BACK 2 SCHOOL

It's early August and the summer has ended, for my children anyway.  I love having the whole family around the house all summer.  Quality time is one of my top love languages so you won't hear me cheering on the start of school.  I actually like my children and enjoy being a full time mom.  (There are days that challenge this statement.) 

My first born has entered a new world of being an "in-between ager".  Emma isn't a little girl any more but she isn't a teenager either.  Before I know it she will be driving to the mall, making her own decisions and spending less and less time at home.  Not so easy to accept for a "quality time" person.  It's not all bad.  Em is so happy to be moving up to bigger and better things.  She's a great kid, I can't wait to see what she accomplishes this year.  Love you babe!

How can it be true that Reagan has already completed half of her years in elementary school?  This kiddo loves school and excels at everything she tries.  I'm so proud of you, keep up the great work!

As if 2 different school buildings isn't enough to keep me busy, this year we are introducing a third school.  My baby is out of the house and out of my possession four days a week and SHE LOVES IT!  I'm sad and excited all at once.  You are such a bright light, you will certainly bring new sparkle to that class room.

If you want to catch up with me this year you might find me in my van taking, dropping off or waiting for a child.  As I hang out in parking lots, I look forward to getting a lot of reading done.  Can't wait to get my hands on the new series that will be released soon....The New Phenomenon.

The Cleanse

First let me say, it isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  It would be excellent if I could have a cup of coffee and maybe one piece of cheese this month.

I decided to take part in a 28-day cleanse.  The first week I started out by eating only clean food.  Eating as much raw food as possible, no processed foods, no dairy, no gluten, only lean meats (obviously not raw), no peanuts, low sugar and organic when I can afford it.  Some of these things are already in our family diet.  The great thing about this is introducing new foods to the family.  So far the kids have liked everything I have made. (Yes, they are still eating pizza etc)

Standard Process is an excellent brand of food supplements that we have taken for over a year.  Naturally I am doing their product for the one week cleanse.  It's a lot of pills three times a day.

Here are a couple positives:  I have more energy already.  I have lost a few pounds.  It feels good to be doing something for myself.

My goal is to be healthier; rid my body of nasty toxins.  This isn't to see the scale read a lower number even though I need to be working on that.  When I eat right it makes me more interested in working out consistently and the next thing I know I'm a better person to be around.  One more benefit:  I read that the colon can store from 5-25 pounds of waste.  Well that would be a great way to drop 25 pounds quick.  ha ha 

My eating has not been 100% right but I'm trying.

At the end of 28 days I will slowly introduce each food back into my diet to see if there are adverse reactions.  Gluten, peanuts, soy and dairy are some of the most frequent allergens in our foods.  Most people don't even realize the inflammation that is going on within that causes aches, pains and illnesses.  If I can avoid those foods that don't agree with me, I'm all over that. The bible tells us that our bodies are the temple of God.  Why do I allow trash in the temple?

To be honest, I don't even know what day is my last.  You can be sure I will be posting an update later this month.

Happy Birthday

Today is my dear friend Vicki's birthday.  Even tho I had an email reminder and it was written on my calendar, I still forgot to send a card.  That's what happens when you are too wrapped up in your own little life to remember those you love. 

Vicki, I hope you have a wonderful day!  Best wishes to an amazing Christian woman who challenges me, makes me laugh and sometimes laughs at me too.  Talk to you soon.

Hugs and Prayers to you, Melanie

Book Update

The New Phenomenon is in fact coming soon.  The last revision was done by the author in late May not a word to date from the publisher.  I know all this takes time but it's driving me CRAZY!!  I want to know the next step and how long it will take.  I want to start doing something or at least planning something.  Absolutely, I believe in God's timing.  Certainly, there are things I just don't have to plan out.  Now with that said just because I know something doesn't mean I like it. 

Today author Chris Raabe had a Fine Lines meeting (he's a volunteer editor for them) and met the last editor to read his book.  "Frank" was excited to meet the fellow who wrote The New Phenomenon.  He loved it and can't wait to read the next book.  Let me try to quote Frank, "You really wrote to your audience.  This book is going to be well read and loved." Woo Hoo!!  That sounds pretty good to me.  He also asked to have a note put on the next manuscript so the publisher would get book #2 to him.

I am so excited for all of you to get a copy of this book.  The reviews have been amazing.  Just so you know, it will be available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.  No worries, we'll let you know where else it can be found.

Now for info on book #2.  The first draft was completed last week and Chris has been working morning, noon and night to get the first revision done before school starts.  Right now he's at school reading, writing and revising (3 R's sorta) in hopes to break the 100 page barrier of 255.  Book #2 is a little shorter but dare I say even better content than #1?

My hubby is an amazingly talented writer, obviously not my God given gift.  Chris had a dream and worked hard to make it come true.  The dream was writing a young adult novel everything else is just icing on the cake.  One day soon we will have a published book sitting on our bookshelf, what an incredible achievement. 

Girls Get-A-Way

One last time to get out of town before school. I don't know how this happens but Mindi and I never seem to get a photo of US together. ha That's ok, here are 4/5 of our beautiful girls having a great time in Kansas City.

