Little Blessings (Pt. 28)

March 22, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

:) The funny things my daughter does…like pushing the capo for my guitar around in her stroller, yelling, “Capo! Capo!” (her newest word) Hilarious.

:) Wrecking dinner and being blessed with a hubby and daughter who will eat it anyway.

:) Computers that are still under warranty. Oy…

:) An awesome hubby who took Mae over his lunch break so I could go to my sweet friend’s organ recital. And actually sit there and soak it all in. ‘Twas wonderful…the recital AND the fact that I got to just sit for 45 minutes. 😉

:) Nine straight days of flip-flop weather. In March. Yes, please.

:) Walks with friends in the sunshine.

:) My Thursday morning Bible study…I love those women.

:) Something kinda cool that happened this week…I’ll tell you all about it in the next few weeks. But it made me smile really BIG.

:) Wagon rides and walks and playing in the backyard and sliding and trips to the park…with my girl. We have such a good time together.

:) Reminders from my Father this week. It is SO. GOOD. to be loved by Him.

Sig

Filed Under: being mommy, blessings, friends, just life, Maelie, Tobin

Yes, I Drink Caffeine at Night. Sometimes Late.

March 21, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

Hi, my name is Mel, and I’m a coffee addict.

I know that’s shocking news to all of you.

So it’s 9 p.m…and a pot of coffee kind of night. Or at least a cup.

It wasn’t a bad one at all…it was actually a really good day.

But I don’t feel like I’ve sat down much…so bring on a cup ‘o joe, my pj pants, and some quality time for me and the blog!

I like to chat about life…what’s up, what’s down, what I’m learning, how He’s working. So let’s talk about that, k? And hopefully, I’ll get through the conversation on just one cup of coffee because, really, I shouldn’t be drinking more than that this late.

Even coffee addicts need sleep. 😉

What’s up? Lots of stuff.

My days are full of Mae…she is such the sunshine. It’s melts my heart and makes me smile really big to see the way she blesses the lives of people around her. She is JOY and random hellos and handshakes and hugs and complete love all rolled up into a pretty stinkin’ cute, albeit slightly-messy-haired, little girl.

And I am incredibly blessed to spend my days with her.

The temperature lately has been UP…therefore my desire for a tan has been elevated, too. :) Truthfully, I’m not the sun worshipper I used to be, but, hey, if there can actually be a tan in March, why not?! I got some good color in Spain and have been able to keep it thanks to Chicago’s glorious, eight consecutive, days of 80’s and sunny.

Love.

The weather has been completely awesome for running, too…I can’t remember ever going for an early morning run in March in a tank top and shorts. Ever. That is motivation enough to get me out of bed at 6:15. Truthfully, I like running in the morning just for the simple fact that I’m done for the day. I don’t particularly like “looking forward” to running because I don’t really “look forward” to running. :) But I like the way I feel after, so I guess that’s a good tradeoff.

What’s down?

Certainly not gas prices. Ugh. But I don’t want to analyze those too much.

The amount of time that Maelie naps during the day is definitely down. I’ve seen this coming…she’s slowly cutting back on her afternoon napping…secretly, I think she just wants to play outside more. :) I have to accept the fact that she’s almost two…it’s the inevitable. Rats…I was hoping she’d take four hour naps til she was six…like her mommy did. True.

But what ISN’T down is her energy level. She just goes and goes and goes. And I think people fall in love with her because she’s so outgoing and loving and just…crazy, big-hearted, Mae. I love her oodles for it, even when I wish she’d sit down for two minutes. 😉

What I’m learning?

Tons…where to even begin.

I’m looking forward to learning more about the wonderfully crazy journey of parenting at Mom’s Bible study. We’re starting a new book, and I really am looking forward to it. I love being a mommy, but I also know that there’s a lot of godly wisdom out there that will help me become much better at it.

I guess this one ties into the next one…

What’s He doing?

I mentioned a few days ago that I bought the book Jesus Calling for my Kindle.

Came across this a couple days ago. I found it challenging, convicting, and, truthfully, I am still chewing on it. I want to process it more with you all, but now is not the time.

But I’ll leave you with it because it’s that good.

“Holiness is letting Me live through you. Since I dwell in you, you are fully equipped to be holy. Pause before responding to people or situations, giving My Spirit space to act through you. Hasty words and actions leave no room for Me; this is atheistic living. I want to inhabit all your moments–gracing your thoughts, words, and behavior.”

