The One to Satisfy the Current Facebook Phenomenon

25 Random Facts about Moi

1. I love taking naps, but I hate waking up from them.
   
2. I love watching FRIENDS with friends.
3. I watch the Food Network more than any other television station.
4. I can't imagine life without music but I can't pinpoint my favorite genre.  I love worship, classical, old school CCM, jazz, rock, and more.
5. I hate going a day without working out and I really miss having free access to a gym.
6. I love driving our stick shift '98 civic.
7. I have suffered from chronic headaches since I was in elementary school.
   
8. Oftentimes I let my emotions get the best of me.  
9. Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks but I only eat it at night.  while watching a favorite show.
10. It is physically impossible for me to walk slowly.
11. I am currently reading multiple books:  Eclipse, Seven Checkpoints for Youth Ministry, Jesus Calling, and Mere Christianity. 
12. I love working in the kitchen.  My skills have improved exponentially since this past summer.  Some of my specialities include chocolate chip cookies, sourdough or wheat or banana bread, and brownies.  I am willing to try any recipe at least once!  Kevin loves my hobby.
13. I don't at all mind spending days at home in peace and quiet--in fact I quite enjoy personal time. 
14. Breyer's Mint Chocolate Chip is the best ice cream in the world!  Actually, I love ALL ice cream.
15. My water bottle like an extension of my body.
16. I am a salad connoiseur. 
17. No matter how much I moisturize my hands are always dry in cold weather.
18. I really enjoy the opportunity to share my relationship experiences with those who ask.
19. I am an information sponge--reading every word on flyers, magazines, bulletins, books, and more.
20. Even if I've been in a restaurant multiple times I still have to ask the waitress to come back later to take my order.  My decision making skills are somewhat sluggish.
21. I do not consider myself athletic in the least, but I love downhill skiing and ultimate frisbee despite how ridiculous I may look. 
22. I was completely technologically illiterate until college. I had no idea what instant messaging was, I didn't have an email address, and I was one of the only students that didn't have a personal computer.
23. I thrive on words of encouragement and I love finding ways to encourage others.
24. I am absolutely positively forever head over heels in love with my husband, Kevin Michael Eccles.
    
25. I am finally beginning to understand the meaning of abiding with my Lord--to be constantly aware of his presence and involvement in every moment of my day.     

The One with the Perfect Day

Our Valentine's Day was the best ever.  We didn't intend on making a big deal out of it, and we didn't, but the day was just perfect.  Kevin was the absolute picture of a man wooing his bride with his words and actions all throughout the day.  My every day Prince was really on his game!  

We left home around 9:15am to get me to my doctor's appointment and Kevin's haircut (very romantic).  (In case you're interested...the doctor thinks I have IBS which doesn't have much of a solution other than over-the-counter meds.  He called for a blood test also to check to Celiac disease and has requested a stool sample to test.  fun... In addition, I mentioned my chronic headaches and that my mom experiences migraines and before I knew it he was prescribing three meds for the migraines.  Yikes!  After consulting with my nurse mother, I went ahead and only picked up one of the prescriptions to start with.  And get this...last night I had one of the worst headaches I'd had in a long time and had left the new medication at home.  That was a kick in the rear.  Never gonna forget the Midrin again.)  Now on to the more enjoyable parts of the day (though it is true love to support me at the doctor's...)

We picked up a shower gift at Kohl's and decided to make a stop at Biggby's  where we used our BOGO coupon.  Kevin had an iced americano with a shot of hazelnut and I couldn't resist a double dark hot chocolate.  We spent a relaxing afternoon at home and around 3:30 left for Ann Arbor.  A few weeks ago we decided on a new Valentine's Day tradition that we both agree was the best idea ever!  Every year, our goal is to try a new pizza place for a Valentine's treat--fun and delicious and a way to celebrate without making a big fuss.  (Our kids will probably love us for this tradition!)  I found Anthony's Gourmet Pizza online and it was the perfect choice.  This place boasts Chicago Style Stuffed Deep Dish and an Anthony's Deep Dish among other specialities.  After putting in our order for an Anthony's Deep Dish with green peppers, pepperoni, and roasted garlic, we relaxed in a comfortable environment and played a few hands of rummy with the cards that were piled in the "activity corner."  It was so much fun.  Our pizza was served in the most casual manner and the manager came out a couple times to check on us and chat.  We finished off a medium!  (I won't tell you who had the most.)  

By 6pm we were on the road for Spring Arbor where we were going to attend the University's production of Phantom.  We had time to kill and figured all our friends would be out for V-day so we hit McD's and each had a small hot fudge sundae while sitting in the big leather chairs.  It topped off a perfect meal.  We were glad to be nearly an hour early for the show because the auditorium lobby was already packed!  We snagged perfect seats for us and Britt & Nick and her family.  It was great seeing our friends and our Canadian mom and dad again!  The show was fantastic!  I was so thrilled with the performance.  I was exhausted and still headache-y by 10:45pm when the show let out so we hit the road rather quickly.  After swinging by the gas station for a caffeine boost, we made the seemingly long drive with good conversation and hit the sack within minutes of pulling in the driveway.  

