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  • IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT :: Sunday, February 5, 2012

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    Michelle

… a Little of This … a Little of That …

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Update on my Dad :: I want to {THANK} every single person who prayed for my dad yesterday.  The surgery went practically perfect!  No lymph nodes had to be removed, so that was a definite answer to prayer.

I wish I had some funny stories to share – he gets really really chatty coming out of anesthesia; however, the nurse said she made a promise not to tell anything he said.  Which leads me to believe he said some crazy stuff!  Mom and I went back to the ‘waiting’ area prior to him getting a room.  He reached over and gently held my hand the whole 1/2 hour we were back with him – it was just so sweet and a very special time.

Update on the 31 Days of Torture Discipline :: It’s Day 11.  And I HATE January.  There have been a few ‘perfect’ days.  And the other days…well…I’ve done {or not done} at least one thing on the stupid list.  But here’s what I’m realizing.  I am SO much more aware of how I spend my time. And that is a good thing.  There have been a few nights that I’ve watched TV shows on Netflix, but I haven’t felt guilty about it.  Mostly because I have done everything during the day – devotions, exercise, ate right, did everything on my to-do list…  So overall, I can’t say that I’ve stuck to the list 100% for all 11 days of this extremely long drawn out month.  But I’m not going to let myself feel down about it.

Picture of the Day ::  Here’s one of my favorite pics from last week’s trip to NYC.  We were leaving the 9/11 memorial site and I noticed all the reflections in one of the buildings and snapped a few shots.  I realize the clarity of my main subject {Sara} isn’t perfect, but I think there are other redeeming qualities that I love.

 

 

 

by Michelle

2 comments

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Ginny Walls - January 11, 2012 - 12:32 pm

Nicely done, hon.

[Reply]

Maile - January 11, 2012 - 8:42 pm

Great news about your dad! And kuddos to you for keeping up the month long challenge!

[Reply]

Cancer :: It’s Surreal.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Dad, Mom, Andrew

I’ve been pretty blessed in my 34 years.  My immediate family hasn’t had any terrible events happen to them.  No fires.  No sudden deaths. No cancer.

I’ve had friends who have had family members effected.  But not ours.  It seems like cancer has effected everyone BUT us.  We sit in church each Sunday morning, and we’re praying for someone new who has been diagnosed.

But we’ve never prayed for my family.

Not until October 17, 2010. We were in MN visiting Jonathan’s sister and her family when we got the call from my mom.  ”Dad met with the Doctor today.  It’s cancer.”

I don’t remember much of what was said after that.  And honestly I didn’t really think anything for the next few weeks.  It was all very surreal.  I mean, there’s no way someone close to me could have cancer.  That only happens to other families.  I refused to think about the worst-case scenario.  And I chose to believe that everything would be fine.

His bone scans and chest x-ray came back clear.  It was caught early.  I had this image in my mind that Dad would get surgery, it would be taken out, and we’d all live happily ever after.  I knew, deep down, that the Lord would take care of us.

So tomorrow {Tuesday} he goes in for surgery.  The Doctor believes it’s confined to the prostate, so after it’s removed … I truly believe that the Lord will heal dad’s body 100%.

So please pray with my family – that the Doctor’s hands will be steady, that he’ll be alert and aware.  That my mom would be calm and have a quiet spirit.  That my brother & SIL {who can’t be here} will feel the Lord’s peace as they wait.  And mostly for my dad.  That he’ll have a quiet spirit today as he waits.  That his nerves won’t be racing tomorrow morning.  That he’ll be patient as he recovers.

Thanks for your prayers,
All of us Bailey’s

by Michelle

10 comments

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Angie - January 9, 2012 - 12:37 pm

Sorry to hear it! :( I’ll pray for him!
Love,
Angie

[Reply]

Lisa~ - January 9, 2012 - 12:45 pm

Heavenly Father,
We come to you trusting that you, The great physician, will oversee Uncle Dan’s surgery tomorrow. Thank you for peace that passes understanding, for grace and healing that I trust you to fill Dan with. Please comfort Aunt Sue and give Jonathan, Michelle, Tim and Jennifer peace as they wait and trust the doctors. Thank you for loving us and for the plan you have for each of the Baileys.
Amen.

