Pampering your man

Do you know that guys like to be pampered just as much as girls do? (If not MORE!) I really do think that by showing some extra love to your man, it lets them know how much you adore and appreciate them. Here's a short NONSEXUAL list (because everyone knows how to please their man behind closed doors. However, if this list leads to amazing s - e - x then you are welcome!) ((I spaced out the s - e - x because I don't want people typing that in google and coming upon my blog!)):

• Fixing their plate for dinner. I do this every night..one night I was so hungry that I just sat down and started eating, and David thought something was wrong. It isn't "woman in kitchen-cook meal" type of thing.. I fix his plate because he appreciates it every time I do it..and that makes me smile.
• Clip his toenails. (After he showers of course!) This one may seem gross to some, but I don't think there is a greater joy than a man laying on the couch getting his toes "did". After I clip them, I rub some of my lotion on them and give him a quick foot massage--which he loves. He would NEVER go to a spa like I would, so this is his own little spa. Put the yummy smelling lotion on them..he wont notice and you'll smile knowing he smells a little fruity :)
• Back massages. Lotion or massage oil works great. If you don't have time for that, or just don't want to use either-just rub your fingers over his back-it'll make him go to sleep like a baby.
  
• Cheer him on. I'm sure he's got a PS2, PS3, Wii, xbox..something! He probably spends a decent amount of time in front of it. David plays a football game on the PS3 usually every night (which is the reason I am glad we have 2 TVs) but sometimes I'll sit on the couch and watch him play acting like his own personal cheerleader..Even though I think the game is dumb, I am taking interest in something he likes.
• Pray for him. This is perhaps the most important. I prayed for him before I ever met him, and I still pray for him, our marriage, our future.
• Don't criticize or contradict him around others. People don't want to see you two bickering. Save it for behind closed doors. It could blow up a lot bigger than it should if you make him embarrassed around people, just bite your tongue and save it for later.
• Take care of yourself. Put some makeup on, get your hair done (if you can't afford the salon, fix it nice yourself!), exercise a couple of times a week...those things probably don't matter to your husband because he'll love you no matter what but he will notice the extra pep in your step.
• Help him shave. For Dave, hair is gross. (Which is FINE by me!! I am not a fan of chest hair) So occasionally he'll ask me to touch up his back. Which makes his muscles look bigger :0)
  
• Tell him you love him. Every.Single.Day.
  

Thankful Humor

Found this while browsing the internet, thought it would fit nicely into my week of Thanksgiving posts..

I AM THANKFUL...

• For the taxes I pay, because it means that I am employed.
• For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.
• For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.
• For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.
• For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.
• For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.
• For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking, and that I have been blessed with transportation.
• For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.
• For the lady behind me in my place of worship when she sings off key, because it means that I can hear.
• For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.
• For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.
• For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive.

After reading this list..I realize I have complained about ALL of these things..and instead of complaining I should have done what the end of each point did.. found a blessing in it all. Today, I am so very thankful to have a roof over my head, a job to pay the bills, and clothes on my back!

As a side note, Happy Birthday to my best friend, my Mother! (isn't that cute how my Fathers birthday is one day before my Moms..even though he's a bit older!) I wont tell you how old she is..because a lady never shares such a thing..but I will say that she looks DARN good for being her age!!

Thankful

Instead of cramming everything I am thankful for into one post I am going to spread it out throughout a few posts this week.

I am thankful for my family.

David says he loves my parents because "they look out for our marriage" I am thankful for their continuing support in my choices, their guidance, and their love.
My oldest sister, Kirsten (my Fathers daughter--biological father). She is definitely one of a kind. So funny that one is. She is easy to talk to and although we don't see each other as often as we like, I am so thankful to have her as an older sister.


Even though I already mentioned my parents, I have to mention my Mom again. She is my best friend. I couldn't imagine a day without her. We talk on the phone at least once a day. A couple weeks ago I posted how I was going to stuff her when she passed..She laughs when I tell her that, but wait and see.
My second oldest sister, my "dads" daughter. (By dad I mean stepdad) We have had some ups and downs, but have been there for each other when it counts.
My youngest sister. She's my babydoll. (And too freaking cute!) She has a great head on her shoulders and I believe she has learned from all of my mistakes..which is good-I would hate for her to have to go through some of the things I did. She is a funny girl, and has a love of photography just like myself and my oldest sister.

