Addition to our Family

I can't believe it has been since November that I posted last.  So much has happened.  I will begin with the addition to our family.  We decided to take in and foster Lance's great-niece.  We will eventually move toward adoption.  She is 6 years old and her name is Brianna.  It has been quite an adjustment.  We are used to me being the only female so none of us are used to all of the drama that comes with little girls.  She's a beautiful little girl. 

On a sad note, this past June my mom passed away after a 3 and a half year battle with colorectal cancer.  It still just seems surreal that she is gone.  She was an unbelievable, strong, brave, loving, giving, Godly woman.  I can only pray that I will be like her.

Cruise News and More

Besides the fact that Lance was sick the whole time we were on our trip to Europe we had a really good time.  We saw so much and learned so much that there is no way that I could possibly tell it all in a blog.  I took lots of pictures and we had a great time with Steve and Kim Nealy.  I have to say that Italy was my favorite out of Italy, Spain, and France.  It is so beautiful and rich in history.  Pompeii was unbelievable!  It is hard to believe it has been there for 3000 years!

Now that we are home it has been hard to get back into the groove of real estate.  However, I have had two closings and got an accepted contract on another one of my listings.  I need to start drumming up some more business!

Nick tried out for his school basketball team and he made the team!  I think I was more excited than he was.  He surely does not lack for confidence.  I don't think he had any doubt that he would make the team.  I, on the other hand, tried to be more grounded.  He also got hurt in football practice last week and his back has been bothering him.  We had a doctor look at him and he feels like it is just a pulled muscle.  He didn't get hit, it happened when he tried to catch the ball.  I'm pretty sure he just twisted a weird way.  Anyway, he didn't get to play much in the big football game this past Saturday.  We still won, though.  He was bummed that he didn't get to play more.

Logan had fun trick or treating on Halloween night.  We went around with our cousins: Alexa and Mikayla Haman, and Bella and Brenlee Messer.  Logan was an alien.  He looked so cute.  However, he is now sick with a bad sinus infection and an ear infection.  He started feeling bad on Saturday and by Saturday night he was done with the festivities after a little while.  I took him to the doctor today so he is now on strong antibiotics.

Well, I am going to close and finish watching the second half of the Falcons/Saints game.  I like both teams so I really don't care who wins.

News on the Homefront

I can't believe that we leave for our cruise in 3 weeks and 1 day! I am so excited I can't stand it. We have arranged for my in-laws to stay here at the house with the boys. (So, anyone thinking they can come break in to my house cause the house will be empty you need to think again.)

I am so thankful that my business has picked up like it has! I now have 6 listings and a few that I will be listing in the next couple of weeks. Please check out my website to view these listings and if you know of anyone that might be interested let me know. My website address is http://www.melissasells4you.com/

The boys are keeping us very busy! Nick has been playing football for the Prairieville Broncos. He is the starting wide receiver and has caught several long passes for 35+ yds. He also plays tight end and safety. He is really enjoying it.

Logan has stated tennis lessons. He loves it! I am so glad that he has found a sport that he likes. He actually looks forward to his lessons. I think I am going to sign him up for a tournament that will be taking place. My neighbors children are in the same group so she has more info that I have to get from her. This tennis thing is new for me so I just go to her for help.

Navigate Graduation

Nick has been involved in our church's intern program this summer called Navigate. Last night, they had their graduation. It was quite the event. The setting was like the Emmy's. The gave out "Golden Glove" awards to the top boys and girls from the junior high and high school level. The winners even had to go up and give their acceptance speeches. The boys and girls were dressed up and I loved it! Nick wore nice pants, a dress shirt, and yes, a TIE! He hated every second of it, but I was basking. Here are some pics of the event.

Nick was not happy about having to wear a shirt and tie.

Nick and two of his buds: Dylon Maggio (far left) and Austin Wright (middle)

Nick receiving his "diploma"

Nick and one of his female friends, Megan.

Nick and Dakota

Early Christmas Present

I am so excited right now because Lance and I have decided to give each other an early Christmas present. Goodness NO! I am not pregnant! We have purchased cruise tickets. Neither one of us have ever been on a cruise so this is going to be awesome! Our cruise is on Royal Caribbean International. We are going with the Nealys so it is sure to be a fun trip. The trip is in October (hence the early Christmas) and we are flying to Barcelona, cruising to 3 ports in Italy (I can mark this off my bucket list), and 2 ports in France before heading back to Barcelona! It seems surreal that I am actually going to Spain, Italy, and France. There is lots to do: create a will, get passports, lose weight, decide what clothes to take, etc. I will probably buy a memory card for my camera just for this trip. I can't wait! 93 days and counting!

Perdido Key, Navigate, Blue Sushi = Busy Summer

It has been a long time since I have updated. Since Facebook has become all the rage I pretty much update there all the time.

The family went to the beach in Perdido Key a couple of weeks ago. We were joined by our friends, the Nealys. We had a great time of laying out, eating, playing putt putt, riding go karts, and riding around in the boat. Going out in the boat was great because we got to see many dolphins up close and personal. We also anchored at a little island and got out and looked for shells, threw the football, and Logan found lots of hermit crabs.

Nick is involved this summer with our church's middle school intern program called Navigate. He's having a great time going to classes 3 days a week, serving in outreaches, and playing. Logan goes to Blue Sushi camp one day a week. Blue Sushi is an intern group as well, but geared for younger kids. He went to Vault Kid's Camp last weekend and had a blast.

Just an update on Mom. She is on a pretty serious chemo treatment and it has been making her so sick. The doctors feel very optimistic that the chemo is working, however, because she has been so sick she was admitted into the hospital yesterday because of dehydration. She will be there until Thursday. She will receive one more treatment and then will have another scan done to see about the cells that are remaining. We are praying and believing that they are dying out. We are going to Georgia to visit them in July.

Well, I have lots to do today so I better close out for the day. By the way, if you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell real estate please let me know. I'd love to help out!

Easter and More

Well, we went to Georgia for Easter to visit my parents. We enjoyed being with them and the time seemed to fly. We were pretty busy during our visit. We arrived late Thursday night and pretty much went straight to bed. Friday, Lance had to do a little work from the house and Nick and I had to go shopping for Easter clothes. The boys were surprised by their Nana and Papa with a Wii to play with while we are there. No, it didn't come home with us (we have enough game systems here), but it stays at their house so they will have it to play every time we visit them. Everyone, including Mom and Dad, spent a lot of time playing that.

We went to Chili's for lunch on Friday to celebrate Mom and Logan's birthday. Friday night we stayed in because the weather was terrible. There were tornado warnings and the county's warning siren was even activated. We had to go downstairs to the basement and everything.

On Saturday, we went across town to visit with my grandmother for a bit. We also had lunch at an incredible Puerto Rican restaurant. I loved it! That evening, the guys went to an Atlanta Braves game. They had a great time! While they were doing that, my mom and I had a girl's night out and went shopping and went to dinner and shared baby back ribs.

Easter morning was really nice in that we went to Mom and Dad's church. It went well, service was good, and Grandmother ended up coming. After church we went back to the house, took some pictures, and packed up the car to leave. The trip home wasn't too bad, but about halfway it started raining and we drove in rain the rest of the way home. We got home around 10:00 p.m.