Some of the best friends are old ones. I'm talking about the kind of friend that knows too much because they've been through it all with you. That's Mindi! We have been friends since the summer before 7th grade. I remember the old house that just begged us to "break" in...how about the time we drove 90 miles to a mall when it was too cold to have school (and our parents didn't know)...boyfriends...our weddings...pepper spray at the VFW...there's so much more that I dare not say.  And now our daughters are friends, I pray they don't pull the same stuff we did in our youth.

Step Out & Serve

Today our family had the privilege to "step out" of our comfort zone and serve some families in a less fortunate area of town.  I feel like we kind of cheated, instead of manual labor we have done in years past, we put on a carnival for the neighborhood kids.  We gave out school supplies, backpacks, hot dogs, drinks, prizes, played games, had face painting, a balloon artist, etc. The kids had a blast and as well as the volunteers.  To finish off a hot day of playing, someone broke out the waterballoons.  Chris took off for the car...you know to bring it us for us.  haha  The rest of us drenched each other in refreshing water. Our girls not only saw the joy we brought to many deserving children but experienced the joy of helping God's family. 

our work stations included the stilts and later grilling

On our drive back home I begin thinking about what our family can do in the following months to serve others.  My heart is full tonight.  My prayer is that there were hundreds and thousands of people touched today as churches across our city "stepped out" to make a difference.  What compels us to do this...simply the love of Jesus. 

??Body Piercing??

BacKpaCk loVe

My babies are growing up and what a joy it is to watch them bloom into what God has created them to be.  This year our little princess starts preschool.  Truly hard for mama to believe it!  Liv doesn't need school supplies but every new student needs their very own backpack.  It's almost like a rite of passage.  Today Mommy, Daddy and Livie went to lunch at Jason's Deli (yummy and healthy) and then went to 2 different Targets to find the perfect backpack.  Don't worry about it getting dirty, she hasn't put the bag down since she got out of the car. You may want to check back tomorrow to see if there is a picture of her sleeping with it too.

Look at the LOVE!!!

Preparation

Sometimes the "getting ready" is bigger than the "doing."  Mentally, I'm preparing for a change and maybe I'm over thinking it a bit.  :)  Chris would laugh, he says over thinking is my M.O., my way, a strength if you will.  There's more to come but for now I'm thinking about how my mental preparation is going to effect me over then next 5 days.

Busy is a Four Letter Word

Oh how I am struggling with the fact that my family continues to get busier and busier.  Fall is always a full time of year for us as school starts up which means not only the girls have new routines but so do Chris and I.  This year Olivia starts preschool four days a week, Emma will be in middle school for the first year and Reagan stays in the same elementary school...that is 3 different buildings that I will be dropping off and picking up from DAILY.

We feel that it is important for our children to have time to play, attend midweek church events and spend time with the family.  In order to do that we have limited their activities (ie sports and dance) to only one activity at a time.  To this point it has worked out nicely.  No longer is that the case.  Reagan is stepping up several levels in both soccer and softball which adds more games, practices and over all time commitment.  This fall she'll be playing soccer and softball at the same time.  Honestly, I have no idea how this happened and mama isn't very happy about it.  However, it is what it is and we'll make the best of it.  I guess if she has to miss a game or practice once in a while, that is what she'll do.  Keep us in your prayers that we don't all go crazy.  With Emma dancing more this year than last, Chris coaching high school softball and 9 year old competitive softball, as well as his book being released (whatever that will include) and Olivia starting school, I don't know when we'll find time to hang out as a family.  Oh let's don't forget guitar, cello and mom's scrapbooking.

There is so much more to life than cramming a bunch of unimportant activities onto a calendar each week.  Being "busy" is a great way to lose sight of eternal matters.  I pray that God will stretch our family time, help us prioritize our down time and ground us when we forget what life is all about.

A Corny Place To Be

Picking corn is a tradition that the girls look forward to each year.

Not sure, but I think Liv might have just found a bug

Reagan and her friend go in deep

Yay!  Liv found one!

After a hot and sweaty adventure through the rows of sweet corn the girls needed a little time in the pool.  Funny thing is, after swimming for an hour they wanted to pick more corn.  They brought home enough corn for us to share it with 5 neighbors plus several family members.  If you  need some sweet corn and want to drive over to Iowa, I know a great farm that has way too much.

Lake of the Ozarks

Spending time together as a family

Representative of my week at the lake.

Liv promises us that she didn't fall asleep on the boat.  :)

She must be a great faker!!!

Reagan found out that jumping off the boat & swimming in the big lake can be a little intimidating while sitting ON the boat having a snack is a lot more fun.  After the first day all the girls were swimming like fish, especially at the dock.

Love my hubby!

This guy works WAY too hard.  

A week lounging around is just what he needed.

MM 47 has a place known for "shooting the minnow."  Emma really wanted to go do it and get a t-shirt to announce it to the world.  I think Reagan might have just been along for the ride but after watching Hope and Emma swallow a fish in a shot of lemonade she was determined that she could do it too.  

Ick!!!  Not Mom!

