no reason at all

I love how you take twice as long as anyone to fix your sandwich.  I love that you make me laugh harder than anyone can.  I love that we take bike rides.  I love the way your green eyes lock with mine.  I love when we pray.  I love that you like me reading aloud to you.  I love how you like my silliness.  I love that you value my friends.  I love how you will chase me down even when it's the last thing you feel like doing.  I love when you tuck me in.  I love laying in your arms.  I love just knowing you're there.  I love the promises you've made that will never be broken.  I love that you know I trust you.  But most of all I just love you.

On Pirates and Scrabble

I'd like to formally announce to all of you that I am now officially in the "know" as far as Pirates of the Caribbean goes.  So I've watched this trilogy of movies more times than I can count and have always loved them.  However, the only problem here is a strange paradox--how one can love a movie and not follow it in the least.  It's true.  If you were to ask me what these movies were about, I couldn't tell you.  Kevin is just baffled at how this is possible (not so much the "not understanding" part as the "not following and still loving" part.)  Anyways, I just spent the last couple hours fully engaged in the second movie of the series and GRASPING every last aspect of it.  Well done, I say.

Another proud moment in my life as of recently refers to my husband's blog.  In his most recent post he comments on how he's not nearly as entertaining and funny at blogging as I am.  At reading this, I burst out with an exaggerated "YESSSSS!"  (hands thrown up in the air and all.)  I'm not gonna lie, he keeps me laughing my face off every day, but I'm so happy to know he thinks I'm funny in my blog!  =D

Friday was fun.  Britt stopped by on her way through to Canada (I LOVE our housing location...what benefits!)  and we drove to the nearest David's Bridal for my turn at trying on bridesmaid dresses.  I'm so thrilled at the opportunity to be in my first ever wedding...as a participant that is, and not the bride. ;-)  I have the honor of being her Matron of Honor and I'm way enthused!  We found and purchased the dress, did some shopping at Target (pronounced "tar-chay"), and split a lunch in their very high class cafeteria.  

Besides putting up a solid competition in a full game of Scrabble with my love (quite a feat, if I don't say so myself), we've been enjoying a relaxing, "do nothing" Saturday, complete with a bike ride to the Eastern Market.  This is the life.  

PS.  In case you're interested, I have entitled this photo:  "Because I refuse to pay $1.00 to dry our laundry"

                                                    

"Afternoon, Gorgeous"

yep, that's right.  My love makes me blush when he send me random IM messages from work.  He's the best!

For this particular post, I actually have a little post-it compiled of all the random things I wanted to write about.  I know, I know, it's hard to believe I would make a LIST!  

1)  The Hotdog Incident.  So Kevin gets home from lab last night and we decide we're not extremely hungry.  The menu was going to consist of mac and cheese and salad as well as a Ballpark Frank for Kevin.  While he's in the shower, I decide to try my hand at grilling...but before I can do that, the hotdog needed defrosted.  Sure enough, I basically cooked the thing in the microwave.  Lamo.  Then, I go out to put it on the grill and I'm amazed at how easy it is to start the grill!  I go back inside to do other food prep things and by the time I go back outside I realize the hotdog is nearly burnt (but still edible). Crap.  As I go to put the dog on the plate, it slips off the turner and onto the ground.  GROSS.  Now, my husband thinks I'm trying to kill him...but honestly, I just stink at hotdogs.  

2) Vanna White's Dress.  I loved the dress Vanna White wore last night.  loved.

3) Babysitters4hire.  Last night it occurred to me that I know many college friends who babysit/nanny for the summer and make great money doing so.  That said, I found this website (babysitters4hire.com) and registered.  Who knows if anything will come of it, but it's worth a try!

4) Subbing.  The thought had crossed my mind and how I've had at least 3 or 4 people mention the idea of substitute teaching to me.  Though working in a school would not help with our financial situation for the summer, it could be the perfect situation for me come fall.  I'm thinking of looking into a substitute position in a Christian school or applying for a Bible teacher's job.  yay, ideas!

5) "Ridin' bikes and being engaged..." (I mean "married"...sorry, inside joke...friends made fun of the adorable engaged couple riding bikes around SAU's campus last year...)  Anyways, Kevin and I each have a usable bike now.  woooooo!  So this morning, I decided I would ride into work with him then ride back by myself. I wasn't sure if I could do it, but the 7.5 miles wasn't too bad and neither were the directions.  It was really exciting to spend that extra time together, and exercising to boot!  A new tradition??  Time will tell. :)

6) Well, besides discovering the wonders of Google Calendar and trying to stay cool without turning on the air conditioner, that just about wraps it up.

