Yard of the month

Our neighborhood is full of nice homes and people who take good care of their belongings. The yard is no different- you can find people out at work in their front yards at any time of the day. I bet that is the reason they no longer have a "yard of the month," simply because it is too hard to name a winner!

When we first moved into our home last year, Jesse was very burnt out from work and did not particularly enjoy coming home and working in the yard, after working on the golf course all day long. This year, he has been outside almost every single afternoon doing something. We took some time last week to pull up our old flowers from the winter (which were drying out and dying) and we planted new flowers for the summer.

Now, I know without a shadow of a doubt, that despite the other nice yards in our neighborhood, Jesse has earned an honorary "yard of the month" in my mind. Look what a nice job he does! I'm very blessed to have such a talented husband!

My attempt to be brave

I am not a brave person; never have been, probably never will be. (Which is why I typically do not like change, as stated in a previous post.) I like what I know and what I am comfortable with. However, "comfortable" turns to "boring" very quickly. And since I have kept my hair all one length, usually long, and always my natural brown, I thought a change was necessary! So here we say goodbye to the old long, straight, brown, boring hair...and hello to the new shorter, highlighted, flippy hair!

Relaxing on the patio

I have discovered yet another reason I am thankful to have our own private home. Tonight Jesse and I had a nice, relaxing evening. We finally have a (used) patio set with a table, and so tonight we decided to eat outside. Jesse grilled shish-ka-bobs (I have no idea how to spell that) made with chicken, shrimp, broccoli, and mushrooms. I tossed a caesar salad and made crisp lemonade. Then we sat eating and talking on the porch, with smooth James Taylor playing out of our surround system, the ceiling fans blowing lightly, and the dogs playing in the yard. It was a quiet, yet fun, entertaining dinner.

I know it sounds cheesy, but times like that are among my very favorite.

Happy Easter!

Every year as Easter approachs, I get excited and sad all at the same time. Typically, the sad comes first, as I realize year after year, that I forget all that Jesus gave for me. Sad that I have lost the passion for Him and my relationship with Him, despite the fact that He gave it all for me. Then, the excitement comes as I remember that He loves me just as I am. He does not expect perfection of me; that is why He came to die for me, because He knew I could not do it on my own. Without His sacrifice, I would be in a lot of trouble. But with Him as my savior, I'm safe and loved for eternity! So, I get re-fired up every year at this time, and decide to "try harder" in my walk with Him.

To start it off, I'm going to celebrate Good Friday tomorrow, while Jesse goes golfing with my Dad for his birthday, I am going to let myself remember. Remember the good, and remember the bad. I'm going to watch the Passion of the Christ and relive the emotion and heartache that movie portrays. Then I'm going to re-read the scriptures dealing with His death and ressurection. As the Lord's supper reminds us, "do this in rememberance of me," which is exactly how I plan to spend my Easter weekend. Remembering.

Lots of estrogen!

I currently know four women who are pregnant; two of my cousins and two of my girlfriends. All of them are extremely excited about the coming baby, and the baby bump that is showing on every one of their cute stomachs.

My cousin Michelle was the last to find out, that she too is having a girl! That means, out of all four pregnant friends, all four are having girls!!! That is a lot of estrogen to bring into the world within a few weeks of each other, hehe. I love little girls, and it is so much more fun buying all the cute little dresses and bows. I am very excited for each of them, and look forward to holding all the little bundles of joy in August!

I'm not sure if these are set in stone, or if I am spelling them correctly, but how adorable are the names they have all picked out:

Matt and Michelle: Savannah Lynn
Rick and Ashleigh: Kalia Grace
Chase and Rebecca: Natalie (Ann?)
Hayden and Lauren: ???

FUN, FUN, FUN!

Change

People always say that "change is good." Heck, I tell other people that all the time. I think what I am really saying is, "change is good...for you."

There are many areas of my life right now that seem to be changing, though every single one of the changes is being caused by change in another's life, rather than my own. It is hard accepting change that you have absolutely no control over. It is as if I am feeling the strains and stresses of change, while not experiencing any of the excitement change often brings. In my heart, I'm fighting the changes.

As humans, we rarely see how our actions affect change in the lives of others. For example, when I decided to move down to College Station from Lubbock, I was thinking about the changes in my own life and Jesse's life, rather than say, my roommate's life in Lubbock who had to quickly find a new roommate. My choice of change, forced her to change.

