Hugeness

Mission trip aside, December is a massive month in my household. December holds blessings and treasures that fulfill my life in the most meaningful ways. December is the month that I pinch myself, the month I sing, and the month I praise the most.

First and foremost, December is the month that I get to physically celebrate the birth of Jesus, who I consider Savior. I love Easter equally, but the birth is so precious. I love that giving meaningful and thoughtful gifts to each other is like saying happy birthday to Jesus. Not commercial consumerism......just giving from the heart. And being a joyful giver. With the right mindset and the proper intentions, it is such a nice holiday.

Those who know me know that Spencer is my heart and my joy. He is almost 20. Even though I had him at a young age and the pregnancy was not planned, I very much wanted him. I longed for my own child from a very young age. I loved the little babies in my neighborhood and wished they were mine. I have plenty of witnesses to back me up. Spencer might have been a surprise, but he was never a mistake and I am truly grateful for him. He was born in April.

(back to December)....... both Asher and Shawn have birthdays in December. They are so incredibly special because when Joe and I married, we didn't intend to have more children. Spencer was everything and more. But our hearts and desires changed. When we decided to have children, I prayed. I really prayed. I believe that I had a miscarriage, although I've never had it medically confirmed. I learned that I had problems with my uterus that required surgery, or I would not be able to carry a child. I had that surgery in Feb 04 and conceived Asher in March 04. He was born, 12/4/04. The joy of becoming pregnant and delivering a vibrant and beautiful child is greater than anything I have ever experienced. We did it. We really did it. When Joe and I talked about having children, I told him I'd really like to have 2 that could grow together, and he agreed. I know, and it breaks my heart so deeply, that some couples try and try and try, and do not get pregnant. I know the grief and heartache that some people suffer. I certainly do not deserve the blessings God gives me.....and He gave us Shawn, two years later, on 12/31/06. December is the month I pinch myself. Thank you God.

Happy December.

Merry Christmas

Happy Birthday to my 2 precious baby boys who came to me in December. May God bless your precious hearts and bring you joy each day of your lives.

My Mind

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

I haven't had much to say lately......as you have probably noticed. I'm leaving for Africa in one week, and I'm trying to get extra hugs and kisses in with Asher and Shawn before I leave. Every time I hold one of them, I am really taking a moment to soak in how they feel and smell. This morning Shawn woke up at 4am crying, most likely teething pains. I snatched him out of bed and brought him to bed with me. (Joe had already left for work). We snuggled together awake for over an hour. He kept touching my nose and my hair. I made faces at him while we were scrunched together on my pillow, and he'd giggle. Sometimes he would just suck his thumb and stare at me. He is really becoming a little boy. I can't believe he'll be 2 years old in December. I wish he could talk.....as I know he would have so much to say. I believe he will, someday. Asher joined us around 7am. We turned on the Disney channel with Asher snuggled against my chest and Shawn near my bent knees. Asher was rubbing Shawns' back while they both watched Mickey Mouse. They are so naturally, brothers. I can't believe I'll wake up in Africa 14 days in a row without one of my babies snuggling with me. That, by far, is the hard part.

I also am beginning to realize how much I will miss my husband. Our lives are so much about the boys and we do not take much time for each other....but I very much value his presence, his smile, and his dedication to our family. He is not just your average Joe. My Joe is special. He works without complaining. He cooks most of our dinners. He readily helps with any chore I request, and even does some without prompting. He gives our boys most of their nighttime baths, and he's not afraid of a poopy diaper. He happily lets me run off to an occasional dinner with a girlfriend, and gladly let's me escape off to the horses when I need. He never yells. He never complains. He acts like he isn't sick, when he is. He is not extravagant. He doesn't care at all about keeping up with the Jones's. He does a lot of wonderful things for people. He is generous and eager to provide and serve others. He is such a good man. I will miss falling asleep next to him while I am away.

That is what is on my mind.

love

Get To Know Me

My friend Tam over at InProgress urged her readers to write things about ourselves that others might not know. She came up with 16. Not sure I can come up with that many, but here's a go:

1. I've had 16 front doors, at least....probably more.

2. I tried to join the Air Force when Spencer was a baby.....and they wanted me pretty badly....but I did not join because I wasn't willing to give over temporary custody of Spencer. I was too afraid I'd never get him back.

3. I'd much rather be cold than be hot. A cold person can do jumping-jacks to warm up.....the heat drives me insane.

4. Green is my favorite color and has been for a couple of years. Before then, I didn't have a favorite color, and I don't mean to have one now....but just cannot help it.

5. My husband and I have drastically different tastes in music, however, it was kinda music that brought us together. His musical choices make me want to stab myself....and he'd probably say the same about mine. LOL

6. I absolutely freaking love a drum line and marching bands. I never played in a marching band......but just love the music. I should have been one of those drum line dancing chics at football and basketball games. Seriously...... the drums give me goose bumps on my head. Those are SERIOUS goose bumps.

7. Living in Nashville, TN I have met a lot of famous people and have absolutely nothing exciting to tell you about them.

8. My favorite smell in the world is the smell of a horse's face and neck.

9. My husband loves sushi with massive amounts of wasabi. I like cheese, please.

10. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a vetrinarian for large animals. I specifically wanted to work at the San Diego zoo. I had never left the south, so not sure where that came from. And oh, by the way....that didn't happen.

11. I made terrible grades in high school and superb grades in college.

12. When I was a teenager, I drooled over convertible yellow corvettes. Now I only drool for cars that are paid for.

13. We do not have caller ID on our home phone anymore. I'll confess....it's weird and I'm not wild about it.

14. I have never watched an episode of ER, Law & Order, West Wing, 24, and many many other popular shows.....never!

15. I'm pretty handy. I recently changed out most of our faucets and some light fixtures. I dream of owning a nail gun someday.

