Texas Football

It isn't any secret that Texas is serious about football, which makes this family fit right in here in Dallas. I know my next door neighbors can hear Justin yelling during a Cowboy game (Several years ago I gave up trying to tell him that they can't hear him through the tv--that didn't go over very well...and it's not "we" if it were "we'd" be a lot richer--don't tell these things to your husband, especially during a game); Jed will do any amount of homework to get to play Maddin '10, can tell you any statistic of any player who played this past weekend, and lives for his 4 hour intense practices plus a game each week; and Judson who doesn't go anywhere without a Cowboy jersey and his helmet. One would think that we were born and bred in Texas. Like I said, we fit right in.
Well, tonight as I as dropping Justin off for his last Varsity football game at Wylie Prep (he was the Jr. High coach and got to help coach the varsity team) we noticed a team having a bit of a pep rally. As we drove closer we see that it is the Colts from Jed's league. The Colts were undefeated last year, won the superbowl, and had been undefeated until the Steelers (Jed's team) dismantled them earlier this season. This DEVASTED the Colts. We later beat them again in overtime. Thus, bringing them their only 2 losses in 2 years.....needless to say, they don't care for the Steelers too much! Tomorrow, we (the Steelers) meet up with the Colts again for the third time this season. As we drove by the pavillion we see that the Colts have huge banners stating the how great they are and how they are going to win tomorrow...then we see it--a stuffed steeler hanging by its neck from the roof of the pavillion. Oh, let me tell you that got my blood pumpin'! I said, "Jed do you see that....boy you better get your game on tomorrow, you will NOT let that team beat you guys!" We drop Justin off, then turn around (it was much too cold and wet for me to be out there when one of my own wasn't playing) and I pull over and make Jed and Blakley hop out and take pics of them with my phone. I texted them to our coach--to get his blood boiling like mine is. He asks if I was sure it was a "steeler lynching" and not just a football pinata-yes, sir, I do believe it was a steeler lynching.

I have several emotions going through me about this--here are my top 2:
1) Seriously, these boys are THIRD GRADERS ya'll, let's not teach them to be so mean, angry, competitve so early in life--let them play some football and have a good time--they're not being scouted out just yet (except we ARE in Texas, so I could be wrong on this one)
2) Out of the other side of my mouth--I say, boy if you guys are going to go to that much trouble because you are so distraught about losing to us twice--then BRING IT ON COLTS~ we are ready for you!!! (Oh yeah, I forgot to mention at Tuesdays practice who showed up and practiced right next to us--the Colts. Jed said that coach changed practice so we wouldn't work on any offense since the Colts stooped low enough to practice next to them to steal our plays....) ahh, my blood is still boilin'!
Come on guys it is just football~I'll let you know how the game turns out:)

GO STEELERS!

Here's the secret spy shots me and Jed got--I felt a little sneaky, but I just couldn't believe it, no that you can even tell b/c we were shaking (from the cold and shock of it all! ) If you look super carefully in the middle you can see the doll hanging from the roof....crazy!

Hello Strangers!

Wow, it has been 7 months since I've written anything here...I forgot how to post a new entry! Sad, I know. Ever since I joined Facebook, my desire to blog has gone out the window, I think it is because Facebook is so FAST, I can write 1-2 sentences about what is happening at that moment and then I'm done...This blogging takes a bit of time because, you are really writing--which I like to do. So, as I've been reading new blogs this week, I've become homesick for Tales From the Shoe. So here I am. If I can remember how to change the background that will be good, although Valentines Day will be here again before we know it! :)

2 big events happened in our house this morning. First, I ran my first 5K....I know, those who know me are in shock! I did it! I say I ran, but I'm pretty sure my fastest walk could keep up with my "run". I'm not calling myself a runner yet, when I'm more comfortable with it and feel better about it, maybe then. But for right now I'm happy with this accomplishment! My goal was to do it in 35 minutes. I ran it 34:51 which happens to be my best time yet, so we are just going to keep working on that. My wonderful friend and next door neighbor, Kathy, is a runner, and when I told her I wanted to be a runner, she immediately started running with me and told me to sign up for a race, because then I'd stick to it. She found our race we ran today, encouraged me along the way and stood at the finish line with her camera. (because she finished in 24min--yeah she's awesome!) Anyway, it makes such a difference to have a friend to tell you to get out there and do it and walk along side of you while you are wondering if this could possibly be the stupidest idea you ever had--which is what was going through my mind when we started and everyone took off at what I thought was record speed! But then I found a pace and stuck with it--along the way I saw 4 snakes and 2 frogs, all dead but a few freshly dead, I think if they had been alive I would have had a better time :) I asked Kathy if she saw them and she didn't--she must have been running too fast!

