Sometimes...

Sometimes...only sometimes...I get to be this super fun, cool and crazy, girl who has teenagers come over to her house to do things like watch the So You Think You Can Dance finale. And sometimes, they even have fun.

Now, I just have to keep these pictures a secret, so they don't kill me for publishing them.

"In Every Person, There is A Family."

We just returned from a great trip to see many wonderful people...some family, some friends, but all loved ones. This morning, while chatting over coffee, with one of these beautiful people, she was talking about how every morning she goes to get her coffee from a little farm store. She greets the employees by name, and even sometimes gets to listen in on their lives. We shared how much we love being a part of others lives, and then she simply said, "you know, in every person, there is a family." And in such a small statement, I felt like she had summed up what I love about knowing people.

Returning from seeing so many in our own family, old and young, and then seeing or meeting other people in other families, I couldn't be more inspired to continue being amazed at how God has made each one of us completely unique. Made to know Him, and made to know one another. We are all such gifts to each other. It makes me sad when silly things get in the way of seeing that. Things like, being too busy, or having too much drama, or being too hung up on all things that aren't right about the person or situation. I like being able to just be. And enjoy the "family" in each one of us.

So hopefully, coming back, I'll be able to enter into this summer a little more restful. Having seen much, and loved many, and hoping to continue on in that journey.

In Lieu of National Poetry Month

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Open Season

It's officially open season for yard sales. I know, I know...you're on the edge of your seat!

My friend Diane and I have always loved yard sales. We absolutely love getting the deal of our lives every Saturday morning. We'll tell each other about yard sales that we heard about or have gone to, and even sometimes run into each other unintentionally at them. This morning we had fun going together on the hunt. Years ago we used to talk about how we could open up a little store with all of our yard sale finds and call it "Junk in the Trunk". Here's why...

After one hour and about $15 later here's what the car looked like.

And here is what we looked like.

For $5 I got all of this.

(random mix, I know)

Here are my favs from the day (especially when they were .50 cents each!)

To see my yard sale philosophy and to check out other fun tips to get you ready for yard sale season check this post out! I'd love to hear your favorite yard sale tales! If you can't tell, it's one of my favorite subjects!

Girly Stuff to Come

My daughter, being recently in love with Fancy Nancy, chose to take her new book for show and tell today. As we were driving to preschool she informed me today that she wished I were more plain. I thought that was a funny request, and asked her what she meant. She continued to say that she wished she could be Fancy Nancy and dress me up, and make me all fancy. But because I already wear fancy stuff she can't do that to me.

I think it's funny because in my mind, I wear the same thing every day. Jeans. Casual top. Shoes. I usually throw my two secret weapons in there. But, similar to my little girl, I've always been the more girly girl of our family. Growing up, I liked having tea parties with my stuffed animals and wearing cute dresses. My sister, on the other hand, probably didn't own a dress, and spent most of her time at our barn riding horses and galavanting around the woods.

So, even though I am so excited that the ACC Tournament is this weekend, I am more excited about going away on a women's retreat with a ton of wonderful women from my church. There will be giggling. There will be celebrating. But more than anything, there will be fellowship.

Even though I've always been girly, I have not always loved the thought of fellowship with other women. There were years that I really did not want to go on retreats like this. Maybe I thought I would be bored. Or unable to spend a weekend away doing what I'd really like to do - eating good food, shopping in boutiques, sleeping in, and watching movies. But under all of those reasons, I think that what intimidated me most was fearing that I would be unknown, rejected, and possibly...unloved. I definitely hid any of those feelings from others, probably too well, but I think that those fears held sway for some years.

Too often in our culture, we sacrifice our relationships with other women. Maybe we feel threatened or judged, or just treated poorly. Maybe we compare ourselves so much that it's just too hard to be around them. Maybe we believe the lie that tells us, that we just get along better with men, and so we don't put time into relationships with women. But over time, I have come to value these relationships more than I ever thought I would. And I have come to see that there is a beautiful strength in those bonds, that can, if nurtured, never be broken.

It seems that we sometimes tend to think that our "girlfriends" were only for our youth. That now that we're older and possibly married, possibly mothers, or just busy women, that we don't really have time for our girlfriends. That those relationships just don't matter enough to really have to put time and effort into. But time and time again, outside of my relationship with my husband, my friends are the ones who have loved and served me, more than anyone else. I would not and could not do life without them. These women, whom I believe Satan would love to keep me from being vulnerable and open with, have become sisters in Christ that I deeply treasure.

