Michelle the Felon

Strange things happen to me. I am not sure why I am the chosen one, but it seems as if God likes to make life interesting.

I decided to volunteer at VBS at my new church this week. For a good 3 weeks I have been planning to work with 4 year olds and diligently preparing lessons with my leader. Saturday morning, we were decorating the room and I look around and find that my leader left the room unexpectedly and the children's ministers assistant comes in and says, "Hey, there is something that I need to talk to you about." Immediately I had this strange feeling that this was going to be weird. She says, "We don't let people with felonies work at VBS". I did not know whether to start laughing really hard, or cry...but instead I immediately got uptight, felt my cheeks get burning hot and my palms started sweating. I was probably making myself look guilty. I said, "Oh no...I have never committed a crime, but I know that there is another person in the US that has my same name and the same exact birthday, however her middle name is different and I know she for sure has a lengthy criminal history." She says, "Well, this background check was looked up by your social security number." I told her that this could not be possible, and if that is really the case that I had a bigger fish to fry than not being allowed to work at VBS. I could tell that she was unsure if she could believe me. It hit me that I am at a new church with no one that has known me for more than a few months. It was a terrible feeling and I was mortified that they thought that of me. I remember telling her in a all jumbled up way that I worked at First Baptist and that one time they pulled this other person's background info by accident. I gave her my driver's license and she said that they would have to talk to the pastor tomorrow to see if I could work at VBS. I thought to myself, "THE PASTOR?? OH GREAT!"

They were really kind to let me work at VBS on Monday and afterwards I went up to meet with one of the pastors, his secretary, the Children's minister and her assistant. I had a huge knot in my stomach because I knew that everyone in there wanted to believe me, but had still a tiny bit of uncertainty. I did not know exactly how the mistake was made but I knew I was not this girl. So we have some small talk and then the secretary is looking at my background check. I said that if it helped at all my maiden name is "X". She said, "Oh I know." At this point my eyes started welling up and I realized that it could be a case of identity theft because I never told anyone my maiden name at this church. After this point, I could tell that I had won most them over with my word and work experience at First Baptist and they got a little worried for me. I am sure that there was a little bit of them that was still unsure of me, but they were willing to help me out.

The secretary asked if I wanted to see it and I was so excited to get my hands on that report! I looked at it and my heart beat WILDLY. It had MY name, MY social security number, the long list of felonies (of the other girl) which included "false personation" and the list of every place I lived in the past 10 years including my current address. It also included MY maiden name on half of them. I went speechless and did not know where to start clearing it up. How in the world does someone go about doing this anyway?

To make a long story less long, luckily it was not a case of identity theft. Evidently because my middle name was left out when inserted into the computer for my background check in the first place, my report came back as half me and half the other girl. I am so lucky to be paired up with such an upstanding citizen! What I found out was that criminal reports are never linked to your social security but to your birthday and name. The address report comes from your social security number. So, if you ever get a background check run, make sure they insert every piece of information that they have on you so you don't run into the same problem.

You know...last week I was feeling like I still did not belong to the church. The funny thing is, God can use the strangest things to make you feel more apart.

The apple does not fall very far from the tree

Yesterday being Father's Day, my heart swelled with what a wonderful man that I married. I can not begin to explain what an in-stinkin-credible father he is. He is so patient and I have never seen him explode out of anger...ever. He gets silly with the boys and could care less how goofy he may look. He gets up every other night and feeds Jack and says the next morning, "Jack and I had fun last night." He never complains but loves to help me out. He tries his absolute hardest to get home every night to eat dinner with us. In fact, very seldom does he miss. He sees how important it is to eat dinner together even if it is chaotic with much screaming and crying. He knows all the words to the Doodlebops songs and likes "Bob the Bus Driver" the best. (He even knows all the movements too..he he!) He lets Keegan destroy his closet and pull out every shoe. Keegan love his "Da". He loves to water the yard, check the mail, play in the tent, fix his hair, run around the house, and much much more with Da.

How could I ask for anyone better? He has exceeded my dreams in how amazing of father he is. I can not wait too see him in action for the years to come. So much of why he is amazing is because he learned it from his father. Paul, Jonathan's dad, has marked him in such a way that he could not be anything other than a remarkable dad. From the minute that I met Jonathan I could tell how much admiration he had for his dad and he tells me all the time, "Dad made it to all my games...I saw him do his quiet time every morning...He is a hard worker"...on and on and on.

