Blast From the Past

I apologize for the blurriness in this photo, but this is an old picture. It is me (on the left) and my wonderful and sweet and loyal friend Donna (on the right). I just had to post it!

This picture was taken in 1984. We were so young. Just look! And as for the Santa in the middle, that's Thomas. I haven't talked to him in over 20 years. Wonder what Santa is up to?

As for the elf, that's Donna. I've mentioned her here before. She was the Homecoming Queen of East Mecklenburg High School that year. I wasn't even on court. Oh well. But I was a Lettergirl. That would be the school dance team, kind of. We wore letters that spelled out our high school name and danced at football and basketball games. However, we ran out of letters, so I had the mascot on my uniform. See the eagle?

Donna's daughter Sydney, and my daughter, Hayley Grace, are good friends. They play together and they also serve together. Their friendship is so sweet. And I can honestly say that Donna is a friend that loves me NMW. No Matter What. I met her on the bus in the 5th grade. We were in the same 6th grade class. We went to elementary, jr. high, high school, and college together. She was in my wedding. Then we lost touch a for a while. But we've reconnected and ... well .. look out! We are double trouble! And so are our daughters.

Just tonight, Donna and Sydney were at our house for "Rice and Beans" night. I'll post pictures from that later.

Wow, I look at the picture above and it brings back so many great memories. High School seems like just yesterday. I can smell the school. Hear the bell, the teachers, the football game atmosphere. I can remember certain things as if they just happened. Yet, here I am. 41 years old. Married almost 19 years. (more years than I was old in this photo!!!!) 4 kids. Working full time. My oldest child has his learner's permit. My youngest, Hayley Grace, is boy crazy! (for the Jonas Brothers) But I'm thankful that one thing that remains from this picture is my friendship with Donna. :) In fact it's stronger now than it was then.

A blast from the past. A blast indeed.

Love,

Melissa

Fun Friday :) I'm the mom of ...

A South Charlotte Shocker Football Player!!!!! That's right, Hayden made the team! Yeah!!!! I'm a football mom!

How emotional though. The parents were waiting outside the gym. The boys seemed to never come out. It was 30 minutes past the pick up time. Finally a few boys trickled out ... looking very sad. I hate that part. Then another came out, lip quivering, searching the group of parents for his. He found his mom and fell apart in her arms. I about lost it. I hate that there have to be cuts. I understand it. I've been cut before. And I know it's a part of life, but it still breaks my heart.

Finally, out comes Hayden. Looking rather sad, but with a smirk on his face. He was trying to look sad, but he couldn't hold that for long. He grinned from ear to ear, quietly walked up to his dad and I and said, "I made the team." Oh how I longed to hear those words, "I made the team." (there's an upcoming devotion in that for sure!)

So a Fun Friday it is around the Taylor household. Now I have one more thing to add to my schedule: Thursday afternoon football games! And I couldn't be happier!

Have a great weekend y'all!
Love,

Melissa

How Can You

NOT LIKE FOOTBALL??? I'm sorry people, but I just don't get it. I love football!

My sweet friend, Lysa TerKeurst, wrote on her blog, http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/2008/09/who-moved-my-field.html, the other day:

The football season is now upon us. Yeah. I say that with the same enthusiasm that I might muster up to express my joy over cleaning my base boards with a toothbrush. Yeah.While my family hoops and hollers and cheers with all things pigskin, I express my excitement by plucking my eyebrows.

The same enthusiasm that she musters up to express joy over cleaning her baseboards with a toothbrush? What? Lysa, what's up, you need to hang out with me. Football rocks!

I especially like college football. The atheletes aren't yet spoiled by millions of dollars. There is a band and a fight song. I love fight songs. And loyal fans ban together like family. It's just good fun.

Last Saturday, we started watching games at 11:00 am. We stopped at 11:00 pm. All day. Barbeque, friends, family, cheering, booing, high fives, and in your faces. I was just as happy when my favorite teams won as I was when my least favorite team (Clemson Tigers) lost:) Is that very nice? Who cares, it's football. Even as I write this, I'm watching my Gamecocks (South Carolina) play Vanderbilt. Go Gamecocks! I was raised a Gamecock. My parents had season tickets and I could say, "Go Gee Cocks, Boo Kitties" before I could even say, "MaMa and DaDa". I did not go to college there however. I went to Appalachian State. By the way, they have won the National Championship in football in their division 3 years in a row. They also beat Michigan last year. Do you even care about this? I'm telling you, I just love football!

