tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91303362843417704352024-02-20T01:52:54.054-08:00Transitions of an OverachieverThe story of a 20-something Christian woman through life, love, ministry, passion and infertility.Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-56029427327314130482014-12-03T06:48:00.001-08:002014-12-03T06:50:54.921-08:00Moving OnI'm not sure if there are any readers out there anymore. I haven't written here in a few years. But I wanted to give a quick update and let you know where you can find me now.<br />
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So much has changed since I last wrote. The biggest change is that God blessed us with an amazingly healthy little boy. He was born in April 2013. I had a beautiful pregnancy with zero complications (not even any weight gain!). I want to thank you for all the prayers and the support you've given me over the years.<br />
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I still miss my other little ones, including the child that we were unable to adopt. I have since been in touch with him. He told me that he loved me and wrapped me in a big hug. He and my little boy have even played together in recent months.<br />
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I've began to blog again, but this time I'll be branching out a bit more to include my professional life as well. I stay at home with our son, but in the downtime I'm a knitwear designer. (Talk about a weird career circle huh?) So if you would join me at<br />
<a href="http://melkrist.blogspot.com/">http://melkrist.blogspot.com/</a>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-91019556084726416602011-07-03T08:48:00.000-07:002011-07-03T08:54:27.367-07:00In Healing and PreparationIt's now been almost five months since we lost our beloved little boy. I can't say that the time passed has made the hurt any less, but God has granted us some healing along the way. I hear his little voice much less frequently now. There's still times when I have such vivid dreams of him that I expect to wake up cuddled next to him. Lately I've been able to go into his room and lay on his bed again. I lay there and pray for him and think back to the days when I'd put him to bed and would be rejoicing and thanking God for finally filling that room. Now I wonder a lot about if that room will house another child of ours in the future.<br />
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About a month ago, I was finally able to change the sheets and move his stuffed dogs off the bed. It was such a hard time for me because the bed still smelled like him and was covered in little blond stray hairs. I broke down and sobbed like a baby into his pillow. My husband tried to console me, but no consolation was to be found. The pain of loosing him was revisited all over again that day. All his toys and clothes have been packed away into storage bins, minus his tricycle and Power Wheels. Those still reside in the room, but we'll be moving the toys into our storage building soon and the clothes will be moved into the nursery closet as soon as I clear that out. My husband was very adamantly against getting rid of anything that belonged to him. I'm so glad cause I don't know if I could part with anything. His belongings are the only the things we have to remind us of him. I have pictures and the clippings from his first hair cut too. One day I'll be able to put those in a scrapbook, but not now.<br />
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So as God has been healing our hearts from this loss, He's also been stirring my desire to have children again. I knew that those motherly feelings would never go away once I got the chance to be a mother. It's such a strong desire in my heart and my body. My cycles were perfect while we had our little boy. It's almost like the increased levels of my own oxytocin actually allowed my body to function normally. I had a lot of skin to skin contact with him, because there were times (night time specifically) when the only thing that would calm him would be to lay on my chest. I felt so whole and "warm and fuzzy" all the time we had him. Even in the normal frustrating times of raising a toddler, I was able to take a deep breath and just smile with pure joy inside. Chemically speaking that had to be due to my high levels of oxytocin and now that those feelings/oxytocin is gone my body has rebelled and stopped my cycles again. I know that no amount of science can explain the love a mother has for a child, but for me it just seems to make my body work right.<br />
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The hubby and I have been talking again about trying to conceive again. I'll be turning 30 next month (oh gracious how I dread that !) and it's time to get this TTC ball rolling again. Realistically I only have a few more childbearing years ahead and I'm not getting any younger. I have a doctors appointment next month and plan to get some further testing done to see where my PCOS is currently at. I don't know what my doctor will suggest, but at this point we're almost to the point of desperation. I don't plan to have IVF done, mostly because it's not something we can afford, but also because I still believe that God is able to allow us to conceive in a more natural way. The idea of taking fertility drugs has been thrown around in conversation. I simply cringe at the idea, but if that's what it takes to help my body get to where it should be to conceive we may just have to go that route.<br />
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Since last July, I've lost almost 50 lbs. I had hoped that weight loss would help my body to regulate itself and maybe it did for a few months. But now the harder I work out, the more muscle I gain, the more my body doesn't work right. I used my progesterone cream a few weeks ago for the first time since last year and the results were very minimum. In clinical terms it didn't work because it only produced spotting. In physical terms, it made me a super grouch, moody and slightly sick. I haven't felt the same since I took it. In the past, it's almost always worked. Now that I weigh less and my blood pressure and blood sugar is lower, it doesn't work anymore. I want to scream in frustration. Why does my body refuse to work correctly even when I'm healthier? I just don't know what to do anymore.<br />
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So in closing this babble, I'd just like to thank those who've prayed for us since loosing our little boy. Thank you all for your kind comments and for not immediately sharing your opinions and advice in the matter. I suspect that it'll be a long time before I can think of him without shedding a tear, but we are healing from it all. Our hearts are open to receiving another child in our lives, albeit not by adoption (not sure if we'll be able to do that again). Again thank you for being so supportive.<br />