I first met Paul, the camp photographer, at the first summer camp at Houston's First that I went to. In fact, I thought his name was Dan the whole week. It was not until we were about to make a Walmart run and I got into the van to go that I learned his name was "Paul" and not "Dan". Paul had told me earlier to wait on him because he needed to go. So when I got into the van, I said, "We need to wait on Dan". Everyone said all at one time it seemed, "Whose Dan?". I said, "The guy who takes all the pictures". Everyone said at once..it seemed..."Dan's the Drummer!!!". Dan the drummer was in the back seat the whole time probably laughing silently while I made a fool of myself. I never knew that "Paul the photographer" would be my future father in law.

The following summer, I met his son Jonathan and after a my internship at HFBC was over, Paul offered Jonathan a Taste of Texas gift card to take me out. (as friends of course although he was hoping for more (both of them). So after a wishy washy first few months, Paul got his wish and we started dating and the rest is history.

On the other side of the family tree, I hope to believe that I have not fallen too far from the amazing father that I have. I have the BEST dad in the whole entire world! He has ALWAYS been there for me. I can count on one hand how many times he has been angry with me and those times broke my heart the most. He has talked me through every hard thing in my life and given great advice. He knows me better than I know myself. He still feels sad that he gave me a big Suburban for my first car. He loves to buy me shoes. He always put gas in my car. He still wishes that I was little. He loves to spend time with me. He loves when I call him and steps out of any meeting to talk to me. He listens so very well. Dad loves my mom so very much. I think that is his best quality. Dad is "sticky sweet". Cari nailed it. I love you Dad so much!

We are on a roll....

Jack is officially rolling over as of this morning. In fact, he does not really lay still anymore. (I think he was practicing in the middle of the night in Mansfield and that is why we did not get much sleep!) Keegan thought it was funny because we were clapping every time that Jack did it, so he got on the floor and started rolling with him. Like "Ta Da!...now clap for me!" Jack is 2 months ahead of when Keegs starting rolling over...so I am a little surprised!

Cousin Comotion

This past week, I loaded up the boys and drove up to Mansfield. I had to prove to myself that I could take on this challenge. With people praying for my journey, I made it there without any crying (including myself), no stopping, and in 3 1/2 hours. :)

During the school year my mom takes care of my brother Matt's daughter, Jacey, and I thought it would be fun for Keegan and Jack to spend a few days with her. After the week was over, mom and I vowed that we would never open a day care. I mean don't get me wrong, "three was enough company". We had to work around three nap times, so we had people over, and got creative with things around the house. I am pretty sure we listened to the same cd over 100 times because every time it got silent, one of them requested it..again. We ran in and out of the sprinkler, splashed in the pool, blew bubbles, screamed (the tods did), they egged each other on to use the word "no" as much as possible, had tons of mandarin oranges, played in the sandbox, they fought over toys, played footsies while eating lunch, went "night night" on the treadmill, hugged each other a lot, and we listened to the constant hum of three monitors. (one of which Jacey dunked in the kiddie pool.)

I was able to see Kristin and Janelle, my college roommates, and their daughters Laney and Ella. (that is worded strange...but you know what I mean) I am surprised that I have no pics to show for it. Also, my best friend from high school, Cari, came and spent the day and night with us and laughed hysterically at the Price is Right million dollar show where the toddler teacher won. Anyone see that? There were many enjoyable contestants on that show. (maybe a post to come) Among that, family came over intermittently and visited. We had a full week, but worth every second, and every minute of sleep lost! :) (Jack decided to get up ALOT this week...grrrr!)
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All three of them knew...this was just not right. Poor Jack. Although Keegan has plenty of pictures in that pink hat as well, but I will be nice and not post them.




Keegan and Jack playing footsies. (they love it!)



This is my favorite Jacey face. She cracks me up!

Mom made Jack laugh...a lot. Of course, it does not take much because he loves to laugh.

The "cousin hug" from both angles. Everyone all together now..."ahhhhhhhh".