My only brother. (Man, this picture is so old..I couldn't find a more recent one!) He is married to a wonderful girl and even though his wife & him are trying to have a baby and he wants to steal the name I picked out for my first boy (In honor of our father) I still love him. And i'm praying that they have a girl. Twin girls in fact, so they wont have more for a while.
The newest addition to our family, David. I am so so so thankful for him. I am going to do a whole post on him so I wont ruin it here.Today is my Fathers birthday. I have spent many years looking up at the nights sky picking out a star for him. He would have been 61 years old today..that's crazy. He has been gone too long. I am so thankful to know that he loved me. I am thankful that after he passed my mother was able to remarry and not have to raise three young kids on her own.

Happy Birthday Daddy.
I miss & love you.

Pajama Program

Blog friends, we are very blessed! I am sitting here now in cozy PJs sipping on hot chocolate and thinking of all of the things I am thankful for. (and writing them down for my upcoming 'Thanksgiving' post.) I realize that from now until after Christmas things are going to be pretty hectic around blogland and more importantly in our real lives, but I want to do something..I want to make a difference.

Pajama Program serves children who have been abused or neglected, and many of them have spent YEARS in foster care. They provide them with a pair of pajamas to call their own so that they do not have to wear either the same clothes they wore that day or no clothes at all. I am not going to make my words sound cute and tug at your heart strings, but I would LOVEEE to get a big box of PJ's together to send off to them so that I (and I hope 'WE') can help a child in need.

The only real "rule" of this is to buy brand new clothes, not used. I know Christmas is coming up and money is probably tight, but I think we can all shell out a little money to buy help those less fortunate than us.

If you would like to join me in making a child's day (and night!) e-mail me at megchidATgmailDOTcom or leave your e-mail address and I will contact you. I would like for the PJ's from any of you to be postmarked by the 10th of December so that I can receive them and get them where they need to go before Christmas. (That's almost 3 weeks! Should be enough time to scrape together a couple dollars to buy PJs!)

Blast from the Past

Here is proof that I have always been cute. :0)
Just kidding girls (and maybe the occasional guy)..
but really, here are some photos of me I came across recently

This last one is one of my favorites of all time. Minus my mothers hair..that's absolutely god awful. That's okay, I still love her.

I've got some explaining to do..

In a recent pose where I bolded the things I have done..there were a few questions that arose. A question about my tattoos and a question about how I saved a life..

How I saved a life. I was a lifeguard when I was younger at the county pool. I sat in a chair for 8 hours every day--It was only me and one other lifeguard so one week I would work four days and be off three, and would switch that out the following week. Nothing really ever happened at the pool, remember I am from a small town (no stop lights) Instead of going to the pool most people are tending to their farms so many days I was there alone. There were very few times when the pool was "full" and one of these "full" days a lady came with her three kids. Two older ones and one young one who couldn't walk very well. She sits down to hear all of the small town gossip while the older two went ahead and got in the pool. The youngest who I guess was supposed to just sit by the Mom decided after a little while to go in too. I was across the pool but saw her going towards the deep in which automatically made me nervous. Little kids and pools do not mesh well together. She fell in. I was watching her so I was in the pool the same time if not right before she was. I had gotten to her, and gotten her out before her mother even noticed she wasn't there. I wanted to scream at her mother. Had I been looking somewhere else (say the shallow in where most people are) it could have been a lot worse. Luckily she was okay, a little shooken up, but okay.

Now, on to my tattoos. I have three, but technically two.

I got my first tattoo when I had just turned 16. The lowest star. My mother did not know about it. (I was a badddd kid) It wasn't done very well (as you can see in the picture) but I still love it very much. I could only get one star at the time because if I had gotten more she would have seen it. Stars are extremely important to me. When my father died I knew Heaven was "up there" so I would pick a star out every night and imagine that one was my father. I would tell "him" about my day and just chat like he was right beside me. That is why I was so glad to get out of DC and to a smaller town where I could see the stars again, I missed them. When I turned 18 I wanted to finish the stars, so I added two more-- so that it a total of three stars: one for my brother, my little sister, and myself.
My second tattoo was to symbolize my independence. I have always always always loved the quote "Live, Laugh, Love" so when I moved to DC I wanted to get one to remember my experience up there. It is pretty small, so it is somewhat hard to see. It is also important because that tattoo is in my handwriting.

So, there you have it.
Do YOU have any Tattoos??

Also, ...wearing mascara is having a giveaway.
Please do NOT go here and enter to win FABULOUS makeup!!
I really want to win this one....

b e l i e v e *

I Believe...

