Wow!

Looks like I haven't had much to say in a while! Well, football season (for Jake and Ed) has ended, Sarah had a birthday and turned 8, and Ed and I celebrated 11 years of marital bliss!

The kids and I went to Mom and John's for Thanksgiving. Ed had to work Thanksgiving Day and the day after so we went on without him. :-( He did get to have Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday though with some close friends! John has been home from Adams Place/hospital visits for a week now. Mom says they are getting into the swing of things, but it is alot of work I know. He can not walk at all so Mom has to get him in and out of bed using a sling that attaches to a metal rolling device. He has an electric chair that he can steer with his good hand. Needless to say, prayers, prayers and more prayers are needed!

I am astounded that Christmas is almost here! Hope this lovely season finds you all well and happy!

Hugs all around!

Hi There!

I SO cannot believe that it has been almost 2 months since I've blogged! Must have just gotten busy with "life" I guess. I do have a few prayer requests for you all. First, my step-dad, John is still trying to recover from a stroke that he had more than 3 months ago. He has been back and forth from Adams Place (in-patient rehab) to the hospital a couple of times with all sorts of medical problems. My mom muses that he is one big "Dr. House Episode"! All kidding aside, they both really need your prayers. Mom is handling everything exceptionally well, but I know that it must wear on her. Secondly, my friend Charity's daughter, Kadyn is having reconstructive surgery today after having had a trach for some time now. Please pray for her and her family! (There is a link to her web-site to the right on this blog.) Thirdly, my sister-in-law's Uncle Troy is in the hospital in a drug-enduced coma and on a ventilator. He has an infection in his lungs of some unknown origin. Please pray for him and his family. My Uncle Leland passed away a few weeks ago and we made a trip to Texas. Please pray for my Aunt Jean. Also, my friend Lori's daughter Mary Peyton who is physically disabled is having a really hard time right now...lots of pain. Please pray for her and her family. As a mom, I just can't imagine.

All the McLaughlins are doing well! Jake and Ed are having some fun playing fall football for the YMCA. Well, Ed is coaching and Jake is playing. They tied their first game 14 to 14. They won their second one 12 to 0! Ed is proud. They have another game tonight. Ed is such a big kid when it comes to this coaching thing...he gets so excited. It is fun to watch! My Sarah girl is taking ballet, tap and jazz this year and loving it! She is also enjoying second grade. She got "caught being good" yesterday and got her name on the "beary good wall" in the hallway! They are both such good kids...we are truly blessed in that department! I am still loving my job at St. Mary's and also volunteering some at the kids schools...however my most important job and the one I love most is still "Mommy" (Well, these days it's more "Mom")! Jake and Sarah are growing up WAY too fast for me. Anyone have any suggestions on how to slow that down???

Hope all is well with you and yours!

Hugs all around!

Habitat for Humanity

I had a new experience this morning! Went to help work on a house that Habitat for Humanity is building here in Dyersburg. The house is being built for a friend of mine so that makes it personal for me. It was really neat to see all of those people out there working hard and pitching in for this family. I also learned that swinging a hammer is a really good cure for PMS! Talk about getting some frustration out! :)

Trip to Alabama

We had a great time in Alabama last week! Visited with lots of friends and took the kids to the Water Park one day. Here are a few pics...

SWEET HOME ALABAMA

We are now officially on vacation! We leave late tomorrow afternoon for Alabama. We have lots of visiting to do and we will go to the waterpark one day and maybe to the Space Center in Huntsville another. Mostly, I'm just happy to have some time with my family!

I've been doing a Bible Study with some gals from church on Thursday nights this summer. We start at 7 and it's supposed to last an hour, but we usually end up being there much later. Tonight I think we left around 9:45. It has been SUCH a blessing to me... neat group of ladies. I'm sad I'll miss it next week!

Talked to mom tonight. She says John's progress is slow going. Please continue to keep them in your prayers!

Hope you all are having a good summer!

Hugs all around~
Melissa

HUGS TO EVERYONE!

Hi Everybody! I know it's been a while since I've posted. Trying to get into the swing of summer and all that goes along with that. I have been home with the kids in the past during the summer so my first concern was getting my babies taken care of. My sweet friend Susan is watching them while I'm at work. I'm still loving my job, but it's weird not having my FULL summer with the kids. My buddy Dawn also started working around the same time as I did so she is experiencing a new kind of summer as well. Her working made it even all the more weird for me cuz the last couple of summers have revolved around hanging out with my buddies and the kids hanging out with their kids! We're adjusting. :)

For those of you who don't know, my step-dad has been in the hospital for the last couple of weeks. He had a stroke, but is doing much better now. My mom seems to be doing well too, but I know she has to be worn out. Please keep them in your prayers.

We have a special day coming up on Sunday. We are joining First Baptist Church and will be baptized as a family. Well, one at a time, but all of us! :) The "rules" are a little different in the Southern Baptist church when it comes to Baptism, but we are okay with that and feel like we are doing what God is leading us to do. God has really been at work in Ed's heart and being at this church and everything that has followed has been by his lead so we are joyously following!

Hope all is well at your house!



Love,
Melissa

Sarah and Dad's socks

Sarah was helping me fold socks and decided this was the best way to tell if Dad's socks match! She cracks me up!