Undercover Movie Star??

I just remembered one of the funniest, most unbelievable stories ever...and I just can't wait to tell it!  So in between our wedding ceremony and the reception the entire bridal party went down to Lake Shore Park on the shores of Lake Erie to get our pictures taken.  Steve Newton was sitting up in the pavilion with his daughter Kara while Beth, our flower girl, was in our photo shoot.  Later on, he told me this true story.  There was a young girl and her mom walking along the pavilion and they looked down to see us taking pictures.  The little girl said, "There's a wedding happening down there!"  Then she went on to say, "LOOK, Mom!  [pointing at me, the bride] There's Angelina Joli!"  

I about fell on the floor laughing after Steve recounted this story.  I was sure he had just made it up, but he was honestly claiming it to be true!  Well.  I'm pretty sure I don't look a thing like Angelina Joli, but I'll take that as a compliment nonetheless.  

life, love, and other mysteries

So I have this situation.  We've had our wedding thank you cards done for almost a month now.  (Ok, not quite a month...considering we got married a month ago TODAY!  "Happy Anniversary, Mel & Kevin."  Why, thank you!) Nonetheless, I feel awful that I haven't sent many out yet simply because the cost of postage to mail all of these notes is not the first thing our priority spending list.  Oh, well, I suppose people won't hate me if they have to wait a little longer than expected to get their thank you.  (I've read that Thank You card etiquette requires them to be sent within 3 months from the wedding date.  I think that's ridiculous and I'm sure you all know me better than to put off something like this...but just know it will come...)

And seriously, our wedding was absolutely phenomenal.  The many friends and family that traveled hours to celebrate with us was just an unspeakable blessing.  Many brides have told me that the day passes like a blur and it is nearly impossible to remember anything.  However, due to some car confusion, we ended up being the last ones out the door at our reception.  Not the original plan, but it was wonderful to be able to spend some quality time with nearly everyone who came.  I have always been irritated with wedding receptions and the fact that you just eat and talk to the people at your table...and if the bride and groom do come by they say a quick hello and move on.  But Kevin and I really wanted to make an effort to make our day more meaningful for everyone involved.  The ceremony details were planned and chosen in such a way that the guests all knew each step meant something to us and the reception was more fun than I could have orchestrated!  Thank you for making our day more than perfect and for those who weren't able to make it, thank you for your prayers and your cards of blessing!

Well, I'm not really sure that was the direction I was originally planning on taking this entry, but it will suffice.  Let me leave you with this:

"I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for you I always pray with joy...And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God (Phil. 1:3-4, 9-11)

I like picture uploader

After the demands of my hundreds of fans (or a suggestion from one good friend...) I decided to upload the pictures of the photo arrangement I talked about yesterday.  I hope you like them! (oh, and ps...the couch is from my grandma and is in great shape...it's just not our favorite style.  lol.  So, eventually, we'd like to slip cover it!)

boys...

First of all, I thought the world needed to see this "Kodak moment" I couldn't resist capturing.  Here is Kevin and Ben searching for Waldo in Kevin's childhood copy of Where's Waldo?  I thought it was adorable (slash hysterical).  

Little Susie Homemaker

...and proud of it. :)  Today was a "fun day for me.  I had the usual morning then decided to whip up some brownies for the ice cream sundae party we're having tonight with Kevin's family.  (It's the big Canada-US "Freedom Festival" fireworks!)  Then, since I had so many bananas starring me in the face just pleading to be made into something delicious, I decided to oblige.  I used a recipe I had received as a wedding gift to make 2 yummy loaves of banana bread--one for tonight...one for later. ;-) mmm, mmm.  As I was baking up a storm, I wished I could keep going.  No, for real.  I really wanted to bake more cookies and more breads, etc, etc.  That got me thinking.  I said to myself, "Self, it would be super cool if I started a baking business out of my home."  Considering I'm still unemployed, this sounded like a brilliant (not to mention deliciously enjoyable) idea.  Who knows if it would actually be profitable, but I would probably get some friends out of it.  (And don't worry, I would try my best not to become like Monica in the Friends episode "The One with the Chocolates" where she secretly loves making chocolates only because it makes people like her.)  lol.