Wow.

G’nite, friends.

Sig

Filed Under: being mommy, blessings, coffee, encouragement, just life, Maelie, running, what I'm learning, where I am

I Love Today

March 19, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

(This post has nothing to do with trips or photos of trips…you know, those things I’ve been meaning to post for a few days. I promise they’re coming soon! :))

It does? Have everything to do with today.

It was a Monday…normal, mostly.

I woke up feeling a bit blah and sore from my workout last night…and needing a good dose of JOY. I prayed for it, wondering how He would give it.

‘Cause I knew He would.

It came through my girl. Mae and I have had a few rough days since Tobin and I got home from our trip. There have been extra temper tantrums, more stubborn moments, and even more moments of feeling like a parenting failure.

Today my heart was just full…of Maelie love and blessings. Oh, sure, we had a few moments…we always do. But, mostly, it was just good. Playing together. Laughing and singing and guitar playing. A trip to the grocery store filled with a precious little girl greeting everyone she saw, chatting up a storm…and spreading loads of sunshine to the place. A good afternoon nap, and then some fun family time before Tobin had to leave for his Bible study. We played outside, grilled out and ate on the back porch, took a little walk and visited our favorite friends, read stories, played some more.

A truly wonderful day.

I just soak up days like this…those when Mae and I just are. It’s what we do so well. :)

I’m so, so thankful.

Because today is what we have at this moment…and I love it.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, just life, Maelie

Currently…

March 17, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

Borrowed this from a fellow blogger.

In an effort to not think too hard…it is the weekend, after all. 😉

Enjoy. :)

Current Books: Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider…reading it slowly to digest it and actually apply it to life. Beginning a new Bible study book, Effective Parenting in a Defective World by Chip Ingram…looking forward to it. Just finished a Karen Kingsbury on the plane, Leaving. Problem is I scored that one super cheap…the other three in the series roll in at a whopping $10 each. I’ll be borrowing those from the library. But definitely a good read.

Current Playlist: No particular artists but lately lovin’ anyone who’s “redone” a hymn, like the one I posted a few weeks ago. Also have a playlist for running that I listen to. When I run. 😉 The rest of the playlist is whatever I’m singin’ at the time. Works for me. :)

Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Does The Bachelor count? I didn’t watch the whole season, just here or there, but my interest was definitely piqued with the finale. I truly don’t know what Ben was thinking…or that he was thinking…but I wish love for him and Courtney. Truly.

Current Colors: Always a fan of green. Really liking it with brown and cream right now, too.

Current Fetish: Flip flops. Always. Especially when the weather is summer in March. Score.

Current Food: Um…don’t laugh. String Cheese. Craved it the whole time we were gone. Something about a good shot of protein with just a few calories.

Current Drink: Two. Of course. Coffee…with whatever creamer I have in my fridge. :) And lately, liking Cherry Coke Zero. Both much better with a dear friend and a heart-spilling chat.

Current Favorite Favorite: Music. Love it all. (Well, mostly.) I sang through my whole run this morning. Not sure how I sounded, but the world…was just brighter this morning. Waved at a few drivers I recognized, belted out All I Need (Bethany Dillon), and soaked in the moments of the sun on my face. Music.

Current Wishlist: I don’t really have a list of wants other than shorts that fit ;). If I could wish for something, it would be that balance in life came more easily. I’m trying…and jet lag has helped with it the last few mornings. I’ve woken up so early and had so much time to accomplish things before the daily grind of life began. Morning coffee, Bible reading, laundry, blogging, running…have all happened before I needed to get Mae up for the day. Maybe I’m wishing that this trend can continue. I think it could be very, very good. Oh, and maybe I’ll wish that my book will get published this year…well, once I finish it. 😉

Current Needs: New black flip flops. Whether those are actually a need…it doesn’t really matter, probably.

Current Triumphs: How does one answer this without bragging? Or at least sounding like it. Being a pound away from my goal weight is definitely a triumph…and the fact that I decided weeks ago not to obsess over a number on the scale anymore.

Current Bane-of-my-Existence: I’m not, in general, particularly annoyed with anything right now. I really try to look on the sunny side of the street…and walk there ’cause it’s much warmer, too!

Current Celebrity Crush: Totally my hubby. He’s famous to me. :)

Current Indulgence: Today I finished round 2 of the Biggest Loser competition with my friends at church. And I am eating a big chocolate chip cookie sometime today to celebrate. And maybe some pizza, too!

