Hang On, It's Going to Be a Wild Ride!

I am fighting a war above all wars in my life. Thyroid cancer. Got to admit this one caught me completely off guard. I was told by doctors at UAMS and Vanderbilt that there was no way I could have cancer. So of course when they told me I had thyroid cancer that had spread into my lymph nodes, I was not in a state to process it. That and the fact that I was alone and on morphine. The doctor came in and started telling me about the pathology report and treatment. The room was spinning and I remember asking the doctor, "Are you going to write this down?" She shook her head no and kept on talking, making a follow-up appointment two weeks later. All I remember was her repeatedly telling me I needed to stay away from small children.

The worst part was having to call my husband who was flying with his military company to training before moving out to Afganistan. He left thinking the thyroidectomy was a success and I would have a quick recovery. I told him while still on morphine and I am so blessed that I remember very little of that painful conversation.

I say I was alone in the room, but that was not true. I had a roommate named Wanda on the other side of the curtain. She and I had conversations earlier that only people with iv drips and morphine would understand. But she also knew God and the power of positive thinking. After the doctor left the room, it was quiet for a little while. Then I heard Wanda say, "What are you thinking?" I wasn't ready to put any thoughts into words yet, but I responded, "I guess I'm trying to figure out what to tell my husband." Wrong answer. Whoosh! the curtains came flying back and a determined, yet wobbly, patient began to lecture me. "Don't you even start letting the devil slip in with negative thoughts. We are gonna pray right now." And she did. I mean, she prayed hard. It whipped me back into fighting mode. I thank her for quickly getting my head on straight. I've lived a life understanding battles. I needed to call on my faith, and the sooner the better.

I expected this blog to be help me deal with Wayne's deployment. It is still that, of course, because I am missing him now more than ever. But it's become something more. I'm curious to see how this will all unfold. When I look back to this one year from now, I am excited to see what God will have done during this time. All for His glory!

Random Birthday Party

My girls, Katie and Megan just celebrated their fourteenth birthday party tonight. Actually they are still celebrating in another room with some friends. It's after midnight and I quit celebrating by 10:30. Every year I tell myself this will be the last sleepover, but I cave in when the next year rolls around. Really, I am blessed to have such sweet friends for my girls.

Some thoughts about "Bubba Teeth". Bet you didn't know I was going to go there, did you? Bubba teeth may be one of the greatest party favors to hand out at a teen birthday party. I mean it. Once the Bubba teeth went in, the girls had to have appropriate clothes, hair, and make-up to fit the mood. They ended up looking like hillbilly Whoville characters from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." It was a look that every girl could achieve with a lot of flair!

The randomness of the party was such an icebreaker. The girls all dressed crazily and went outside to take pictures. There was no rhyme or reason to what we planned for the party. The one game we played was to divide the girls into two teams and give them each a bag with the same items inside (Bubba teeth (of course), a gaudy ring, a battery, a sock, a fork, and a trophy.) Each team had to come up with a play using all of the props and perform for the other group. I was to judge. They had so much fun that they forgot to ask who won, which is a relief because I don't think their performances will make it to the Oscars.

Near the end of the night we all sat around in a circle and the girls let myself and a dear friend of mine pour Jesus into their lives. I felt honored to be able to do this. A couple of times I joked that Katie and Megan would get me later for hijacking the party to talk about living a life that pleases God, but all of the girls said "no, we want to talk about this. this is cool." I really felt like God's hand was on that conversation and might even open a door for any one of the girls that need to have some questions answered. It was neat.

Baby Huey

I was working as an educational director for a behavioral program with students that had psychiatric and/or behavioral issues. Many of these students were hard to deal with, and I was intimidated by them, although I would never let them know. As time passed, however, I began to get a much better understanding of what made some of them tick.

There was one student in particular. He was HUGE! He FILLED the doorway, and he was still a fairly young high school student. There were some occasions when his frustration would spill into rage and we would have to call the police for help. Whenever we called the police and mentioned the name of this student, they would always send at least two patrol cars. As upset as he would get, he still had a desire to do right.

One day he was in a particularly foul mood. I knew it was only a matter of time, and before the hour was up he became very aggressive. We are trained in methods of restraining students in these extreme cases. There were four of us trying to restrain him while waiting for the police to arrive. As the director I normally don't get involved physically and I dress more professionally. As we were trying to restrain him, I said quietly in his ear, "Please _____, settle down. I just bought this shirt." He said, "Oh, sorry Ms. Melissa." and layed still! He did not move until the police arrived, then calmly went with them. I learned a valuable lesson that day.

