HAPPY BIRTHDAY C.BIRD!

Here is video footage from Clay's SUPA PIMP SWEET 16!

"Spell your name with your butt!"

I'M WALKING ON SUNSHINE!

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. " ROMANS 8:28

OH MY GOSH. I am having the most magnificent day! I am so surprised and FULL of JOY right now! Lord, I almost exploded with happiness an hour ago! I am so thankful for how sweet this weekend has been. This morning we packed up and left Durham, waved goodbye to Chapel Hill, and have sense made out way to Charlotte. Hey NC, I think it's legit to say we've bonded. I knew the "S"'s said they had a surprise for me but I had no idea it would be like THIS!!! They just dropped me off, handed me some money, and told me to go "do my thing"! I'm working, but I'm getting to EXPLORE!

SO.AWESOME.SO.AWESOME.SOOOO AWESOME!!

I've strolled through the streets, done some people watching, enjoyed lunch in an organic sandwich shop and enjoyed some homemade mac n cheese with a wrap (my favorite "comfort food"), and am trying to calm down enough to STUDY in this great coffee shop.

Speaking of- the STARBUCKS that I'm at right now is beyond out of control. It's 2STORY just met Starbucks in a whole new way! The starbucks is in a cool oversized loft-like house! How does that even happen?! The chairs are those comfy ones in the SLC on campus and there's a fire place. Lovin the big windowns, hardwood floors, openness, high ceilings and hanging lights. [Ni Ni would so be diggin' this. Her and her interior decor mind!] The best part is the huuuuge deck out front. It's beautiful scenery on this strip of the city. Charlotte reminds me of Atlanta a little bit. We got off on our exit and I could've sworn we were at the exit for the Phillips Arena area.

So I'm at the coffee shop. Happy, so very happy! Praising Jesus! Spending SUNDAY the way I love to spend Sunday!

SONDAY--rest, worship, love others, beautiful weather, in a coffeeshop, sweet surprises, productiveness, and creative time.... so good, sooo sooo gooood!

And what's even more fun is that I found a hippie store! I was checking out the shopping on this block and found one of my new favorite stores! The name struck me, "The Bag Lady" and inside I found many, many treasures! I even chatted with a cool person who works there and that just added to the 'coolness' of "Mel's special day"- says Mr. "S". I probably won't get home until midnight or something. BUT I'll be Georgia bound again soon!

Now that I've journaled- I feel myself calming down. haha

HAPPY,
m

Chapel Hill

- UNC has a campus that is such a good mix of UGA and GT. It has a natural environment with tons of quads, lawn areas, trees, and great architecture (UGA) and it's surrounded by a metropolis (like GT). I like the blend and the "unique" shops everywhere.
-Driving on the "Research Triangle (I 40 that goes UNC-Duke-NC State) reminds me of driving on 285 E or W.
This is not really a "like" so much as it is a connection.
-It's gorgeous in the Fall: tons of red, orange, yellow, brown on the "naturally" still green lawns. The bright orange/yellow leaves are my favorite.
-The family here has milk straight from the local dairy farm. I'm a little sick from trying it- 3X lol. I wish there was soy here at the house. Me and my complicated milk drinking ;)
- Something fun about waking up at a "family house" on Saturday mornings= homemade waffles, fresh syrup, and fruit. YUM..



To buy list:
-French Press coffee maker
-Wine
-Mozerella Cheese
-Fresh ground pepper grinder
-um, more good wine
-cool pottery plates, knives for spreading, and small dishes for the bread, cheeses, olives, and jams.
. . . . more fun ideas :)


It's interesting that these things totally entertain me. There are tons of cooking and wine magazines here that I could flip thru and be ulta entertained by right now. Too bad the boys are done with their "down time" and are about make me go outside again.

Cheers,

m

Nanny Diaries on location

Nanny Diaries began when I started working the 7-5 in Athens, GA on Fridays.
House of "S's" is no doubt always an adventure.
Nanny Diaries first went on location when I took my first plane ride in early October 2009.
I flew with the "S's" to Philly and toured the city with the kiddos while the parents had business meetings. Philly is exactly how I pictured it and I like it exactly that way.
From Philly we went to Chester, NJ and I fell in love with "the North".
Chester is straight out of a movie. Northwest NJ is gorgeous.
Apple farms, pumpkin farms, beautiful and eclectic shops. . .
staying with a sweet English couple and remaining "gmail e-pals" with Romey.
Tea all day, apple bread, apple crisp, apple pancakes, apple and chocolate chip cookies.
Wonderful.

Nanny Diaries are now in North Carolina.
Thank you everyone for all your prayers & thank you Lord for hearing my heart and words.
Please continue to lift these words up and Lord, may your will always be done.
The ride here was a surprise.
I actually drove in a seperate SUV ( I really want have one of my own one day. I like being higher up on the road and they drive so well ) for the first 3 hours out of Athens. Mimi, who I LOVE, rode with the boys and "Dad" in the other SUV.

