Dead Chipmunk in the Pool....Ahhhhh!

The excitement just never seems to stop around here! All week long, I've been looking forward to Friday night. I was planning to sit under the Tiki Hut by the pool, listen to music, watch my son play in the pool with some friends, and enjoy Hayley Grace and her friend Lindsay as they sang and pretended to be Hannah Montana. Listen to my oldest son tell me his weekend plans. And enjoy the fact that Jeff and Dylan were on an outing together at the Charlotte Knights baseball game It was just going to be good Friday night fun. Until.....


While the pizzas were cooking, Hayley Grace and Lindsay ran in the house and proclaimed, "There's a rat in the pool, can we still go swimming?" Now keep in mind, they had totally straight faces and were serious. I thought for certain they were joking. They promised they weren't. So I walked outside. Sure enough there WAS a rodent in the pool. A little smaller than a rat, but a relative I'm sure. Floating atop the water was a stiff little chipmunk. I said, "Oh that's not a rat, it's a chipmunk." "Mommy, is it Chip or Dale?", asked Hayley Grace. "No, it's not." (I knew she would start crying if I said yes.) "Well, can we still go swimming?" "No! That's gross! We have to shock the pool." "We don't care." "Well, I care, you can't swim."

This went back and forth for about 10 minutes. All the while I'm thinking, How am I going to get this dead thing out of the pool. Jeff is gone with Dylan, and I don't want to scoop it out.....hmmmm. About that time, Hayden, my tough 12 year old came out to see what was going on. An idea popped into my head......"Hayden, I need you to be the man of the house since Dad isn't here. Ok?" "Ok" he said. He had no idea what was to happen next.


Poor guy, he tried to get that thang out of the pool. Instead it just got trapped in the filter. That made it even harder to get out. I ended up having to get a small collendar out of my kitchen to scoop it out. As Hayden scooped, us girls ran away screaming. He moved it from the colendar to the pool net. Then proceeded to chase us with the pool net. I was screaming and threatening his life all at the same time. Check out these photos:

Hayley Grace tries to push the dirty little rat from the filter back into the pool. The pole you see has a net on the end trying to capture it on the other end. They could not get it out of the filter though.




Hayden and Lindsay try to move it. Still no luck.

Finally, brave Hayden scoops it out with our kitchen collendar. (btw, this collendar is now history. I will never use it again to drain broccoli...or anything else!)










Lindsay gets crazy while Hayden moves the little dead fella from the collendar to the pool net.








Look closely. Do you see the thang? There he is. I know it's a he. A she would not have jumped in the pool unable to get out!








I only wish you could see the unseen in this photo. Hayden is chasing the girls with the dead rodent in the net. You have never heard such sharp shrills in your life.








More screams!
















This is Hayden. I actually gave him permission to dump our dead friend on the golf course behind our house. (Please don't tell on us!) So, here he is doing just that. I wonder what the Saturday golfers will think of the new addition to the 11th Fairway?


Here he is. My hero! Hayden, you rock! Thank you for getting Chip (or Dale)...that dead thang out of our pool. We are shocking it now and thanks to you, we will be able to swim tomorrow. You are too cool for school.











There you have it. Our exciting Friday. Stay tuned. I'm sure there will be more to come.
Have a great weekend friends. Rodent free I hope.

Love,

Melissa

Back in the Study Again:)

I am so excited that I could just scream and do a dance around the den! After 8 loooonnnnng months of not being in a Bible study, I started a new one last night. I can already tell that it is 100% God ordained and that the 3 of us studying together were brought together for such a time as this:)

For years I have been in a Bible study group that I affectionately refer to as "My Fab 5". And believe me, they are fab! This was a group of women who became some of my closest friends. Each week I looked forward to Wednesday mornings when we would gather to chit chat, pray, and study the Word of God. They became like a lifeline in my life. Once a year, we'd try to get away, just the girls, for a weekend. We got to know each other's families. We cried, laughed, and shared life together, all in the name of Jesus. I thought I'd be in this group forever, but it was not meant to be.

Last October, it was necessary for me to return to the workforce. This was both a blessing and a hardship. The blessing was that our family needed the money and I got the best job in the world working in the Proverbs 31 Ministries office. The hardship was that I had to give up my beloved Fab 5 Bible study. Even though I knew this was the will of God, I still cried and it was very hard. Each Wednesday I would think about my group meeting together without me:( Now this may sound crazy to those of you who don't know the joy of a closeknit group of friends, but I tell you the truth. I went through a grieving process! They tried to keep me in the loop by including me on emails and social events, but of course it's just not the same when you can't be there each week.

I prayed God would remove the pain and sadness I felt over leaving this group. I thanked Him for my wonderful job at Proverbs, which I hope to never leave.

A glimmer of hope came my way, when my former group entertained the thought of switching to night time. It turned out to be just a passing thought however. Most of them could not do a night group, and I totally understood. This did get me thinking though. Why couldn't I just start a new group? I had a good friend, Alexa, who had just gone back to work. I knew she really missed her friends and she loves to read the Word of God. I mentioned it to her. She prayed about it.

