And...We're Back!

Well, it has been a long time. So many things to blog about, no internet that would work. Today the wonderful Suddenlink man finally came, and he determined after much searching that some person had not seen the green flag in the alley signaling to all Suddenlink workers that we were actually using internet at this residence. Apparently when they do not see the green flag they feel the need to unhook the cable in the alley. When they unhook the cable they are not required to ask the people inside the house if they really are using the internet (and have been for over 4 years) nor must they even tell anyone they have done the unplugging. So, now we are back! Many fun and wonderful things have happened in the last few weeks, and here are some of them.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM-TRACEN

No actual pictures of him singing, or deciding to be the only kid who would not hold up his cute Rudolph mask, but here are some with Mom and below with Dad after the event.


WOMEN'S CHRISTMAS DINNER
I have not downloaded the pics of this glorious event, but I will soon. I am just trying to stay in chronological order. I am crazy like that!

ZACH AND CALYN'S 4TH BIRTHDAY PARTY


Swimming with Meredith in the very foggy play pool area at Bodyworks

Crashing with Zach on the slide Tracen finally got brave enough to do

Calyn and her beach ball cookie cake

Zach and his beach ball cookie cake

Tracen and Meredith, best buds

PUKE/TROTS VIRUS OF DEATH INFESTED TYSON, TRACEN, TIM, CALYN, ABBY, TERRY, LEAH AND BRIE AFTER THE PARTY...AWFUL! (umm, no pics of this)

POLAR EXPRESS

Makenna and Tracen in their Christmas pjs on the train

Tracen and Todd

Makenna and Kayla

Makenna and our conductor

Mak and Santa...she was very worried that she was on the Naughty List! I wonder why...

Tracen and Santa...he actually talked to him! I was so proud!

Family shot...not so great...we were still recovering from the boys' days of sickness

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM-MAKENNA

Makenna and sweet Ms. Cole after the program...yes, still no pics of the actual event. We sat on the wrong side, but we videoed!

Surprise! Grandma came, and she did sit on the right side! We kept on wondering who Mak was smiling at over there!

More pics to upload of most of the following:
MAKENNA CHRISTMAS PARTY
GIRLS TURN WITH A MUCH MILDER FORM OF THE VIRUS
SANTA CAME!-we request each year that he come early as to avoid dragging things to Waco...aren't we special!?

So that is a little bit of an update, and there will be more to come soon. We have loved celebrating the season of our Savior's birth with programs, jingle bells, parties, train rides, elf hat on a shelf, family dinners, going to sleep under the glow of Christmas trees, being crafty, rolling and rolling peanut butter balls, licking red velvet icing, college ministry leaders (and their oh so memorable white elephant gifts), lights at Texas Tech-I know you miss them, Ang, making gingerbread houses, seeing family and friends, and realizing that I have to start sewing a new stocking very soon. We love all of you so much and are thankful for the parts you play in our lives. This journey here, and to come, would not be the same without you. Merry Almost Christmas Everyone!

Limited or No Connectivity

Well, this is what my computer keeps telling me, so no pics, no posts until it's fixed. I am trying this one from my phone. Be back some day...

Tags and Thanksgiving

**First of all, I want to tag some of you to post about your own miracles! Either on your blog, or in the comments section, but please share a miracle that has happened in your life. I am tagging Jill, Angie, Kim, Stephanie, Jennifer, Leah, Robin, Dana, Stacie, Sarah, DiDi, Elise(don't hate :) ), Brie, Emily Melanie and Beth,...but the rest of you...not many since I went a little tag-crazy because I really want to know what God has done... share, too!!!**

Now on to Thanksgiving! Tyson has a very large family...he is the last of 4 kids, and his brother is 11 years older than he, so we have a ton of people that we love seeing! It does not happen often enough for us. His brother Tony and wife Christa have Trevor, Meryl, Hilary, and Tate and live Denver, New York, and Phoenix. His sister Stacie and husband Nelson have Paige and Peyton and live near San Antonio. His sister Tiffany and husband Kirk have Kody and Wyatt and life just north of the Flatlands in New Deal. Tyson's parents live here, too! Whew, that is a lot. I think 20 in all? We had a great time just hanging out, eating, playing games, eating, going to the Tech game, eating, and being together. Here are some pics...didn't take many...but here are some. Hope all of your Thanksgiving celebrations were wonderful! On to Christmas...I am so not ready!!!