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~Melody<br />
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P.S. If anyone comes across any research on the oxytocin connection to PCOS, please send it my way. I've been doing my own research but haven't found anything yet. This is something I'm going to ask my doctor about as well....even if he might think it's crazy. Who knows I may have found the missing link?Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-74022359046976852792011-04-24T11:11:00.000-07:002011-04-24T11:11:02.114-07:00To YouTo My Sweet Little Boy,<br />
Today we would have celebrated our first Easter together. I would have dressed you up like a handsome little man in the adorable outfit that now hangs empty in your closet. We would have went to church and celebrated this beautiful Resurrection Day of our Lord and Savior. Your daddy and I would have been overjoyed watching you hunt for Easter Eggs in our yard and would have shared some yummy treats together. We would have celebrated the wonderful life that God had so richly blessed us with. I wanted so much to celebrate you.<br />
Unfortunately for reasons beyond my control, you are not with us now. I still mourn your loss, but I know that God still takes care of you. He still holds you even though I can't any longer. I love you my dear child, more than I could have possibly even dreamed of loving a child. You are forever a part of me.<br />
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Love you always,<br />
MommaMelodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-91888897616506797512011-04-23T14:28:00.000-07:002011-04-23T14:49:59.038-07:00By Grace Alone Giveaway - Winner Announced<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">LOL at the expression on my face in the screen capture. </div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwmnV3ISaa8DC_nkgqKZTVnhHSdqZBtyiGyBMSRNYVCuuV4QBcrhNYN9uZCZ3xied4JJlZa3HAD72_e3BfNpA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-91886493612039609392011-04-22T00:22:00.000-07:002011-04-22T20:11:28.606-07:00Divine GraceGrace....where do I even begin? When questioned about grace, most Christians would give a blanket answer about the gift of God's grace and how that makes their salvation possible. While this is very true, as you might have figured, I'm no ordinary Christian with a blanket answer. I feel impressed to share my personal experiences with grace.<br />
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<a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grace">Webster's</a> defines grace as (noun)<br />
<div class="scnt"><span class="ssens"> <i class="sn">1 a</i> <b>:</b> unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification </span> <span class="ssens"> <span class="break"> </span><i class="sn">b</i> <b>:</b> a virtue coming from God </span> <span class="ssens"> <span class="break"> </span><i class="sn">c</i> <b>:</b> a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace </span></div><div class="sblk"><div class="scnt"><span class="ssens"> <i class="sn">2a</i> <b>:</b> <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approval">approval</a>, <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/favor">favor</a> <span class="vi"><stayed good="" his="" in=""><i>grace</i><i>s</i>></stayed></span> </span> <span class="ssens"> <span class="break"> </span><i class="sn">b</i> <i>archaic</i> <b>:</b> <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercy">mercy</a>, <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pardon">pardon</a> </span> <span class="ssens"> <span class="break"> </span><i class="sn">c</i> <b>:</b> a special favor <b>:</b> <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/privilege">privilege</a> <span class="vi"><each by="" his="" in="" not="" place,="" right,=""><i>grace</i>, shall rule his heritage — Rudyard Kipling></each></span> </span> <span class="ssens"> <span class="break"> </span><i class="sn">d</i> <b>:</b> disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency </span> <span class="ssens"> <span class="break"> </span><i class="sn">e</i> <b>:</b> a temporary exemption <b>:</b> <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprieve">reprieve</a></span></div><div class="scnt"></div><div class="scnt"><span class="ssens">Whether we realize or not, we all first learn grace from our mothers; mothers who gave us their all when we had nothing to give back in return. Mothers (and I'm speaking about those who are truly mothers, not just by biology) personify grace not only in terms of discipline matters, but also emotionally. From them we learn to deal with our thoughts and emotions, how to have compassion and love for others and how to go to others for help when we need it. In those beginning years, a child teaches their parent things as well. Children move mothers to seek for God's grace and in turn teach their child. Bottom line....mothers teach us grace by example.</span></div><div class="scnt"><span class="ssens"><br />
</span></div><div class="scnt"><span class="ssens">If you are a member of my generation, chances are you either are from a home of divorce/single parent or had someone very close to you that was from one such home. My parents split up when I was around age 13, which is a very pivotal time in a young woman's life. I was always an old soul and mature beyond my years, but no amount of maturity can prepare a young teen for a life of brokeness. I know that the situation was not in my realm of control or responsibilty, but that didn't change its effect on me. I imagine that I've blocked out most of the memories of that time for a reason, but what I do remember is feeling lost. </span></div><br />
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<div class="scnt"></div><div class="scnt"><span class="ssens">I was looking for that grace that I'd been taught about at church. Grace was a concept to me at that time, but not a reality. Often times we have to experience something before God can teach us. We humans are quite stubborn...well I am anyway. I fought back at God pretty hard for several years. All throughout those years He granted me the grace I needed though; showing me the whole time how God's grace differs from human grace. I didn't know it at the time, but looking back I can see many times when His divine grace covered my complete stupidity. I was reckless with that grace and I pushed those limits far too often, yet somehow He held me tightly and never left me.</span></div><br />