Current Mood: JOYful. Allowing the JOY to seep into every moment…because life is good even when things are hard. I am blessed, I am loved, I am His…and that’s enough.

Current #1 Blessing: Family, friends…and the JOY they add to life.

Current Slang or Saying: Golly, Miss Molly… (to Mae); Oy… Aduh… (that one never changes)

Current Outfit: Brown cargo shorts, purple tank top, flip flops with rhinestones that are, sadly, falling apart.

Current Link: Um, I don’t know? I really, really like these shoes. I could add them to my wishlist, maybe. 😉 You can find them here.

Current Quote: I spent some time reading in Romans this morning when I got home from my run…the sun was shining, there was coffee made, and I couldn’t NOT sit on the front porch and soak it all in. Chapter 8 was particularly meaningful today, though no one verse stands out. But I also spent my Valentine’s Amazon money (finally) and bought the devotional, Jesus Calling, for my Kindle. And today’s thoughts were exactly what I needed to read. This stood out:

“Rejoice in the One who understands you completely and loves you perfectly. As I fill you with My Love, you become a reservoir of love, overflowing into the lives of other people.”

Wow…I want that to be me.

Current Photo: Um, bread, anyone?!?! (Sorry, I had to talk about it one more time!!!) 😉

Sig

Filed Under: adventures, blessings, family, friends, just life, Maelie, Tobin, where I am

Mommy Lessons from the Playground

March 15, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

So, we’re technically not coffee-dating today, but that’s ok. It’s far too nice outside to even think of drinking something hot. (But I am having a Diet Coke while I write, just in case you’re interested. ;))

It’s so beautiful, in fact, that I went with some friends and all their kiddos to the park for lunch after Bible study.

Maelie loves the park. I love the sunshine. So it works.

However, today was a challenge.

You see, I have been blessed with a fearless, independent, personality-oozing daughter…who I do believe will conquer the world of Survivor someday. Or whatever reality show requires the most nerve at the time.

We hadn’t been to this particular park since early last fall, when she was just taking off…no pun intended…with walking. 😉 So, other than chase her around the grass, I hadn’t dealt with Maelie and the “big kid playground” yet.

We got there before her friends arrived, and I gave her a few minutes to play before we ate. She shot up that play structure faster than I could have…and went right for the dropoff with the climbing wall. I had chased her up and caught her arm just before she took the six foot plunge to the ground.

Crazy, sweet kid.

But she was mad.

And determined to play on this playground just like the kids who were older than she is.

I managed to detour her interests with McDonald’s for awhile, but she hadn’t forgotten about that humongo slide like I’d hoped she would.

The thing is…I knew I needed to let go.

To let her play, run, be a kid. Learn the hard lessons that come with bruises and scrapes and falls.

That’s life.

But my mommy heart ached to the very depths, and I just couldn’t.

So I followed her…up and down that playground equipment probably ten times. Each time, she’d look toward the drop off but turn and go down the slide.

After awhile she lost interest and busied herself with things closer to the ground. While I silently rejoiced…

After trying out the rocking dinosaur, climbing on a park bench, and walking up and down a hill several times, she was ready to go back to the slide.

I almost couldn’t handle it…and this is where I have to be honest with you.

I don’t want to let go of my daughter.

Already.

Because independence and fearlessness and a love of trying new things means that

She is growing up.

More quickly than I want, with more guts than I was prepared to handle.

I processed it out with a sweet friend who was willing to listen and let me cry and offer advice…and she assured me that all moms go through this at one level or another.

And as we talked…my daughter climbed.

She climbed…with a pause to jump on the little wiggly bridge (does that thing have a name?!)…to the top. She’d stop, look over the edge, then sit and fly down the slide as fast as she could.

Wheeeeeeee!

And I continued to be close…as I watched her do this over and over. Watched her because she is 21 months old. She could do something dangerous, and I wanted to be there to catch her.

But eventually, I won’t be there.

And when I’m not, the only thing I can hope and pray is that she’ll make the right choice. The one that comes from the things she’s learned as she’s growing up.

But my job?

Is to let her go.

Just a little right now.

And trust that it’ll all be ok.

Sig

Filed Under: being mommy, blessings, just life, Maelie, what I'm learning, where I am

Home Again :)

March 14, 2012 by · 3 Comments

We are home.

And tired.

But blessed.