Jed had his first tackle football game today. Let me tell you, when this Mama (notice my spelling Melissa!) watches her boy do something that he LIVES and BREATHES to do, my heart just about explodes. He was SO happy out there. He played GREAT, had 3 huge tackles and covered his man beautifully (most of the time). They won 13-0! His head coach was so encouraging and it was just fun to watch Jed do what he loves to do. Silly, but I was a little proud as I watched the team line up and hold hands before the game started, the clapping and chants and the going down on one knee to listen to the coach all in precise timing--it was cool...and this is only 3rd grade football! I'm not sure how I'll be able to handle high school football--I think I'll be an emotional wreck, actually I know I'll be an emotional wreck!

A Little O' This, A Little O' That...

Aren't the season's of life great?!? The last few weeks will be memorable ones for us. Nothing totally tramatic happened, but enough for me to stop, take a step back, a deep breath and remember that life is good, God is good, and God is good all of the time.

I had written about my visit to the dermatologist...well, the mole was indeed classified as melanoma, and I will go back in this Tuesday for another excision. This time they will take a football shaped portion around the original mole on my back and send it off to make sure the doctor cut out all the cancer cells. I had this same thing happen 8 years ago...however, then it didn't effect me like it effected me this time. 4 children and 9 more years with my love and best friend, got me a bit emotional about the whole thing. There is always that little thought in the back of my mind, that "what if..." how on earth could my children grow up without their mother, then my mind goes to the whole...what if Justin remarried (although I already told him that is not allowed) anyway, if I let my mind stay on it long enough the devil totally takes hold of my thoughts and then I'm a complete mess. So, this past week I focused on the fact that they got it in the early stages (we think) and on the scale it was borderline on the melanoma side, and they didn't rush me in to take care of it. So, that is what we'll be up to this week. My sweet friends in our Homeschool Group are taking care of dinner for our family the whole week--now that is exciting! :)

(The following is really long but I'm using it as a journal of my experience...don't feel like you have to read it! :)
Speaking of food... have you seen all those adds on the side bars of the internet, facebook, etc.? Well, we gave in, ordered some, then I googled them--not good stuff I found out about these "colon cleanse" companies. So, I asked my friend (my go-to for health and workout info. friend) her thoughts on them. She shared with me what she does and gave me all the info. So, in the span of one night, Justin and I committed to doing The Master Cleanse. The Master Cleanse has been around for over 50 years. The health benefits of it are amazing. I could try to tell you it all, but if you googled it, it would give you a much better picture of all the great things it does for your body. So, we jumped in with both feet. The one huge difference in this and the pills I ordered was that I couldn't eat on this one (which is probably why it works!) So, with about 80 organic lemons and a gallon of Grade B Maple Syrup, we started this adventure.

Day one I felt good--downing the 32 ounces of saltwater was a bit uncomfortable, and the shots of the homemade lemonade concoction with ceyenne pepper made my toes curl--but it was doable. Unfortunately for Justin--his headaches set in pretty much instantly. He spent all of day 1 in a dark room laying down. I laughed at him, told him to buck up, it was his idea to start this immediately....By 7:00 he gave up and ordered a pizza. It was hard to say no to the pizza, but when you have a friend on the outside who is encouraging you and checking up on you --it makes it a bit better. So that was a Wed.