Exciting mail again today!  My picture order came.  So now, instead of this random couple in the frame hanging above our couch, it's filled with pictures of Kevin and Brian through the years.  And on the other side (of our signed autograph wedding frame) is a frame with pictures of my sister, Ash, and me.  I just love it!  Also, in this brown frame with 6 openings I have put in a selection of wedding pictures that were developed in "sepia."  I think it looks awesome. :) A little more homey every day...

It was great to have Magan and Bekah stop by for a visit on Saturday night (on their way to the airport.)  We had a pasta dinner and then hung out while watching the greatest show ever-Camp Rock!  Well, maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but it was a fun movie nonetheless.  And.....Magan bought us our very own copy of "She's the Man."  We were super excited!  It's one of those movies our friends quote all the time...and is quite hysterical...."Bros, brothers...Brethren??"  oh my.....(guess you had to be there...)

We had a blessed time at church on Sunday.  We decided to go to Sunday School, and despite the wild goose chase we had to go on to find the class, we were thankful we did.  God knows just what we need.  We're both so thankful for belonging.

This has been Silly Songs with Larry.  Tune in next time to hear Larry sing, "Bob is really angry.  I hope he doesn't catch me.  It's hard to run with this sombrero on my head."  

A Rainy Saturday

It's been another good 24 hours.  First of all, we were able to pick up our car from the shop and were quite pleased to only have to pay $60.  (Certainly zero dollars would have been ideal...but that's ok.) Unfortunately we might need to invest in a new battery, but we're both so thrilled to have our vehicle back.  Last evening after Ben arrived, we had a delicious dinner of homemade pizza, breadsticks, and salad (thank you very much...) and then ventured out to the wonderful world of Meijer.  Kevin and I picked up lots of needed groceries and the three of us found lots of snacks to keep our mouths occupied while watching the Tigers' game.  

We woke up around 9am and I fixed a pancake breakfast for all of us (Ben had spent the night.)  mmm, mmm.  Thank you, Aunt Jemima.  We lounged around for the remainder of the morning before Kevin's "new-used" bike was delivered!  3 cheers for online shopping and $50 bikes.  

It was at that point when the torrential downpours began.  The rain was quickly flooding the streets and gutters and was blowing its way into our apartment.  The noise became deafening as we looked out to see large balls of hail pounding the sidewalks. That put a damper on our "let's bike to the market" plan, but remember...we had our car back, so it all worked out in the end.  Our produce shopping was quite successful...delicious cantaloupe for a dollar, huge heads of romaine for $.75, and 5 lbs of bananas for a dollar!

(sure, they're getting brown, but we LOVE banana bread, banana muffins, banana cake, etc, etc, etc.)

Now we wait and see if our next set of guests can find their way here...

pancakes, mac 'n cheese, and pilates

welp, that pretty much sums up my morning.  No, for real!  We're down to one egg and a cup of milk so that limited the breakfast options, so I made pancakes.  This is one item of food that we will not be running out on any time in the near future.  (So if you come visit us, I hope you like pancakes, cause that's what you're gonna get.)  

I also made Meijer brand macaroni and cheese to send with Kevin for his lunch.  Then I did pilates.  Just like I do every morning.  It's a good time actually. :)  I haven't gone running outside since last week for two reasons.  1) My foot was still healing it's torn muscle (?) and 2) my mom and grandma have me all paranoid about becoming the next headline:  "Young girl killed in the park while jogging."  Oh well.  I hope to get the ellipse from Kevin's parents sometime soon. 

The mail was pretty exciting yesterday.  (Don't mock me, I have to take joy in the little things in life.)  My new Michigan license arrived...and I'm not gonna lie...it looks good.  For real, though, even the license bureau lady said, "Wow, that's a really nice picture." *happy*  I guess I'm officially a Michigan resident.  (Shouldn't there be some sort of party thrown in my honor???  Or at least a cake?)

We also got our first church newsletter.  Maybe I shouldn't have been as excited as I was, but finding a place to belong, a place that wants us involved, and a place that has "salad potlucks" to welcome the new youth pastor and his wife-to-be is awesome. :)

After dinner last night, we watched Little Miss Sunshine.  Have you seen this movie?  Cause you should.  (but if you're at all offended by language or homosexuality...don't.)  It was only the 2nd time we had watched it, but I think it's one of those shows that just gets better every time around.  It leaves you thinking, "What the heck did I just watch?  That was awful.  But that was so awesome."  