The One with the Wedding Rerun

♥Tomorrow will be our fifth Valentine's Day together.  Though this "holiday" isn't necessarily a "big" deal to me, it has got me thinking...

It's been nearly nine months since we said, "I do."  I've loved every day with him exponentially more than the day before.   I never dreamed that our marriage would end up being even better than I fantasized.  I've learned more than I thought possible.  I've loved greater than I believed I knew how.  I've discovered more of who I am, who he is, and most importantly more of who God is.  I will forever keep these vows.  

"Melanie, will you have Kevin to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him, so long as you both shall live?"

I will.

I, Melanie, take you, Kevin, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part.  This is my solemn vow.

The One where the Rains Came Down

For some reason I thought I had already updated the blog, only to find that I was mistaken.  I think I spent so much time changing the look that I got lost in the creativity and forgot about the writing.  Oh well.

I think I'm finally back to "normal." (Laugh if you know that's a relative term...)  It's nice to not have to think of how my stomach will react to certain foods or if my body can handle a certain amount of physical exertion.  I went on a walk yesterday and was actually a bit shaky for the remainder of the day.  Every inch of my body was sore yesterday as well, and I was not looking forward to dealing with that ache for another day.  To my surprise, this morning I woke up feeling like a new woman.  I fixed a nice pancake breakfast for my husband and I before he left for work, and once I was convinced my body was truly healthy I hopped on the ellipse.  I had been hoping for an outside run (more like a jog...but whatever) as I was excited to see the grass once again, but the rain was absolutely pouring and the thought of being drenched didn't really appeal.  Anyways...the workout felt great and had no ill effects.

After a nice warm shower, I dressed (in real clothes for the first time since Sunday) and set to work on mini whole wheat loaves of bread for a church baking order and a batch of peanut butter cookies.  I made the cookies for two reasons.  1)  I'm freezing them until they can be sold at the church rummage sale on the 21st and 22nd.  and 2) I couldn't remember the last time I had made peanut butter cookies and thought it was about time to rectify that.  Both the bread and the cookies turned out perfectly.

I managed to do a load of laundry, re-make our bed (with a "new"/different comforter on for a fresh change), head to the church for some miscellaneous duties, and grab lunch just before Kevin pulled in around 2pm.  I heart Wednesdays...when he has the option of leaving after his last class instead of staying till 5 or 6. =)

It's been pouring here all day and there have been a non-stop flood warning for our county.  I've not really been concerned--just enjoying the grass and the change in weather that I hadn't even realized I missed.  At 5pm the gentleman who ordered the whole wheat bread stopped by to pick up the loaves and decided to check on our basement sump pumps at the same time.  With all the flooding he wanted to be certain our basement didn't become victim to the waters.  After a few minutes of the three of us (well I wasn't actually "involved"...more like "supporting") examining the pipes, suddenly we were all showered by a small explosion of water that burst from a broken pipe.  Yikes!  Kevin and I had to monitor the water pumpage while Larry ran to pick up new pipes so we could restore order to the home.  We were so thankful for God's timing tonight...even if it did delay dinner a few minutes. :)  

I'm looking forward to more relaxing hours with my love this evening.  

"The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."  Mt. 7:25

The One that's Moving On

I don't really feel like blogging right now, but I also didn't want the "sick" blog headlining for much longer.  I'm still not 100%...a bit weak and such (which is hard for me to deal with...) but praise God for the phenergan injection (yowzers that stung for 24 hours!) and the prescription that eased my vomitting and diarrhea.  It was awful awful pain.  And my poor husband...he's never had to deal with anything as treacherous as that.  He was truly wonderful.  And yesterday he skipped his night class to be home earlier with me.  And....he brought home the most gorgeous fragrant red tulips ever.  Thank you, Love!  

I managed a walk this morning which reminded me that I'm still not all the way healthy...and it also made me happy that I could be outside and not be freezing!  Yay spring-like weather!  I didn't realize how much I missed it.  Now...if only the soggy ground would dry up....

The One that's Sick

So the weekend was great.  Before 4:00pm on Sunday that is.  Let's just say that 4 hours of vomitting and...other...things.... in addition to severe stomach pains sends you to the Emergency Room.  I'm so thankful for the quick service there.  I'm also eternally grateful for my husband who was more than willing to comfort me and stand by my side through all the horror of this--gastroenteritis.  The meds they gave me have really helped soothe my stomach and I slept through the night after we crashed into bed at 11pm.  We'll see how I hold up today.  At this point I'm able to hold down water (which was something I couldn't say before.  I would be hugging the toilet within 1 minute of a sip of water.)  I'm really sore.  Which tends to happen after one of my full-body-vomitting episodes (and the runs I went on this weekend probably just add to the pain).  Anyways...I'll stop there before I get too graphic.  Thanks for praying.