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<div class="scnt"><span class="ssens"> </span></div><div class="scnt"><span class="ssens">Shortly after high school, I got married, which was no small miracle. I'd said for years that I would never repeat my parents mistakes. *chuckles* I thought that meant that I'd be single for the rest of my life and have children either by adoption or IVF (yes I had a "plan" even then). I won't go into the whole story, but the short version is that after getting married I was suddenly very ill. I went through many doctors, hospital stays, medications, treatments and sadly lost pregnancies before discovering that I had PCOS. PCOS had been with me all along, but I didn't recognize it till it had taken a toll on my body and almost striped me of my sanity. God's grace alone spared my life. There were many times when I was so sick that I wanted to die. I didn't have the drive to even live the life I'd always dreamed about. Depression and illness had me bound. </span></div><div class="scnt"><span class="ssens"><br />
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<span class="ssens">I was bound until that one day....the one day that God showed me what His grace for me meant. I was delirious with pain and the stress of it all was actually inducing random seizures. Many memories are fuzzy of that time, but I remember this one day plainly. I was laying on my bed and I heard my husband calling my name. He was trying to bring me out of one of my 'spells'. I could hear the fear in his voice, but I couldn't shake the loosing control feeling that swept over me. Miraculously strength came to me out of nowhere and I was able to sit up. My vision had been blurry that day, but suddenly I had clarity in one circular area above the door that led to my bathroom. I don't remember why but my husband went and opened that door. As he joined me at my bedside, my focus went back to that spot on the doorway. Plain as day I saw a very small, child size being peaking around the top of the door. Granted my brain was still coming around from a seizure, I do believe this was a God-inspired moment and the being was in fact an angel. I watched as this little angel came through the doorway. I remember that I felt so loved at that moment. An incredible flood of peace filled my soul and I felt as if I'd been rescued from the middle of the ocean. I never heard anything audible and no the ground didn't shake or light didn't blind me from above. The only thing I saw was a child size angel who smiled at me. The being had light brown shoulder length hair and eyes that sparkled. But oh the smile....the smile was what let me know that God was not finished with me. He had granted me that grace again to make it through this difficulty. This time God allowed me to feel His grace.</span></div><br />
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<div class="scnt"></div><div class="scnt"><span class="ssens">To quickly finish this bit of my story, that was the last day I ever had one of those seizures. Shortly after that day, I was able to take control back from the doctors for my healthcare. With God's guidance, I purged my body of the medications that had caused me such harm. Within a year of that day, I was back to the road of recovery, but only because of God's grace. This was nothing that I did. See we don't earn God's grace and we can't replicate it either. No word that I've ever encountered could adequately describe such a grace like God's divine grace.</span></div><div class="scnt"><span class="ssens"> </span></div><br />
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<div class="scnt"><span class="ssens">There's a lot more to my story; more times of joy and many more times of sadness, grief and loss. There are many unknowns in my life. But there's one thing I'm always certain of....God's wonderful undeniable Grace carries me through every moment. When I get caught up in my thoughts and feelings, I need only to think back to the lessons about grace that God has allowed me to live. I pray that you don't have to live out the same sort of life lessons that God has chosen for me, but if you should find yourself deep in the land of no-mercy, I pray that you will recognize this amazing grace we are celebrating at this time of year.</span></div><div class="scnt"><span class="ssens"><br />
</span></div><div class="scnt"><span class="ssens">~*Melody</span></div><div class="scnt"><br />
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God <i>which was</i> with me" 1 Corinthians 15:10 NKJV <span class="ssens"> </span></div></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-54661641022365236782011-04-17T22:41:00.000-07:002011-04-21T22:58:12.203-07:00By Grace Alone - ReviewA few months ago I was sent an invitation to do some product reviews for <a href="http://www.incourage.me/">(in)courage</a> and <a href="http://www.dayspring.com/">Dayspring</a>. I sent my choice and application in and hadn't heard a word from them. Honestly I'd forgotten all about it until I found a lovely surprise in my mailbox late last week. Here's what came to my home to review...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OPwlKi08yidAoOihdakcnNZGpRddm_oJxUECEXxjuG9FZ2WEhY6HoKzcWbmOUvtgvLstl592woGTa8yUzQa-0_i9eeJaEeNaQcLPG5H8VmxBJeXt2hCaBL0g0nwYWajA4SImErLaZJw/s1600/By+Grace+Alone+Set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OPwlKi08yidAoOihdakcnNZGpRddm_oJxUECEXxjuG9FZ2WEhY6HoKzcWbmOUvtgvLstl592woGTa8yUzQa-0_i9eeJaEeNaQcLPG5H8VmxBJeXt2hCaBL0g0nwYWajA4SImErLaZJw/s320/By+Grace+Alone+Set.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://store.dayspring.com/bygraljeset.html">Photo Directly From the Product Page</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://store.dayspring.com/bygraljeset.html">This beautiful set designed by Melissa Reagan </a>came all individually wrapped. The necklace and earrings were in nice black velvet bags. The bracelet came in a small box. As you can see each one features the "by Grace alone" stamping based on 1 Corinthians 15:10. The back of the necklace is inscribed with the scripture reference.<br />
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My initial reaction (after the surprise of course) was how nicely this set was made. The scripture was right on time and I've been meditating on that particular passage most of the week.<br />
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Positives: It's nice and sturdy, but not too heavy. The metal is smooth and has a handmade quality to the edging. The metal doesn't smell at all, which is personally a huge issue for me. I've worn the necklace for several hours at a time and there's no sign of any discoloration to my skin. The earrings hang about mid-neck on me, so they are a decent size dangle. The welds on the bracelet seem to be very solid. I especially love that the necklace can be worn with either side facing out. <br />
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Negatives: The bracelet didn't even come close to fitting my wrist. In fairness, I do have a large wrist and don't normally wear bracelets. The earrings are not heavy, but they are heavier than I usually wear for earrings that dangle. I might wear these to church or to dinner for a few hours, but take them out when I got home.<br />