As I pack my bag today, I am looking forward to not having to cook or clean this weekend. And I am looking forward to good times with friends. But most of all, I am anticipating growing closer to my sisters in Christ as share life and seek our Father together. If you struggle with opening up to other women, I would say to you to try again. Go on that retreat coming up. Get involved in a women's Bible study or small group. But don't settle for life without the treasure of having "sisters" in your life.

Kind of Almost Famous...

So lots of you know one of my best friends...Emily...from either her blog, or in real life. Lately, when I go places with her I kind of feel like I'm walking around with a celebrity. People stop us and tell her how much they love reading her blog, and ask her all types of questions about things they already know about her. And it's great. We walk away giggling with glee.

Not long ago, our friend Kari introduced us to the blog world, and Emily slowly came alive with her writing. Stories about her days, stories of her past, stories of watching others, and stories of being in fellowship with her Creator. But her stories have done much more than entertain and inform. They have invoked a community that longs to celebrate the everyday.

And so, even in the face of all the bloggers out there, who think that "Mommy Bloggers" are lame, and that what we talk about is of no real importance, she has continued to type away. And I'm so glad she has. She truly is a beautiful writer.

So while we still have time, I'm hoping that each of you will go to the Weblog Awards where she has been nominated as one of the ten finalist for "Best Small Blog" award and vote for Chatting at the Sky. She is up against some pretty tough competition (you know the kind of competition where you know a celebrity, and you get the celebrity to tell everyone in your fan base to vote for your friend, whether or not they actually read their blog, and let's just say the celebrity is Keira Knightly) but is holding a solid third position!

Voting is going on through tomorrow, so get out there and vote! And yes, I'm having flashbacks to November. Too bad Starbucks isn't giving out free coffee if you vote. You can come to my house and get some free coffee if you really want.

You Are Special Today

I love my birthday.   I've always loved it.    My mom and dad when I was little always had this red plate that said, "You Are Special Today" around the rim.   I used to get as excited about eating off the red plate as I did having my birthday breakfast and dinner be whatever I chose.   Usually, I picked french toast for breakfast and fried chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans for dinner.  My mom never even blinked an eye about my requests.    She would simply say, "Ok, that's what we'll have!"   We had family parties and friend parties.    It was an all day (sometimes week) celebration.    Presents were pretty nominal, but it was the celebration that was always so grand.     I definitely felt special on that day.

However, as life goes into one day, and out the next, many days and years go by, without feeling so special.   And what's worse, we get tricked into believing that we're not very special, except maybe on days like our birthdays.   We believe lies that life would be better if we were better.    That we're not good enough without having her house or her body or even, (gulp) her blog and that many comments!   If I could have more money or make better grades.  If I could get into that school or find a husband.   If my kids acted like that or if I had clothes like that.    If I could have faith like that.    The list goes on and on.    And we end up feeling like for some reason or another, we're just not that good.    That we're not that loved.    Or that loveable.

One thing I love about getting older is that I know more and more of who I am.   And I see more of the woman that God has made me to be.    And I'm learning to love who He created.  Without conditions.  Whether or not I'm in that size of jeans, and whether or not I did a good job at that.   Whether or not people like me.   Whether or not my house looks clean and beautiful.   Whether or not my husband and I get in a fight.    I see that what He made was a wonderful and fearful creation.    That doesn't change day by day, depending on how I act, or what I look like.   And who am I to say that what the CREATOR made isn't good enough?

I felt very celebrated this year for my birthday by several sweet people.   From breakfast to late night, I was doing things that I love to do (most of those things included eating yummy food).   I'm so thankful for the way that God has provided such a group of people around me to remind me that He loves me.    Not to mention how much fun I have with my family and friends!    But I am thankful to know that it's not just about being special "today" on my birthday.   No, it's knowing that you are that way everyday.     That you are special today.

If you tend to believe that you're not good enough, or that you're nothing that special,  I would challenge you to believe what He says about you.    That you were made by Him and for Him.   He longs for you to know His unconditional love and acceptance. 