My little Pilgrim and Native American in a self-portrait...she wrote "Nat of Amerucun" hilarity!


Tracen and his #1 wrestling buddy, Uncle Nelson...aka Nordalini


Games! Hilary, Tate, Meryl, Peyton, and Christa


Trevor and Makenna...cousins share a birthday...just 18 years apart!


At the freezing game, note the half-smile just like Marc does! So funny! He loved this pic!

The Rings

I will have to give a little background for this one. My Nanny started coming to my church when I was older...like late High School. She had always gone somewhere else before, but taking care of her mother, Mimmie, did not allow her to go for awhile. After Mimmie passed away, she had not really gone back, and I was wondering why. So one day I asked her to come to our church, and she did. The Sundays that I was in town from college, I would always sit by her and my parents in the service. She had these beautiful rings...one remade from all the diamonds in her wedding set, one from Mimmie's set, a gorgeous sapphire ring, and a pink stone ring she got when she graduated from high school from her parents. I would always mess with her rings and try them on. Usually during the service I would have on the pink stone ring the whole time. It was just the thing we did. When my Nanny suddenly had an allergic reaction to several antibiotics doctors gave her to fight bronchitis and pneumonia, my mom took her to the ER because her fever was 104. That was the last time she was at home. The reaction was misdiagnosed, more antibiotics were administered, and she died about 10 days later from Steven-Johnsons. When we got back home, we knew we had to go to her house. None of us wanted to, but we had to do it. It was one of the most surreal moments of my life. To see her datebook out with a pen beside it, showing all the upcoming things she had going on, a little purse she had set aside for Makenna when we came home next, her clothes, her life, her food waiting in the fridge, the chair she last sat in...it was too much. We knew she had always told us to go to the safety deposit box if anything happened to her. What she left out was where the key was! We looked everywhere, and as we were on the hunt, we started thinking about her rings. They were not on her dresser, not in the bathroom, not anywhere. We tried to remember if she had them on the night she called with the high fever, and just assumed she had to have had on some of them. Looking everywhere imaginable...drawers, cabinets, under beds, every nightstand, every purse, we came to the conclusion that someone must have taken them at the hospital when she was admitted. It was heartbreaking for all of us. Just one more thing gone in the blink of an eye. The days went by, filled with planning, crying, grieving, and just barely making it. Eventually, we sold her little house, which she had just bought a few years before and LOVED decorating, and had to move her things out. The lady who bought the house wanted to buy the couches, so that was all that was staying. On the last day my mom and aunt went over to finish the rest of the things and to clean. They asked me to go, but I could not do it. They were gone for what seemed like forever. It was their last time in her house, and I knew they were working hard and savoring those last moments full of memories and tears. When they got back I was sitting on Mom's couch watching tv. They walked in and said,"You are not going to believe this." I knew it was the rings and immediately started crying. Mom was holding up a black velvet bag, and inside were all the rings and special jewelry Nanny had owned. I put on "my" little pink ring. "Where was it?" I asked. They had loaded up every piece of furniture in the house and were vacuuming each room. They had all walked back into every room to vacuum and to make sure nothing was left anywhere. My aunt wanted to go back into Nanny's room one more time, and lying on the empty floor was the black velvet bag, all by itself. We did not even know she had a velvet bag, and why would she put the rings she wore everyday inside some velvet bag before she was taken to the hospital? How did they appear in a completely empty room? We have no idea, but from then on we knew it was going to be alright. Awful, heartbreaking, and lonely, but alright. We received a gift of sweet surprise, our very own miracle, just when my family needed it most. I think sometimes that I would love to know how it happened, but I am sure when I get to heaven that will be the last thing on my mind! I have the ring, and it will be Makenna's when she turns 16. Her miracle ring.