[Reply]

Michelle Miller - January 9, 2012 - 2:02 pm

So sorry to hear that you family is facing this trial. My thoughts and prayers are with you and you family as you go through this together. Praying for a speedy recovery

[Reply]

Michelle - January 9, 2012 - 3:06 pm

Thanks so much, Angie.

[Reply]

Michelle - January 9, 2012 - 3:07 pm

*tear* Thanks Lis.

[Reply]

Michelle - January 9, 2012 - 3:07 pm

Thank you, Michelle. I appreciate it.

[Reply]

Grandma "B" - January 9, 2012 - 4:44 pm

You know he is on my heart, praying much, keep me posted.
Love you all, G’Ma

[Reply]

Ginny Walls - January 9, 2012 - 9:08 pm

Dad and I stopped and prayed for you and your family and the doctors as soon as we read this. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all through the surgery and the recovery. Love you all, Mom

[Reply]

Connie B - January 9, 2012 - 9:51 pm

Michelle, please know that you are your family will be lifted high… today, tomorrow and the days after that. I hope that you feel the prayers of all your friends, they mean so much during times like these. Please keep us posted. Hugs to you!

[Reply]

Michelle - January 10, 2012 - 9:29 am

Connie-thanks so much!

[Reply]

SoHo, NYC

Friday, January 6, 2012

I just LOVE SoHo – the cobblestone streets, quaint shops, amazing pastries, delicious espressos… Yesterday, my Love and two friends and I went to NYC.  And as you can tell by the prior sentence, I threw caution to the wind and ditched my 31 Days of Crazy List.  I had a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha on the way there, I ate an amazing chicken salad sandwich in a little cafe, and ate a huge sticky bun from Dean & Deluca {which, by the way, is not just a coffee shop!}.

And I’m not even sorry about it!

I’m still going through my pictures, but wanted to share just a taste of them with you today…Enjoy!

Purl Soho

 

Anthropologie

 

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic

by Michelle

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31 Days of Crazy :: Day 3

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

So it’s Day 3 of my Month-Long Resolution.  It hasn’t been TOO bad so far!  But then again, I am only on day 3.

Here’s a reminder of what I’m doing/not doing for the month ::

  1. No TV or Netflix
  2. No processed Sugar       
  3. Spend time with the Lord every day   
  4. No Shopping for anything except groceries     
  5. Exercise 5 days a week   
  6. Use my iPhone as a phone, not as a FB, email, twitter, or gaming console    
  7. Consistent Blogging
  8. Wake up at 9am

Day 1, New Year’s Day, we spent at my parents home with my brother, SIL and their baby boy.  I stayed away from sugar and carbs, but not the TV.  We all watched Star Wars, so I thought it would be rude of me to not participate in the family gathering.;)

Day 2 wasn’t so bad.  I got a TON of stuff done, and wasn’t tempted to watch TV until around 7:30pm. But I didn’t.  I read a book instead.  However, I would have much rather watched TV.  I find it more relaxing than reading a book.  Hopefully by the end of the month, reading will become relaxing.

In other {much more exciting} news… My notecards are officially on display at Mommalicious!  I recommend that you go and buy some.;) I hope to have a few Valentine’s Day designs coming soon!

 

by Michelle

3 comments

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Angie - January 3, 2012 - 11:43 am

Great job Michelle! They say it takes 28(?) days to form a new habit :) I’m thinking I should follow your lead & give up the sugar!!

Have a great day!

[Reply]

Maile - January 6, 2012 - 3:31 pm

Michelle, just read about your resolutions–how fun! There is something so exciting about changing up your old routines and habits, and seeing, at the end of it all, what fits with you (and what doesn’t:)). Look forward to following your journey!

[Reply]

Michelle - January 8, 2012 - 9:32 pm

I like how you say, “how fun!”. I’m thinking, “I was crazy!” ;) I agree, there is something exciting about changing up a routine. I’m praying that by the end of the month it will be routine! :)

[Reply]

31 Days of Discipline :: Am I Insanely Crazy or Crazily Sane?

Friday, December 30, 2011

I am a GREAT starter.

