Monday, December 21, 2009

It's Christmas Time in St. Louis

I suppose it's not really Christmas until you give the first present. Most of us will get at least one gift ahead of schedule. And this was the case for me on Friday afternoon when my two oldest nanny kids got home from school after their class Christmas parties and noon dismissal.

AJ, my 4 year old, said, "Nanelle, I got you something!" Naturally this was in his best whisper voice since his baby brother was sleeping. My eyes got big with excitement when I said, "Really?? That's so cool because I got you something too!" It was then he noticed the brightly wrapped gifts waiting for him on the table. But to be honest, he was more excited about giving me his present than he was about opening mine.

Life change moment: I realized this Christmas what beautiful givers children are.

We started opening our presents and when Jasmine and AJ were done they asked if they could open mine for me. ;) Of course I let them. :)

Giving has always been in my nature. Now I won't deny that receiving presents would be a daily occurrence for me if I had my way. But, since the world does not revolve around me, as I must constantly remind myself, I have limited myself to only expecting gifts during Birthday Month and at Christmas.

But giving? I love to give. I'm a great advocate of opening a couple presents before Christmas day, mostly because that lessens the amount of secrets I have to keep. But I simply adore the look on someones face when they open a gift that happens to be something they really wanted. And then I can't stop smiling.

In recounting her day, my sister told me a story about a little girl she had seen. The child was in a stroller and had a pacifier in her mouth. The little girl's mother said to her, "Do you want to make someone's day?" To this the little girl pulled the pacifier out of her mouth and flashed a sweet smile at my sister then promptly put the pacifier back in her mouth. :)

One smile can make a person's day. A smile is a gift we so often take for granted. The world is a much better place when we give. You don't have to give your money. You don't have to spend time at the mall or be frustrated at wrapping paper or ribbons. You don't have to search and search for the perfect gift. Though those things are appreciated. But I have found that one of the best gifts that you can give someone is your time. Your ear to hear them, your shoulder for them to lean on, your hand for them to hold.

The gift of self is the most valuable of all. And no one taught us that better than the One who gave Himself for us.

So, during the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, don't forget to slow down and smile. Make someone's day. :)

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Love As Defined by....Me :)

"Love comes to those who still hope although they've been disappointed
To those who still believe although they've been betrayed,
To those who still love although they've been hurt before."
-Unknown

Peter and I thought alike I feel. He once asked Jesus how many times you're supposed to forgive someone. "Seven times?" he asked. Jesus astonished Peter by telling him, "Seventy times seven, Peter." Seriously? Yep. That's for real.

There are so many times when I'm just ready to give up. Throw up my hands and say "Forget it!" really, really loud so all my neighbors will hear me. Sometimes I think that might make me feel better. But here's the thing. Running away from the things that hurt us will never solve the problem.

So what, you just let the world walk all over you? No. That's not the answer either. I don't have all the answers to every situation that comes my way and threatens to stomp out my sparkly enthusiasm. But I'll share a secret with you. Here's one answer from Someone who knows a whole bunch more than I.

"Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up. Does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil. Does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." 1 Cor. 13:1-8

Love. Love one another. Do good unto others. Love. Let the love of God shine through you.

Does this mean that you'll never hurt if you just love everybody? Nope. It most certainly does not. It means that you have a choice to make. It means that you can choose to be hurt or hold a grudge or be angry. Or you can choose to love. To forgive.

But why chance loving the thing that hurt you? Because that's what Jesus did.

Life change moment: Realizing that He loves me. Always.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Fireflies Light My Way...

Well...first off--

Life change moment: The "Best Birthday of My Life" award goes to...2009!!

My life has been changed so many times in the last week I would need an entire library to document each moment. But I'll just give you the highlights.

Monday (my actual birthday) came with lots of sweet wishes, text messages, and facebook posts. I felt so loved. :) I began receiving cards and phone calls, voicemails, and e-mails. Not many people dare to forget my birthday.