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."  ~psalm 139:14

The Joy of An Hour

After a long day of toting things and kids to and from, and getting this and that, we finally arrived home at 3:15.    Both children were falling apart, and I knew they both needed naps.    So in this gift of an hour, I have not cleaned, I have not straightened.   I haven't even put away the bags of things sitting by the front door.    I used my hour in what may seem like a waste to some, as solace to me.    

Sitting at my computer, reading and passing on good cheer in the blogoshpere.   Because even when I don't get a chance to catch up, because of children being sick, or being too busy, or having too much stuff that clutters up my life, I still love hearing how you're doing.     It was much needed quiet, and much needed connecting.   Isn't that an oxymoron?   Not anymore.   

And now, the sound of my coffee perking, is the icing on the cake.    Not to mention, the kids are still sleeping!!

Change of Plans

You know how sometimes things don't go exactly according to plan?

On Friday, I had about 6 places to go for our afternoon errands.   Don't ask me why I felt it necessary to cram all into one afternoon, but they kind of just fit together.   You know one was on the way to the next, etc. etc.   And we were going to end our errands with the reward of a playdate (planned by my daughter) with our wonderful friends that we don't see often enough.   And since we were going to be in their neighborhood, I was excited to go by another friend's house to see all the fabulous changes that have taken place since the last time I had stopped by.

Well, after spending about an hour trying to get out of the house with everything I needed for the errands, and getting shoes on, and changing a dirty diaper, and getting snack, we headed out to the car.    We were happy to be on our way.   Until, we stopped at the stoplight, and as I started to go again, my car very hesitantly chugged, chugged, chugged, onto the 45 mph highway.   And even though my check engine light has been on for a couple of days, now it was blinking at me.    As if to say, "I'm SERIOUS this time!!"

So with my daughter crying, "It's NOT FAIR!" I turned the car around and headed back home.   Slowly, with my hazards on.     I was disappointed at the turn of events, but I knew that it would work out.   On the way home, I stopped by another friend's who only lives a couple blocks away and begged her to let her kids come over and play.  She said yes, and our ruined plans quickly turned back into a great afternoon.

So, yesterday when we went apple picking, we all four piled into my old '94 Eclipse hatchback, and with no speedometer, and no odometer, drove to go apple picking.   Which, I'm sure I'll tell you about soon.

Today in Sunday School, the lesson was based on Joseph's life, about how even in our worst  moments of life, God is still at His best.   Working things together for the good of those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).   We broke into groups for our small group time, and a couple girls were new to our group.   Even being in our small group for the first time, when I asked, "Have there been times when you have had really bad things happen?  When you weren't sure if God was working in your life?"   These two spoke up and said things like, "When my brother got put in a wheelchair."   and   "When my mama couldn't raise me because she drinks and parties."

And I just think sometimes, how much faith it takes for those who suffer, to see that God could be working for the good.   To choose to trust in His best, even though it's no where in sight.  Even though it might look like utter crap and junk, and a pile of @*##, there could still be a plan to bring something great out of it.    These girls were able to smile and say that they knew that God could still work in those situations.

Another one of my girls gave a great answer that I loved.   When asked how we could live that verse out this week, she said, in her panthers jersey, "I guess if the panthers lose today, I could know that the other fans would be happy for their team."   I laughed, and said, "That's a great example!"    However, they definitely did not lose, and I know that she's glad of that.

I love how even a mind of a child can fathom the wonders of God.   It makes sense why He tells us to become like little children.

Summer Halftime Report

I feel like I haven't done a very good job at narrating about our summer thus far.   And it's like halfway over already!    So even if it's only for my peace of mind to have it recorded somewhere, I figured now was a good time to catch up.

Well, we started out thinking this summer would be full of packing, raising support, and moving across the country.   However, the Lord definitely surprised us with a change of plans, and we have spent the last couple months adjusting mentally and emotionally to staying right where we are.     It still doesn't all make sense, but we're choosing to trust that where God leads we will follow.   And right now, His leading is to stay put.   So we've been working hard on the business, and having lots of fun not stressing about packing up our lives right now.

One thing in the beginning of the summer that we were doing was reading stories out on the front porch in the evenings.   It was really fun to be able to sit out there as a family and read together on our steps.   Sometimes we would rock, or have ice cream, or talk with passer-bys, but mainly it was just our storytime on the steps.   We only did it for a couple weeks, but I think we need to start up again.   We stopped when we got all the rain for like days on end. Which I'm not complaining about!