And enjoying a sweet reunion with our girl. :)

Since I’ve been up for about 24 hours straight, and since the world is kinda spinning…I think I’ve earned a blog pass for the night. :)

We’ll coffee-date tomorrow. G’nite!

Sig

Filed Under: just life, travel

Jet Lag JOY

March 9, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

Maybe there is a teeny bit of sarcasm in that title…or maybe more than that.

But it´s true…jet lag kicked my butt today.

It´s to be expected when your days and nights get all mixed up…but this time it hit a lot harder than I was expecting.

We slept like rocks our first night here. And last night we went to sleep around 10 pm, planning to get up at 6:00 to catch our first bus at 7:45 to Algeciras, to catch another connecting one to Tarifa, to catch the ferry to Tangier.

It never happened.

I´m not sure exactly what happened…other than the phone rang just after midnight. I´d slept for just long enough for my body to feel like it had gotten enough rest, and that was it.

After (both of us) tossing and turning until 2 a.m. or so, we had a conversation that went something like this:

Mel: Honey, I´m fine if we wait til Saturday to go to Morocco.
Tobin: Huh?
Mel: I cannot go to Morocco tomorrow…I´ll be a wreck.
Tobin: Why are we having this conversation now?
Mel: Because it´s 2 a.m. and we´re both awake. Why not?
Tobin: Should we check into a different trip?

So we both got dressed, went down to the lobby to get on the computer and reserved our spot on a tour for tomorrow.

Yeah, that´s what we did in the middle of the night. :)

Then we went back to our room, fell asleep around 3 a.m. and slept til 9 or so.

It took me two cups of coffee, a hot shower, and three ibuprofin before I was even able to function, but we tried to make the most of our day.

It was cooler, so we took some time and walked through the old part of town, had lunch, walked more, had coffee, walked more. I like exploring and seeing new things so it was a good way to spend the day. :)

I had expected to be in Morocco today, which was a bummer…and the gray clouds didn´t help. But tomorrow we´re going on an organized tour, and as much as neither of us like structure on vacation, with a trip like this, it´s almost better.

At least I hope so…at least all of the travel plans are made FOR us. :)

So tomorrow will be a long day, but we´re both looking forward to it and will, I´m sure, have a lot of pictures and stories to share.

And hopefully the jet lag will be gone by then, too.

:)

Sig

Filed Under: adventures, just life, Tobin, travel, uncategorized

Vacation Pics…and a Few Memories to Go With Them!

March 8, 2012 by · 1 Comment

This is round one. There are two pictures that I can´t post yet, but will get to them before the trip is over. :)

We had a wonderful day, and to dispel any rumors that Marbella is cold…well, it´s not. Apparently it is at night, but today was gorgeous…in the 70´s. We loved exploring and walking everywhere, soaking up a city that most definitely agrees with us!

We started off our day by sleeping in a little and then heading out to find coffee. And then, well, see for yourself. Here are a few pics of the trip so far…more fun to come.

I heart adventures.

This one should just be shared to prove that I can sleep anywhere…except on airplanes. Though I was highly unimpressed with the Paris airport, at least the couches were comfy for sleeping as long as the German tourists sitting behind you don´t scream in your ear. Not that that happened or anything…you know, hypothetically.

Sleeping in Paris

Here´s me taking my first bite…and falling in love…with French bread. Goodness, it´s a very, very good thing sandwiches aren´t made out of this at home because I would eat them every day.

And we had another one today. 😉 Thankfully, Tob and I are mostly following our rule of sharing everything we order. It helps…and then we can decide if things are good enough to try again. Apparently this sandwich was.

Here´s the view from our hotel room. Spectacular.

And possibly my favorite find today… Never in my life have I wanted to work out on vacation. Ever. And yet, today, I saw this from my balcony and decided that it was the perfect workout. Somehow they fused playground equipment with workout equipment and came up with an outdoor gym, on the beach, and I could not resist. I got in an awesome 30 minute workout, and the best part was that since the breeze was blowing I didn´t sweat like crazy. I am already begging Tobin to build me a gym like this in our backyard. 😉 Unfortunately, he didn´t get a picture of the whole thing, but here´s me lookin´cool while I burn calories. Hee hee…I got to work out fifty feet from the Mediterranean Sea. Cool.

And…here´s us…by the Mediterranean. It´s good.

Tomorrow we head to Morocco…if we can miraculously make the slightly complicated travel plans work out…we have to take two buses, one which we can´t book until tomorrow…before we take the ferry, which we haven´t purchased our tickets for yet, either. Prayers are appreciated.