I have many friends who are choosing to change. Each of their chosen paths of change are exciting, dreams come true, and clearly right for them. Each of their choices to make the change are calling me to a reality check in my own life. I have been used to changing every six months to a year. During college, change is constant. Changing classes every semester, changing your major or minor if you feel like, changing your housing every nine months to a year, etc. Since I have graduated, I have been in the same place, doing the same things, day after day. And though I often become bored with the routine, I have also become comfortable. I'm comfortable with my circle of friends, how we communicate, where we hang out, and what we do for fun. I'm comfortable at my job, where I do not know it all nor am I expected to know it all. I'm comfortable with my marriage, our hobbies, our communication, and our plan for the future. I'm not ready for change!

Yet change comes whether I'm ready or not. Whether it is a friend having a baby, and knowing that our friendship and free times will never again be the same, or having a friend and great co-worker moving on to a new and better job; change is inevitable. Perhaps God is bringing the change into my life through the lives of others because I have been too stubborn and complacent to choose change for myself. Only He knows.

I am praying that God will soften my heart to the changes He is bringing in my life. Change IS good, and it does come from Him. Whether I am the chooser of change, or the extension of change, Lord please help me to accept it all as a gift from you. Give me the strength to endure the hard times and look forward to the good times. Help me realize the friendships can and should change, as long as we remember to change with them. Change is your plan. Remind me:

Change...is good.

New Holder Family Addition

This is Tiger, my family's new baby Yorkie. I know he doesnt look much like a ferocious Tiger, but...yeah, he is not ferocious at all. He is super sweet. Tiger has an obsession with feet and looks very cute running to catch up to anyone. His little legs start going a mile a minute, though it hardly appears he is moving. His nub of a tail wags when he is excited, but you probably wont notice unless you actually look for it! I think he is going to be a cuddler for sure. He only weighs a pound and a half right now, but is not expected to grow larger than a mere four pounds. What a cutie and a great addition to the Holder family!

(As a side note, I think Jersey and Brooklyn could eat him as a small snack...so we will probably not be introducing them any time soon!)

Shelley's wedding

This weekend Miss Shelley Toney finally became Mrs. Cruz! Everything was absolutely beautiful; especially the bride! It was a very heartfelt ceremony full of love. And the reception was a lot of fun, as all the family and friends were able to shower their love and encouragement on the happy couple.

I had a great time catching up with some of my old friends. I have really missed the company of Sarah, Tory, and Danielle since I moved to Spring, and it was a great chance to hang out with them again. I dont think Danielle liked taking the bottom picture...she still works at Systek. Hehe, we mainly took it to give Shelley a laugh when she develops the cameras sitting on the reception tables. There will be no question as to how she knows us!

I'm very thankful to have each of these girls in my life, and I pray that God will continue to bless Mike and Shelley's life together forever.

My pretty puppies

Jersey and Brooklyn have sure grown up fast, but they are still as soft and cuddly as ever!

Dont you just love the picture of Jersey sleeping all crazy next to the fireplace? That is her favorite place to be.

I dont have many pictures of Brooklyn...she won't sit still long enough to take any!

Both of these dogs bring a lot of fun and joy in my life because they love me unconditionally. I couldn't ask for more!

Hunting pictures

I know a lot of you have been dying to see a picture of Jesse hunting on the golf course, so I thought I would post some pictures. This way you can also see how nasty the nutria really are!

My cute hunter! He looks like a Pro!
Okay, NASTY! That is a huge, hairy rat!!
This should put in context how large they really are- that is a deck on one of the creek beds, and that dead nutra looks pretty big to m
See?? Now aren't you glad we are helping to get rid of them??

Rodeo 2006

Here are some of the pictures from the Rodeo this year!

Working from home

I have finally started working from home some, and so far, I absolutely love it! Here are some reasons why working from home is better than working at the office:

1. It does not take me an extra hour to get ready in the morning; I do not have to put on makeup or fix my hair if I do not feel like it.
2. I'm saving money on gas. Granted, my commute to the office is not far, but still!
3. If I am in a bad mood, no one else has to know about it. I do not have to put on a happy face.
4. When I have time for a break, I can be productive at home (doing some dishes, changing the laundry, etc), whereas at the office I just walk around and talk and possibly disturb others.
5. I am not disturbed BY others who feel the need to talk loud or listen to their conference calls on speaker phone...!
6. The quiet environment means more productivity in my work: quieter room = more concentration = happier Melody = higher quality of work!
7. I can listen to music if I choose, without having to wear annoying headphones.
8. At home, I have an "office with a view;" mainly meaning I have a window to the outside and get to look into my beautiful backyard.
9. I do not feel as bad when a personal phone call comes during the day, and do not have to whisper when I talk.
10. I get to control the thermastat! So I am never freezing cold or burning hot.
11. I do not feel pressured to eat out all the time; so again, saving money on food.
12. I probably eat healthier, because I cannot be tempted to eat junk unless I specifically buy the junk.
13. I feel like I get to see my husband more, even if he is in the other room.
14. I get to spend more time with my puppies and do not have to keep them kenneled up so much (which I hate having to do).
15. My office at home is much prettier! If I am going to be contained in the same place for hours on end, it should at least be pretty.