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In Conclusion: If you are looking for a nice gift set for yourself or someone special, I'd encourage you to consider this set as well as the many others you'll find at Daysprings. It was a pleasure and an honor to have the opportunity to review this set.<br />
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Oh and here's a coupon code to help if you decide to purchase. <a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-5246873-10769216" target="_blank">Receive free shipping on $25+ order. Coupon code: shipping25 through 06/09/2011 </a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/image-5246873-10769216" width="1" /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihY5_cA5VN92cx0aDWv2-YpSWrhn_HZrul2fQI2gdlX95po5WNxQ-pRLMK4Udp9Oh4hWdNW5m_dhhCUaKRibwAMXxbS7YFVsp9jj4-MuGP1NxJYVeVwawtIsvTPAOqmLv-BFH5enIvPCk/s1600/By+Grace+Alone+Bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihY5_cA5VN92cx0aDWv2-YpSWrhn_HZrul2fQI2gdlX95po5WNxQ-pRLMK4Udp9Oh4hWdNW5m_dhhCUaKRibwAMXxbS7YFVsp9jj4-MuGP1NxJYVeVwawtIsvTPAOqmLv-BFH5enIvPCk/s200/By+Grace+Alone+Bracelet.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://store.dayspring.com/bygraljeset.html">Photo Directly From the Product Page</a></td></tr>
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GIVEAWAY: Since I'm not able to wear this beautiful bracelet, I'd like to pass it along to one of you. Here's a couple ways to enter.<br />
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1) Leave a comment below about how the grace of God has impacted your life. (I plan to write on this later this week. )<br />
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2) Become a blog follower with Google Friend Connect (in the right hand bar). You can follow either this blog or my creative blog <a href="http://creativeradiance.blogspot.com/">Creative Radiance Designs</a><br />
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3) Follow Creative Radiance Designs over on Facebook.<br />
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Simply leave those in a comment below. Drawing will be closed Friday April 22nd at Midnight EST.<br />
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~*Melody*~<br />
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<i>Disclosure: I was provided the above products for free with only the request to share my thoughts about them with my blog readers. I'm under no obligation to give a positive review of the product or the company. These words are my honest opinions.</i>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-33000219250598325102011-04-09T07:52:00.000-07:002011-04-09T07:52:41.845-07:00The WinterA friend of mine wrote the following statement in a recent blog post. <i>"I couldn’t open up my bible because I was too distracted with all that was running through my head. I couldn’t sit with Him in adoration for fear of breaking down and crying. It was too much to bear."</i> I was so inspired after reading this that I just had to write about my own personal struggle.<br />
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I identify well with this statement, but haven't been honest enough to write about it yet. It's been a long process of healing for me and I'm just now able to sit through a church service without balling my eyes out. I'm slowly getting back into the Word too.<br />
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I've never experienced a time like this before; a time filled with complete hopelessness and confusion. It was more than a time filled with various emotions, but a state of mind fueled by pure pain and agony. I don't believe I ever questioned God about why He allowed this to happen. More so I questioned how it all could happen. I questioned my own connection with God and even my sanity. There were many moments when I felt that I could never go on in the same way again. It was truly as if someone had ripped out part of me and tossed it out. Vulnerable and alone are two words that don't carry enough meaning to describe what I was feeling. Loosing a child in this way has been much harder than having one of our biological children die inside of me. I NEVER thought I'd be able to say something was harder than loosing my children, but that's now a dark reality.<br />
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I don't feel guilty for not being able to read the Word or spend quality time with Him. God knows when our hearts are burdened down beyond what we can bare. Yes we should go running straight to Him immediately, but there are times when this vessel of clay is too fragile to move. I've been in that very fragile state, not just afraid to move, but unable to move. Grief is very powerful, but it's also very necessary. If I didn't allow myself to grieve and cope, there's no way I'd be able to continue, much less keep a healthy relationship with God.<br />
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So where does this all leave me now, well I'm beginning to come out of this dark time. I'm now able to turn to God throughout the day just like I use to and scripture now has meaning to me again. I see Him everywhere I look. The physical spring has now come and so has my spiritual spring. So long winter...I'm ready to grow and move past the cold and death of winter.Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-27207085279527384752011-04-08T21:01:00.000-07:002011-04-08T21:10:21.027-07:00Life As I've Known ItAs I wrote in the last post, life has been dramatically different for me over the past few months. I took an online hiatus in August because our home was finally blessed with a child. We picked up our dear sweet 18 month old from a very abusive situation one hot rainy August evening. It was very sudden and completely unplanned, but quite possibly the highlight of my entire life. This little boy filled our hearts and our home very quickly. We were in hopes that we'd get to give him a permanent home. We'd spoken with various people in social services about adoption and thought we were well on our way there. Unfortunately on Valentine's Day, only a few days before his second birthday, social services called me into their office under the false pretense of discussing some paperwork but instead took our beloved little boy away from us. We were understandably devastated and completely heartbroken.<br />
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We know that he was given back to his biological mother and taken to a local homeless shelter. She had nothing for him and he only left with the clothes on his back. I can't let my mind think about it too much now, but the thing that tore me up the worst was knowing how confused he must have been. My husband and I were the only stable parents he'd ever known. We were his parents for a little over 6 months and as a mother I hurt deeply for him, along with my own personal pain.<br />