We have not taken many vacations that did not include staying with family.  This week at the Ozarks was fun, relaxing and much needed.  Already the girls are asking when we can go back.  I guess that all depends whether Mark and Sandy want to invite us back or not.

Natures Goodness

Neighborhood fun.

Our garden is really growing and starting to produce all kinds of goodies.  We have picked several cucumbers but the tomatoes are a little slow to turn red.  However, when they do, they'll be running out our ears.  The sunflowers are about 8 feet tall, not that this pictures shows that but I love the bee sitting on the flower.  We've picked our first eggplant, which I'm sure was not ready.  Still to come are the peppers, strawberries, squash and seems like I 'm missing one more thing.  I am beginning to wonder if the basil and mint will take over the garden...geesh!  Next year (again) we will need to expand the area of the garden.  I really want onions.  No zucchini this year which is fine, I've found a supplier.  :)  Honestly, I wish we could grow all (most) our food.  It tastes so much better and lacks the pesticides.

After the Storm

Tonight we had a crazy storm come on as we sat in the pizza joint down the street.  Honestly, I was worried that we were going to blow away.  The wind bursts were 70 mph and rain blowing from side to side.  The topper was hearing the sirens blaring as we sat at the stop light.  The silver lining to this storm came about 20 minutes later...this double rainbow.  Ahhh, God's promise!

Olivia told me this was her first ever rainbow.  So for the second day in a row, "Today is the best day of my life."  Oh little Livie, I love the way you think!

Olivia's First Camp

My darling little 4 year old attended her first ever camp at church.  No, I didn't get any pictures because the PARENTS DON'T STAY!!  She'll go back the next two days from 10-12 for more fun in the sun and learning about Jesus.  All she could remember about the "best day of her life" was going down the slide and eating blue jello for a snack.

My baby just isn't a baby anymore.  It's hard to believe she is going to preschool this fall.  Some of my hopes and dreams as a parent include watching the girls grow and develop into beautiful, smart, self-confident women.  I didn't realize that letting the baby slip through my fingers would be so difficult.  Stay tuned.  Over the years there will be many more posts that lean close to me whining and crying over the girls "growing and developing into beautiful, smart, self-confident women."  Hang in there with me, I'll need your support.

More July 4th

6 States in 2 Days

Spending time with my grandma (in-law) is always special to me and last week I had the opportunity to have some quality time with Grandma in Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.  Too bad I didn't get a good picture of grandma and me on our 2 day drive.  I do however have a few photos to prove I had a some time away from the humidity and my family.

Eileen and I had a just a couple hours together.  I just love this girl!

This picture was taken just minutes before I was left out in the desert all by myself hoping a friend would pick me up.  Lucky for me I was able to pull my BIG RED SUITCASE into a Paradise Bakery.  It was cooler in there (vs 114 degrees outside) but rather embarrassing.  I looked like a bag lady.  :)

 Tammy: Dear Friend, Ribbon Addict, Kind Beyond Words, Ultimate Crafter

Our time together included pedicures, Chili's Chips and Salsa and a chick flick.  Loved it!

Vicki and I spent a wonderful afternoon together.  We already talk on the phone every week so it really wasn't a matter of "catching up" as much as finally just having face to face conversations.
Thanks Vicki for lunch!

Eric, Karen and Regina were able to squeeze me into their schedule.  My niece really is a beautiful girl growing quickly into a woman.  YIKES!!!  I tried to make friends with the dog again but I'm sure if he had a chance he'd eat me for dinner any day of the week.  :)  Hope they are having a great family vacation this week.

Early dinner in Mesa with Grandma, Special Friend Bob, Shelly and Camille.

Look how serious Grandma looks here...not the norm, especially when Bob is around.
We managed to squeeze in a day at IKEA.  Love that place!!!

You might be asking who that guy is in the cockpit of the southwest airplane.  Oh just the gentleman assigned to do repairs to our aircraft AFTER they loaded us all on that tiny little tube with wings.  UGH!!!  Don't get me wrong, I don't mind my flight leaving late when there's a repair to be done but is it really necessary to make us all cram in there for an extra hour.  For the first time ever, I got anxious and claustrophobic on the plane.  The 4 year old boy in front of me asked every 5 minutes if we were moving yet.  It was cute until I started to internally freak out.  The bad thing, these days you can't run off the plane because they assume your luggage down below may have a bomb in it.  I couldn't show my stress, instead I chewed 15 pieces of gum.

By the time I was packing my suitcase to head back to Omaha, I was ready and yet I didn't have enough time to see everyone that I wanted to see.

Firework Fanatics

It's a annual affair...the Fantastic Foley Firework Party.  This is where is all starts...in a freight car full of explosives.  To be totally honest, I think it really begins somewhere on I-29 in Missouri but I probably shouldn't talk about right here and right now.  :)

Where else would we shop but at the best firework stand in GI...Bret and Lindsey's stand at Roy's Music.

All Liv really wanted was snakes and smoke balls.  Look at that big smile!

Tonight we'll have a chance to sit down with some really great friends that we seldom see.  Tomorrow we'll have more pictures and I hope there aren't any from the hospital ER.  :)