Moody Mania: When a Mess Becomes a Message

There are many great mysteries in life, such as...

1) The Loch Ness monster

Is it a swimming dinosaur? A ghost?? Just what exactly is going on here?

2. The Bermuda Triangle

AKA Randy Carlson's GPS..."When possible, make a U-Turn."

3. And perhaps the greatest mystery of all...the first window of a Burger King drive thru.

Unfortunately for both my skinny pants and cholesterol level I've ordered Burger King in many locations and states throughout my life. My conversation with the order taker always ends the same: "Second window, please." WHY does Burger King even bother to build a first window? Why does it exist?? What PURPOSE does it serve??? Admittedly, this question has burned my mind for years.

And the other day another profound question hit me...what does one horse call the other horse in a stall? His neigh-bor? Do they laugh about that? These are the kinds of things I wonder about when I'm up from 1:00-5:00 am with my (almost) FIFTEEN month child who has slept through the night MAYBE five times.

Truthfully some mornings it should not be legal for me to operate a car. My lack of sleep is equivalent to a warning on a medicine bottle. "Do not operate heavy machinery. Do not go to work." If only I could make an argument for the latter.

If your baby sleeps through the night, that's wonderful, and it makes life easier for one of us. Just please don't tell me about it. I'll give myself a spasm, and we don't need any more hospital bills.

"Won't you be my "neigh"-bor?"

"OMG, like I've never heard that one before..."

Like Ryan so eloquently told me the other day..."Katharine, use that head for a brain instead of just a scarf holder."

He might be on to something. But at least I do pay attention and focus sometimes...like when our waiter brought fresh bread to the table the other night at Texas Roadhouse.

Ryan was just about to bless our meal when what to my wondering eyes should appear but four BUTTERY rolls. If you've never had their cinnamon honey butter, you have my deepest condolences.

Ryan started the prayer as my arm was in sprint position, ready to grab the fluffiest one, but he thought it would be extra funny to add to his usual short and simple blessing by talking about all the children of the world, those sick with the flu, "and bless us all...." etc. He kept opening his eyes and saw me reaching during his eternal prayer.

I think I speak for most southern Baptists when I say that it is GREAT when the Lord calls someone, but if you are the last one down the aisle at 11:59 AM, or if you decide to pray for all the populations and countries when your meal has just arrived you just might get an evil eye.

A fair warning

I was watching a ~~psychotic~~ Lifetime movie the other day about Munchausen syndrome. Not that it's funny at all, but I have a similar condition. It's called munch-in-the-house disorder. Five minutes into my favorite TV show and I have already gone through a bowl of popcorn or chips. Up next? Gimme that candy bowl.

During this time of year it's tempting to sit at home all day with a fluffy blanket and hours of DVR. With your family around, what more could you need? Over Christmas I said to my Dad, "You know what would be nice? If we could all just move in together...our whole family and Ryan's family."

"Sure," he said, "but one of us is bound to wind up with our front and side pictures in the post office."

But truthfully I can't imagine what we would do without our parents, grandparents, and brothers. They are phenomenal, and to have them in our lives is a blessing far beyond anything we could imagine.

It's been pretty cold lately, and my wish for some snow and ice days is greater than that of all the school kids across America COMBINED. I thrive on chaos and excitement. Can we PLEASE just have a little snow like we did last year??? Minus the falling on the ice.

Let's give the Snow Dance a chance.

I would seriously flip over one measly flurry. Meanwhile, in Chicago where Uncle Jay resides...

Can you imagine seeing this every day? This is as beautiful as a Thomas Kinkade painting. And it would make a fabulous puzzle.

One of the only downsides to winter is that flu and sickness are rampant. Emerson has had lots of congestion for several weeks now, so we've had to bring out one of the worst and most terrifying gadgets in history. I'm not talking about an axe, chainsaw, or jack hammer....I'm referring to...

THE NEBULIZER OF TERROR!!!

Her breathing has sounded particularly bad recently, and once it's determined that she needs another treatment Ryan and I make eye contact in fear, for we know what lies ahead. It takes BOTH of us and all our strength combined to hold her down while she screams, twists, and turns in a possessed state. Next time, we might just have to call the priest.

"May the power of Christ compel you! ...and relax your sinuses."

Fortunately, she recovers pretty quickly afterwards with cartoons and Goldfish.

One year ago today was my first day back to work on MLK day. THIS year I got to stay home with Emerson and have a wonderful day all to ourselves.

On the left is a picture of her first day of daycare. On the right is last week when- for the first time- she walked into her 'classroom' on her own. I want to put her in a box and keep her forever.

She is absolutely every beat of my heart. How could anyone- EVER- for ANY reason, think of harming a child? And on that note...

The Story of Melissa Ohden

Several months ago I came across the above video on Youtube about a girl who survived an abortion. It is a story that is as incredibly captivating and miraculous as it is heartbreaking...but God's in the life makeover business, and He was going to turn a mess into a message. Instead of living in bitter resentment she has chosen to share her story with all who will hear it. Out of millions of aborted children she is one of a handful of survivors. Obviously, she couldn't keep that to herself. She met a pastor along her journey that told her about how he used to pray outside of St. Luke's Hospital for the safety of the babies. That's where Melissa was born. Coincidence? I think not. It's just that most of us don't actually get the chance to meet our guardian angels.

In August of 1977 Melissa's birth mother was forced to have an abortion by her mother, who was a prominent nurse and didn't want any "shame" in the family. Melissa's mother was injected with a saline solution that was meant to scald her to death. The normal procedure was to soak the baby for three days. Melissa was left in the solution for five days. Scientifically speaking, she shouldn't have survived. Not only did the abortion fail, but Melissa is COMPLETELY, 100% healthy and normal.

That reminds me of a Bible story...

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego escape the fiery furnace unharmed...Daniel, Chapter 3

Melissa's own grandmother was present during the birth and still wanted her to be put to death, even after holding her, but two nurses ended up saving her life. Melissa and her sister were adopted, and then shortly after their parents were expecting a child of their own, a boy. It wasn't until around fourteen years of age that Melissa learned the true story.

In 2007 Melissa reached out to her real father and mother. Her father was in the hospital battling cancer, but his father found the letter she'd written him while cleaning out his office after his death. Melissa now has a wonderful relationship with her real grandfather. She also connected with her mother who- up until 2013- thought that Melissa died after birth. After years of probable guilt, resentment, and sadness, it was revealed to her that not only was her daughter alive, but she was sharing her story with millions, and oh, by the way...Melissa and her husband have TWO precious girls, making her mother a grandmother. She has no anger toward her real parents or grandmother. That's the impact that the love of Christ can have on someone.

Melissa has a book coming out next year, and I can hardly wait to read it. Her story keeps getting more amazing. I am absolutely captivated by her message. Who would have known that I would have the opportunity to meet her face to face and sing "To Call You Mom" at a banquet where she was the featured speaker. I hope she and I cross paths again very soon!

When you become a parent it encompasses SO many more titles. And if you don't have kids of your own you can rest assured that these will apply to your parents.

1. Psychologist

How does that make you feel? On second though, I think I already know.