Monday, November 3, 2008

Wonderful Weekend!

Why do wonderful weekends have to end?

I don't work on Fridays anymore, so my weekends seem a little longer...or at least I have a little more time at home. This week/weekend was one of those special ones.

Tuesday, my mom came to visit for the afternoon. We had such a great time. She's still waiting to start her chemo and we just value each moment with her so much.

Wednesday, I drove to Greenville to pick up my dad. He visited with us until Sunday and it was great to have him here. The first night he was here, we carved our pumpkin. Here are me and my sweet kids.

Thursday, Hayden's football team, the South Charlotte Shockers, FINALLY won their first game. They are no longer 0-5, but 1-5. And do you know why???? Because I brought the Cowbell...yes that's right. It had nothing to do with outplaying the other team. It was the first time I brought the Cowbell. I was loud, vocal, and obnoxious. And we won. Yeah!






Friday I was off work. My dad and I spent the day together shopping. And Friday night we went Trick or Treating with the kids. We had such a great time. We went to Jeff's parents' neighborhood. After trick or treating, we watched the Appalachian/Wofford football game. Yes, we dominated! 70-24, we won. Good times.


Saturday, the winning streak continued. It is very rare that all my teams win, but this weekend they did. Florida beat Georgia (big time!) and South Carolina beat Tennessee! And we went to a fun party hosted by our good friends Kenny and Denise. The kids got to dress up and it was so fun! Here are Hayley Grace and Sydney...or actually 2 enchanted witches!

Sunday, we woke up an hour late (loved that with the time change) and went to church. Then we took my dad back to Greenville, SC. While there, we visited my Aunt June and Uncle Doug. It was a great ending to a great week.

When weeks like this end, I feel quite bittersweet. It's bitter because it had to end and it was good. It's sweet, because there were terrific memories made and I wish I could freeze time and hold on to them.

Honestly, since my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I just have come to realize how precious time and life it. I mean, I always thought it. But now I just want to hold on to it. I want to appreciate and grasp what a gift life is. I never doubted the gift of life from God, but now that we are facing the possibility of death, it has become more precious to me. It should have been that way all along.


My article in the P31 Woman has gotten great response so far. Not so much for my writing ability, but just for sharing a struggle that so many deal with...anxiety and depression. I have received a lot of confirmation that voicing my struggles with it was a good thing. Thank you God! I was so nervous about it!

Well, I need to run. We are watching home movies tonight. I'm so thankful for a great week and weekend. And my family. And my friends.


Pray for the election tomorrow. It's a big one, but I'm not worried because I know God Who is in control.

Blessings,

Melissa

5 comments:

Joyful said...

Melissa, rejoicing in the wonderful weekend you enjoyed. Thanks for sharing all the great pictures!

Time is precious. I included this in a post I wrote back in February, but it speaks of the treasure of time.

Value Every Minute
By: Author Unknown

To realize the value of one year: Ask a student who has failed a final exam.
To realize the value of one month: Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of one hour: Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of one minute: Ask the person who has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize the value of one second: Ask a person who has survived an accident.
To realize the value of one millisecond: Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Time waits for no one.

Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

It's because God has been speaking to me about the gift of each moment that I just turned down my 4th job offer since the end of August. Money is replaceable, but my time with my son is not - and in less than two years he'll be gone to University. I don't want to miss any time with him right now. It's going by so quickly.

Praying for your election. God is in control.

Love ya my friend and continuing to surround you in prayer,
Joy
PS. Still haven't received my P31 magazine....maybe today ;o)

Ben & Bobbi said...

Wow - sounds like you did have a nice weekend! I love it that you love football so much...so do I:)

I got a chance to read your article this weekend in the P31 magazine and really enjoyed it. Thanks for being so transparent and "real".

Anonymous said...

Thank you Melissa for your article in P31. I too have struggled with anxiety and depression since I was in my early 20's. I have come to know that admitting it and not being ashamed is half the battle.

I continue to keep you and your mother in our prayers. Praise God for giving you these verys special moments and times together.

In Christian love

Julie

Chef Diane said...

Melissa,

What a cutie in Haley Grace, just squeeze those cheeks. I am so glad that you have the time to spend with family. It is such precious time we can have with them isn't it? Thanks for sharing,
I haven't gotten my issue of P31 yet, can't wait.
Love ya,
Diane

Anonymous said...

Melissa, just recevied the magazine and read your article...thank you so much for being real and honest..I could so relate to your struggle as a Christian woman with anxiety and depression (I thought that couldn't or should be!) God has answered my prayers and directed me to help - which right now includes medication. I am no longer embarrased, but so thankful. Thank you again for your honesty, who knows how many women it will help!