These are just a few of the reasons I know I am going to love working from home. :)

My new obsession

Jesse and I went to the Rodeo on Saturday afternoon and we had a great time. I have been to the Rodeo almost every single year, for as long as I can remember- it is always a great time, but this year has probably topped my list.

I was very excited to see Martina McBride on the lineup, and when I found out she was playing on a Saturday (so Jesse could go), I bought the tickets right then and there. I have always been a fan of hers, but after watching and listening to her live, she has become an obsession. I have never sat in a concert with tears streaming down my face, completely touched by the music. Every single song she sang gave me goosebumps all over my arms and legs. Afterwards, I just wanted to listen to the songs over and over (luckily 100.3 KILT plays a Rodeo replay after each show, so we got to listen to her all the way home). I sincerely put Martina McBride up with the greatest female vocalists of all time- she could hang with Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Barbara Streissand and other female powerhouse vocalists. She is one of the best. Not only that, she is sincere, genuine, and a real-life person. She loves her family, lives for her daughters, and wants to help encourage women, without all the liberal feminist views . What a role model!

I know that most people enjoy music in their lives. (With a name like Melody, how could I not love music?) But what I do not understand, is how people can feel unaffected by music. Sitting in that concert, I could not keep my feet from tapping, my hands from clapping, and my eyes from welling up everytime she hit a powerful note. I would look around me and see people talking, playing around, eating their food, or just sitting like a bump on a log- completely unaffected. How is that possible?? I know music may not be everyone's life, but it is just something that gets inside you and has to come out!! It is a feeling, an emotion, and it deserves a reaction!

Music is an art, and Martina McBride is definitely an artist! I am so glad I was able to go see her live, and I can only hope that the LeeAnn Rimes show I am going to next week is half as good.

Success!

We went "hunting" again last night, and Jesse actually got 2 nutria!! It was the first time I have seen one live, and let me tell you- they are nasty! When they call them giant rats, they are not kidding. Gross, hairy rats swimming in the ponds. I'm debating whether or not they can truly see red light. Supposedly, they cannot, but last night it seemed that they can. There was one swimming, and I was holding the light up so Jesse could see him to shoot him. Well, sure enough, the nutria ducked under the water. He popped up again when I turned the light off, but as soon as I turned it back on, he was gone again! We never did find him again after that, so I'm sure we will re-visit the same spot again since we know there is for sure one living in that pond.

It is so wierd driving around suburban Houston on a prestigous golf course with hunting gear!!

OH! Last night as we were driving back to the shed to put the golf cart away, a police came flying down the street with his lights and siren going. I'm sitting in the front of the golf cart carrying a 22-automatic shotgun on my lap!!! I felt like I was seriously getting chased. (Luckily the police went flying right by and no interest in us whatsoever, but it was still scary!)

Fun times at the golf course! :)

Hunting on the golf course

The ponds at Jesse's course have had some trouble lately...it seems that something has been eating all the vegetation around the ponds and lakes. However, the crew are out there all day long, and never see anything on the banks. They figured out this week that nutria live all around the water and feed strictly at night. They dont know how many of them are out there, but they are causing some serious damage and need to be stopped!

So, Jesse decided that he was going to go and hunt the nutria at night. Now keep in mind that he has never shot a gun before. He calls me all giddy, saying that he is going to buy a red light for his hunting trip. I was like, "excuse me?" Haha. I made him wait to go back up that night until I could go with him. (I did not like the idea of him out there with a gun that he has never shot before all alone.) Monday night we went up to the golf course at about 8:30pm. It was such a rush driving around the dark golf course, dressed in my navy hoodie (pulled over my head; it was cold!), while carrying a loaded 22 semin-automatic gun in my lap!! I was nervous and excited the whole time...Jesse was just plain giddy! He really wanted to find one so he could shoot it. I asked him what it would look like. He grinned and said, "a giant rat- like the size of a dog-only it swims." Ummm...WHAT?

