Look what I can do!

Sorry...having a little "Mad TV" memory (see subject - sorry if you don't understand, I'm just in a funny mood ~ maybe a little fuzzy from inhaling paint all day...).

Here are before/after pics of my patio set! My in-laws gave this set to us (one chair broke, but it's perfect for the three of us - plus we have 4 of those beige rubbermaid chairs anyhow if we have company over & need more)! Wasn't that so nice of them??? They're awesome. :o)

I spent Friday/Saturday on this set...what do you think?? (Leave me a comment please!)


Before ~ Beige (and dirty porch)


After ~ black/red...don't mind the background, we're going to invest in a black tarp for that stuff. ;o)




Melissa ~

I think...

This is Melissa. I think that I might get into photography. I know alot of people actually do this profession, but I think I'm really really good at it. At least I think so! I see the world & I see a great photo. It's just how I think all of the time. I am praying about taking some classes maybe this summer. :o) What do you think? Think I would be good at it?

I've actually really only used a digital camera. So it's easier for me to do it that way ~ but I would LOVE to learn how to use the 35 mm (what I need for school). They range anywhere from $200-thousands of dollars. I think I'll get a less expensive one at first & go from there.

I am really excited about this. I have always LOVED Art (ask my Mom!) and I have tons of it saved from when I was in high school. I think I was pretty darn good at it. I've always loved crafts also & I'm just very creative & artful. I would LOVE to learn how to sew also, and I have a dream of owning my boutique (with just my namebrand in it). Maybe if we ever have another child one day, if it's a girl I will get to practice on her. Haylee is more of a 'surfer' girl style, not so much frilly & boutique stuff for her! No siree. Yeah. I think I'll have lots of fun being creative with my camera.

Here are some really good ones (in my opinion at least!) - they're mostly of Haylee but I've done some good beach photos also...
























I have a lot to learn though ~ and I know I can take better photos also. I am going to start practicing with different scenery also. :o) Wish me luck & blessings! Ya!

XO ~ Melissa

Now this just takes the cake...

Our schools need prayer! I am not just speaking of Califonria public schools - this goes for every state. This affects us ALL. Read this link....if you want to get even more upset, read the related topic links below the article. Arggh!

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55413

Let's pray...

for Kelly

Kelly & Ron are getting MARRIED!

Do you know Melissa? Do ya? Take my test! :)

Create your own Friend Quiz here

Take me out to the BALL GAME...

Take me out to the crowd...buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks...I don't care if I ever get back for it's root - root - root for the ANGELS - if they don't win it's a SHAME - for it's ONE, TWO, THREE strikes YOU'RE OUT at the ol' ball game!

Well the Angels won 7-6 (Seattle). It was fabulous & I have pics to prove it! :o) So much fun - thanks Christin for inviting us! Happy Belated Birthday ~ we love you!!!

My friend Christin & me!


This guy was crazy....who is he?


We don't know, but we got Tim to track him down so that Christin could have her pic taken w/him! :o) Cute huh?


The game from our view...


The zoom on my camera is WONDERFUL - this is the dug out for the Angels, all the way across the field!


Christin & Kellie - GO ANGELS!


Newly engaged LOVE birds - Kelly & Ron


Go Angels GO!


Look at this cute couple!


Vladmir Guerrero - literally RIGHT before his HOME RUN hit!!


Ya - here we are again! I'm so excited we got good pics together! :o)


Me - that's me!


Angels did so great tonight ~ what a wonderful game!

Checkin' in...

Hello! Well I've been putting depressing stuff lately - LOL, sorry but I guess life is just that sometimes when you turn on the news. I really don't watch the news for that reason, I would always be so sad.

Today I woke up early (for me) at 6am, I wanted to get to work early because I am leaving work early today. Haylee has her physical today - she has to have a full health exam to enter Kindergarten this fall. I did warn her that she would need shots - she hasn't had to have them since we moved here a little over 2 years ago! So I am thinking she doesn't even know what a shot is. Yikes.