On Thursday, Jed wakes up with a 103 fever. I get an afternoon appt. and take him in for a strep test. Strep is negative but flu test is positive. Great. The very first year I don't get everybody flu shots. The Dr. immediately gives me a shot and says she can give the other 3 a shot at 25 dollars a piece or I can head over to a free clinic that night and get the kids shots for free. A car ride and $75 cheaper sounds good to me. By this time my head was starting to hurt. We go home to pick up Justin then head to McKinney for some free shots. On the way there my head is about to EXPLODE!!! I have NEVER in all my life felt a headache like that. I couldn't keep my eyes open, I couldn't see straight. I was so thankful that I was not driving. But let me tell you all those not so nice things I said to Justin about bucking up, I was feeling pretty guilty about. However, my husband is very merciful and was very sweet. (mostly) By the time we got to the school where the shot clinic was, I was totally and completely out of it. I found a cafeteria table and layed my head down. I looked like I was strung out on something (not that I would know this, but I looked like what they look like on tv). Justin was doing his best to convince me that I needed to eat and I agreed with him, we would get dinner on the way home. Right before we left I got an email from my friend encouraging me to keep at it, that the benefits would be so worth it. It was then that I decided I would not eat, I was going to do this---for 10 days. Oh yeah, on the car ride to McKinney Judson came down with a fever and the nurses wouldn't give him the shot because...he already had the flu...
Day 3 and 4 were so much better, but I still had a dull headache. By the weekend all the kids had come down with the fever and symptoms of the flu. Luckily, our pediatrician is awesome, and they just called in meds for all of them. I also had to skip church on Sunday to stay home with sick kids. This was a true blessing I feel because it was First Sunday and on the first Sunday of each month we have a potluck... (and I LOVE food)
The rest of the 10 days really flew by for some reason. My friend told me to keep a journal (which is what this is) about the experience. I really learned a lot about myself and my "relationship" with food. Bottom line, I LOVE food, I love to eat. I thought about it constantly...I ate bites here and there without even really knowing what I was doing. It has been a good time to reflect on what I am putting in my family's bodies, or more importantly, what I'm NOT putting in them that they need. I have had a ton of energy, my mind has been clearer, my hair isn't falling out in clumps anymore like it was, my skin looks healthier. My "system" is cleaned out and ready to start over so to say. So, we are starting over. My kitchen is stocked with fruit and veggies. We are going off the processed food and more natural organic, good for you foods. It will be great. I NEVER thought I could go 10 days without any food, although now it's been 12. Day 11 and 12 you get orange juice (I've never been and OJ fan, but let me tell you how good it is!)Tomorrow I will bring fruit into the mix, and possibly a salad. I really want to go slow and not jump back into eating just like I was before. Food still looks so good, but my mind isn't going crazy trying to get a taste of it like it was before. I am so glad I did this. I never would have thought I'd make it, but I did. I proved to myself I can achieve things I didn't think I could. The whole experience has effected me in a number of ways, I'm glad I did it! Oh yeah, I haven't measured, but I did drop 13 pounds as of this morning and I'm wearing jeans I couldn't wear a week ago, so that is an exciting bonus!
If you stayed with me and read this "Longest Entry EVER" Thanks! If you want to know more about the master cleanse just google it and you can find all you need to know. It is really for the health of your body, I highly recommend it!

If You Give A Judson Some Milk

If you give Judson some milk,
He's gonna want it warmed up.
As he's watching it in the microwave,
he will see it going around and around in a circle.
This will remind him of a game,
and he'll ask you to play ring-around-the-rosey.
When the microwave beeps,
He'll want it shaken up.
After it is good and shook,
Judson will enjoy his ba-ba of milk.