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Just as quickly as we became parents, we weren't parents anymore. I still consider myself that little boy's mother, no matter what biology says. I'll always hold his heart in mine, just as I have for the many other children who've came and left our lives. There have been many dark days and nights since he left us, but God has began healing my heart again.<br />
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I hope to be able to share my joys as a mother in the coming weeks. There are lots of memories that will cherish till the day I die. Being that little boy's mother, no matter how short lived, was the greatest experience of my life.<br />
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~Melody<br />
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"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God <i>which was</i> with me" 1 Corinthians 15:10 NKJVMelodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-80329087698456292082011-01-31T11:23:00.000-08:002011-01-31T11:33:18.542-08:00Realize I've Been Very AbsentSorry for the long absence. I've had a ton of life happen since last writing here. From my Mammaw's sudden heart illness and hospitalization, to her breast cancer and treatments and now to a very life altering event for me personally. I do plan to write about all these things very soon. I need a place to document this very dramatic time in my life.<br />
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I also plan to go back to a private blog for a while. My story is very personal and I need to know who's out there reading it all. Sorry if this is a pain, but please leave a comment here if you'd like to be added to my reader list. I have a few of my friends listed already. <br />
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I hope and pray that your 2011 is off to a great start. And I hope to reconnect with my (former) blog readers.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
~*Melody*~Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-24971352749219417892010-04-27T23:32:00.000-07:002010-06-23T08:15:39.835-07:00Running<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Its so easy to run FROM God, but so hard to run TO God. I'm going to pray that God gives you that last bit of courage and passion to draw you right to the place where He wants you."</i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I wrote these words to a friend tonight and God struck a cord in my heart. "What are you running from child? Why must you take the easy way when I've called you into the difficult?"</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Talk about knock my breath away for a second! I would never call my life easy, but what does God see that I don't? Am I making decisions in life because they are easy or because they are what God wants me to do? At the moment, I can't answer that question with a definitive answer. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><h2 id="passage_heading" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Philippians 2:5-8</b> (NKJV) says this...</span></span></h2><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-29393">5</sup> Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-29394">6</sup> who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-29395">7</sup> but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, <i>and</i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-29396">8</sup> And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to <i>the point of</i> death, even the death of the cross. coming in the likeness of men. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">This scripture was the first one I saw today and it was the one I needed. Jesus was God in the flesh. He knew all and was (and is) all powerful. Jesus could have done anything He wanted while in the fleshly body. Yet He <i>chose</i> to take the difficult path. He chose to become a servant to man. And He chose to be obedient to the point of death on the cross. It wasn't easy for Jesus to give up His will and lay it all down for us. None of the suffering Jesus endured was easy or okay for him, yet He went through it anyway. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I think of the suffering I've experienced, I should remember the suffering that Christ chose to go through for me. It's honestly often hard for me to think that Jesus knew the kind of suffering I've experienced. How did he know the emptiness of my arms? How did he know what it's like to have a child die inside his body? But when I really think about it, Jesus chose to live a life alone, without a helpmate, without a wife. Jesus never knew the joy of holding his own flesh and blood in his arms. I know the Bible doesn't mention his thoughts on this, but I do imagine that being human he felt the absence of that special family bond. I know that He knew all our pains and I believe that He knows mine too. When Jesus went to pray in the garden of Gethsemane, He prayed so hard that His sweat became as blood. Can you imagine someone praying that hard for you? To know that He was praying for the coming days and all of us is more than I can even comprehend. It's no wonder that His whole body was affected. While He was suffering being beaten, carrying that cross, and finally dying, I was on His mind. All the pain and shame I've been through was on His mind. My Jesus ran straight into the difficult and the impossible, not because He wanted to, but because He knew we needed Him to. He not only became our salvation, but He showed the Way.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">*taking a moment to let that sink in*</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Lord,</i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> Examine my heart and mind. Show me the Way....the way of Your plan, the way of my specific path. Help me to run to You, God. I'm much too weak and weary from this journey. I feel my strength is almost gone. Be the strength and the courage I need. Help me to put the easy way out of my mind. Give my heart the urgency I once had. Return to me Lord the complete joy of my salvation. I desire to see You vividly again. Forgive me for running in any direction other than You. Thank you Lord for never leaving my side and awakening my spirit. </i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>In Jesus Name....AMEN</i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">For anyone reading this, be blessed today and know that you have the power to choose which direction you'll run. <i> </i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">~*Melody*~</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-33765401028451673592010-02-13T12:05:00.000-08:002010-02-13T12:10:53.730-08:00God Has a Way...God has a way of working out things in our lives. For a while now, I have been planning on writing a resignation letter to the Women's Ministry Team at my church. I had decided that I wanted to concentrate solely on youth ministry. I couldn't adequately do what I felt I needed to in both ministries, so I went with the one where I felt like God wanted me to be. I do desire to do some women's ministry, but at this time, I feel like God wants me to stay working with my middle school girls.<br />