We rode around all night, sat in silence watching and waiting, and after 2 hours, we were both getting tired and cold. But we had not seen anything fun to shoot! All of a sudden, I heard a sound on the bank of one of the ponds. I pointed the red light over there and could see eyes looking back at me. I whispered to Jesse to come take a look. Well, he checked it out, and it turned out to be a GIANT bull frog. I sighed in frustration. Jesse looks over at me with a devious twinkle in his eye and a big grin, and says, "think I should the shoot the frog? I have to at least shoot something tonight!" I was ready to see some kind of action, so I dared him to. He actually GETS ON THE GROUND all hunter-like, (I'm dying trying not to laugh so I can hold the light steady), and finally pulls the trigger. I half expected him to miss, since the frog is still a relatively small target and he has never really shot a gun, but no. He hit it and it exploded!! I mean, he DEMOLISHED that frog!!! I just busted out laughing, and he was beeming from ear to ear. It was so hilarious!! Of course, the houses that were only about 100 yards from where we were, probably did NOT think it was hilarious. Only about a minute after he shot the gun, we heard sirens in the distance, and we both freaked out. It was time to go home!

So, we have not killed any giant rats yet, but I did do some research so we can use it as bait to bribe them then shoot them! The pictures on the Internet are really ugly- seriously. Orange teeth, webbed back feet like a beaver, hairy with a thin long tail like a rat...gross.

The best part was seeing Jesse get so excited about getting to be manly and shoot the gun. Then when he actually destroyed the bull frog, he was so proud of himself! If he ever does kill a nutria, I think it would be hilarious to get it stuffed and tell him to hang his hunting game prize in his office!!! Haha, he would be so grossed out! Probably not the best idea, but I think this could become a fun new hobby for us!!! :)

Stomach "growling"

Does anyone else ever wonder why our stomachs growl at us when they are hungry? What is physically making the noise that we hear so clearly?

My stomach growls a lot, though I know I am not always hungry. So, I decided to look it up. Here is what I found!

It happens when your stomach walls squeeze together in an attempt to mix and digest food and there's no food there. Gases and digestive juices slosh around in your empty stomach and before you know it- "grrrooowwll." Yet hunger really has nothing to do with an empty stomach but, instead, is a product of certain nutrients missing in the blood. Our brains contain a "hunger center," which functions as an accelerator, or as a brake, for our stomachs and intestines. Once necessary nutrients are lacking from the blood, the dinner bell is rung, and the stomach and intestines come rumbling.

Very interesting....

10 things I love about my life

It is easy to get caught up in everything that is "wrong" with our lives, and lose track of the blessings that surround us daily. It seems that when we are down or in a slump-of-sorts, this can be especially true. Maybe the best way to pull ourselves out of slumps and down periods is simply to remind ourselves of what we do have, rather than dwelling on what we do not have.

Here are 10 things that I consider true blessings in my life:

1. I am never alone, as I can always talk to my closest friend and supporter, Jesus Christ.

2. I have a family that loves me unconditionally, and always accepts me for who I am and where I am in life.

3. I married a strong, Christian man who knows how to handle me and all my wierd quirks.

4. My friends, though I do not have many, are true friends who genuinely care about me.

5. My body is healthy, despite the fact I do not always care for it the way I should.

6. I was given top notch education from the state of Texas simply because I am a U.S. citizen.

7. I found a job in my career field that will provide excellent training for the rest of my career.

8. We have never had to want for anything. We are financially stable and have always had anything I needed.

9. I have a love for music that allows me to escape from this chaotic world and lose myself in the lyrics and notes of a song.

10. I am the product of so many people, all who have touched me in ways I could never describe. I'm thankful that so many people have given a part of themselves to make me who I am!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you all have a very special Valentine's Day!

I know a lot of people think these romantic holidays are silly and way too stressful. I think they are important and are one of the easiest ways to show your special someone how much you love them.

1. The day is choosen for you- no guessing games are required
2. There are sweet, romantic, non-expensive gifts everywhere!!
3. It's not the gift, but the thought that counts. Simply remember the holiday, and try to make it special, and you can't go wrong!
4. To "make it special," all you have to do is tell your special someone that you love them.
5. If you love them already, step 4 should happen naturally and daily!

Everyone needs to be reminded that they are loved by someone else. Everyone likes to feel like they are special and valuable to someone else. That love and feeling of value can come from a spouse, a family member, or a friend. The daily pressures of life can sometimes get in the way of us showing love in our closest relationships and can get in the way of us feeling loved. THAT is why this holiday is important. It forces us to get life out of the way, and allow love and kindness to rule for one day out of the year. I LOVE IT!