My 13 yr old son, Hayden, is trying out for his middle school football team. He's the only athelete in our family. He already plays for a Pop Warner league. I am praying he makes his school team. He has football in his blood like I do. He is so passionate about it. He trained all summer, on his own. His dad set up a 40 yd dash area and Hayden practiced in the hot summer sun every day. He also worked on push ups, planks, and back flips (not really football related, but it takes lots of talent to do a back flip!). He worked on this by his own motivation. He'll find out Friday or Monday if he makes the school team. Ooh I hope he does. Once when he was watching a game and his favorite team (Florida Gators) lost to Auburn (they usually lose to Auburn), he threw the remote control across the room. It totally fell apart into lots of pieces. Like I said, he's passionate about football. (He did get punished for his inappropriate behavior.)

I love football so much, it even affects my speaking schedule. Barb Spencer, our speaker coordinator at Proverbs, has learned. She's also an avid football fan. And a sad one. Her Hokies (Virginia Tech) lost last weekend (sorry Barb), anyway, she books my speaking engagements. When I get a request in the fall, she knows I have to check the Gamecock and Gator schedules first. There are certain weekends I just can't be away. I can't believe I just admitted that! (with that said, if God was telling me to go somewhere and speak, I would....I may argue with Him if there was a good game on that day, but I would go. I'm not totally crazed...I don't think I am at least.)

So, back to Lysa. She ended her football post with this comment:

Are you a football fan? Do you have some little tidbit of football knowledge that you'd like to share? Is there any hope that I could be more entertained by people smacking into each other than by my own eyebrows?

Yes I am a football fan. And Lysa, I do have some knowledge I'd like to share. Pick a team and follow them. Wear their colors. Wave their flags. Learn their fightsong. Watch ESPN and read the Sports section to see where your team ranks. And come over to my house on Saturdays to watch some good ole southern football! I'll feed you and I'm pretty sure that you will be more entertained than plucking your eyebrows! You can even bring your family! You can even bring your tweezers if you like! And if you are really bored, well, I'll let you clean my baseboards with a toothbrush :)

So, what do you think of football? And just FYI my Canadian and English and other worldwide friends, we ain't talkin' soccer or futbol here. This is full contact, tight pants, and helmets. You play mostly with your hands, not your feet. So, why do they call it football? Well I don't know that and I really don't care either.

Well, I gottta go. It's 7-3 and I can't just sit here any longer.

I hope you are happy, healthy, and having a great day wherever you are and whenever you read this. And may your team win! Unless they are playing mine!

Go Team,

Melissa

****Update: :( I'm sad. The Gamecocks lost. To Vanderbilt for goodness sakes! 24-17. One thing about being a Gamecock fan, you learn to hope. And believe. That one day we'll really be good!!!! :) Still smiling! There are more games on Saturday!

The Grass Ain't Always Greener...

I received an email today. The person wrote, "I read your blogs and look at your pictures and just wish I had your life. Your family is so happy. Your husband loves you and communicates with you. Your kids seem so sweet, happy, and behaved. No wonder you can be so positive. It must be nice..."

At first this email kind of hurt my feelings. And it kind of made me mad. Then I realized that it came from someone who is unhappy and when she looks at my life from an outsider's point of view, it appears real good. I try to share the good and the bad, being open and honest, but without sharing too much. My life is so far from goody goody and perfect. My family is awesome, but oh how we work at it. And it's not been easy. We've pain and heartache just like everyone else. And sure my husband loves me. We've had a year of marriage counseling to help preserve that love. Again, it hasn't been easy. Ooh, and those sweet, happy, and behaved kids...:) , you keep telling yourself that. Ha! Boy do we have you fooled! Seriously, they are good kids, but they have their moments believe me. Heck, one of them even had to go the principal's office for cursing in Korean! That's all I'll say about that!