I prayed like God was a passenger in the car with me.
Found out South Carolina is not far from Athens at all and I should be taking more roadtrips to places with family and friends. Clay's 16th Birthday adventure in Atlantic Station was a BLAST. Everything and more I could've hoped to have done with him! Maybe for Trav's 21st (will prob be in Ireland on the actual day, so will do when I'm back) we can plan a trip to Charleston, SC. YEsss.

So the time in the car alone was great to pray and get prepared for the weekend of babysitting. The next 3 hours in the car with the boys went surprisingly smooth too. After 6 hours of traveling we arrived at yet another lovely house and are staying with a great family. I really like all the great people I meet through the "S" family.

Today we had french pressed coffee for breakfast and life cereal.
Played in the backyard and enjoyed GREAT Fall weather.
Went to UNC's campus for the first time and became a Carolina fan.
Got my first Carolina BLUE basketball t-shirt. (Thanks "S" family)
Ate at "On the Hill" or some "famous" UNC restaurant like that.
Now a fan of beer battered french fries!
Toured the campus with the kiddos while parents had meetings.
B E A U T I F U L place.
So many similarities to Athens and UGA, but a unique place all its own.
There are so many great campuses in this world.
Is it not amazing how God plans for us?

After a fun and busy day of exploring,
there was hawaiian (my fave) pizza for dinner and transformers 2 with the boys.
Bed time came at last.
Now:
I am relaxing on the big, leather, cushy sofa downstairs.
I'm sipping on the best red wine I've ever tasted.
I had communion with wine and bread after dinner.
There are delicious cheeses, breads, olives and olive oil to eat with the
exquisite wine.
The flavors pop off my taste buds.
Dare I say, I want to be a wine enthusiast (with moderation, yes) with great great class.
It's a lovely treat when done right.

Lord, you have blessed this day and done so much to surprise and relax me.
You've filled my heart with great JOY.

2 more days.
Stay tuned in.

Go Heels,
m

There YOU ARE.

"Be Still, And know that I am GOD."
Your love for me is awe inspiring. You shape my thoughts, world, and voice. You put it all in to motion. There is no one like YOU.

Where Am I?

It's Wednesday. I'm having a short, quick, all over the place week.

My day started at 5:30AM. Thank you Megan for calling me (to make me stay awake). It worked.
I got ready and made my way out in to the world. I'm a late arrival to the "GPS" age. But- Wow, am I ever hooked. Thank you Chelsea for letting me borrow yours. You are right, it's WAY better than mapquest. GPS is like purified water and mapquest is polluted tap. I would've been lost a hundred times today without it. lol

The trip was far but good. I'm not exactly sure why one of my professors insisted I drive an hour and a half outside of Athens to see this classroom, but I'm seeing the bigger picture. It has a remarkable and unique program. I could've had a much more convenient assignment, but is life always convenient (no.), and I really wouldn't have the chance to meet who I did or see what I saw. I may have even gotten them involved with AutismUGA effortlessly....we shall see. Can't wait to tell Kiel though. BTW, who has autism? NEW NUMBERS RELEASED THIS WEEK FROM THE CDC! 1 in every 91! Walk by three classrooms and ONE child will have autism of some kind and is not currently being served on the spectrum.

It's October. The air is crisp, cool, and full of fresh things.

I want more time to sit and enjoy or go out and do. I work too much and have to do even more. Everything on my plate at the moment is something I need to do, but I'm desperately trying to simplify. That's a huge prayer request in my life right now.

I'm totally skipping class right now. A 3 hour class, ouch. I got out back from Gwinnett and was already late, so I drove to one of my favorite spots here in Athens for a "pick me up" lunch. I'm loving it. It's little, simple, sometimes extravagant treats like this that make me so thankful. The hyper aware educator in me at the moment is totally observing my own behavior and reinforcement strategies (ha, NERD).

I'm at Big City Bread at the moment admiring how beautiful today has become. It went from thunderstorms to sunshine. Everything is refreshed and all the more colorful again. Maybe that's what I'm kind of going through this week. The Earth needs thunderstorms from time to time to clean it, to purify it, to give it even more breath taking beauty. Don't we all need that? I'm not dirty, but I'm getting covered each day with more and more things, and I need a good cleanse (hear me Father?) to be restored. Wash away what I don't use, won't need, can't be holy with..... refresh and grow in me all the things that are praise worthy, beautiful, and remarkable by your will.

I'm at the big window, with a big (yummy and healthy) sandwhich, smiling at my green camelbak bottle (love the spirit of hydration), and waiting to see where I go from here. I spent all of Monday at 2 Story and even some morning time there Tuesday. That was GRRREATTTTT. I love being there. The atmosphere can be quiet, steady, and peaceful or busy, energetic, and playful. I'm happy there. I like having quiet time, friend time, study time, or creative time there. My new favorite drink is the soy chai latte. The only chai I have ever even close loved as much as Chocolates. Chocolate I am faithful to you- your chai is the best to ever hit my lips. Oh but 2 Story, I love thee..... Mr. Cute Coffee boy almost talked to me for longer than the appropriately nice customer service amount of time.... we're practically getting serious. haha

I need to write a paper. Correction: I need to revise the heck out of a huuuuuge paper. I'm one midterm down for the week. Gearing up for 2 next week. I leave for NEW JERSEY tomorrow. I seriously scheduled this trip almost 2 months in advance and expected this to happen. Ofcourse if I responsibly took the time to even consider my syllabi and make sure I wouldn't have anything major going on the week after my trip (and there wasn't anything 2 months ago), naturally the syllabi would change and I have big business all this coming week. I'm going to completely enjoy every bit of the trip. I somehow will find a way to not fail out of college or my cohort and see the light at the end of the tunnel once again.

