Hand Knits By Melissa

I'm going on a new endeavor! I'm starting my own side business- Hand Knits By Melissa. I decided since I loved knitting so much, why not share it with others. Check out my new blog/website at:

www.handknitsbymelissa.blogspot.com

Let me know what you think! I'm so excited!

Branson with the Hubby

Me & the hubby

Does this lovely coconut couple favor us?

I'm kinda diggin' the yellow polka dot bikini- LOL!

The Boss of the Sauce- or so he thinks!

Our delicious lunch

SDC Honey Blackberry

Smokin' that meat

BBQ'ers

BBQ and Blue Grass

The past Saturday Luke and I took a day trip to Silver Dollar city. I'm so thankful Luke talked me into wearing jeans- as it was in the 50's in Branson! Luke and I stopped at the Walmart in Harrison to see if we could find some jackets. We scored a sweatshirt for Luke and a $5 jacket for me! At SDC was the Bluegrass and BBQ Festival. We stopped at the Reunion Hall to have lunch. We decided to go for the Silver Dollar City BBQ sauce which was Honey Blackberry. It was really good! Well, good except for the fact that the lady sitting at our table decided to breast feed right in front of us! That made for a fun memory!

We headed on up the hill and heard the Kruger's playing bluegrass music. It was so wonderful!! We walked around and then landed at the Funnel Cake Booth to sample a funnel cake and some hot chocolate.

After Silver Dollar City, we headed on up to Branson Landings. We shopped and walked around. The weather was great, and it was so good to spend quality time with Luke! We ate dinner at Steak and Shake and then headed home. It was a long day- but a lot of fun!

A Grandmother's Shower

The Bible Study Ladies: Debbie, Berta, Michelle, Sharon, Melanie, Diane, Mom, Kaye, Betty, Adelle, and Judy. Sorry we missed Debbie, Pam, and Dana!

Adelle

Sharon- the lovely assistant- and Mom

Mom got a glider!

Sweet Maddie and Pam- love them!!!!

Mom with some bibs- she got a lot of those!!!

The ladies checking out the loot

More bibs

The duck blanket I knitted

This past Tuesday, the Bible Study ladies (and a few extras) threw Mom her first ever Grandmother's Shower. It was a lot of fun, and Mom got some great gifts. When all the ladies started arriving, Mom didn't have a clue. She never noticed all the gift sacks laying around. When Pam, Debbie, and Dana got there, we had to tell her that this was HER shower!!!! LOL
We had King Ranch Casserole, Green Beans, Strawberry Salad, and Cupcakes for dessert!

I guess I should clarify things a bit- this is for my NEPHEW, Luke and I are NOT having a baby. This was a complete surprise to our family, but in late July we expect Chris's 1st son to be here- Kingston Edward- is the name. To say I was completely surprised that my brother will be having a baby of his own, would have been an understatement!!!

I always expected Luke and I would be the ones to have the first grandchild, but the Lord had other plans, and I've had a hard time with that. I always thought that we would have been married a few years- and had a baby. But, the Lord hasn't placed that desire on our hearts at all. I sometimes question- "Why not??? Everyone else is having babies"- But, then I realize that we've never been one to follow a crowd, and I'm so busy with the things I volunteer with, that I don't miss having a baby! So, maybe the Lord's will and desire for our lives is for us to reach out to others instead.

I am tired of the fact though, that Luke and I sometimes feel like there is something wrong with us in not having a desire for children. We know that when the Lord has it in His timing, then we will both feel the desire for it. That timing just isn't now. Sometimes the pressure from others is unreal and disheartening for us both. We feel the need to explain, it's awkward, and it hurts, and really- it's basically no one's business but our own!

All of that being said, I was happy to throw this shower for Mom. It maybe the only grandmother shower she has- but then again maybe not. We'll just see what the Almighty God has up His sleeve. If it's anything like I've already experienced, I think it will blow my mind for sure- and maybe my socks off!! 8)