I share all of this to say, be careful not to think that just because something appears near perfect that it is. We have our share of problems, I for sure do, but I just don't write about them everyday. They aren't the focus of my life. As I looked over the past few posts, it does look like we are just always having a blast over here! I wrote about the fun and exciting things. I neglected to write about the ring around my toilet that needs to be cleaned, the mound of laundry waiting to be done, the disagreement my husband and I had last week, the new medication one of my kids started that is keeping him awake at night, my dog peeing on the carpet, the clutter on my kitchen counters, my dad whose health is not good, my aching back, the black roots growing out of my head, my car breaking down on Tuesday, popping the big zit on the nose of a person in my family who I will not name, 2 friends who called me crying this week, or the yelling and screaming I did when my kids would not do as told 25 times the other day! (although if you've read much of my stuff, I do write about that too!) With that said, I wouldn't trade places with anyone in the world, because I am where God wants me to be.

Lysa TerKeurst wrote in one of her books, "The grass is not greener on the other side, it's greener where you water it." I admit, it often looks a lot greener somewhere else, but the truth is, you just can't tell. Not unless you are living it.

This past year I spent a lot of time "watering my side of the grass". And I'm thankful it's greener today than previously. But it won't stay that way unless I continue to water it. The best water I've found, prayer and faith and a relationship with Jesus. Don't spend time wishing you could be like someone else. Be who God made you to be and water your space well.

Before I go, I have to mention, I am so glad it's Thursday. College football starts tonight and this football fanatic couldn't be happier! So, off I go to prepare a feast of munchies for the family and prepare to watch our South Carolina Gamecocks whoop a little Wolfpack boohiney!

Hugs,

Melissa

We survived the 1st day of school!

Well, it was the day the kids were dreading...back to school! Here is a glimpse at how our morning went:

At 5:30 am, I went to wake up Blake. Notice the empty bed. He was already up. (such a respsonsible kid!)

So, I went to fix his breakfast. Well, lookie here, he already did that too. (My husband is horrified that I actually posted a picture of our toaster...he says it's embarrassing!) Look closely and you can see Blake has already put his bagel inside.

Oh no! I just remembered that Dylan lost a tooth last night. There it is on the table. I need to tell the tooth fairy before he wakes up!

Good, I found her. "Tooth fairy, please put money under Dylan's pillow before he wakes up for school!"

Whew! Still asleep! The toothfairy made it just in time:)

Time for Blake to leave. He has to be in his seat by 7:15 am! It's his 1st day of high school! This cannot be right! I was just changin this boy's diapers yesterday it seems! "Bye B-Man. Princess and I will miss you today. Let's take a picture before you go. Smile!"

Ok, now to get the other 3 up, fed, and ready for the first day of school. 1st stop: Dylan's room.

Wow, he sure wakes up happy. Must be because the tooth fairy came last night:) "Get up Dylan, it's the 1st day of school!"

Now on to Hayley Grace's room.

Where the heck is she?

Oh, there you are! The little sneek went into Mommy and Daddy's room in the middle of the night! "Hayley Grace, wake up sweet heart....and smile because I'm taking your picture! Ha!"

Now that those 2 are up, I need to go check on Hayden. What's this? "Hayden, it's not summer anymore. Quit playing those video games and get ready for school boy!"

"You all must hug your mom before you leave and have your picture taken. I'm so proud of all of you!" (notice the lovely guitar player on Dylan's shirt....remember Slash? I have Guitar Hero to thank for this!

Now it's Hayden's turn. "Smile Hayden!" (oh, I forgot...he's 13 and too cool to smile)

"Oh, my don't forget your lunch boxes kids!"

"Bye sweet Hayley Grace. I love you." (you can so tell she's the youngest of 3 boys....she carries a pink Capt. Jack Sparrow back pack!)

And there they go with their Dad. Off to the 1st day of school! This year there is 1 in high school, 1 in middle school, and 2 in elementary school. (Can you tell that Dad is still in his PJ's?)

There you have it. A morning in the life of the Taylor's. And it's only 8:00 am!

Blessings!