She did have to get a shot in her head (I believe?) to numb the area when she had to get stitches on Christmas last year. But her face was covered up with a sterile cloth, so she couldn't see. I think and hope she will be brave and not cry, but we will see. I hope she is a big girl today. I know it's hard, I hate shots too, and I'm 27 years old!

Afterward, I am going to take her to pick out a small toy for being a brave girl....like I said I hope!

Tomorrow Tim & I - along with some friends from my work - are going to an Angel's baseball game. Seems like we always get in at least one to two games every season! I guess they aren't doing so well right now, and I don't think I've ever been to a game they've won, LOL! So, we will see. It is always fun though. I love the junk food...hot dogs....nachos...heartburn. I will most certainly post pictures so be on the lookout tomorrow! :o)

There are a few changes of thought going on in my life - I don't want to disclose much because I know a lot of people read my blogs ~ so I just ask you pray for me. GOD knows what is going on & that is all that matters. It's nothing bad, just maybe a change, and possibly for the better! But sometimes change is tough!

Love much ~ Mel

Pray.

Pray About Everything

Call to me in times of trouble. I will save you, and you will honor me. Psalm 50:15

Want to worry less? Then pray more.
Rather than look forward in fear, look upward in faith. This command surprises no one. Regarding prayer, the Bible never blushes. Jesus taught people that “it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit (Luke 18:1 MSG). Paul told believers, “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart” (Col. 4:2 NLT) James declared, “Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it” (James 5:13 NLT).
Rather than worry about anything, “pray about everything.” Everything? Diaper changes and dates? Business meetings and broken bathtubs? Procrastination and prognostications? Pray about everything.
Max Lucado – Come Thirsty

Happy & Sad

Sad things:

~VA Tech shooting, families impacted, the video/pictures that idiot Cho sent to NBC
~ One good friend from work got "laid off" today - I'm so bummed Sandy....miss you already!
~ Haylee's allergies are making her whiney & I can't do a dang thing about it, I feel helpless
~ My friend's grandma passed on to be with Jesus before she could introduce her baby daughter to her - sometimes it just doesn't seem fair

Happy things:

~ My husband ordered pizza for dinner, I didn't have to cook! Yay! I love Tim.
~ Haylee is goofy despite her allergies dragging her down. I love my spunky girl!
~ I'm healthy, have a nice place to live, food to eat (pizza - and brownies), a family that loves me, and clothes on my back
~ Friends - I love them so much - they make me laugh & smile & laugh some more (even in sad times!)
~ My Lord loves me above all.
~ I'm going to an Angel's baseball game on Saturday with my hubby & my friends!
~ Liz is coming soon! 31 days and counting sister!

Ok I knew it! The good outweigh the bad. Sometimes you just have to sit & write it out to realize you are truly blessed.

Melissa <><

Our country needs prayer.

I know it's not going to get any better ~ but we ought to be on our knees daily in prayer for this country. Every night I turn on the tv & the news is just so over powering, it makes me cry.

My heart just aches for the kids at VA Tech - the families involved - the professors - the parents of those innocent students - it's all so hard to take! I just cannot fathom what gets into people's heads that makes them want to kill 33 people. Plus take their own life. I can only gather they need the Lord.

Let's lift our country in prayer right now...during this horrific time in VA.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18148802/

People ask us almost daily when we will have another child. At this time, it's just not right. One of my personal reasons is - look around you. Everyday is another tragedy ~ another shoot down at a school, another child getting kidnapped, raped, molested, hurt. Another home getting broken into. God bless the person that ever lays a hand on my daughter - because I just do not think I could let that happen. It's scary living in these times.

Thoughts...

I don't know if anyone actually reads this ~ but I like to journal, so this is all that matters. ;o)

I just watched the craziest movie (with a horrible, non-fulfilling ending mind you) - called "Children of Men". It was so horrific to see ~ it kind of reminds me of what possibly the end of the world - or what the earth will be like after Christ calls His children up to Heaven (Tribulation - some may be Post-Trib, but I am obviously not one of those people). Just horrible. Thank GOD that He holds true to His promises. What if He didn't? Wouldn't life just be not worth living?