STOMP

The girls and I went to see STOMP tonight. If you've never seen them you should check them out on youtube.com. They are amazing!!! I wonder why I enjoy them so much. I have no rhythm whatsoever. Have any of you seen the movie "The Jerk", where Steve Martin has not rhythm and that is one way he discovers he is white? I must be Steve Martin's cousin. It sure was fun, though.

Real Teachers

I love homeschooling my children. We've done the whole spectrum -- public school, private school and homeschool. For our family, we are in the right place at the right time. I still miss the days of teaching in a classroom sometimes. I came across this list of characteristics of Real Teachers and thought it was classic!

• Real teachers grade papers in the car, during commercials, in faculty meetings, in the bathroom, and (at the end of the nine weeks) have been seen grading in church.


• Real teachers cheer when they hear April 1 does not fall on a school day.


• Real teachers can't walk past a crowd of kids without straightening up the line.


• Real teachers have disjointed necks from writing on boards without turning their backs on the class.


• Real teachers are written up in medical journals for size and elasticity of kidneys and bladders.


• Real teachers have been timed gulping down a full lunch in 2 minutes, 18 seconds. Master teachers can eat faster than that.


• Real teachers can "sense" gum.


• Real teachers have their best conferences in the parking lot.


• Real teachers have never heard an original excuse.


• Real teachers buy Excedrin and Advil at Sam's.


• Real teachers have the assistant principals' and counselors' home phone numbers.


• Real teachers know secretaries and custodians run the school.


• Real teachers have the time to listen; know they teach students, not subjects; and they are absolutely non-expendable.

Dog Food, Cat Food, People Food

I was thinking back to a few months ago when I was very sick. My husband was out of state and I had the responsibility of our thirteen year old twins. I absolutely could not care for them. My next door neighbor called and said she was going to Wal-mart--did I need anything? I asked if my girls could go with her and then began to write a shopping list. Here's the list:

I gave the list to the girls along with some money, and even in my hazy state I realized a few things:

1. The girls were about to have a really good time (they still talk about it).
2. I need my husband more than I realized.
3. I have the upmost respect for single parents.

I never realized the weight single parents must have to be the caregiver God meant for two people. God sent His disciples out by two, and there is phenomenal logic to it. If you are close to a single parent, I encourage you to go out of your way just a little bit for them. Offer to pick them up something at the store, or help them rake their leaves. This is what's been on my heart today.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

Spring Chicks! (craft)

As I mentioned earlier, I decided to think happy spring thoughts today. My sister and I are working on a preschool curriculum, and I am focusing on "The Farm". I made a precious baby chick out of toilet paper rolls. If you can't get excited about toilet paper rolls, then this post is probably not for you.

I started by painting a toilet paper roll yellow. Then, I cut it into two pieces, one smaller than the other by about half. I added google eyes (which I am obsessed with), and a construction paper beak. I attached yellow feathers to its back.

For the nest, I cut most of the top off a small brown paper sack. I added a jagged edge across the top. After filling the sack with green Easter grass, I taped the chick into its nest. Adorable!

As Kathy and I create other craft ideas for our books, I'll post them here for anyone to enjoy. Even though this craft is for preschoolers, I had a lot of fun making it myself!

Spring is Here!

As I look out my window I see the ground is covered with beautiful snow. I don't think central Arkansas has seen this much snow in over fifteen years. It is gorgeous, but it also reminds me why I love the South. I heard the trash service coming down my street and realized I had forgotten to take the trash out. I had just cleaned out my refrigerator and panicked, so I ran outside in socks to drag the trashcan to the top of the driveway -- just in time to see the truck pass my house and circle the cul de sac. I decided to plead for mercy and waved him down as he neared my house. I said, "If I bring my trashcan to the other side of the truck, would you be willing to take it?" Did I mention I had not brushed my hair or teeth and was now shivering with sopping clothes in about six inches of snow? The man looked at me for a minute of uncomfortable silence. Then he drawled, "Well, Ma'am, I'm not your trash service, but you look pretty determined. I guess I can take it this once." "What day is it?" I asked. "Monday," he replied. Unfortunately, my trash gets picked up on Tuesdays.

That is when I decided (again), that winter is just not for me. I am bound and determined (just like the trashman said) to think happy spring thoughts.

My husband is scheduled to leave next week for training before deploying to Afganistan for a year. I am feeling a little overwhelmed, so I thought why not blog? I have a few passions in my life: #1 to follow God and His plan for my life, #2 to be the best wife and mother I can, and #3 help young children with education.