Chasing Rabbits

Hmmmm, what on earth am I going to blog about? I have been a bit "under the weather" really since I found out I was prego. Also some very weird things have happened to me. Bronchitis, food poisoning, cracked rib, sinus infection, chronic cough-did I mention the rib thing???, and fever blisters of death. Sometimes I think I might be sick all nine months. Not morning sickness, thank you, Jesus, but just yuck. Maybe it is those adorable pre-k kiddos, maybe it is Tracen and I just giving it back and forth, and maybe it is just how it is for now. I am tired of the fog and tired of not being able to roll over or get up very easily. Preparation for the next months? I also hate that I have taken so many medicines during the early weeks of this pregnancy. Oh yeah, we had a sonogram and saw the little thing, heart going to town at 145/min. Since Tracen was high risk, I was spoiled into believing all sonograms were the same. TOTALLY WRONG! The one we just had 2 weeks ago was like from the ice ages. So fuzzy, blurry, far away, and just awful. With Tracen I had one a week, and they were at the specialist's office. It was so encouraging, no matter what was going on in his brain, to be able to see him move around every week. I rememeber that I would always tell the lady to not show me his face in the 3D one. We didn't find out what Makenna was, and we did not intend to with Tracen either. I wanted at least something to be a surprise. Little did I know the way he would enter the world would be very surprising! Emergency c-section anyone? My mom has already had one request of me this time. I think her exact words were, "Please, please just have a normal pregnancy and delivery this time. My heart cannot take anymore like the last two." Amen, sister! I am praying for normal...whatever that is. Maybe I should be more specific? I also have to find a new doctor. I love the one I have, but she had to sign something with her group saying she would not do VBACS. I am really wanting to try for this plan, so I have to find someone who will do this with me. Pray for that. I have a peace about it, but just want to have someone soon. So this post is about a bunch of nothing and a lot of something. So many people have had such a hard October and now November. Babies, Mothers, Sister-in-laws, health...all gone. My mind thinks of these things constantly, and I have been so sad right along with them. What is going on, God? I have asked that a lot, and I know he does not mind. I also know he is still the same as he always has been. My next post will be about miracles, and I hope some of you will share yours as well. Start thinking...

6th Folder, 6th Picture

Jill has tagged me, so here is the 6th folder, 6th picture. Really the 5th folder, 6th picture, because my actual 6th folder has only 4 pics in it!

This is when I found Tracen asleep on the floor in the living room. So sweet! I have no idea what else I am supposed to do, but at least I put the pic up...and I have no one to tag.

Lewisville...I forgot

I just realized I never posted about our fun trip to Lewisville to visit Bubba and Sarah. We had so much fun at the Pumpkin Patch, carving two way too small to carve pumpkins, eating a great places, watching the Tech game on the biggest TV I have ever seen, going to The Village to worship, playing some Guitar Hero and Rock Band, driving back to Waco, seeing sweet Hollyn get dedicated, celebrating Granny's, Marc's, and Mom's birthdays, and just being able to be with our family!

Teachable Moment

Yesterday Makenna woke up asking who won the Presidential race. I told her who would be the next president, and she immediately said, "UGGHHHHH! I do not like what he says!" At her school they have been discussing the election and some things each candidate stood for, and they voted for who they wanted to win, what kind of new playground they wanted, and what the cover of the yearbook would look like all on Tuesday. So I asked her what he said that she did not like. Her response was, "I don't know, but I didn't want him to win." She had a very strong opinion, but no information to back it up. I decided that sounded a lot like most Americans today. We fight and argue about so many things most of us know only a little about, if any. I told Makenna that she needed to know what each person stood for before she decided who she wanted to vote for. I also told her that God will place who He wants to place in power, and that we are to respect that person. The night before the election Rudy Guilliani said something great. The news anchor asked him what he would do when McCain did not win. He told him he would do what every single American should do the next morning. Wake up an American that supports their president 100%. I told Makenna that God's plans are way bigger than the plans of every person in the country, and that we need to know and be ok with that. It made me think of how God kept on chasing after Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel. Neb would turn his heart back to God, and then time would go by and it would stray again. God showed him through Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, through Daniel being saved and his service to him all those years in Babylon, and through being completely insane for 7 years while his kingdom watched. As soon as Neb cried out to God, his sanity was restored. I have always been amazed at how God kept after it with Neb. He was the king of Babylon...huge empire, huge influence, and God wanted him as His own. God got his attention in so many ways. I am praying God's influence would prevail in our country, regardless of who is president. Why are Christians freaking out, crying at their tvs, saying the world is ending, and becoming depressed over this??? Do we not know the Truth? Because of this have we lost our faith...over a man? Can we really rest completely in Him, knowing He is completely in charge? We say it, but are we believing Him through it? Yes, everyone has worries about the future. If the outcome had been different, we would have still woken up to a sluggish economy, houses that are not selling, bills to be paid, sicknesses, disappointments, worries and fears. No man can fix those things. Men do the best they can do at the time, and sometimes they just don't do much. But how can we expect more than that. They are both men, from the dust of the ground. Same as you and me. Would you want the job? Let's be who God has called us to be, not fretting and freaking over the future, but loving and fully confident in our God...and may we be teaching our kids the same. "It is by ME that kings reign and rulers enact just law..." Proverbs 8:15