I know I emailed a lot of people about the message at my church last Sunday. Author Lee Strobel (who, unknown to me, is a member of my church - wow!) taught about Creation. There is just no way the Charles Darwin theory is accurate. No way the big bang is accurate. God created the single cell - which has 6 feet of DNA! Each strand of DNA is made up of protein. God knows the name of each protein in every single DNA strand. I don't know about you - but WOW - I stand amazed. Truly. And humbled. Don't you? You should! This is our Creator. You cannot tell me you don't believe.

There are a lot of things I don't understand that God does. A lot of things that have happened in my life personally - I know I'll never understand. Until I get to Heaven. What about the VA Tech shooting? What about our military men (and women!) who die every day overseas? Why does God do this? Why do we endure trauma, hurt, pain? I don't know, you can't tell me either. WE are not skilled to understand. What God has willed, what God has planned. I only know at HIS right hand, stands one who is my Saviour. That song brings tears to my eyes sometimes because it is so true. I don't know why I'm enduring this pain God - but I know that you are here for me. You are here for those kids & parents at VA Tech. You have a Master Plan. If we'd only stop & listen for you. I love you God!

~Melissa

Our favorites!

Tim & I are a lot alike & very different at the same time! :o) Here are some of our favorite things so you can get a better feel of our personalities. Have fun reading about US. Thanks for taking an interest. ;o)

Melissa's answers are in PINK and Tim's in BLUE.







Favorites:
Colors ~ Pink, Turquoise, Lavender, Blue, Black
Music ~ Good Charlotte, Linkin Park, any Contemp Christian, EMO, Linkin Park, Rise Against
Movies ~ Devil Wears Prada, Steel Magnolias, The Guardian, Sweet Home Alabama, The Departed, Cinderella Man
TV Shows ~ Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, House, Friday Night Lights, Entourage, Sopranos (I like these too!), Boston Legal
Foods ~ Mexican, Steak, homecooked, Mexican, Chinese
Books ~ Captivating, Now Discover your Strengths, Who moved my Cheese, Bible, Tim sometimes reads magazines but doesn't really like to read books
Places to shop ~ American Eagle, Target, Old Navy, Macy*s, Tilly's, Tilly's, American Eagle, Sport's shops, Raider Nation
Hobbies ~ Art, Sewing, Journaling/Blogging, Photography, Organizing, Watching sports, playing XBOX, raquetball
Sports ~ Football (just getting into it), Soccer, Baseball, Hockey (I love going to live games!), Football, Golf, Soccer, Hockey, Baseball, Basketball - pretty much all sports
Drinks ~ Ice water w/lemon, Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper, Margaritas, Martinis, Blonde beer on ocassion (social drinker), Diet Coke w/Splenda, Arrowhead water, Long Island Ice Tea, Blonde beer
Restaurants ~ Macaroni Grill, PF Chang's, Bucca Di Beppo, Salt Creek Grill, El Torito, Bucca Di Beppo, PF Chang's
Fast Food ~ Wendy's, In & Out, Taco Bell, El Pollo Loco, Taco Bell, Chipotle
Toys growing up ~ My Little Ponies, Strawberry Shortcake, Rainbow Bright, I also watched He-Man & Sheera, GI Joe's, He-Man
Things to do with Haylee ~ Playing at the park, shopping with her, going to DisneyLand, soccer
Dessert ~ Strawberry shortcake (yum), ice cream from Golden Spoon - Peanut butter, Chocolate cake
Candy ~ hands down - Resse's Peanut Butter Cups, Almond Joy
Memory about each other ~ Our "honeymoon" - we were so young (18 & 19) and didn't have a lot of money. So we went to Las Vegas & walked the strip - but we had FUN! We also went to CA (lived in TX at the time) & went to DisneyLand, a lot of beaches, and Hollywood. Hollywood was so much fun - we have some really cute pictures. Fun times! Young and CARE FREE. :) When Melissa holds her breath. Oh and her admiration for walk in closets.

Tim & Melissa...

I never get to talk about just Tim & I - so I figured I'd post a little about us.