It´s good…we´re having a wonderful time. Missing our girl, yes, but enjoying each other, too.

Have a wonderful day!

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, just life, Tobin, travel

Little Blessings (Pt. 26)

March 6, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

:) Um…vacation time?! YaHOO!!!!!!!!!

:) Amazing friends who love our daughter and are willing to take her for us while we’re gone.

:) Flu shots that work.

:) Sunshine and sweater weather.

:) Unconditional doggy-love.

:) My sweet daughter and memorable moments involving door-closing, couch-jumping, and plunger-stealing. I so love her.

:) Surfing! I. Can’t. Wait.

:) A quick morning coffee and chat with my dear friend.

:) Free wi-fi so I can still (somewhat) update the blog while we’re gone.

:) Adventures with my best friend.

Sig

Filed Under: adventures, blessings, friends, just life, Maelie, Tobin, travel

The Caffeine is Flowing…

March 5, 2012 by · 4 Comments

It’s Monday morning, and my humongo mug is full of caffeinated brew.

So. Good.

I am packed…as packed as I can be until tomorrow when I throw the last few bits into my suitcase, zip it up…and that’s that. Maelie is packed, too…though I am sure we’ve forgotten a thing or two. It’ll be ok, though.

I clearly have learned a few things from the multiple trips for which I have packed in five minutes.

Paperwork is done for the girl. While we don’t want to think of anything happening (to her OR us) while we’re gone, we have to be prepared. Just in case. Ugh…kinda makes my stomach twist. Thankfully, we have been blessed, over-and-above-times-a-million, with amazing friends who love our daughter and have our complete trust.

She’s gonna have a good time. :)

And so are we.

So I haven’t really talked about the trip much ’cause I didn’t want to make you all jealous ’cause I haven’t taken much time to actually think about it.

We leave O’Hare tomorrow afternoon and fly into Malaga, Spain, where we’ll take the bus to Marbella, a coastal city about 45 minutes from the airport. I chose it because it’s on the coast and decently near ports to travel to Morocco. When we did a little research, we discovered that Marbella seems to be how we travel.

Beach. Coffee. Surfing. Sun. Making friends. More beach. Definitely more coffee.

And I really can’t wait to surf again. I hope I don’t kill myself. 😉

We’ll check out Marbella on Thursday and then take the ferry to Tangier, Morocco Friday-Saturday. This is my dream. I have always wanted to go to Morocco. I don’t know why…except other cultures fascinate me, and I have a few friends who have been there and loved it. Enough for me. And a big thank you to my hubby for obliging. I know Morocco doesn’t excite him nearly as much.

And we are both definitely looking forward to the food there.

We’ll hop back to Marbella Saturday night and stay til Tuesday morning, when we fly here for a quick 22 hours and 50 minutes. 😉 We hadn’t planned on it originally, but the stopover was free and the opportunity to kiss under the Eiffel Tower was too much to pass up.

Oh, and a random confession…I kinda hope it rains a little while we’re there.

Kissing under the Eiffel Tower in the rain?

Right out of a movie.

(Hey, I can hope.) 😉

We’re so thankful for frequent flier miles so we can do this…it seems like a dream.

So, trip aside, it’s been a wonderful Monday for other reasons.

Going to bed early and getting good sleep…even if I woke up at 5:45 a.m. and wanted tea. So I made some and drank it. 😉

Two wonderful chats with friends from Indonesia. :)

AMAZING news about a former student accepting Christ! :)

Encouraging words from a friend. :)

A couple good ideas passed on from a friend about books to read on our trip. :)

Workout tonight…I’m gonna need it after my calorie binge this weekend! :)

Today Mae and I are just home…finishing up a few little things, hanging together, and just enjoying being mommy and daughter. She is full of sunshine and love…and she blesses my heart every single day.

I’m going to miss her so much while we’re gone.

But I also believe with everything in me that Maelie needs a mommy and daddy who invest in each other, too…and this trip is giving us time to do just that.

So I’m gonna spend my day enjoying the most precious little girl…cry a little when we say goodbye to her tomorrrow…and enjoy every single moment.

Well, my mongo coffee mug…the one I refilled once already…is just about empty. 😉

And I should get back to my girl…Elmo is almost over. :)

Sig

Filed Under: being mommy, blessings, coffee, encouragement, friends, just life, Maelie, marriage, travel, uncategorized, where I am
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