Pray

Please pray for my friend Beth. She just lost her mom about 2 weeks ago, and last night they just received news that her sister-in-law in Chicago suddenly passed away from an apparent heart attack. She was 34. They had one son, Evan, who is 4. Pray for this family today when you think of them. This is so much, so soon, but I know God will give them the strength they need. They will arrive in Chicago at 12:30 pm. Pray also for her twins who are about to be 4, that they could wrap their little minds around losing a grandmother and an aunt in 2 weeks. Love all of you and thanks for being prayer warriors.

Super Girl and Batman...or the best we could do!

Bubba and Sarah gave the kids capes awhile ago, and they wanted to be Super Girl and Batman for tonight. We are going square dancing later tonight with all the college students, which is always our favorite Fall activity. Today we went to Makenna's field trip to the Corn Maize. It was super hot and fun! Happy Fall, Y'all!

Tagalicious

My friend Angie has tagged me...and I am feeling guilty that I have not done this yet, so here it goes.
7 Random Melissa Facts:

1. I love, love, love green olive pizza from Poppa Rollo's Pizza in Waco. I can't find a picture to do it justice. The pizza is covered completely in green olives and tons of cheese. Oh, I want some right now. I have been known to bribe cousins and aunts into bringing me some on their way here. I usually have to get up in the night to drink a gallon of water after I eat some of this wonderfulness because it is soooo salty and soooo good!

2. I repaint/reuse/refurbish nearly everything. Makenna's bed is hand me down, redone. Her nightstand used to be a coffe table in my Nanny's house. Tracen's headboard is an old queen headboard I put on the side of the bed as a kind of daybedish thing. His dresser is my old one with new knobs. Our coffee tables are my parents 70's ones that I repainted and then recovered the glass with brown suede contact paper. Our ottoman is Tyson's old coffee table with legs cut off and fabric added and tufted, kitchen table is Tyson's old one growing up, chairs are repainted and recovered, entry hall table was Tyson's parents' first dresser that was AQUA BLUE and now it is sleek and black. That is how I operate, mainly because I am cheap, and I love it!


3. I want a Subaru. Yes, I am weird, but I think they are so dependable, get great gas mileage, and are able to go anywhere. When the kids (and all the kid stuff) are gone, the plan is to get a Tribeca. WooHoo!



4. This lady had such a huge influence on my life. Most people do not know her because she died June 29, 2003. She was my Nanny. The way I plan parties, think of silly details, put my socks and slips into labeled baggies, drink Canada Dry Ginger Ale, laugh until I cry buckets and buckets of tears with my stomach hurting and face as red as a beet, cook my green beans, make red velvet cake-the real way with deep red icing, celebrate Christmas, love my family and friends, truly believe God, see suffering so differently, empathize with everyone, and the way my thumbnails look, are all from her. She would have loved to meet you, and you would have loved to meet her.


5. Jon and Kate Plus 8 is my favorite show. I laugh, cry, completely understand, and really learn a lot by watching this show. I eat more organically, recycle, and try and laugh at some situations I might normally freak out over. I have also stopped obsessing as much about cleanliness and germs...though I am still in the obsessed category. They love the Lord, love each other, and are making it work in this day and age, and I appreciate that immensely.