Monday night my sister and I went out with an old friend to celebrate my birthday. We stayed up until about midnight remembering the fun days at youth camps and conventions. Oh the stories... :)

I got to open presents from my family on Monday night. Mom and Dad gave me a beautiful watch and an adorable jacket, and Sister gave me the best movie in the entire world.

Life change moment: Disney's Rocketman.

Tuesday dawned bright and I busied myself at both of my jobs, anxiously awaiting Thursday's Birthday Bash.

Wednesday came and went (not without gracing us with our first snow) and as I closed my eyes that night I thought, "Tomorrow is Thursday...I get to party tomorrow!!"

Thursday came. I got to work. And the day began to slowly creep by. I paced myself and tried to find things to do to pass the time. I got to get off work an hour early by some miracle and by 4pm I was running to get ready for the big night.

Sister and I traveled to Texas Roadhouse where we were to meet up with all my friends. :) I walked in and what do I see?

Life change moment: Pink roses. Balloons. Corigan.

Best surprise of the year!! He came baring gifts of all shapes and sizes. Wrapped in princess wrapping paper. Topped with colorful bows. Presents he had carefully chosen, some that he had made, just for me. Just to see me smile.

Naturally MelbaJay's gift was the best of all. But Corigan, he came in a pretty close second. ;) Which one is my favorite of all his gifts? Well there's like a million to choose from. They range from neon pink Chuck Taylor's to twenty-three $1 bills, each with it's own Post-It note attached with something sweet written on it. A hoodie and a hat, a highlighter and a gift card...he thought of it all. :)

Surrounded by my friends, I felt the love and support that I have always received from them. It was such a strong feeling that there were several times throughout the night when I almost cried. But then someone would do something stupid, or Corigan would do something sweet, and I would smile again. :)

Life change moment: Realizing who my true, and cherished friends really are.

Smiling. It's the best, most fun, and easiest task to do in this life. You never know how a smile can change a person's day. Don't you love that feeling when your cheeks hurt because you've been smiling so much? Definitely a life changing feeling. :)

Looking back over this fabulous birthday week that still isn't over, I have realized how much I have to be thankful for. Has it been perfect? Well, I would have left out a thing or two...but God knew every life changing moment that I would experience this week. He planned them all. That makes me smile a whole bunch, knowing that He wants to see me as happy as all my friends do.

What's in store? Stay tuned and find out. :)


*****A special tribute to my dear, precious canine friend, Basil, who tragically passed away today. You will be missed my darling.*****

Monday, November 30, 2009

It Has Begun

Birthday Week is here people!

Beware!!

Flying confetti, balloons, party hats, crowns and sparkles will be everywhere!

This week will most definitely be life changing.

Stay tuned!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

The Day After Black Friday......

The line at Target at 5am on Black Friday was around the building. Not that I would know. My uncle took videos for me to see though. I was in my bed. Sleeping. Very soundly. Until 11:00AM. And it was wonderful. And when I woke up I walked into the kitchen and heard my grandma say, "Baby, I'm gonna start cooking right now." So I walked from the kitchen into the living room and laid down on the couch.

Life change moment: Sleeping until 11am at Grandma's.

I reminisced about the holiday that I had enjoyed with my family.

Life change moment:
Grandma: Nobody touched the cranberry salad.
Cousin Zach: Oh good, we're all normal.

Favorite moment of the day.

Black Friday continued after a breakfast of eggs, ham, hashbrowns, toast, and cinnamon rolls. My young cousins Dex and Max cleared the table which was hilarious for me to observe. I think it was just yesterday that Dex was in a walker and Max was an infant.

It also seemed that the day before this day was Thanksgiving, but according to my family Black Friday turned into Christmas. We all exchanged presents that night. Which was cool because we all know how much I like presents.

Saturday dawn bright and early with a wake-up call and a voice on the other end that said something that I don't remember. Somehow I found myself in the shower and an hour later I found myself trying to start my car in G'ma's driveway. With Corigan.

