My Sister, Michelle

My younger sister, Michelle was born on December 31st, 1985. She and I are three years apart. I can't say that I remember the very day that she was born and then brought home, because that would be a lie. I can however recall days from when we were just little kids. Even though my sisters and I were very fortunate to have our own rooms growing up, Michelle and I would often sleep in the same bed with one another. We were close sisters. I remember most nights were spent scratching one another's backs. We would do "Kriss Cross Applesauce". We would also spend many nights laying in bed just talking and laughing. There was never a dull moment. One night always comes to mind. You see when Michelle was much younger she loved to bite people. One night she must have gotten mad about something I either said or did, because before I knew it, I was crying my eye balls out and thus the blood curdling scream began. My Mom quickly entered the room, took my hand and immediately knew what had happened from the teeth marks that were now embedded on my arm. She looks at me and then at Michelle. She grabs Michelle's arm and quickly sinks her teeth into her skin. Michelle immediately burst into tears. I remembering hearing My Mom say "it doesn't feel good, does it?" I then start crying all over again, not because Michelle had bit me, but because my Mom had now bitten Michelle. Needless to say, Michelle had learned her lesson that night and from that day forward she never bit anyone else ever again.
I also remember Christmas Eve and how every hour on the hour, Michelle would wake me up and say "not too much longer". I wanted to take that little digital watch of hers and put it where the sun doesn't shine. 7:00am that was the agreed upon time for everyone to get up. No earlier, or we would have to go back to bed. Trust me every year like clock work, Michelle was the first up. Any other day and the girl would have slept in until 12:00 or later.
That's another thing about Michelle. She sure does LOVE her beauty sleep. She could sleep for days at any given time. Ohh and once she is out, there is no waking her. The girl is like a zombie. I swear she would have literally slept through hurricane Huge of 1989, had it not been for Mom waking her and telling her to get in the hall way. When I say knocked out, I literally mean knocked out. Some people are like that I suppose. Me, well the slightest noise keeps me awake. Give Michelle a box fan and watch her turn a 30 minute nap into a three hour nap. She is out like a light. I wish I could sleep like that!
Growing up, Michelle always had many friends, but her very best friend, Heather lived just across the street. She and Heather were always together. Heather was either at our house or vice verse. We always liked to play games together. We even invented our own game called "Sharks". This was a game played in the hall way with lights out. One person would be the shark. The shark was always blind folded and would crawl around on the ground and try and find the other people playing the game. Once you were tagged, you would then in turn become the shark. Silly, I know, but as kids this kept us pretty entertained. One day while playing, it was my turn to be the shark. I crawled around on the floor for what seemed like forever. I could not find my sister anywhere. I thought for sure she had cheated. Finally I hear giggling and realize she is still in the hall way. I take off my blind fold, look up and my sister is literally standing above me. She had climbed the walls like a monkey with both feet. She thought this was just hysterical. This was one game, I was never going to win.
Michelle and I also played softball when we were younger. I always played slow pitch, but in Middle school, Michelle was introduced to fast pitch. She became the pitcher and let me say, she is quite good. If you have ever been bowling with her, then you know what I am talking about. Men will literally stop what they are doing and stare in amazement. The bowling ball literally makes it half way down the aisle before it drops. I have seen many a man's jaw drop. I always get the biggest kick out of this. To Michelle, this just comes natural.
Michelle is great at many things. Sports, writing, singing-you name it, and she is good at it. She has many God given talents. One is her desire for children. It doesn't matter the age, she is great with all. For whatever reason, kids always seem to cling to her. It's like she is some sort of kid magnet or something. I have never understood it. I cannot wait until the day she has children of her own. I know she will make an excellent Mother and role model. They say children have a sense about them when it comes to these things, and I believe it to be very true. I guess that is why so many children find themselves attached to her. Ask any parent and they will all tell you the same. There have been many occasions when Michelle has been called in to help calm down a child because the parent couldn't get them to. There is just something about her. That's just what they say.
My sister, Michelle has a HUGE heart. I have never met someone so giving. She is the true meaning of beauty both inside and out. Michelle is the whole package. She has always had a place in her heart for missions. She has always said that she feels God is calling her to be a missionary. She has been on many trips across the country doing just that. She has been to Jamaica, Africa, Rome, and Haiti. Currently she is in Capetown, Africa. She left late March and will be there for six months. She is doing what God has called her to do, and for that I am very proud of her. Today she actually left for Johannesburg on an 18 hour bus ride and from there will start missions in Ethopia and Kenya. She will be doing door to door missions, working in the prison ministry and slums. I pray that while she is gone, she is blessed beyond measure. I also pray for the people she encounters, that they too may be blessed and come to know God and his love through this awesome ministry. It is my prayer that many, many lives and hearts will be touched. I pray for safe keeping. I praise the Lord for Michelle and I praise him even more for allowing me to be called her sister.
I could go on for days telling stories about our childhood and how we used to snoop on our older sister, Nichole. I won't get into that though. Instead I ask that everyone please be in prayer for my sister as she embarks on this wonderful and awesome journey. I ask that you pray for safety in all travels and that the Lord will pour out his blessings upon her and the team she is traveling with. I hope Michelle knows how very much she is loved and missed. I hope she also knows that no matter how far apart we may be, we will always be sisters, and no one could ever take her place. I am so very, very proud of you and it brings me much joy to have you as my little sister.
I love you Boogie! Don't ever change. Keep smiling that smile. May God bless you always. He has brought you hope and a future like no other and I cannot wait to see it unfold before your very eyes. You are loved and missed!
-Dally-