For people to understand me, I thought I would put down the 25 Random Things About Me that I did for Facebook. I had just started Facebook and thought I was supposed to really pour my heart and soul into it. I didn't realize it was one post in a never-ending line of requests I would be getting, so I worked on it like a college assignment. I think it was good therapy for me, and would recommend others to do it as well.

25 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME!

1. get cranky when I’m tired or hungry.
2. I have the most wonderful children in the world. No, really, I do. I’m not the only one who thinks so.
3. I am homeschooling my girls and know that when I look back later in life, I will be so glad I made this choice. No regrets.
4. I have always wanted to work with moms and teachers to help them with young children. My sister Kathy and I even made a website (www.abcimpressions.com), hoping it would help others. It didn’t catch on, though. Kathy and I are the only ones that use it. Sigh.
5. My husband has more energy than a class full of two year olds. I should know, I’ve spent time with both. He is my perfect mate, the one I turn to in both good times and bad.
6. My bootstraps are broken. I’ve spent so long pulling myself up by my bootstraps that they finally broke. It’s a good thing, really. Sometimes I think I am so capable I will try to solve my problems rather than turning them over to God.
7. My earliest memories of my dad are precious. He was pushing me on a swing, singing “Hallelujah” (old, slow song). Anyone that has heard my dad sing may wonder why it is precious. It’s probably like giving birth. You don’t remember the bad parts. I just remember the security and love I felt. My other earliest memory is climbing all over him with my sister while he lay on the living room floor. I love that my earliest memories are of my dad and that they are so loving.
8. I’m a twin, and I have twin girls. My uncles are twins and one of them has twin sons. My great-grandmother was a twin. In my family, we don’t care whether it’s a boy or girl – we want to know how many are there!
9. My younger sister is a personal trainer. I am the opposite of a personal trainer. I am sometimes jealous of how well she is doing in life. Maybe even intimidated by her. She is beautiful inside and out, a fabulous mother and always there if I need her.
10. My husband is always right. I mean it. He always is. He doesn’t say it, he just is. It drives me crazy sometimes, but it sure comes in handy.
11. My favorite place I have visited so far is the Cayman Islands. So peaceful. We got a German Shepherd puppy right after the cruise, and I named him Cayman so I wouldn’t kill him when I found him chewing something.
12. Our family has a camper and one of my favorite things to do is spend the weekend camping. We have so many great memories to enjoy. Arkansas is a beautiful place.
13. My most embarrassing moment was during a youth trip to snow ski in Colorado. I was riding up the hill sitting on a pole that had a Frisbee for a seat. I was so afraid I would wait too long and meet a certain death that I got off of the seat too soon instead. I began to slide backwards down the hill as other riders were being shuttled up. I was knocking people off of their seats left and right. The ski patrol came to rescue me. He asked, “Where are you from?” I said, “Arkansas.” I still remember the way he rolled his eyes and directed me to the bunny slope. Every picture of me “skiing” on that trip actually shows me on my rear end. I’ll try to add a photo of this trip. Indian Hillers, anybody remember that?
14. When my twin girls were born, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. I painted Megan’s big toenail red before I cut off their hospital bracelets. I didn’t need to worry. A mom just knows.
15. It is critical to get plugged into the church God has for you. Makes all the difference in the world.
16. I love to laugh.
17. My twin sister and I would sometimes switch classes on April Fool’s Day. We never got caught. We even switched places when she was a third grade teacher in Redfield. The kids were suspicious, but didn’t completely catch on until she walked in the door.
18. I like to be the leader.
19. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I’ve taught babies through college, deaf children, and students with extensive criminal backgrounds. It’s still magical when the lightbulb comes on. I have never taught in a regular classroom. I’d like to give that a try some day.
20. I’m learning that simply being busy trying to do good may not be God’s best for me. I need to slow down, listen to what He wills, then follow that. I would get a lot more done.
21. It is great having a twin sister. I truly think she understands me better than anyone else. Watching my girls grow up as twins has been a fantastic experience.
22. When I grow up, I think I would like to be a missionary.
23. I have been blessed with tremendous friends. My childhood friends hold a special place in my heart. Who else would dream with me to live in a trailer and work at Western Sizzler when we grew up? Thankfully those dreams changed!
24. I went to a birthday party once with my girls. The parents were all in a corner discussing issues with their step families. I soon realized I was the only one there that had been married one time. After hearing the others try to solve problems like which family would have them for Christmas, I was thankful for my little family.
25. If you have made it this far, you probably have too much time on your hands. I will end it as you probably would expect. I am blessed. I am loved. I am overwhelmed with what God has given me. It’s an amazing ride and I know there is much more to come.