Life change moment: SURPRISE!!!!! :D Random visits from friends basically change my life. And this one was amazing.

We spent the day together running around town and having a blast doing nothing. :) Fabulously life changing. :)

Breakfast at Ihop. Walk around the mall. Chat at Starbucks. And a sad little goodbye, but a sweet little "I'll see you soon." :)

There are times when the company of friends has the ability to make the sun burst through a thunder cloud, make a smile appear on the saddest face, make flowers bloom in the middle of December. And it's wonderful. :)

So here's to friends. Random visits. Starbucks and Ihop. And perfect days in November.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The Eve of Thanksgiving Traffic...

My usual commute home took about 10 minutes longer than normal due to the overwhelming amount of traffic on the roads as people flooded out of the city in preparation for this week's lovely holiday--Thanksgiving--one of my favorite holidays! Family, food, football, and fun.

Life change moment: Last December I learned so much about football from my sweet Tucker Twins. Thanks ladies. :)

Today I had a date with my sweet MelbaJay. We finished up my Christmas shopping and then stopped off at Starbucks.

Life change moment: I was introduced to a new favorite drink-- Caramel Brulee Latte. Amazing.

Conversation drifted from one topic to another and my last thought as we wrapped up our date was how life changes. Imagine that. ;)

Life does change daily, and while most people's lives aren't quite as dramatic as mine, it is amazing to me how versatile we humans are. We go along with the ebb and flow of life, allowing it to take us here and there, wherever it happens to go. Some people think it's luck, or fate that take us places. How fabulous it is to know that my life is perfectly orchestrated by One who knows the end from the beginning. It's very comforting to me.

"He knows the way that I take..." Job said, and quite perfectly too.

Life change moment: Realizing that God is in perfect control no matter what.

Stay tuned. Thanksgiving life change moments to come.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

A Day In The Life Of.....

So my day began at 5:30am when I woke up to "Life Is A Highway" blaring on my phone. I hit snooze twice and then got up and warily made my bed and hopped into an incredibly hot shower.

The coffee was ready at 6:10am, but I did not allow myself to taste it's goodness, nor feel the affects of it's wonderful element known to man as caffeine until 6:30am when I got in my car and started my commute across the Missouri River to see my little munchkin man (5 month old nanny baby).

Life change moment: Eggnog coffee creamer.

Munchkin slept and ate and sang to me this day. He's rather adorable and I never cease to marvel at how big he gets everyday. He has this thing where he loves talking while I'm feeding him his lunch veggies. It's quite funny.

Two o'clock came and then it was off to the post office in the rain. I was running back to my car when I like literally jumped into a puddle in my suede boots. That was cool.

Life change moment: Ugg Boot Stain and Waterproof Spray changed my life last month when I treated my suede boots with it. Thanks DMT.

I got to my second job where I am an office manager (fancy title for receptionist). There I decided that the rain had dampened my mood for the day. But like ten minutes later the sun came out and I smiled. :)

I endured SpongeBob for an hour and a half for the sake of the music students waiting for their lessons in the lobby. I hate that show. iCarly came on and saved me.

I wait for the moment when the last classroom door opens, and the last teacher and student emerge which means I can take my journey back across the river to my sweet little home where Sister is waiting. Well, she's probably not waiting...but she'll be there. :)

Half a day of work left...and then it's over the river (not really) and through the woods to Grandma's house I go. For a whole weekend over which I shall decorate her house for Christmas and spend quality time with a lady who means so much to me.

Life change moment: Grandma's cooking.

Stay tuned for more life change moments. :)

The Beginning

First blog post. Thank you Melbajay for your inspiration. :)

So I've decided to use this outlet to share my life change moments with the world. My life changes quite frequently...haha. Ask my friends, I have a favorite phrase-- "That just changed my life!" I say it all the time. So, I will be posting my more significant life change moments as they occur.

Next expected life change moment: My 23rd birthday.

Stay tuned.