6:00 PM

6:00 PM that is the hour I find myself looking forward to. Especially on the days that I am working. Please don't get me wrong, I can honestly say that I love my job. I just think like most people, that if given the option, being at home would win. I enjoy spending time with my family. In the presence of my son is where I want to be. There is not a day that goes by that he doesn't put a smile on my face.
Today seems to be one of those days that is just dragging along while here at work. I got most of everything done in the early morning hours. Its the afternoon that always seems to drag for whatever reason. At least that is how it seems to me. There are times that I find myself looking at the clock in shock. REALLY?!? It's only 3:30? AHHHH! Then there are other days that seem to fly by. Why is that?
Either way, I am happy when 6:00 rolls around. Yep 6:00, time to punch out. Time to head home and cling tight to the ones I love. I love pulling in the drive and knowing that my hubby, son and dog will be there to greet me. I love knowing that as soon as I open the door, my Butterbean will be there, and I will get to hear him yell out "Mommy" once more in his excited little voice. That could never get old.
James went camping this weekend with my in laws. And even though he was only gone for three days, I have missed him like crazy. I always feel like something is missing when he is away. Like a HUGE chunk of my life is just up and gone. That is basically the only way I know how to explain it. While I do enjoy getting to have some alone time with my husband, it also makes me sad at the same time. I miss our little bed time talks and all the stories he has to tell. Last night I find myself laying in bed with James dream light on and his Perry the Platypus stuffed toy cuddled up next to me. My husband just shakes his head. I don't think this surprised him in the least. That alone was enough to bring a smile to my face. I lay there and thank the Lord again for giving me such a blessing. I swear I wouldn't trade being a Mother for anything in the world! The stretch marks could go, but other then that, no complaints. Ohh how I love this little man of mine!
So as I sit here and gaze upon the clock, I am slowly counting down the minutes until 6:00. Tick Tock, Tick Tock...Kenny Chesney's song, Shift Work and Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 has somehow made it's way into my head. It's like it is on instant repeat. Working 9 to 5 what a way to make a living? Talkin bout a bunch of shift work...I can hear the Congo drums clanging away.  One thing is for sure, I will be making my own music once 6:00 finally runs around. I cannot wait! Can I get an AMEN?
Looking forward to giving my little man a long, tight squeeze and of course extra hugs and kisses. I cannot wait to hear all about his first camping adventure with Grandma and Grandpa. Ohh how my Monkey is growing up.
All I can say is come on 6:00!