We had the chance to head down to the beach with my sweet mom-in-law and two of my closest friends.  One with her baby, and one with her baby on the way!    So it was full of good hang out time, yummy meal times, watching plenty of So You Think You Can Dance, and just being together on the beach.     The first day we were there, we decided to go visit the aquarium.    We even took the ferry over, which made for a fun but long day.   ;)

It was also the first time that Asher really took to the ocean.   He's always loved the beach, by walking all around, or playing in the sand, but the ocean was just more of the background.    This past time, he would go and lay down in the water, where it was coming up, and get it all over him.   Lay down in the tidal pools, splash in the surf, and even wade out to try to keep standing when the waves would start to crash on him.    He.....loved......it.

Then we ventured back to the Boro, for Vacation Bible School.   It was the first year that River really got to do the whole VBS program.    She loved it.   And of course we finished the week up with the traditional shirt signing, 

and pictures with the favorite leader (you know how you always have a favorite camp counselor that you would get lots of pics with?  Well, this was River's crew leader, and she was definitely the chosen one!)   River had a great time learning new songs and stories.

I think one of my favorite things from this summer thus far has been seeing my 2 kids really begin to bond.    I had an older sister growing up, and then when I was 13 I was blessed to be a big sister myself to my twin brother and sister.   But I didn't really "grow up" with a brother.   I was practically out of the house by the time we could really play together.    So, in my mind, I've always wondered how close could a brother and sister really be?    I am so close to my older sister, that it almost seems impossible to be able to be that close with a brother.   But I'm wrong, right?    We probably won't have any more kids, and so I just really want them to have the closeness that I've been blessed with.    All that to say, I've begun to see this start to come out and I love it.   They've also been bickering a bit more, which always makes things nice and exciting around here.    He's always the chaser, and she's always being chased.   He hits....she screams.   You know, your typical boy girl relationship.     And she definitely wants to grow up and marry him. 

Or her favorite cousin, that you can see her sipping hot chocolate with.

This is from the Black Water Loft in Floyd, VA over the weekend of the fourth.   We had a great time camping up at my aunt's farm with my sister and her kids, and then a couple other families.    Floyd is such a fun town to visit, not to mention the exceptional family we get the priveledge of stopping in for blueberry muffins and coffee.   Not exactly roughing it.   But being out under the stars (or thunderstorms) was definitely a needed get away for our family.    Our camera wasn't out very much, so this is basically the only shot from the entire weekend.    Sad, I know.

And last week, I got to go and meet this cute little bundle of a boy named Logan.   Isn't he precious!?    When your baby is almost 2, it's always good to go and get your baby fix for a while.   He's just 8 weeks old, and simply adorable.   And he's practically sleeping through the night, those lucky dogs.   He belongs to my sweet friend, Heather, who I've known since 1st grade, so he will definitely know me as "Aunt Melissa"!     I've already bribed him with presents and lots of bottles.   ;)    It was really fun to see Heather and her husband doing such a great job with their first baby.   Not to mention how much fun I had just snuggling with this little angel!

Well, going from visit to visit, somewhere over the last couple weeks, I've managed to break the LCD on our camera, so hopefully, this next week at the beach, we'll get a few pictures.   Even if they're off center and blurry.    Maybe I'll even take on the commitment to blog every day next week, like my friend Kari has been doing this summer.      But mind you, IF I do, it will only be for the week.   ;)

Oh, and the other thing I've been doing this summer that I LOVE, is the Beth Moore Believing God study.   And if I don't stop typing right now, I'm going to be late to Bible study!!!

So How's Your Last Decade Been?

This wasn't one of the questions asked, but certainly could have been, as I gathered together with a bunch of sweet ladies this past week.      I hadn't seen most of them since high school, almost 12 years ago, but it was easy to pick back up where we left off.     

I think the thing that I loved the most, was that we were all still us.    I couldn't really remember going into our time together, what each of us had done over the last decade and more.   But I knew that most of us had gone to college, gotten married, moved at least once, had children, lost children, lost family, gained family, had struggles, had victories.   They still laugh the same, they still hug the same, they still cry the same, they still talk the same.   They might have a baby in their arms, and maybe shorter hair, a newer car, an important job, but they were still the friends I loved.