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I waited and waiting writing that letter though. I'm not sure if it was just mere procrastination, fear of confrontation or maybe I was actually waiting on God, but in any case, I'm glad that I waited. This past Sunday I was handed a thank you card and a flower for my service over the past year by the women's director. Apparently God had been working behind the scenes and the women's ministry was completely dissolved (in the form that it had been). So now I don't have to worry about writing a letter of resignation, there's nothing to resign from.<br />
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Isn't it strange and great at the same time when God takes care of things for you? I mean, we all say that we trust Him to do just that, but do we really? Do we really trust that God will handle things for us? Even the things that are the most uncomfortable? I've been teaching my middle school girls about the different themes of the Bible. We've been studying about how God cares, comforts and takes care of us. This past week we were reading Psalm 37 about how trusting God allows him to bring good to our lives.<br />
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Look at this...<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14454">3</sup> Trust in the LORD, and do good;<br />
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14455">4</sup> Delight yourself also in the LORD,<br />
And He shall give you the desires of your heart. <br />
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14456">5</sup> Commit your way to the LORD,<br />
Trust also in Him, <br />
And He shall bring <i>it</i> to pass.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14457">6</sup> He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,<br />
And your justice as the noonday. <br />
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14458">7</sup> Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;<br />
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, <br />
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14459">8</sup> Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;<br />
Do not fret—<i>it</i> only <i>causes</i> harm.<br />
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Trusting and delighting in God brings us the desires of our heart. In contrast, anger, worry, or being unpleased with life only cause us harm. Could this mean that being discontented with life holds God back from bring blessings into our lives? Are we tying God's hands every time we complain or worry about our lives? Oh my, this really makes me think twice about how I perceive about things ! <br />
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I was talking to my mom earlier this week about perspectives. We can look at things through a negative or a positive viewpoint. There's a mountain directly across from my driveway. On that mountain there's a wasteland of dead kudzu vines among the bare winter trees. But there's also some evergreens clinging to rich dark green leaves. I can choose to look at that mountain and only see dead things or I can choose to look and see that life is still present in the evergreen leaves. It's my choice what perspective I take, not just in matters of things I see, but also in how I choose to feel about things. What if we made the conscience choice to alter our viewpoints to the positive side? What if we found something purposeful or meaningful about everything we go through in our lives? Would God be able to move more effective in our lives? I'm inclined to think so.<br />
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Another thing that came to mind while I was talking to Mom was the differences between boundaries and limitations. Boundaries are set by God; ie right from wrong, black from white. Limitations are placed by man (often ourselves).....for nothing is impossible with God (<b>Luke 1:37). <span style="font-family: inherit;">We shouldn't allow man's limitations to hold us back from God's possibilities. Please join with me in not allowing your own perspectives, fears, worries or complaints to hold you back from experiencing God's best for you.</span></b>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-26391548395848254402010-02-08T20:45:00.000-08:002010-02-08T20:45:10.249-08:00Photo 365: 2010Yesterday I finally got caught up on posting all my Photo 365's to my Flickr page. You can now view them via my side bar. The pics began to take up my whole blog, so now they are all in one convenient place. If you'd like to see the pictures in a bigger size, just click on the word Flickr and it will take you directly to my page.<br />
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I'm not exactly sure my pictures are in order by day, because when I added a new memory card, my phone mixed them all up. But I almost certain that I'll be ok with that. ;-)<br />
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Ok I hope to be back this week with some actual posts. Life has me very busy lately and I haven't taken enough time to blog or write. I'd like to change that. Plus I'm dying to share some new design inspiration with you.<br />
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~*Melody*~Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-377985230888388332010-02-02T11:33:00.001-08:002010-02-02T11:33:40.794-08:00A Note From My Pastor<span style="font-style: italic;">Our church has been using Facebook a lot lately. It seems that people have really opened up to one another through this medium. While at first I thought it was quite strange that people could be so friendly online, I slowly came around to the idea. I questioned the validity of their friendship over and over, that is until I saw people actually communicating in real life. There's a wave of joy that's come over our congregation and honestly it's quite intoxicating. I have more desire to serve in the church again. I personally haven't gained any new friendships from any of this, but God has awakened the servant inside of me again.</span><br style="font-style: italic;" /> <br style="font-style: italic;" /> <span style="font-style: italic;">Today I received the following message from my pastor in my inbox. He's been sending these out a couple times a week now for about a month. I thought I'd share his encouraging word for the day to you all as well. </span><br style="font-style: italic;" /> <br style="font-style: italic;" /> <span style="font-style: italic;">~*Melody*~</span> <br />
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Encouraging Word<br />