The Doctor

So, the girls in my family (me, my sisiter and mom) have forever had "issues" with our skin. I consider myself lucky that I never had an acne problem, but I was at the dermotolgist from my toddler years with excema (sp?), then in gradeschool to have big moles (my mother referred to them as "birthmarks") removed. After I got married my husband suggested I have some moles checked out before we moved to Atlanta for a new ministry position for Justin. Well, turned out all those summers of baby oil and tanning beds got me. I had Melanoma. I frieked myself out, but hindsight I guess it wasn't as bad as it could've been. They were able to take care of it all in two outpatient dr. visits. That began my road to getting my body (every...tiny...millimeter of it) checked by a "stranger". Humiliating, huh?!? Since then, each time I go in I preface my inspection by telling him to take off any remotely suspicsious looking spots. Well, since we have moved to the DFW area, I have drug my feet about finding a new derm. I mean, seriously, who wants to seek out a new "stranger" to "inspect" EVERY part of your naked body....not me! Well, a few months ago, I had a mole on my back that began to itch. I dismissed it thinking that my bra strap was irritating it. In the back of my mind, I've had a nagging thought to find a derm., but also in the back of my mind, there is always (at least with me) that "oh, but it could be bad...." thought. Anyway, recently a friend of ours mom was diagnosed with (a very long name) of super aggressive breast cancer that had spread thoughout her whole body. Apparently, she started having back pain in Aug. found the cancer in Nov. and has since spread in several places (please pray for her healing). Praying for her, brought me to call a dr. yesterday afternoon. They wanted to see me at 8:00 this morning......
So, me and my TomTom head to the Dr.'s office amidst rush hour Dallas traffic this morning. The dr. was my age or younger (ahh...how does that happen???) but so kind. I told him before the humiliting inspection about the one on my back itching....he immediately said that was a cause for conern...great. He checked my limbs first--all looked good there. Then to the back, within a nano-second, he says, "Oh, I see one that we need to get off today." I say, "Is it this one?" reaching back and putting my finger on the itchy one....."yes". Great. So a few minutes later, it is gone, he tells me that a great thing about living in DFW is the technology available. He gave me info on this body scanning/picture that takes these super pics of your whole body so that dr.s can see what is going on with all your moles (btw--I don't like that word--moles) he tells me I am a great candidate for it, and if I could afford it (b/c insurance does not yet cover it) I should get it. Yeah, I'd love to doc. but my husband's a seminary student...'nough said. Oh yeah, he also circled three more on my back for Justin to "watch closely" over the next few months. I asked him to just go ahead and take them all off, but he wouldn't.
So, dr.'s gone. The nurse is filling in my chart and says, "oh, you must have been born in New Mexico because your Social Security number starts with ---."
"Yes, Albuquerque."
"I'm from Los Lunas, but was born at Lovelace."
"I was born at Lovelace Hospital too!"
"Where did you go to high school?"
"I went to Hope"
"I went to Temple Baptist Academy."
"NO WAY, my husband graduated from there!"
Turns out she is a year younger than Justin and thinks she had a crush on him! As she is telling me this I can totally picture Justin's head getting bigger with pride! Anyway, we then spend 10 minutes talking, she gave me her phone number, and hugged me goodbye...how crazy is that??? I mean, different city, different state, and 20 years later (yes, I said 20 years :)...that's crazy. Plus, Temple is like teeny tiny--Justin had a whole 8 people in his graduating class...
So, as I drove home my mind went in a billion different directions....if you know me this does not surprise you one bit. Thoughts from: why did our "paths", if you will, cross at this point---is it because something will come up in the biopsy? Or, is it just that small of a world?
My hope is that it is the last one.

Hello Out There

Hi, so it has been quit awhile since I personally posted. ( I don't think my sister would let me take credit for my last post!) It has been a fun filled Holiday Season around here and I feel like I am just now starting to get back to a "normal" routine. We've been back in town a little over a week, and we finally started our schedule today! We have put Jed on a "stricter" schedule. He has to set his alarm, get up at the same time each day, read his Bible (our friends showed us this great Day by Day Bible for Kids--read through the Bible in a year), pray, exercise, make bed, chores....you get the idea. Today was our first day and he has done awesome! I was watching from his doorway right before his alarm was to go off, and he already woke up. Even though there was a bit of resisitance, he stayed on task and has thus far kept up with his schedule. Now if we can just stay on it long enough to make it a habit!

Our big thing right now is that we are getting bunk beds for the boys. This is more bitter-sweet than I thought it would be. We have had a crib/bassinet/pack-n-play in our house for the last almost 8 years. So the fact that there is no more babies around is wierd, but also a bit exciting. I'm not saying there will never be another in our house (who am I to know what the Lord holds for us), but right now, I am liking getting all the big bulky toys away and am looking forward to bringing back some of our "adult" decorations!

Well, hopefully I'll be around more often. I miss blogging, it is our family's "scrapbook" so to say. See you soon!