Even though I never see these women, and hardly ever talk to most of them, they all are still important people in my life.     And I was glad to be able to see them again....all grown up.    

Junk In The Trunk

Saturday morning necessities: coffee, sunglasses and/or hat, change in your pocket.

This Sat. I was so excited to go yard-saleing because my sweet friend Kelly came along with me! I need to make a couple additions to my principals, one of them being, it's always more fun to go with someone else! I don't think I've ever talked about my history with yard sales, but my friend since forever ago, Heather, and I started going when we were in high school. It was a new found love for me, since my family never really did much yard saleing. But Heather was a pro. And she taught me to love traveling down those Pitt County roads to find whatever treasure we could. So, I learned early, it's always better with two. That way, you can ask each other's opinions, and have fun together, and also...there's strength in numbers. Which brings me to my second addition...

Don't Let Price Tags Intimidate You.

So, you know, yesterday turned out to be really pretty in the afternoon, but not so much in the morning. It wasn't really "yard sale" weather. And, actually, many people moved their sales to Monday, since it's Memorial Day. (So if you missed it on Sat., you still have a chance to go on Monday!) But Kelly and I still went, and were having fun even in the sprinkles, and getting some pretty good deals (which you'll hear about in a minute).

It's not very often that you meet grumpy yard sale hosts that are stingy and unwilling to deal. I mean, if you're buying their old junk, usually their pretty cordial. Well, we met Stingy Man this weekend. We came to one house, and there were a lot of fun toys. And especially a lot of little girl toys. I start looking, and realize that there are Groovy Girl dolls and accessories, Littlest Pet Shop playhouse and accessories, Little Town toys....I could go on, but for those of you without children this age, you would probably lose interest in this post. I saw that the toy prices were high, with stickers noting that each "set" is $5 and then the accessories another $5. WHAT?! Ok, maybe for a couple of sets, I would pay $5. But not for just one set. Not at a yard sale...in the rain....on Memorial Day weekend. So, I start to gather a few things together, and make an offer for a couple of the sets, asking $10 for for a few sets plus a box set of puzzles. The stingy man looked like that was the worst offer ever, but he looked at his daughter allowing her to make the decision, since they were her old toys. She kind of reluctantly said yes.

SO THEN, I started to look through the books realizing that I had missed some fun ones. He had said paper backs were .25 each, and hard backs were $2 each. (OK, just fyi- $2 per book, at a yard sale is not a good deal.) So, I pick out 6 paper backs, thinking that I'll take a few off his hands, and I ask if he'll take $1 for the stack (instead of $1.50). Again, he acts all offended, and says "I'll take $2!" Dude, you just went more than the asking price. That's not whatcha do. If people take more than one, you make the deal a little better. Since they are taking your junk off your hands, and paying you for it. I said, "Well, if they're a quarter each, and I only have 6, that comes to $1.50. But I'll put one back, and give you $1.25." And that's what I did.

So then, when Kelly went up with her pile, it was supposed to add up to $10 at their price, but she got it for $5. A much more reasonable price. I think I wore him down.

I tell you this story to let you know that sometimes you have to be on your game. Now I realize for the more timid ones, this is hard to do. But you do not want to be taken advantage and pay way more than you need to or want to. If they won't come to your price, than they probably won't end up getting rid of it, and it will be their loss. Most of the time, you can tell them what you are wanting to pay, and usually if it's reasonable, they'll be happy to take it. Unless they're stingy man. I think this may have been his first yard sale. (When I told Randy about it, he said, "It's probably because he remembers how much he paid for all of it." I laughed.)

So, yes, there is strength in numbers, but also just remain confident about what you feel comfortable with price wise. It's your game - you're the buyer!

So I ended up doing pretty well getting some fun new things for the house. Here are my favs...

River loving her new pet shop toy - yay!

big old decor things for anywhere (I paid $10 for both!)

Yes that is Calphalon - like new, and only $15!!!

pretty new candelabra to put up

fancy finials ($10 for all of these!) ( these are the things you put on the end of curtain rods)

i love these fun big lanterns that can go anywhere - inside or out! $2

We piled it all in, and loved every minute of it. I meant to get a picture of my trunk, with all the junk in there, but maybe that will be next week. Hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend!!!