Airport Bound,

M

Sunday Rest

This weekend: TOO FAST.

Friday I nanny'ed & that went great. It's been rainy in Athens for 3 days straight, but luckily "my boys" didn't tear the house down Friday afternoon. I took Z to preschool, ran errands with Zeeky, went to tumbling with the boys, made lunch, played pirates (tried to coax for a nap and failed lol), and read books. I'm loving this family! I'm really excited because in like 3 weeks I'm flying with them to Philly and New Jersey for a long weekend. That will be awesome on so many levels! What a great blessing God is putting in all of our lives! I'm so glad I can pour love in to this family and I seriously don't think the parents realize how much they pour in to me too. It's a great match.

Friday night I went to dinner with Megan and some of her close friends for her birthday. There are so many birthdays in September and I love it. I have a birthday coming up too :) So good to see Megan because it had been too long. I miss her. Megan- please get the memo and move to Athens.

Yesterday my Saturday was swallowed by work at the office. Bonus was doing some birthday planning with Brittni and hanging out with her all day. But 10-6 is just..longggggg. So then when I got off I felt overwhelmed by how much school work I had (still have). I went over to the "G's" house to babysit HT right after though. That was great because I love that family too & I always love sitting for HT. I could seriously be asked out on a hott date but if HT's house asks me to babysit I'll tell my date we can go out after. LOL I have sat for them since he was born so we just have a connection like he's my God son or honorary baby brother. It's a true blessing to have all these extended family members in Athens. It shows once again how we are all connected through God's love for us and we aren't always blood to be family.





Watched "Ghost" last night & it literally made my night. I love that movie. I used to cry every time I watched this scene with the pottery because I knew Patrick's character was going to die. I would think "Sam" loves "Molly" so much, why do they have to be torn apart? Why is the "world" so corrupt that they will suffer? And then I would LOVE the end because even though it's still really sad; there is justice and truth. You don't see that enough from entertainment.

At the end there is resolution. Good conquers evil. Heaven is portrayed as the final destination. And while it's still really sad they're being seperated, there is a sense of hope that they will be reunited again one day. Ah, and the closing line, "All the love you hold inside, you get to take with you." I love that!



R.I.P. Patrick Swayze


I'm currently laying in my big bed being hidden by soft blankets and smooshy pillows. Lifetime is on in the background (gag) and I'm about to take a stab at the mountain of work I need to get done. No matter how much it is, I'm just not going to worry about any of it. Worry won't give me more time or make it done, so I just need to start.

This morning I'm disappointed I didn't make it to Athens Church, but it was nice to get some extra rest. I truly needed it. NorthPoint has a live service you catch online now, so I'm going to try and check that out later. I did enjoy my Sunday morning brunch at Big City Bread here in Athens. It's a cozy little French restaurant that is just yet another wonderful piece of Athens.

Rain on the windows, warm coffee, mouth watering egg/cheese/soysage biscuit, and great company. Simplicty:Happiness.


Busy Bee,
M

Welcome. . .

Thunderstorm in Athena town tonight.

CCR on my itunes playing.

Classic rock while I study for a test-

err that's tomorrow.

I've been writing in a black journal for about a year now. In fact, one of my favorite things to do is actually write in it. I love laying on my bed in my apartment with light coming through the long window and having the afternoon to reflect. I also love sitting anywhere in 2story coffeehouse here in Athens and having a break to sit and write. I'm happy when I'm writing because I'm savoring something special and or meaningful to me. I also enjoy writing because it's like I'm writing a note to God. Officially 4 pages left until my current journal is complete. I think this is the first journal I (knock on wood) will have ever finished. I usually loose em or give up....lame. Good thing all my journals until now were from elementary school. The rest of the journals I've kept were/are through deadjournal and livejournal. Oh..memories. Literally, ha. There's a red one I'll probably go back to writing in soon. I love words/talk/language. I (un-vainly) love my own words. I enjoy looking back on a good day, a rough day, a sweet season in my life...something that made a difference, something I learned, something that's a piece to what I have now more wholly. It's expressive and it's personal: It's me. I remember far too much but don't always recall the richness to some things and it's really. . . humbling to get to almost step back in time. Whether it's a day, a moment, or years. . .

I've been in the process of writing my testimony since last semester. I took a break, but who knows (God), maybe I'll start/finish this year. Okay, lets be realistic and optimistic- I won't finish it, but I'd like to get a lot done. Writing the past, living in the present, and looking hopeful toward the future. Ah, the stories.

This blog, in all seriousness, is for my sister, small group girls, girls from home, and anyone who in all kindness wants to read. I'm an open book (pun intended).

God Bless,

m