Melissa

Fun Friday:)

I barely made it to the computer to post anything at all this week, much less my Fun Friday post. But today was really so much fun, I had to write about it. So even though it's Saturday, I'm calling it Fun Friday. :) Don't ask, just go with it...

Today was a day for the girls! Hayley Grace and her friend Sydney had appointments at "Libby Lu" for fashion makeovers. I don't think you can get more girlie girl than this:

Here are the fashionistas just before their big makeover in front of "Libby Lu".

(Hayley Grace, Sydney)

So many hairstyles to choose from...

Wow! They can get their nails painted and smile in the mirror at the same time!

The girls decide on the "rockin" hairstyle. Libby Lu Fashion Expert, Natalie, works on Hayley Grace.

"This is a lot of fun." says Blake, Hayley Grace's oldest brother.

Awww! Doesn't she look beautiful!!!!

All famous rockstars have cute puppies they carry around in purses. Right? Let's get one!

Strike a pose for the paparazzi! Smile!

Pictured here: Sydney and Brownie, Hayley Grace and Libby.

And now it's time to go home...but not before we make wishes and throw pennies in the fountain. "I wish for another fashion makeover."

Here I am with the "bookends"...Blake is the oldest child and Hayley Grace is the youngest. Oh yea, and the newest member of our family, Libby.

One more thing before I sign off. I am starting a new teen blog. If you have a teenage daughter or know a teen girl, please check it out and pass it on. The first post will be Monday, August 25th. The site is: http://www.beautifulgirlp31.blogspot.com/. It will be a teen version of my already existing "I Am Beautiful" blog (http://www.beautifulp31.blogspot.com/).

Blessings,

Melissa

We saw the American Idols:)

Sunday afternoon, my family and I headed to uptown Charlotte hoping for a glimpse of the American Idol contestants. Well, we got more than a glimpse. Check it out.


We heard the idols would arrive between 12-2. We waited. And waited. They finally showed up about 3:00:)

Blake and me

Sweet Hayley Grace

Me and my gorgeous hubby:)

Here he is: The American Idol himself, David Cook. "Hey David Cook, I voted for you! I LOVED your version of 'Hello'!" (said me...)

Here is #2, David Archiletta signing autographs for Dylan and Hayley Grace. "He's so cute Mommy!" (said Hayley Grace ... not Dylan)

Brooke White signing the poster that Blake made.

Kristy Lee Cook signing Blake's poster.

And here comes everyone's favorite "dreadhead", Jason! (at least that's what the girls beside us were calling him!) He was sweet as he could be.

Super nice guy, Chikezie, takes time to pose for a photo with the kids. "Mommy, Chikezie's sweat got on me!" (another good Hayley Grace quote!)

Carly, and her tatoo, took some time to sign the kids' stuff.

One of my favorite idols, Michael Johns, poses with us here.

Close up of David Archiletta.

Signing Dylan's hat.

David Cook signing Blake's poster.

David Cook talking to us. Yes, the American Idol actually talked to us:) And shook our hands. "I'm never washing my hand again." (Guess Who ...NO NOT ME!... Hayley Grace:)

I don't think the kids will EVER forget this! They were so excited and just couldn't believe that they were meeting these people who they had watched on TV all season.

After meeting them, we went home. Later that evening, Blake, Jeff and I returned for the concert. It was a birthday present for Blake. What a show! Great talent, lots of excitement, and good clean fun! There were people from age 3 to 93 there! All the performers were good, but Michael Johns, Carly, and David Cook were GREAT! And yes, David Cook did open with "Hello"...his version of the Lionel Richie 80's song...it was so gooooood! I tried not to embarrass my 15 yr old son too much with my singing and yelling...but I just couldn't help it! I was almost as giddy as the screaming tweens around us, but I tried to contain myself...for my son and husband's sake of course!

In case you are interested, here's a clip from the finale of the Charlotte show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-XA3Ey7Lso&feature=user

Fun fun fun! I'll be back to post soon about the rest of my weekend. The concert was only icing on the cake. The entire weekend was absolutely wonderful and I can't wait to share the rest of it too!

Much Love,

Melissa