Fabulous M Bod

This is the former Melissa Bodnar.  She is fabulous. 

Introduce yourself!  Tell us who you are!  Enquiring minds want to know!


My name is Melissa Griffin.


I live with my husband, Chris Griffin (yes like Family Guy) and our dog Pippy who is a yorki-bichon…she is very spoiled!


I have been teaching middle school science for six years and there is never a dull moment.


One of my favorite things to do is blast some music and cook.   


I love my family and friends more than anything.


Where do you live, Melissa?


We live in Franklin, Indiana, in a house that is over 100 years old. 


Awesome.  Thanks for offering to sample a Loaf of Love!  What kind of bread did you get?


I got the banana chocolate chip bread.

Yummy!  What did you think of the bread?

First of all, let me say that I could not get out of the parking lot before ripping off a piece and trying it.  It was delicious!  I love the sugar layer that they have on top of the bread, it gives it a nice texture. As soon as I got home, I then cut a slice to eat with a glass of milk.  Very, very good and I recommend it to anyone who likes bananas and chocolate.

Who did you share it with?

I hate to admit it, but I kept it all to myself…sorry Chris, it was just too good!

Haha!  I'm sure he understands!  Why do you support adoption, Melissa?

When I was little, I actually found myself buying Cabbage Patch Dolls that were Chinese and telling my mom that I wanted to adopt when I got older.  I support adoption because I believe that every child should have a chance to grow up with a family who is loving and can give them everything that they deserve.  My husband’s dad was also adopted and I know that because of this, my husband believes very strongly in adoption, too.  He saw how his father’s life was impacted by being around a family that loved him and cared for him like he was one of their own.

Isn't that interesting, folks?  When Melissa first shared her story about being drawn to Chinese Cabbage Patch Dolls, I had to laugh.  God is funny.

As a child, I never thought about the act of adoption.  I didn't know anyone who was adopted.  We didn't talk about adoption in my house.  We didn't not talk about it--it just wasn't a topic of conversation.  So, funny that I, a little girl who didn't think or really even know about adoption, used to pretend like I was operating an orphanage.  

This is the second story (aside from my own) of someone who was drawn to adoption at a young age.  The other one is an amazing story of an adoptive momma who, at a young age, read a story about an adoption program for children with Down Syndrome.  She declared that she would adopt when she was older.  And you know what?  She did.  And her daughter (who is one of the most beautiful little cutie patooties I have EVER SEEN!) just happens to have Down Syndrome.  Hhmmm...maybe I can beg her to share her story with y'all...it's a good one!

So, what I'm saying is that I just want to clue you in to the fact that Melissa's childhood adoption dreams are probably not the end of the story for her.  Just sayin'...(wink)

Okay, sorry, tangent...so, Melissa, how do you know me and Adam?

I know Lacey because I was blessed to have her on the same floor as me my first year of college.  We became friends quickly and hung out often.  She was one that I could laugh with and know that there was always an ear to listen when I had college freshman drama.  I do not know Adam personally, but know that he has to be a wonderful person if Lacey chose to spend the rest of her life with him.  She is a smart girl!

Oh, college freshman drama...lots of hours spent talking in the hallways outside of Melissa's dorm room in our pajamas! 

Go IU!   

What kind of parents do you think we'll be?

I think Lacey will be an absolutely fabulous mom.  She knows how to have fun, but she also knows when to be serious.  She has experience working with children and is a very big support to them.  I know Lacey and Adam have thought long and prayed hard to make a decision like adoption.  They have the best of intentions and have gone through all possibilities.  I see them as making a big impact on any child that is lucky enough to be called their own.

Wow, Melissa.  You're amazing.  I am blessed and honored to be your friend.  

We so appreciate your support of our adoption and of adoption in general. 

Plan B Starts Today

So, about 30 seconds after I wrote this post, I got an e-mail from the IU School of Social Work.

Notifying me that I had not been recommended for admission to the PhD program.

Doggone it.

But here's the thing...

This time, there were were no gut-wrenching sobs.  No sliding down the wall to sit, curled up, on the floor, to cry.  It was more like, "Well, darn." 

And then curiosity.  Expectation.  A little fear.