In the mean time, I was telling another friend, Julie, about it. Although she doesn't work during the day (well she works alright, just not outside the home!) she felt led to join our study. She had been leading a group for a few years and needed a break from leadership.

The 3 of us met together last night for the first time. When the night was over, the Lord had made it crystal clear why the 3 of us had come together. The timing couldn't be better, it's God's timing. And I'm glad I waited for it.

We are studying "30 Days to Taming Your Tongue" and if my tongue is indeed tamed in the next 30 days, my husband and children will be doing a happy dance around the den!

Although over the past 8 months, I never quit studying God's Word, there's just something special about studying it with others. Especially when you can open up and encourage each other in your daily Walk and help hold each other accountable. I'm a people person. I need me some peeps!

I will always miss my former group, but the good thing is, we will always be friends and continue to see each other on occasions. If you are reading, Amy Wangs, Mary Beth, Julie Kav, Denise, LeGena, Michelle, Angie, and DeAnnah, you guys rock. It was fun, deep, meaningful, and an incredible journey studying with you. I'll be Miss Piggly Wiggly 1985 for the rest of my life because of y'all! I miss you and love you all to pieces. I hope one day our paths will cross in study again. You all taught me so much. Some of which I'll pass on posting:)

And looking back, I thank God for the 8 months I went without a group for I needed to seek Him alone and deal with some issues in my life. It didn't seem fun, but I know I needed it in order to realize that God was indeed in control.

Julie Kel and Alexa, if by chance you are reading, thank you so much for giving your time on Wednesday nights to meet together. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us!

If you are not in a group or have never been in one, I encourage you to find one. You just don't know what you are missing. I didn't either...until I didn't have it anymore. So glad I'm back in the study again!

Now I'm off to practice taming my tongue!

Much Love,

Melissa

Shallow I Know...

But I just have to say...

I'M SO GLAD DAVID COOK WON AMERICAN IDOL!!!!!!!

I picked him from the time he sang "Hello"!!!

Rock on,

Melissa

My Pleasure

Have you ever noticed that when you go to Chic-Fil-A and place an order, when you say "Thank You" to the person helping you, they always reply, "My Pleasure." I love that. If I had to guess, serving chicken nuggets, waffle fries, and sweet tea all day long is not really a pleasure, but their job. Without fail though, the employees there give me the feeling that it really is a pleasure for them to put my food order together in a bag and hand it to me through the drive through window. Even when I ask for more polynesian sauce...they still reply, "My pleasure."

What if we all replied in that manner when someone said "thank you" or asked us to do something? I thought about this last night, when my son said, "Mom, thank you for dinner." "You're welcome", I said. Then I thought about the Chic-Fil-A response and added, "It was my pleasure."

Honestly I don't enjoy cooking. I wish I did. I tried to act like I did for a long time because most of my friends like to cook and are real good at it. I'm blessed with those Martha Stewart type friends. Oh how I wish I had their sense of homemaking and baking and decorating. But I don't. Nothing about that interests me, so those things are more like tasks to me. However, with that said, even though I don't enjoy most things other wives and moms do, it's still my pleasure to do them for my family. My Pleasure is more of an attitude than a reply. So I've decided to say it...often!

Do you know that when you look at a task as a pleasure rather than a task it can actually become a pleasure. Don't get me wrong, I still don't like to cook, but I do like the fact that I am providing something for my family that is not only good for them, but it also brings our family together. It truly is my pleasure. Try using that reply (with a smile) and see how it changes the task at hand.

"Melissa, thank you for helping me pack those boxes." "My Pleasure."

"Mom, thank you for helping me with my homework." "My Pleasure."

"Mom, will you drive me to Thomas' house?" "My Pleasure."

"Melissa, could you edit your devotion and have it complete within the hour?" "My Pleasure."

"Maam, do mind waiting a little longer for your appointment?" "My Pleasure."

"Honey, thank you for :) :) :)" "My Pleasure." :)


Blessings to You,

Melissa

I Miss My Raleigh and Bloggy Friends!

It has been so long since I've written, tonight I feel like I'm coming home! My April has been so busy and productive, but I just have not been in a place to blog. So, I took a rather long break.

My dad stayed with our family for 3 weeks this month. It was so nice to have him here for a while. He's been with my sister and her family since Christmas in Rochester. He is facing a very hard time in life right now. His 3rd divorce plus numerous health problems. I'd treasure your prayers. He's feeling very unworthy and defeated. We moved him back to his hometown of Greenville, SC last week. I know he is lonely. That is a big reason I haven't been blogging. I haven't returned emails. There was just a lot to do and I gave myself a break from feeling like I had to keep up on the computer!

On a different note...."Hello Raleigh!" I had a speaking engagement last weekend in Raleigh, NC at Hayes Barton Baptist Church. The topic was friendship and relationships and they titled the event, "Sister to Sister". It was amazing. These women were so gracious and welcomed me with true southern hospitality. On Friday night, I even felt comfortable enough to take my shoes off and speak in my "Aloe Infused Hot Pink Slipper Socks"! (they gave me a wonderful gift basket including the great socks and my feet were killing me due to the bunion surgery I had a few months ago...so I took off my shoes. Oh My Gosh! Those Socks were the best things these feet have seen in forever!