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Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God. 2 Corinthians 4: 1-2 The Message<br />
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It's amazing isn't it? When the whole truth is shared about what Jesus has done in you and I things really get exciting... What's happening in our families is nothing short of a miracle. It's not hype or exaggeration. We're putting Jesus on display - making Him famous, and He is responding to our worship. <br />
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I stand amazed really. I received a letter from an adult and a youth in our church this past week. Both said almost the exact same thing - that we need to get into God's Word and allow HIS TRUTH to wash us into holy vessels pleasing to His name. <br />
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Be encouraged today to put aside the mask. There's no need to play games. Be encouraged to get real with God. Be real! Walk a real walk! Talk the real talk! <br />
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We don't have to twist the obvious because we are all a work in progress. Let everyone see that we are God's children, each in the process of growing into His image. We don't use masks to cover our past or our failures. We are pressing toward His high calling...<br />
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However, more important than us pressing forward to reach God, He has initiated the first step in reaching out to YOU and I. It is HE who has initiated this redemptive plan. Thanks God we are part of His plan and have responded to His voice! <br />
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Because of such great love, we are NOT ABOUT TO THROW UP OUR HANDS AND QUIT! I'd encourage some of you to get down right angry at the enemy and put your hands on your hips, tilt your head back and look that ole' devil in the eyes and say, "Honey... I'm just getting started. I'm not about to throw up my hands and quit. You might have had me, but you sure don't have me now. I'm blessed. I'm favored. I'm God's child. I'm serving at my church. I'm reaching out to my community. I cannot be deterred, delayed, or denied. I will not quit!" <br />
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Blessings,<br />
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JGMelodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-12052278208656024782010-01-30T20:08:00.000-08:002010-01-30T20:08:30.338-08:00Back in Public ViewI decided it was time to make my blog public again. One of the reasons I decided to write in this blog was to journal my journey; my transitions if you will, being on private almost defeated the purpose. I've taken time to heal from past events and am ready to move on.<br />
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My apologies to anyone who might have wondered what happened to me. I'm still around and will be more active here now. I have almost 2 weeks worth of Photo 365 to catch up with posting. I have that on my schedule for this week. <br />
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See ya then....<br />
~*Melody*~Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-58891079981153298602010-01-19T21:26:00.000-08:002010-01-19T21:31:23.009-08:00Walking Down Memory LaneTonight I've been studying some for the middle school girls class I teach on Wednesday nights. I was surfing the web for some resources to help me with the next series of lessons I'm teaching. Such strange feelings go through me sometimes. I pulled up my old Crossed Out Youth Ministries email account. Crossed Out was the youth ministry that my husband and I pastored for 5 years. I deleted its website several years ago, but I never could bring myself to delete the email account. All youth related things are still directed there and there are so many memorable emails stored there; emails from students, parents, and fellow peers in youth ministry. <br />
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Anyway so I'm sitting here tonight and this feeling comes over me. The only way I know how to describe it is an intense sudden sense of purpose. The passion bubbles up so quickly within me and its so easy to go back into youth pastor mode. Recently our youth pastor empowered all the youth leaders to act as youth pastors over their particular small group. I'm not exactly sure I understand the logic behind that, but on one hand it does feel nice to have that kind of confidence behind us.<br />
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I know that God took RL and I out of youth pastorship for a reason. I have yet to discover that reason and sometimes I greatly struggle with that. But it's nights like tonight that reassure me that God has not taken my passion and zeal for youth away. Albeit strange, I am thankful that God allows such feelings to flood my heart and mind.<br />
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ETA: After I posted this the first time, I glanced up at today's scripture of the day...<br />
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=31&search=James%201:2-3">James 1:2-3</a>) ...... <i>Thanks for that reminder Lord. I love you too.</i> <br />
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~*Melody*~<br />
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BTW: I'll be catching up with posting my Photo 365's in the next couple days. I have taken them, but just haven't taken the time to blog them.Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-49273030769318948272010-01-14T21:18:00.000-08:002010-01-14T21:18:59.017-08:00This Is My Year !I believe this is going to be my year. I'm bound and determined like I haven't been in a long time. This belly will be leaving me in the near future. I have decided that I'll no longer be attached or defined by it. It's going to take this determination to make it. I will need help along the way so please do send those encouraging words. I need every single one of them. <br />
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Tonight I did a 20 minute ab workout on my exercise ball with a DVD. It's a 45 minute routine, but I thought I'd start slow and try my best to keep up with the pro. I did well keeping up, which I'm very happy about. Hopefully soon I'll be able to get all the way through the video. I did get to the harder part of the workout; ball pushups with pelvic tucks. So at least I got past the basic crunches. BTW, if you've never worked out on an exercise ball, I highly encourage you to get one or at least try it out at the gym. They really help a lot in supporting your back and allow a broader range of motion. I've gotten more success in the past through occasional ball workouts than I ever did with crunches. <br />
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So here's my planned routine for the next few weeks:<br />
<ul><li>Ab Workouts at least 3 days a week</li>
<li>Cardio and Weights at least 3 days a week</li>