About Tim: He is total extrovert. Loves to talk, very sociable, spontaneous at times, energic, likes to just get things done. Entrapenuer type. A strong leader type. Romantic. Thinks fast. Knows a lot of little odd facts about weird things. Conversation starter. He's the one you always see at parties mingling & livening up the mood. That's my honey!

About Melissa: I am much more introverted. I used to be moreso, but after marrying Tim I've become more outgoing. I also love to talk, but only if I really know you. NOT spontaneous. Can't sit still, I always have to be doing something (Tim calls me ADD Eddie, LOL!). Crafty & artsy. Thinks things out before acts upon. And I love being organized. That's me!

Us - How we met: I met Tim for the very first time when we were both at the same technical school in the United States Air Force (yes, we were both active duty Air Force). It was his last day in Mississippi & he was leaving the next day to fly out to either his home in CA (recruiter's assistance program) or fly straight to his first base which was Dyess AFB in good ol' Abilene, Texas - which just so happened to be where I was going also!

Before I go on any further I just HAVE to say that originally Tim had orders to England. England was supposed to be his first base. A week after it was announced Tim's name showed up on what the military calls a "Short Sheet" - it was a change in his orders. Instead of moving to beautiful England, they needed him at Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas! I know Tim must have been thinking, "what in the world is going on here?!" - he mentioned to me before that he was very upset. He hated Texas. LOL.

Us - Just friends?: There is a lot in between the time Tim & I ran into each other on his last day & the next time we see each other. At that time there was a HORRIBLE hurricane in Biloxi, Mississippi that I had to stay & endure (so scary!). But I won't go into that detail. I didn't think much about Tim at this time - you see Tim & I were both involved in our own relationships. I was "dating" a guy that was also going to school in Biloxi (in the AF) and Tim had a girlfriend back home in CA.

Then it happened. Dyess AFB isn't that big, but it's not that small either. My first week I was at Dyess, I had made some friends (they were actually friends from boot camp!) - and I was sitting on their balcony. Tim & some of his friends just so happened to walk by! I said, "Hey! I remember you!" - and then we started talking. I invited him to a coffee house that night with my friends. We all had a good time. He asked me what my dorm room number was & I was very nervous giving it to him, I had never had a guy friend that up front I guess. :o)

The next day/night he knocked on my door. We started hanging out as friends, going to the mall, dinner, etc. My family only lived an hour away so we would go visit them on the weekends. I remember the first time I invited Tim to my parents house. It was for Thanksgiving and Tim wasn't going home to CA - two of my girl friends were going to come along, but ended up flaking out at the last minute. So, Tim & I made the trip alone, which was a little akward for ME - I think I was getting a crush on him also.

I presented this guy - Tim - to my family as a friend, because at this point he was. ;o) But I think my Mom saw through me. But really we were just friends, we were both still in other relationships at this time. This trip was really neat & awesome for both Tim & I because I believe I realized that I really liked him at this time & also Tim accepted Jesus as his personal Lord & Saviour - that's right he got SAVED on this particular family trip home! Praise God!

Us - Let's date?: Some short time after that, I felt it was time to let go of my "boyfriend" in MS, he was still in tech school & I just wasn't as close as I used to be. So I did that. Not long after, Tim decided to break up with his girlfriend. Shortly after that Tim asked me if I would be his girlfriend. :o) We dated for 6 months before we realized there is really something here - and Tim asked me to marry him!

We had talked about it before, and I said yes. But officially we picked out rings then he asked again. We were so young when I think back! We started dating Dec 1998, he asked me to marry him in May 1999, and we got married in LaMesa, Texas on September 11, 1999. I was 19 (turning 20 in Nov) and Tim was 18 (turning 19 in Oct). I know! Young! We got a lot of negative with little positive, since we were SO very young.

Us - now: Tim & I have been married for 7 years and it will be 8 years in Sept of 2007! It has been a great journey so far. I know that with God in the center of our lives we will always be. We have had struggles & triumphs!

That is the story in a nutshell of how Timothy Paul & Melissa Marie came about.

Thanks for listening! God bless you all.