As I was processing this rejection, my dear sweet husband said, "Well, ya know.  You didn't get into the MSW program the first time, and that worked out pretty well for both of us." 

Yes, darlin'.  Indeed it did.

But it's not just that.  While no one likes the sting of rejection, least of all my perfectionistic self, I've been down this road before. 

A lot.

In addition to my rejection to the MSW program the first time around, even though I was all but guaranteed a spot, I was also rejected to the BSW social work program at IU-Bloomington.

And that time, there were tears.  Big tears.  I could not have imagined possibly being happy at IUPUI, a smaller campus in a lot of ways.  Smaller...that I somehow perceived as lesser. 

A campus that I earned two degrees at.  A campus that I love, smack dab in the middle of the city. 

There was a time in high school.  When I was in a speech contest, where the winner won a 10-day bus trip to the east coast.  And I lost.  And I was completely bummed, again from the sting of rejection.  But then somehow I won Honorable Mention, when I didn't even know that was an option.  And got to go on the trip anyway.

So when Adam asked how I was feeling yesterday, I was honest.  It stinks.  No one likes to be told, "No, you are not good enough to be part of our group.  You are not what we are looking for." 

But I also shared that I am realistic about my life.  And how God operates in my life.  Most of the time God is pretty direct with me and often says, "No, you cannot do this.  Because I have something better than what you can even imagine that is far better for you." 

I know that God is always directing my steps, big and small, but I can certainly feel it sometimes more than others.  Mostly when His plan trumps something that I have in my plan.

And, so I am deep in thought and prayer about what this might mean.  Okay, God, you've got my full attention.  Where to next? 

Do I....investigate and finally start the Art Therapy program that finally opened at Herron?
Do I...finally get certified in EMDR?
Do I...volunteer at my church?
Do I...spend more time with friends?
Do I...do something completely crazy that You want me to do that is not even in my brain yet?!

What might this mean about the structure of our family?

So I invite you to my join us in this journey...of whatever comes next.  (wink) 

And I'm excited.

Music Monday: Which Way Your Heart Will Go

We are a Plan B kind of family.

Most of you know that we are planners.  We talk about everything TO DEATH before it actually happens. 

And then it changes.  And so do we.  And so does the plan. 

And, you know what?  It's awesome.  It's not always awesome from the beginning.  But it's awesome eventually. 

And Plan B is far better than anything we could have ever imagined with Plan A.

I think of all the things that haven't gone as planned in my life.  Some big.  Some small. 

All terrifying when they happened.  Loss.  Disappointment.  Tears.

As I'm waiting to hear back from Indiana University about whether or not I got into the doctoral social work program, I am reminded of one such time.  I had a plan.  Finish up my undergraduate.  Apply for the masters program.  Get in immediately.  No problems.  On the fast track.

And then it happened.  I didn't get in.  Not sure how that happened.  I had awesome grades and was the president of everything.  Hmm...

To say that I was devastated is an understatement.  I was in complete and utter shock.  HOW.  DID.  THIS.  HAPPEN?

So I regrouped.  I applied for a job.  I moved to Lafayette.  And then I met the man who is my husband.

Funny how that works, huh?

Where would I be right now?  If all my dreams had come true? 

Deep down, I know inside that I'd have never seen your face...this world would be a different place.

Darling, there's no way to know...which way your heart will go...

Music Monday (on a Tuesday): Billie Jean

As you may know, today is the day that I turn 28 + 1.  I'm not quite ready to even think about next year, when I'm 28 + 2.  Not.  ready. 

But, alas, on this day, 28 + 1 years ago, at 3:18PM, on an Easter Sunday, I was born. 

Some other notables about April 3...

• It is generally the day that scholars agree Jesus Christ was crucified.  I did not know that until today.
• Jesse James was killed by Robert Ford
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his "I Have Been to the Mountaintop" speech
• The Unabomber was arrested

Hmm...not a lot of "feel good" news on this day in history.

But....

• Doris Day and Marlon Brando were born (both in 1924)
• Wayne Newton and Tony Orlando were both born (not in the same year)
• David Hyde-Pierce, Picabo Street, and Jennie Garth were all born

It's a good day to have a birthday.

And, again, on this day, 28 + 1 years ago, this was the #1 song in our country.