The things my kids say!

Saturday evening after we got back from the conference I stayed at my mom and dad's. The girls were there because Jamie had to work. At our house the bathroom door is always open. I was getting out of the shower and Faith was in there and the door was open. I said "Honey, shut the door I don't want anyone seeing mommy's naked booty." She says, "Yeah, nobody wants to see that!".....ouch!

I Love My Girlfriends!

Jessica was in town so Susan, Sonya, Julie and I met her at El Maguey for dinner and caught up on life. Julie and I are going up to see her and Jennifer July 6th for the Def Leppard, STYX, REO Speedwagon concert at Deer Creek. I love my girlfriends .We've all been friends for 23 years and when we get together it's like we were never apart. I know if I needed anything my girlfriends will be there. I know when we are in our 80's we'll still be getting together for dinners and telling funny stories. Thank you to my girlfriends!

Women of Faith

I just got back from a fantastic weekend. Tracy, Susan, Sonya and I went to Cleveland, Ohio for a Women of Faith conference. We left Thursday morning. We took our time driving there stopping for coffee and we stopped in Cincinnati to meet for lunch with our friend Tara and her new baby. We arrived Thursday evening and went to the pool and hot tub and hung out. Friday morning we had breakfast and went to the pre-conference to see Beth Moore. She was awesome!!! She had a guy named Travis Cottrell doing worship and he was great. Friday night we went back for the WOF and then back to our hotel at the Ritz Carlton. In between the Beth Moore and the WOF conference we had a couple of hours to play before dinner. Sonya and Susan went to the mall (we were connected to one), Tracy went to work out in the exercise room and I went to the hot tub. Tracy comes in and says she's been working out next to this guy that looks familiar but she's not sure who it is so I go take a look and it's Damon Wayans!! It was pretty cool. We didn't bother him though. Saturday we had an all day conference. It was great. We heard Anita Renfroe (who is hilarious), Patsy Clairmont, Luci Swindoll, Marilyn Meberg, Sandi Patty, Sheila Walsh and Thelma Wells. It was an amazing weekend. We laughed and we cried. I urge anyone who has a chance to go to a WOF conference to go. It's so worth it!!

Amen!

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. (NIV)

1 Timothy 6:7-8

Praise

I just love God!! How Awesome is He? We don't have a lot of fancy things or riches by any means but everything we do have is because of HIM. We have a nice home (although I am praying we get to move to Boonville), we have a vehicle that gets us to and fro (and we have A/C now!), we have 2 beautiful, healthy, somewhat vibrant children. I know we will have at least one more and do foster parenting/adoption in the future. He has told me He is giving me a special son named Isaiah. I'm not sure what that means just yet but someday I will and I can show that with faith He delivers his promises. We were behind on our Vectren bill and playing catch up. We had a $800 bill to pay this past Friday but we only had $350. Vectren (through His help) worked with us on setting up a payment plan. We then had absolutely nothing left for groceries and we just needed milk, bread - the basics. Jamie came home Friday with a $30 bonus check (Amen). Today the gas light came on on the way home. Faith had to really go to the bathroom and even though we were just 10 minutes from home Jamie suggested we just stop at his work and let her go. We did. He had $20 in cash in his mail box from a girl who owed us some money for some things she bought a long time ago. Coincidence?? I think not. He works so mightly in your life if you just believe and have faith and walk by faith not by sight!! When we needed just a little extra income a couple of months ago I prayed about it. I didn't want to go back to work full time because I want to be home and we want another baby in the next year but we needed just a little something. I received a call for an office wanting transcription done in office two days a week! Now we have had our trials and tribulations sure and like I said we don't have the fancy things but I have a wonderful husband and amazing children, wonderful friends and family, an amazing church and a God who loves me- what else could you ask for? I'll get my riches in heaven and I can't wait to stand at that throne and look Him in the eyes and see His beautiful face for the first time. To hear his sweet voice say "Welcome home my child". I hope I can make Him proud by living my life the way He wants me to while here on earth and ministering to His sheep.

My favorite verse:

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs

Psalm 100:1-2

Thank you Staci!

My good friend Staci has been watching my girls for me this week while I work and do the Abba Clinic today. My sitter is on vacation. Thank you Staci for watching my girls. I know they love coming there and I have someone I can trust watching my babies!!! Love you.

Meet me in St Louis

This past weekend we went to O'Fallon, Illinois, which is about 30 minutes from St Louis. We stayed with my nephew Chad and his wife Stephanie. They have 2 children Chloe (3) and Caleb (Bubba, 1). My other niece Stephanie and her husband John met us there with their kids Mackenzie (10) and Madison (6). We also got to visit with my sister Gay and my other nephew Nick. We went to the zoo and the Arch. We didn't go up in it because it was packed and it was $10 a ride. We went through the museum and then to the science center. The girls had a blast. I love spending time with my family. I wish I had pictures developed to post with this but I'll post them later.

Out of the mouths of babes!

Faith came running in the house the other day. "Mommy, I have to wash my hands quick! I touched bird poop and Ellissa (her friend) said if I touch my eye I'll go blonde!"...too funny.
Then we were at my mom's house and Faith was sitting behind grandma rubbing her back and she lifted her t-shirt and grabbed her love handles "Gosh girl, you got some hips!". I was so embarrassed but my mom just laughed. Wow....they really speak their minds!

Our first meeting

of the Mom's C.L.U.B went great! We had 4 girls show up. 3 of them pregnant. They were very receptive to us and we had a lot of fun talking and telling them what to expect. They all seem happy with the pregnancy just nervous. All of them have the father of the baby in the picture and a lot of support so that is great. I hope we can just guide them in the right path and provide them friendship and support. I had a great time meeting them and talking. Thank you God for putting these girls into my life and the wonderful ladies and counselor's at the Abba Clinic!

Tagged by Cathy

1. What is your first & middle name? Melissa Dawn



2. How did you get your name? My mom just liked it. I was the "baby". I came along to 2 sisters and a brother that were 13, 14 and 15.



3. What are your kids' names and how did you come up with them?

Faith Renee - We actually had Madison picked out but my neice was pregnant also and had her daughter in June (Faith came in July). She named her Madison. So Faith just came to me and I loved it! Renee is named after an old room mate and best friend I had for years. She moved out of state.

Hope Avery - Had to keep the theme. We wanted Elizabeth but there are already 2 Hope Elizabeth's at church. I just liked Avery.



4. Do you like your name? Yeah I guess.



5. What was the most popular name (according to Social Security) the year you were born?
Michael and Jennifer. Melissa was #7

I tag Staci!