16. I can't believe I have come up with 16 things... I'm letting my hair grow out again. It's gonna be about 300 bad hair days in a row, I'm afraid.

OK.......so it's your turn. If you post 16 things about yourself, let me know so I can read them.

Happy Sunday!

7.

9 Names

Here is a fun name game that my blog friend posted on her site. She is "Just Me" and you can visit her from the right side of my blog. I also occasionally loving refer to her as Twin M, because her name is Melissa also, and we have a little to much in common!


My 9 Names:

1. YOUR REAL NAME: Melissa

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 3 letters of real name plus fizzle.) : Melfizzle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color and favorite animal) : Green Horse

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (your middle name and street you live on/or neighborhood if it's a number) : Gail Bridgewater

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name): Irwme (it's more fun with my maiden name: Ishme)

6. YOUR SUPERHERO/CRIMINAL NAME: (Your 2nd favorite color and favorite drink): PinkMocha

7. YOUR IRAQI NAME: (2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, 1st letter of your last name, 2nd letter of your moms maiden name, 3rd letter of your dads name, 1st letter of siblings first name, and last letter of your moms first name) : Ewihra

8. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (parents middle names): Ann Ray

9. YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, and the name of one of your pets) : Black Sammie

Caught in the Act

I love this video. Asher and Shawn both take daily naps, but not at the same time. They overlap. Here is a video where Asher was supposed to be going to sleep, but Shawn woke up and they did some brotherly bonding instead. I could hear the noises from downstairs, so I snuck up with the flip camera to see what I would find. I LOVE the way Shawn will tilt his head and look at Asher with a huge grin. And then again, when Asher gets into his bed and hides under the covers and Shawn just hangs there over the crib like he's so lonely.



One of my early worries when Shawn was born....(we didn't know he had Down syndrome until his was 1 day old).....I worried that he wouldn't emotionally connect. I worried that he wouldn't be active, wouldn't show emotion, or wouldn't bond with his brothers. How wrong I was to waste even 1 second on those worries. Enjoy...

Notalota

***See Cute video at the end.***

So, let me think.....what's new? Hmmmmmmmm, have ya'll noticed the economy is crud? Well....yep, that's about all I can think of right now.

Well, no.......that's not true. Here are some highlights and lowlights from my week:

• I listen to Christian radio about 98% of the time in the car. When a song comes on that I don't love, I'll flip through. From the backseat, Asher screamed "Mommy let me hear this song....I LOVE Rock-n-Roll!". Wha???
• Shawn is almost 2 years old and does not say Momma or Dada. However, today he has enjoyed a screaming game, and I've almost got him screaming "momma". It's hilarious.
• Asher has been extra lovey with Shawn this week. It warms my heart to no end.
• I got some shots for my trip to Africa. I leave in 20 days......yikes
• My bible study girls and I have been meeting together weekly for over 2 years. We finished another study this week....and I'm always sad to end a study, even though I know we'll start a new one after Christmas.
• I went to the CMA awards with my sweet friend Stacey. The funniest part of the whole night was a lady in front of us in her 60's with bright red hair and a purple suit who didn't move a muscle until Kid Rock showed up.....then she boogied in her seat.
• I found out this week that some friends of ours are getting divorced and my heart hurts for them.
• I found out this week that a high-school classmate (from 20 years ago) was just diagnosed with MS. I've been praying for her and feeling kinda numb.
• I firmed up plans today to host Thanksgiving dinner at my house and I'm super excited about that. Thanksgiving rocks!

Here is a video of Shawn & Asher. It's just too cute. It is from this morning! It was a jammie day!

Pill Poppin'

I'm finally getting over a nasty sinus/cold thingy. Yuk. And yes, I'm medicating. I'm also drinking teas with local honey, thanks to one precious friend. I'm taking Ibuprofen because if I don't, my face hurts. (and hey...no jokes about how my face hurts you too)..... And lately, I'm volutarily taking anti-depressants. I have some left over from my short bout with post-partum issues.....and thankfully, they are helping, but with only 6 left, not sure what's next.

I am so darn happy that the election is over. I wanted to vote for Obama, but I did ultimately vote for McCain. I prayed about it and God changed my vote against my wishes....but when I went to the polls I honored what I heard God telling me. I sincerely hope and pray the best for new President Elect Obama. God intended all along for him to be in leadership, as well as the other leaders who have been and will be appointed. Is it going to get better? Or will it get worse before it gets better? Who knows.....but what I do know that my eyes are on the Lord, and my plans are to offer encouragement....nothing less. (And by the way......God was not telling me to vote for McCain because He wanted McCain elected....but rather it was a test of my willingness to be obedient to what I was hearing Him speak to me. It was painful and difficult to say the least!)

I go to Africa (ALL BY MYSELF) on 12/5. Please keep me in your prayers. I will return home on 12/19.

Nothing profound peeps......just a few words. Have a beautiful day!

Ode to Caramel

oh caramel
you are my sweet
of choice
you can't be beat

i love your scent
and flavor so
your secret
i'll never know

how you woo me
into a trance
of bliss
and happy dance

whether Kraft
or Slow Poke or
caramel creme
you fulfill all my dreams

that's not true
caramel cremes are grime
but it helped me with
my rhyme

the truth is
you are an evil cat
and eating you
makes me fat

i love you though
i really do
and Halloween
it's true

for without
this hallowed date
i'd not consume pounds
equal to my weight

the end