A week ago, Kevin and I planned on doing nothing this weekend.  That doesn't seem to be happening, however.  We have a friend coming up to visit and stay the night tonight, we're planning on doing some serious shopping at the produce market on Saturday, then that night another friend and her sister are hanging out with us until they pick up their other sister at the airport.  (It's nice we live by the airport...gives people an excuse to visit.)  Then Monday, his family is coming up for the Freedom Festival Fireworks.  We've decided that each of these things is great, and even though we might not get to do "nothing" as we planned, it'll still be  great time. 

So in a nutshell:  our car is getting fixed.  

Conversations with Jehovah

"The real underlying flaw in your life, Melanie, is that you don't think that I am good.  If you knew I was good and that everything--the means, the ends, and all the processes of individual lives--is covered by my goodness--then while you might not always understand what I am doing, you would trust me.  But you don't.

"Melanie, you cannot produce trust just like you cannot 'do' humility.  It either is or is not.  Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved.  Because you do not know that I love you, you cannot trust me."

But I don't know how to change that.

"You can't, not alone.  But together we will watch that change take place.  For now I just want you to be with me and discover that our relationship is not about performance or having you please me.  I'm not a bully, not some self-centered demanding little deity insisting on my own way.  I am good, and I desire only what is best for you.  You cannot find that through guilt or condemnation or coercion, only through a relationship of love.  And I do love you."  

[The Shack, p. 126]

memo:

The previous post is no longer applicable.  My blog's template may change multiple times today.  Don't let this cause alarm.  This is just a test.  This is only a test.  

opinions anyone?

I can't decide if I want to keep this new background or if I liked it the other way (or if I should keep looking...). Does this classy look go with my "fun" blog title?

the sun DOES shine

funny how things can change over the space of a few hours.  Nothing is "perfect" as of yet, but my husband and I are feeling much better about our situations.  

First:  I randomly looked out the window this afternoon to see a guy changing someone's tire.  I decided to ask him if he had jumper cables.  He did.  He charged me way too much (but I was a little too overwhelmed to "bargain").  I finally got ahold of Kevin and was on my way to the auto shop.  Thank God, they had room to keep our car overnight until they have time to work on it tomorrow!  

Second:  I decided to be brave and walk home by myself.  This would save Kevin from leaving work early to walk me home or I wouldn't have to wait in a disgusting auto shop for a few hours for my "escort."  I made it safe and sound.  (I prayed and held tightly to my purse.  This is, after all, the CITY, people!)  

Third:  I received an email from the on-campus administrative assistant position I applied for over a month ago.  I'm not sure how encouraged I should be by the message, but it basically said my application was being viewed by the hiring manager.  *hope*

Fourth:  We're grilling hamburgers for dinner and I'm experimenting with a recipe for baked potato wedges.  They smell delicious.  

Fifth:  For I know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose.  [romans 8:28]

Indian Cuisine and chemistry

I can tell you're interested already. :)  I'll start back at the beginning of the evening.  An hour and a half before Kevin was to be home from lab, I decided to ride my bike down Jefferson to put in some job apps.  Done and done.  On my way home, I almost passed out when I hit my bike's breaks waaaaaayy too hard and jammed my pelvic bone into the handle bars.  frick!  that HURT.  badly.  (I'm sorry if this is too graphic a description for some of you.  But deal with it.)  After the black spots went away from my vision, I continued home and called Kevin on my cell.  He said, "I'm...." and I was like, "hello?  are you there?"  He had just stopped talking.  Next thing I hear is, "My bike isn't here.  Someone stole my bike."  oh great.  Just what we needed.  Now we're down a car and a bike.  (Kevin was so very excited to ride my short girly bike to work today.  <--that was sarcasm for those of you who don't follow.)   But honestly, we handled this situation rather well....I mean, what's one more thing on top of everything else??

So, I made it home without passing out and Kevin got a ride with some people from lab.  They picked me up and we went out to an Indian restaurant about 20 minutes away.  It was exciting to be going out for the first time since moving in, and even more thrilling to know that the bill was going to be footed by Dr. Reuda--the lab professor.  It was a wonderful meal (not for the faint at heart) and I loved getting to put faces to all the names I hear.  We went home 3 hours later and were very full (I was satisfied after eating what I soon found out to be just appetizers.  When the actual meal came, I had one bite of each dish that was being passed and I was filled to overflowing--though not literally.) 

