Praying For Stellan---Again

It's unfortunate to have to post this again, but Stellan is in need of much prayer. This poor baby has been through too much for an 8 month old. He is back in the hospital awaiting a transport to Boston for yet another ablasion. It's so risky that the doctors really don't want to perform it---however, there seems to be no other option.

Visit MckMama by clicking the above picture of Stellan, and you can follow her on Twitter as well.

~Mel

Where....Oh Where.....Oh Where is Melissa?

I know that's what's been going through your heads lately. Did she disappear? Give up on blogging?

No.

Life happens, and when it does, I must follow along. I probably keep up with Facebook more than blogging, simply because it's in real time (if were aren't friends on Facebook, please look me up!).

Let's see how fast I can fill you in and catch you up, ok?

John has 15 more days before leaving for boot camp. Am I sad? Yes. Am I excited. Yes. Am I a bundle of nerves? Most definitely. I know this is what has to happen for our family, but at the same time it stresses me to the max. I continuously question myself about whether or not I will be able to keep up with the house, bills, KIDS, etc....
It's not good to worry, so I am choosing to sit back and enjoy the ride right now. Funny thing is, I have not been without John for longer than 2 weeks in the entire stretch of our relationship--12 1/2 years. I just don't know how to feel about that.

We had the opportunity to drive across Texas with my mom and grandma a week ago. We went down to Austin and visited family, then continued to Houston to stay a bit with my brother, Josh. It was all so much fun!!
(except for the fact that I have 3 super whiny traveling children that were pinned up in a car for a bazillion hours...other than that, it was just peachy.)
I felt very relaxed and refreshed after that vacation. Sadly, John didn't get to join us. He was doing the "work and Army National Guard drill weekend" thing here.

The kids have a month before they start school. Isn't that insane?!? My little boy is growing up too fast--this is his year to start "big kid" school--AKA: kindergarten. I don't know whether to cry or smile. I'm sure I'll do a bit of both. I'm feeling very honored to be able to stay at home with Caroline while the older two are in school though. I've been able to spend precious alone time with each child, and there's nothing more wonderful in my book. I just can't believe her 3rd birthday is sneaking up. Holy cow!

We've enjoyed Splash water park tremendously this summer. I love having the freedom to come and spend 1 hour or 3 hours, depending on what mood I'm in, without worrying about the cost. Season passes are the way to go! Here is a funny pic Caitlin took at Splash recently. I love sweet Christian's face in it. He did NOT want his picture taken. :)
For now, we'll keep enjoying our summer and counting the days we have left with Daddy before boot camp. I may not update as much as I would like, but please understand that family time is important right now---way more important than this blog/computer.
Have a blessed week!

~Mel

Strangeness

Sometimes I just come across the strangest things while out and about.
Example:

John and I were running some errands the other day, when we decided to take a shortcut from one major street to another--through a residential area. This particular area was one we don't frequent. In fact, I can't tell you if I've ever been there before or not---probably not. It's actually fairly close to where we live--just never had a reason to go there.
Anywho...
As we were driving along, we saw some things that just made us scratch our heads. There was a little pinto-style car--parked in it's driveway---with words on the back window written in shoe polish that said:

MOLE REMOVAL
CALL 290-xxxx

That's fine and dandy, but WHICH kind of mole are you referring to?


We continued down this same street, and not 4 houses down we saw 1....lone....thigh-high (I call them hooker-style) black boot....laying out on an otherwise perfectly maintained and beautiful front lawn.
Hmmm.....

And finally, as we were coming up to the intersection of the major street, we saw an interesting el camino painted a reddish-pink color. On the back window, in black paint with very fancy lettering was this hand-painted message:

Romero's Tattoos
367-xxxx
Yes, we're clean.

And there you have it folks.

~Mel

Gosh

I have been terrible about blogging lately.

Gosh.

It seems that the lazy summer days are not made for blogging. I prefer to get back into the swing of it when the kids are in school and I have exactly 30 minutes each day in which to post something.

Why is that?

And I have had multiple opportunities to take pictures lately---like our anniversary, the 4th of July, time spent with Uncle Josh (it was short but definitely sweet! I've missed my little bro...), etc. I have actually even had my camera with me on said occasions. I have no excuse for not snapping quick pics here and there.

Gosh, I just guess I'm being lazy.

This summer has been quite nice, I must admit. We spend a ton of time out at Splash (the local water park), and my little ones are becoming fish for sure. Caroline especially loves the water. Give her a pair of pink arm floaties and she's good for 2+ hours out there. Christian is finally big enough for some of the slides, so he and Caitlin keep themselves occupied on those. It's totally relaxing to sit back and enjoy the sun and water---however nasty the park water is. Seriously, have you ever thought about that? Thank goodness for swim diapers, that's all I'm saying.

Ahem...

I find that Farm Town on Facebook takes up my "alone time." Why I would choose to pretend to be a farmer, worry about my crops that need harvesting, and find ways to earn more coins so I can purchase fake patio furniture while I could be napping is beyond me.
Gosh, it really IS that sad, isn't it.

Yes, summer is slowly slipping away. I'm thankful for air conditioning, minimal schedules, and Mother's Day Out once a week.
Oh--and Caitlin is taking a sign language class at Amarillo College this week and next week. What's so cool about this class is that my sweet friend, Melanie L., is the teacher! I'm sure she's going to have a great time!

Gosh, is that ALL I have to write about? Guess so.

~Mel

11 Years

Happy 11th anniversary to my sweet hubby, John. I love you to the moon and back--and then some. Thanks for the laughs, the tears, the triumphs, the failures...the EVERYTHINGS that come with marriage.
And for the 12 beautiful red roses you brought home this morning.
Much love always,
~Mel