..we cannot look at the wonders of the world
without realizing there is in fact a Creator.

What do you believe?

Ideas for the BIG day..

Even though we haven't set a date for the 'ceremony' yet.. (I believe it will be August 1, 2009--since that is a Saturday and makes perfect sense..since it was the same day we..well, you know.) We, okay let's be honest, I have ideas of what I want.

The Colors: Black, White, & Red as the accent color
Time: Evening
Place: The location will be at my home church, and it is special because it is the same church my parents got married in. The church sanctuary is really pretty, and it is the church I grew up in. We can have the reception down in the "reception hall" and that is VERY nice because we will not have to pay for the ceremony location or reception site.. which is something that brides/grooms spend a lot of money on.
After party: I would like to be able to go to the local country club after the reception to "boogy down" and drink a few.. We cannot do that at the church, but I really think being able to dance and drink a little really makes weddings fun.

I like this idea for the set up of the reception..but I think it is too much black..needs a pop of color. I would like to have something red as the centerpieces..

Having something along the lines of red roses as the centerpiece would be lovely..and of course some tealight candles and other things around the centerpiece would tie it off nicely.

I am IN LOVE with this cake. I am not sure how I feel about using fresh flowers on the cake..so maybe fake ones?? And I want a sparkly "G" wedding topper.

Bridesmaid dresses.
Not sure if I am crazy about the bow.
A dress like this paired with a beautiful red necklace.
Ah, I'm in Heaven.

Can you tell I have spent a lot of time thinking about this? What are your honest thoughts!?!? I know it is "MY DAY" and all, but I like honesty. I want the black/white/red theme because I think it is classy && the bridal party pictures will be amazing.

Marsha Marsha Marsha!

Say hello to Sarah
My Baby Sister
Well, she recently turned 14 year old
(Oh man, she's getting big!!)

Do you see those bright blue eyes?
Is she not absolutely stunning?!?!

Do you know why she doesn't show her teeth in pictures??
Yup, you got it, BRACES.
Do you want to know what I looked like with braces?
Sorry, not going to happen.
I had glasses & braces at the SAME time.
I was one ugly kid.

Reasons why I wouldn't like her if she wasn't my sister:

1. Her boobs are bigger than mine, and have been since she was 12. She lets me know it too.
2. She is taller than me. And.has.been.since.she.was.12. Oh and she calls ME - HER - little sister.
   
3. She NEVER EVER went through the awkward stage. She has always been beautiful.
4. Her stomach is so flat. And will always be that way. She takes after my mother. I (yeah thanks Daddy..NOT) got my Fathers genes..a little hips & booty. I don't mind the booty though..but I would thing boobs would come with the package deal...Nope.
5. She has SUCH a good head on her shoulders. I was such a hellion. Maybe she noticed what I did and did everything I did in opposite... :)
6. She has "dated" (like, sees him at church and does youth activities with him) her boyfriend for a year & half & they have not kissed. They only recently started holding hands. (I told her if she waits until her wedding day to kiss a boy I would give her a million dollars...so far she's winning, but I think I've got plenty of time!) I think they're both scared, and it's too cute.
7. With her three sisters and one brother out of the house, she is living the "only-child" high life. I was always the "middle" child, and you know how middle children are!!
8. She has a TV & Phone in her room & oh yeah, a LAPTOP. I couldn't even TALK on the phone in my room when I was her age. I never got a phone either. And I ONLY got a laptop when I went to COLLEGE. Can we say spoiled!!
   
   

Okay, for real I was kidding when I said I wouldn't like her if she is my sister. She is an awesome kid.

Prayer

I have been trying lately to get back into prayer. Some people, like my wonderful mother pictured in the post below believes that you cannot get through the day without prayer and taking time to read the Bible. Most of my days, I get through just fine without them, but I wonder how things would be different if I learned to pray more. (ok, I sound like a horrible person-I'm not saying I don't NEED God in my life.)

So, we're starting slowly here.
For the next month I am going to make time to pray every day.


(This is where I need your help!)

I feel like I don't pray as much because I always pray about the same thing. So, I am asking you to leave a prayer request. For one month I am going to take time to pray for you and whatever situation you're going through. If you don't want to leave it on my blog, send me an e-mail megchid AT gmail DOT com. Even if you AREN'T religious--there has to be SOMETHING going on in your life that you need a "little help" with. I'll check back in and see if there are any updates on the situations.