I've spent this morning doing my wifely duties.  i.e. calling all over creation to find jumper cables (no luck yet), trying to find a good deal on a bicycle, and double checking insurance policies.  

I think I shall fix myself some lunch and enjoy this cool weather and my cozy sweatshirt (in June!?  oh, well, I'm not complaining!)

fast food, here I come!

I'm off on my trusty bike to put in applications at the local Subway and Wendy's.  Wish me luck.

Empty Me:::Fill Me with You

I don't know where to begin.  My heart is overflowing with blessing and yet weighted down by anxiety.  hmmm.

 So our car still sits in the parking lot, too tired to start again.  *sigh*  And we're struggling to figure out what to do about it.  When can we take it in?  What is the problem?  Will it cost more money than we have?  But at least I have air in my bike tires now.  (.75 for air is ridiculous...why pay for AIR!?)  

I road down to the IHOP after getting my bike ready to go, and found out that they probably won't be hiring anyone for a few weeks.  Oh, dear.  That place had given my one ray of hope in employment in the area.  I have about 10 apps out and I haven't heard a thing.  Either the job market in MI is really awful or no one wants the expertise I have to offer.  (oh, wait...I don't really have any expertise...except in the PHI/REL arena...and that's only needed in grad. school...which I would have to pay for.) So I'm not sure what to do.  Do I wait?  Do I go on a mad "hire me" spree down the main thorough-way?  (Except I only have a bike for transportation at this point, and Detroit is still a bit overwhelming  to this girl.)  I have been receiving lots of words of wisdom though:  most of them have included something like "Maybe God has sometime better, extraordinary in fact.  Maybe he's wanting you to wait, and to rest in Him."  I'm praying that that is the truth.  I'm trying to soak in that.  

Thank the Lord for friends.  Those who offer a shoulder to cry on, those who give employment advice, those you just listen, and those who send messages out of the blue with heavenly reminders attached.  Today, before anything had time to happen, I received an email from a girl who has just recently become a friend, almost just an acquaintance.  This is the prayer she offered up for me, simply because God had laid me on her heart:  

Dear God, 
Thanks for Melanie's faithfulness and desire to serve you with all of her heart. I know that you rejoice with her in this new part of her life. LORD I pray that you would fill Melanie with your hope each morning. Give her a confidence in you as the provider. I pray that you would not only provide Melanie with a job but that you would surprise her with the graciousness of your people all around them. I pray that they would not lack for anything LORD. I also ask that you would, in this time, not let worry and anxiety and striving suck the life out of their new joy. May she be filled with your inexpressible joy each morning. May there be no doubt in her mind that you can handle all of their life's challenges with the snap of your finger. I pray that you would also bring into their lives friends in their area...a place where they can connect and fellowship. May they be strengthened and encouraged by your fellow saints there in Detroit. Protect them, guide them and may they be stronger together than they were alone. 

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you (Philippians 1:6)

In the name of Jesus, 
Amen

May you be blessed and surprised today by the LORD and His dear love towards you:)

Now, she is what I would consider a true friend.  Thank you, Jesus.  

why I'm ridiculous

I'm not gonna lie, I am completely ridiculous.  I just spent close to an hour trying to decide on a name for my blog and its corresponding URL.  I am so lame.  (and now I'm admitting it to all of you...wonderful.)  Anyways, I'm happy with what I came up with and the previously mentioned story proves why it's an excellent choice.  

So.  I'm a married woman now.  (Ridiculous yet again.)  No, I don't regret being married in the least.  In fact, it's pretty much awesome.  I just can't believe I'm MARRIED.  I've spent the last couple of weeks buried in paperwork trying to change my last name on every document the United States has its files...i.e. my social security card, my license, my credit card, my bank account, my facebook....you get the picture.  It's been quite a pain (Kevin is SO darn lucky he's the man of this relationship), but I'm glad it's pretty much crossed off my to-do list.  (Not that you would believe I keep to-do lists or anything.)  

My life in a nutshell at this moment:  

• The smell of freshly baking bread is heavenly.
  
• My whole body is sore from playing hours of volleyball at the family reunion.
  
• I hate Mao.  
  
• I really, really need a job (IHOP, please hear my cry!)
  
• I wish my car wasn't broken down in the driveway.
  
• I need air in my bike tires.
  
• I need a job.  (*repetition is the key to memorization)
  
• I can't wait to get involved in our new church.
  
• I'm so thankful for my Love.
  
• I can't believe I live in the city.