<li>Running on the treadmill each weekday (attempting this will depend on timing)</li>
</ul>I have access to a small gym at my leisure. It's very small and I'd have to bring my own entertainment, but at least its something. I'd have to wait for my hubby to go with me because he's the one with the key, but I'm sure he'll help to encourage me. There's WiFi so I'll probably take my laptop and pull up something on Netflix or Hulu to watch while on the equipment. It'd be a great time for a good old podcast or two as well. I'm not agile enough to knit while on the treadmill yet...boo. <br />
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Maybe soon I'll get to buy some cute new workout clothes. :-) 'Cause you know a girl always look for a good excuse to shop. Plus I've got a Broadway-inspired Sweet Sixteen party to attend this coming summer.<br />
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~*Melody*~Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-13300284331668635622010-01-13T21:52:00.001-08:002010-01-13T21:52:58.551-08:00Photo 365: Day 13<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4272857677/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4272857677_674f681926_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4272857677/">Photo 365: Day 13</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/50517594@N00/">hibiscus_ballerina</a></span></div>Fun times in the library with Lou.<br /><br />~*Melody*~<br clear="all" />Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-84310334585041650162010-01-12T20:52:00.001-08:002010-01-13T22:04:17.833-08:00Photo 365: Day 12<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4270946706/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4270946706_560fcb2206_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4270946706/">Photo 365: Day 12</a><br />
Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/50517594@N00/">hibiscus_ballerina</a></span><br />
</div>Out for a ride near my stepdad's property...goodness I could lost in that dreamy light. I wish I could have just stood out there for hours watching those horses and daydreaming. <br />
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~*Melody*~<br />
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<strike>P.S. I'll post Day 11 soon. It's a picture of a gift that the recipient had yet to see.</strike>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-57702056766934155512010-01-11T22:02:00.000-08:002010-01-13T22:03:54.606-08:00Photo 365: Day 11<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4272863487/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4272863487_aaa8407183_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4272863487/">Photo 365: Day 11</a><br />
Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/50517594@N00/">hibiscus_ballerina</a></span><br />
</div>The finished money hat I made for Grayson. I just think it's the cutest thing. I was inspired by the BlaBla brand and made my own. The hat is knit from cotton yarn and is lined with fleece. There's earflaps and a velcro strap there as well, you just can't see it in this picture.<br />
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~*Melody*~Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-45094997334148456702010-01-11T20:55:00.000-08:002010-01-12T20:56:22.053-08:00Photo 365: Day 10<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4269975216/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2726/4269975216_910048d24d_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4269975216/">Photo 365: Day 10</a><br />
Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/50517594@N00/">hibiscus_ballerina</a></span><br />
</div>A view from my workspace today....I looking out my windows up toward the mountain covered in snow. Some days I face the other wall, but today the snow helped inspire me.<br />
~*Melody*~Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-20931299967625234702010-01-10T10:50:00.005-08:002010-01-10T10:50:55.679-08:00Photo 365:Day 9<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4262667743/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4262667743_07756b22e2_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4262667743/">Photo 365:Day 9</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/50517594@N00/">hibiscus_ballerina</a></span></div>I'm so thankful for heat, hot water and unfrozen pipes.....eh and maybe even curly wet hair sometimes :-p<br />~*Melody*~<br clear="all" />Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-64451990589802044872010-01-10T10:50:00.003-08:002010-01-10T10:50:28.881-08:00Photo 365: Day 8<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4263408126/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4263408126_f039dab266_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4263408126/">Photo 365: Day 8</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/50517594@N00/">hibiscus_ballerina</a></span></div>Just after midnight before the snow came barreling down...I was too excited to sleep<br />~*Melody*~<br clear="all" />Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-45701910587987417902010-01-10T10:50:00.001-08:002010-01-10T10:50:02.782-08:00Photo 365: Day 7<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4263397468/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4263397468_aaf5c0c7a1_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4263397468/">Photo 365: Day 7</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/50517594@N00/">hibiscus_ballerina</a></span></div>Snow makes me one happy lady.<br />~*Melody*~<br clear="all" />Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-57973908872220384962010-01-06T21:40:00.001-08:002010-01-06T21:40:57.821-08:00Photo 365: Day 6<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4252529983/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4252529983_e2cdc7dd6d_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4252529983/">Photo 365: Day 6</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/50517594@N00/">hibiscus_ballerina</a></span></div>I looked so forward to purchasing this circle cutter...came home to try it out to find it doesn't work at all....BOO !!!<br clear="all" />Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130336284341770435.post-20725881865875823282010-01-06T21:36:00.001-08:002010-01-06T21:36:57.492-08:00Photo 365: Day 5<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4251947212/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4251947212_c0114702e6_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50517594@N00/4251947212/">Photo 365: Day 5</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/50517594@N00/">hibiscus_ballerina</a></span></div>The beginnings of my yarn destashing....oi I have a lot of work ahead of me.<br clear="all" />Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15046770101176634067noreply@blogger.com1