But I am a HORRIBLE finisher.

I also lack discipline in my life.  And while I know what I have to do in order to live a disciplined life, I don’t do it.  Maybe I’m lazy?

And I also think that I don’t have a lot of time.  When in reality, I have plenty of it.  I just don’t use it properly.  There are days when I lay in bed at night and wonder, “What did I do with my time today?”  And I find the answer disappointing.

As a result, I have decided to make a change.  To make an intentional change.  For the month of January, I’m making these 8 Resolutions.  For 31 days I’m giving up things that take up my time, and doing the things that I claim to have no time for, or that get pushed aside.

Why only 31 days?  Because like I said at the top, I’m a horrible finisher!  And the thought of making these year long resolutions makes me panic.  I’m expecting that the majority of these will {hopefully} become a habit and will continue on for the rest of the year.

It’s going to be tough, I won’t lie.  Family has called me crazy and insane {lovingly, of course!}.  Some have even said that J can go live with them.:)

I’ll keep you posed on my progress!

So here they are :: My 8 Resolutions for January 2012 ::

  1. No TV or Netflix     Unfortunately, I spend way too much time here.
  2. No processed Sugar     Oh, I dread this one.  But I know it needs to be on the list.  
  3. Spend time with the Lord every day    I wish this wasn’t on the list – because then it would mean that I was already doing it.  I want to be more intentional about this.
  4. No Shopping for anything except groceries     No specific reason for this.  I’m hoping it will be easy.
  5. Exercise 5 days a week    I think after Day 2 I will regret adding this one.  I detest, despise, have a deep-rooted hatred for sweating.  But again, like No. 2, will be good.
  6. Use my iPhone as a phone, not as a FB, email, twitter, or gaming console    I’m sure I can’t be the only one who watches a movie on TV and at the same time, plays a game on her iPhone.  Or checks FB and email.  So I’m removing all apps except for Pandora.  
  7. Consistent Blogging    Because I’ll have so much ‘extra’ time { ! }, I want to become more consistent in my blogging.  Whether it be writing thoughts or sharing pictures.  And if I’m being honest, this may end up being the toughest one.  I haven’t been too into sharing my thoughts as of late!
  8. Wake up at 9am   Please do not judge me on this one!  We have no children, I am a student, I go to bed late and wake up late.  I love sleep.  I love my bed.  I love sleeping in winter in a chilly room.  But there’s no reason why I can’t get out of bed by 9.  Again. Don’t judge.  Thanks.:)

Again, I’m hoping that after my 31 Days of Discipline, that the majority of these will become easier and will be the norm in my life.

What about you?  Do you make any Resolutions for the new year?  Or the New Month?

by Michelle

7 comments

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YOUR MOM - December 30, 2011 - 5:20 pm

WOW…I think I could follow most of those tooo… will give it some serious thought. Be praying for you honey, Mom

[Reply]

Ginny Walls - December 31, 2011 - 11:05 am

You may not think you’re disciplined, but you are one of the most determined people I know. If you set about this change, all kidding aside, I believe you can accomplish your desires. Love you hon.

[Reply]

Aunt Joyce - December 31, 2011 - 3:20 pm

We are going to be making some changes too. I am NOT going on that cruise in October and not have a good time because I feel bad. We are both going to be more careful about the junk we put in our mouths and that includes chemicals and preservatives. Am educating myself on what is good and what isn’t. Trying to do more organic and natural. That said, I know you can do whatever you put your mind to Michele. Go for it !

[Reply]

shelly n - December 31, 2011 - 11:08 pm

yes, i love new years and fresh starts. i am also a better starter than finisher. but writing down dreams, goals, and practical steps on getting there are always helpful for me. even if you don’t do it as perfectly as you’d like, you still accomplish more than if you had never aimed towards those goals! at least that’s my philosophy on goals and resolutions! happy new year, michelle!

[Reply]

Jeane - January 2, 2012 - 7:38 pm

This sounds downright do-able in 30 day format. Best wishes!

[Reply]

Michelle - January 3, 2012 - 9:13 am

I concur. ;)

[Reply]

Michelle - January 3, 2012 - 9:13 am

Writing things down is a sure way to stay focused!

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