Happy Valentine's Day!
XOXOXO

Sweetheart

I guess Jesse actually missed me while he was gone! He has been super sweet to me ever since he has been home. Not that he is normally mean or anything like that, but he just seems very attentive and seems to want to spend time with me.

We hung out all weekend once he got home, and we talked a lot! It was like the ultimate "catch up" talk. It is strange how when you have not seen a friend for awhile, you can go out to dinner and catch up within a matter of an hour or so. Jesse and I were still "catching up" after 48 hours of talking!! For those of you who may know Jesse, you know he is not normally a talker. He will talk, but he is not the type of person who will sit down and give a play-by-play of his day. It can be hard to feel like you know what is going on in his life, because there is not a lot that he chooses to share. I felt very blessed this weekend that he kept talking!!

I'm glad to have him home again!

Rain

When it rains while I'm at the office, it actually makes me nervous. Normally I love rainy days- curled up in a soft blanket on the couch, watching romantic chick flics, and listening as the rain comes down on the roof. But when I'm at the office, on the 5th floor of a glass building, the rain hits the windows sideways, and its LOUD! And though I know that the building is not literally shaking with the thunder, sometimes I cannot help but wonder!

The irony of the whole thing, is that when you are at home in the rain, you do not care that you are "stuck" there because there is no where else you'd rather be. But when you are stuck at the office in the rain, all you want to do is leave! And yet you know in order to leave, you are going to have to run through the flooded parking lot all the way out to the very last row where your car is parked. Tough choice!

Rain, rain go AWAY...come again some other day! (Preferrably a day when I am at home!)

Alone time

When Jesse left on Tuesday, he was a little upset because he said I did not care like I used to. He said it was really sad to him that I did not even seem slightly upset, and Whenever we were first married and he would leave town, even for a few days, I always cried and made a big deal about being left alone. Even after a year and a half of being married (last Spring), I cried almost every single week when I left to go back to College Station and he stayed in Houston. Tuesday when I dropped him off, I did not cry.

I think I really needed some alone time this week. I know I have been really snappy and edgy lately, and maybe this was just what I needed. I needed a week to be by myself. To only worry about me. To do whatever I wanted to do. This all sounds very selfish...but plain and simple, I needed to be alone. We all need to be alone from time to time.

When I'm alone I do not have to worry about what anyone else is doing or where they are. I do not have to pretend to be in a good mood and act cheerful if I'm not really happy. I get to watch what I want to watch on t.v. (if I choose to watch t.v.). I can get into my pajamas at 5:15 when I get home from work, and not worry that anyone will consider me pathetic for doing so. I only have to cook enough for one, and I get to cook whatever sounds good to me at the time.

On the flip side, when I'm alone, I find myself silent for hours on end, and when I finally do talk to someone, its like I cannot shut up. I come home to an empty house with no one waiting for me. No one is there to talk to me about my day while I'm starting to cook dinner. The laundry in the laundry basket is only mine, which seems kind of sad. The puppies are good cuddlers, but they are not there in bed to provide the extra body warmth under the cold sheets. When I'm alone, I am very much aware how alone I truly am.

Being alone is nice...for awhile. But the great thing about having "alone time," is that it eventually it causes you to crave "together time," which seems appropriate with Valentine's Day right around the corner. I am starting to miss Jesse, and will be thankful when I can give him a big hug tomorrow evening.

However, I'd be willing to bet that by the next time he leaves for an overnight trip, I will again be ready for more alone time! (You always want what you do not have- it is a strange phenomenon to me.)

I thought I should give it a try!

I have always loved writing in journals. Growing up I went through four journals, plus a prayer journal, filling up the pages with my thoughts, feelings, and activities. However, since college, I stopped writing in a daily journal. I think I felt that my life got boring and predictable, so why write it down? Nothing too exciting worth remembering...! But as my memory grows increasingly worse, I find that the only way for me to remember my life, is to write it down, and later re-read it. Not to mention the fact that I typically enjoy writing, and view it as an outlet for releasing tension, frustration, nervousness, and excitement.

Up until now, I have never let anyone, read my writings (other than Jesse, who received the prayer journal as a gift the night before our wedding). So I am going to try this public journaling thing, everyone refers to as "blogging," and see how it goes!

I apologize in advance for those of you who might attempt to read this blog...I lead a pretty boring life!