hard, no matter if you don't mind it or not, but thankfully God is on our side and in total control as long as we give up the driver's seat.  This is what I have had to re-learn (and a little bit the hard way) recently.

Thankfully I have met an amazing group of women on FIRE for God and Jesus Christ.  And the introduction to these wonderful ladies came from a fast friend who is just the sweetest gal in the world. 

She brought over chocolate and a southern sweet tea and left it on my doorstep when Ryan was down in the dumps (literally, no need to elaborate on this fond memory!).  So sweet.  (And, yes, Mike drank the tea since I don't like tea... but it was the thought that absolutely counted!  And what decent southern lady doesn't like tea?!?)

I have never in my life felt so close to the Lord and wanting to learn more and read more of His Word. 

I have been working on a 30 day challenge to read the Bible and ONLY the Bible.  Not even Christian related books... just the good-ole B.I.B.L.E.

I'm glad to tell you that I am on day 28 and holding strong!

At first I had this incredible itch to pick up any book, just anything and started reading.  I have gathered "The Five Love Languages of Children", "Have a New Kid in Five Days" (Really?? How could I not pick up that promise!), and a great marriage book that my parents gave us for our anniversary (they must have been worried about our one night stand!) over the first two weeks of this challenge and yearned to start reading one of them.  But I held strong. 

And, whew!, it has been a ride of my life!

I have learned SO much about myself, and not just myself... about my Heavenly Father, my creator.

Did you know He is JEALOUS for me?!  Jealous for me!!!  I just am enthralled with basking in this perfectly true love.

God always has a way to blossom goodness, beauty and love out of everything.  Why would I ever doubt him on any path He leads me?

Amazing.  God is good.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14 NIV

A New Chapter Called Home

It happened so fast that I haven't really had any time to tell many friends what Mike and I have been talking and praying about over the last several weeks.

I am now working on a new routine and huge changes in life.  And I am enjoying EVERY minute so far!

I am now officially a stay-at-home mama!

The decision was made through LOTS of prayer and discussion and lots of trust!  I am very excited about this journey and look forward to the next three years (at least) of this focus on my family.  God is good all the time!  I have completely put my faith in Him and this decision is one of those wonderful leaps.

Just to show you what we have been up to recently in the wake of this decision...

• Andrew has used his fabulous jewelry making skills to make a beautiful pipe cleaner necklace and bracelet set.  He has been adamant about me wearing them out of the house on our errands.  They have made quite the first impression!  (Sorry that the picture isn't very good.  The necklace is rockin!)

• Ryan has been wearing my jewelry!  Isn't he SO pretty!  He certainly knows his fashion trends by stacking up those bracelets!

• Enjoying time with Grandma and Grandpa and Cherry Berry is the best!

I am so blessed to be given this opportunity to spend this precious time with my fun loving boys! 

Now... I just have to plan what this time at home looks like.  You know me, I have to have a plan! 

And saving the world of D-town might just be part of that plan... Andrew does like to pretend to be a superhero, so why not? 

More to come on our superhero victories soon!

Wedding March

Last week Mike and I celebrated 7 years of marriage. 

Also referred to as the beginning of the "seven year itch."

Let me tell you that after our anniversary celebration, there is no way that itch is even close to separating our undying love for each other.

I would just like to recount our expression of love for each other in the form of a romantic evening aka The One Night Stand.

Mike said, "Would you like to leave on Sunday night so that I can go straight from the hotel to the golf tournament or would you rather meet me after the golf tournament on Monday?"

Melody thought, "Gee, me and golf OR golf and me? Really, how nice to be considered as first in that sequence..."  And what I shouldn't have said (you think I would have learned this lesson by now!), "It doesn't matter to me, whatever works best to work me into your busy schedule."  Yikes! Why do we do this to ourselves, ladies?

Mike said, "I'll meet you at the restaurant."

Melody thought, "Oh, how romantic. A nice hour and a half hour drive...separately."  And then we drove to the movie and the hotel...separately.

Mike said, "I'll have to get up and leave for the golf tournament by 6:30am."

Melody said, "Well, be very quite as you leave the room."

Then I thought, "Awesome - who can say that they have essentially had a one night stand on their 7th anniversary... or any wedding anniversary for that matter?"

Until I woke up, walked into the bathroom and saw this...

Then reality set in and the thought of a one night stand was quickly wiped away.

I honestly couldn't be more happy or more in love with this man than I am today.  He is a wonderful husband and father. 

Thank you for the wonderful 7 years of growing, loving and blessings!