The retreat was such a blessing to me as well as those who attended. I hope to have some pictures posted soon. I forgot my camera, so I'm kind of at the mercy of those with cameras at the event. I think what touched me the most is really something I recognize in most women. That is the need to have real authentic relationships...but the truth is those are few and far between. I hope and pray that through our time together that some walls were torn down and some seeds were planted to grow "sister to sister" relationships where the Fab 5 Qualities of Friendship can be displayed. (1. Unconditional and Unfailing Love 2. Encouragement 3. Service 4. Accountabiltiy 5. Forgiveness +++Bonus Prayer)

I want to say a big "thank you" to all of you in Raleigh who made me feel so welcome and comfortable. I wish I could've stayed longer. Thank you for having me!

It's so good to be back! Now I need to head over to http://www.beautifulp31.blogspot.com/ because it's been just as long since I've updated there too! Blessings Y'all!

Love,

Melissa

My Very Bestest Friend...

Who is your very bestest bestest friend? If you were to ask me that question, I'd need more clarification.

Who is my best girl friend? Well, there's my best girlfriends at work...my best girlfriends from high school....my best girlfriends from Bible study...my best long distance girlfriends....etc...

Who is my best friend ever on this earth? Well, that's easy. It's Jeff. My dynamic husband. Why is he my best friend on earth you ask? Well, he accepts me. He loves me and I don't know how or why. He puts up with me. He has forgiven me for my mess ups. I love to spend time with him. Although if I'm honest, I have to say that even keeping a friendship with my best friend on this earth isn't easy. We've had to work at it, and it hasn't been easy. But it's been worth it.

That still doesn't answer the question, "who is my very bestest friend?" My very bestest friend? That would be Jesus. Even though I have friends on this earth who love me, forgive me, and are there for me, no one can be there for me NO MATTER WHAT like Jesus can. Some people don't believe in Jesus. Well, I do. Not because the Bible tells me so. Not because my mama tells me so. But because I've met Him myself. He has never abandoned me. He loves me. He really is my friend. My very bestest friend.

I love the hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". When I was a little girl, I thought Jesus was unreachable for me. I thought I had to speak a certain proper way to Him. How could such a God want to spend time with such a mess up like me? But now I know better. I can talk to Him in my voice, using my words, and just being me. I'm so glad I can just be myself.

Who is your friend? Who is your very bestest friend?

Today, I thank you Jesus for loving me just the way I am. I need You in my life.

Blessings,

Melissa

Valued Friends

First let me welcome you to my blog. If you are visiting for the first time or you are here because you read my devotion today, I'm glad you stopped by. And if this is not your first visit, well I'm glad you stopped by too:)

I've been a little lazy with my posts this week. The mood just didn't strike me. It's good this devotion came up when it did, because it spurred me to sit down and write.

This is one of my personal favorite devotions that I have ever written. Not because it's well put together or anything like that, but because of the message and what it's meant to my life. The friend I spoke of, Donna, just means so very much to me. Even though we lost touch for so long, we have indeed picked right back up and are now closer than ever. I can be 100% myself with her. And she can be the same right back. The persistence in finding and pursuing her has definitely paid off. God's timing was key in our reunion, but so was our obedience. I knew He wanted me to contact her, so I did. Donna knew it was time for her to respond, so she did. As I said in the devo (that's hip lingo for devotion, just to keep you in the know:)) the fruit has been rich! Here is a picture of some of that fruit, our daughters, Hayley Grace and Sydney (http://melissataylorp31.blogspot.com/2008/02/gno-girls-night-out.html). They have sleepovers and playdates regularly. Last week they amazed us by setting up their very first "service project". They sold rocks in front of Sydney's house to raise money for "the pore" ... that's what their sign said. Do you know those 2 raised $6.95 by selling old rocks????? I'm definitely going to post that story on another day, but it was the cutest thing. They split the $. Sydney gave hers to her church and HG is sending hers to Ecuador to give to the child we sponsor over there. My point, they have developed a valued friendship. It's precious and priceless.

The Bible talks about the value of friends. Jesus had close friends. He called His disciples "friends" (John 15:15). And in Proverbs it says that a friend sticks closer than brother. Ecclesiastes goes on to mention the value of relationships in chapter 4:9-12. Friends should be treated as the treasures they are. When you love something, you take good care of it. Friendship should be treated this way.

I encourage you to do something special for those special friends in your life today. Pick up the phone and tell them you love them. Send them a card just to say "you're special in my life." Don't assume they know, tell them. I really do believe the saying "to have good friends you need to be a good friend." Take it even one step further and plan a scheduled time to spend with them. You know, like a girl's night out or something.

To all my friends, I want you ALL to know how much I TOTALLY VALUE YOU IN MY LIFE!!!! I don't know what I'd do without you. My friends in the workplace, cyberspace, far away, and close by ... you have impacted my life. I ask the Lord to shower His blessing upon you this very day! I love you!

Have a great day! And don't forget to give a friend or 2 a call today.

Love,

Melissa