6. This Bible Study changed my life. We say this frequently at our house:
God is who he says he is.
God can do what he says he can do.
I am who God says I am.
I can do all things through Christ.
God's Word is alive and active in me.
I'm Believing God.


7. I am pregnant! I'm believing You, God.

Go Tech!

Tracen got to meet Graham Harrell and some dude with a huge mohawk...sorry, dude, I forgot your name, at his Preschool. It was so hilarious to see the kids all excited, and then to see their excitement wane when they gazed upon the humongous guy with crazy hair! Some laughed, some cried, some ran away, and some absolutely refused to have their picture taken with them. Graham kept asking Tracen if he could hold him for a picture, and Tracen of course said no every time. But today during the Tech/aTm game Tracen was playing with Legos, and he heard the announcers talking about Graham Harrell. He jumped up and said,"That's Graham! I KNOW him!" He likes to think he is way cool...even if he would not give Graham the time of day when he was right there! Go Tech!

Newport Beach, California

Man, such a stir over one tiny little picture of LA Ink High Voltage Tatoo Parlor! Yes, I am a closet watcher of this show...have been since the beginning. It keeps me up-to-date on how the world works outside of the flatlands. The REAL world. And let me just say that after hunting it down in LA, if Tyson and I could have thought of one single thing we wanted on our bodies for the rest of our lives, we would have gotten it there. While we were there it was "walk-ins welcome" because they weren't filming. Perfect opportunity, but just no inspiration. Back to the beginning...we were invited to my cousin's wedding in Newport. "Onboard the yacht 'Ambassador' departing at 6pm and returning portside at 10pm," to be exact. We never in a million years thought we could go. Yeah right! Tyson has had a vendor in LA, Simi Valley really, since the start of our company. They have been phone friends all this time, so Tyson decided it was time to go and visit him the same weekend as the wedding! WooHoo for executive decisions paid for by company funds! So we were off, without the kiddos, too! We absolutely loved it. Newport Beach is an entirely different world that what we are used to. Everything is immaculate and just as you might see on tv. The OC ring a bell? Homes are piled right next to each other, and rentals of a condo were 1.5 million. My cousins' friends were amazed at "all the land" you could own in Texas for under $200,000, and wanted to know what living in the Bible Belt meant. We were offered more drinks that we have ever been offered in our lives, and when I got back every time someone asked me if I wanted a drink I felt the need to explain, though Grandad just wanted to get me some water! We went to The Grove, ate at the Farmer's Market, drove all around Hollywood, Beverly, and downtown LA, found La Brea Ave and LA Ink, enjoyed seeing real surfers, walked up and down the beach, drove all around the towns of Newport and Balboa, took the ferry to Little Balboa Island, ate amazing, and actually cheap, seafood-I need a fish taco, had an original Balboa Chocolate Covered Banana...twice, longed for Roxy and Billabong stores where we live, and enjoyed a beautiful wedding on a yacht! Here are some pictures of one of the most wonderful trips we have ever been on. Tyson is already trying to figure out another reason to visit his vendor again!

Kat Von D herself, on a mural in the back of the store

Farmer's Market...best kept secret of LA, hands down


My Lavash, a flatbread filled with many things. Mine with chicken, cream and mushrooms. Origin is in the Mediterranean back in the villages in the hills. Wow.


Sweet, sweet, beautiful Sheena? I could not understand her name very well, but she worked at Moishe's Village Boreakas in Farmer's Market. She was asked in her early twenties to come and work in the US from Lebanon. She did not want to come, but her father made her. She never was able to see him and most of her family again. She had a son who hated life in LA/USA so much that he killed himself. He could not bear it here anymore. She was an amazing and beautiful and strong woman. Hug her for me if you ever go there.



Mmmmmmmm, freshly dipped! Tyson is a little too excited about this apple!



Inspiration Point and the view both ways. Well worth the steep walking trail!

Newport Pier

Taking the ferry to Balboa

I have serious cravings for these bananas. They were on the Food Network!

Michael looking for his bride, and his brother Patrick
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Uncle Terry and Danida

Michael and Cynthia

Cuz and Cuz

Happy ending to a wonderful trip!