Wedding Weekend

This weekend we journeyed back to Chattanooga for the wedding of Josh's cousin, Ryan and his lovely bride Julie. We were also able to spend more time with Josh's uncle who is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. At certain moments, the wedding was bittersweet knowing the father of the groom was unable to attend because of his current residence on the hospice wing of Memorial Hospital. Join me in praying that his pain is eased and those around him comforted.


Birthday Princess & her summer sipper

 We also managed a small belated birthday celebration for Josh's sister, Kristy. She is such a funny gal, and so much fun to celebrate. When I was expecting Jack a few years ago, my mom bought a couple of little gifts for after our ultrasound. Once we learned we were having a Jack instead of a Jill, the mini tiara my mom had purchased from a friend's jewelry store was set to be returned. Josh's sister objected and insisted on buying the tiara for herself! For the past three years, she has adorned herself with the mini tiara on her birthday. I was overjoyed to see her slip it on after we arrived at lunch Saturday afternoon.

"They call this a challenge?"

Speaking of lunch, we dined at Cheeburger Cheeburger, which has one incredible burger. The menu lists a burger called "The Pounder," which is nearly $11 and weighs in at 20 ounces before being grilled. If you finish the pounder, you get embarrassed/recognized with a photo on a Wall of Fame in the restaurant. Of course, Josh loves a challenge. So, of course he jumped on the opportunity to defeat a food challenge. I was so proud...

Waiting for the fun to begin

The wedding was so lovely, and the weather was perfection for an outdoor gathering by the lake. Ryan and Julie wanted all their neices, nephews and cousins to participate in the ceremony with a parade of sorts. The smaller ones rode in wagons and strollers, while the older kids pushed and pulled. Jack and Sam did pretty well, especially since we were working off limited naptime for Sam and zero napt for Jack.

And they're off...

Somehow they made it by the cupcakes without incidence

But, Jack gave the chocolate cakes an EYE-full!

You can see more of the fun in my May picasa album.

BIG Post

Where to start...I have no idea! Yesterday was my birthday, but I guess it wasn't just any birthday. It was a BIG one: THIRTY. That looks weird in type. I'm so used to that "tw" that started my age for the last decade and now I'm a "th"? Can it be? Several of my friends have turned thirty in the last year and I was always quick to remind them I was still in my twenties. Needless to say, I expected some tiny bit of hoopla to accompany this milestone, (if for nothing else) as my payback for having been so coy about my youth on my many friends' big days!

But, I was a little surprised by the sheer magnitude of the display. Sometime after 6, Josh & I were hanging around (I assumed we be going to get some dinner soon) when a barrage of horns were heard from outside. I opened the front door to a parade of friends honking their horns and streaming balloons from their cars. But it gets better, they weren't just there to inform the neighborhood that it was my birthday, but they also brought dinner. Not a bad deal, huh? So, my sweet friends poured inside with balloons, dinner, cake, ice cream and birthday gifts. It was one to remember for sure.

If you are wondering how I feel, the answer is mostly tired. I'm hoping it's not all to blame on my birthday though. We had a busy weekend celebrating my sister's wedding. It was a lot of fun. The weekend was full of laughter and lots of dancing, even Jack joined in on the fun. There are lots of pictures from the weekend here. I'm hoping my other excuse for being so slack with my blog, project 365 and a lot of other things is pretty valid too. Josh & I are expecting again. That's right...Jack is going to be a big brother. I haven't been too sick, a lot of nausea, but more than anything I've just been incredibly tired. The worst part is feeling like I'm not doing enough for Jack because mommy would really rather lay on the couch than play outside in the 90 degree heat! I remember being tired last time around and taking naps during my lunch break, but I can't remember when it passed. I'm sure Jack & Josh are ready for it to pass though. I'm doing my best to be my normal self, but some days are harder than others. Here's to hoping I'm over the hump soon.

Our due date is February 24, 2010.

Taking the Stage & Ch-ch-ch-changes

So, in my last post I hinted that Josh had started farming, become a preacher and would flee the country. Well, the first two will be on stage for all to see when "State Road 47" is performed on Thursday - Saturday at the theatre at Tallulah Falls School. It's an entertaining musical that retells three parables in a modern style. In the first, Josh plays a very convincing farmer. The first number in his scene, a song entitled "Corn" is seriously like "Waiting for Guffman" all over again.

In the second scene, Josh plays a preacher who passes the injured man on the side of the road. Complete with a back-up choir, his "Amen" number is one to get you clapping. Overall, it's a wonderfully entertaining show, and I'm hoping for a great turn out each night.

Now, about Josh fleeing the country...he's all set to jet off to San Pedro Sula, Honduras for a medical mission trip much like he did this time last summer. The team he travels with journeys to La Esperanza (a more remote town) and then treks daily to even more remote villages to treat patients (most of which travel hours to see them). Some of you may not have heard (because all the media continues to talk about is the death of Michael Jackson), but there is currently a coup in Honduras. Most of the strife was taking place in and around the capital city, which is not where Josh's team would be. Unfortunately, the ousted president tried to make a return to the country and asked his supporters to rally in protest. A teenager was killed, and the supporters have vowed to now spread their protesting even farther.

Josh's trip is now being reorganized. Although, we haven't had the chance to discuss many details (he was on the phone with a trip leader when I had to leave for bible study this evening and he's now working in the er), it sounds as though they are preparing an alternate destination. Unfortunately, the new trip is supposed to depart Saturday (rather than Sunday), and of course Josh is committed to perform in two shows Saturday and may be forced to miss his trip. Hearing about the many people Josh and his team were able to treat and minister to last year was phenomenal. It is hard to believe that an obstacle would be presented to make that impossible this year, but we trust that God has a plan to prosper and protect the team wherever they should travel.

The other major change we were presented with this week is that my sister has moved her wedding from December to August 15, yes...just about a month away! Thankfully, dresses had already come in and most everything was able to be changed, but it is a stressful and hectic time for her and my mom. My sister's fiance is being stationed in Cuba once he finishes his AIT, and they can't guarantee exactly when he'll be on furlough. On another note, if you know anyone who wants tickets to see Paul McCartney at Piedmont Park on August 15...let me know!

Wedding Weekend

Our weekend included UGA Homecoming game, a wedding and a birthday party. Here are some photos from all the fun.

One of my bestest and oldest friends (old as in I've known a long time, not old as in years...although it's been more of those then we'd probably like to admit) got married on Saturday evening. Jack was very cute in his dress shirt, slacks and sweater. He was also very well behaved during the ceremony. He enjoyed a little dancing with me and Josh.

Here I am with the beautiful bride. Terri looked fabulous and oh so happy, especially when dancing their first dance. I was so very happy to help celebrate such a special day in her life...I was also very happy to taste all the yummy cake. Her cake had 3 different varieties, then if you throw in the groom's cake, it's a miracle I only ate 3 pieces! I tried the layer with strawberry filling, the lemon layer and the groom's chocolate on chocolate. The only one I bypassed was the apple spice...I had to say no at a certain point. I don't think it makes it any more excusable, but I didn't eat lunch. Just a late breakfast and little snack b/f the 12:30 kickoff of the game...which by the way was perfect weather.

Jack made it up until about an hour past bedtime then he gave up. He enjoyed resting his head on his sweet Aunt Emily. Later he woke up to help wave goodbye to the new bride and groom. After changing into his pajamas he slept most of the hour ride home.

On Sunday afternoon, we headed to the park for Drew's 5th birthday party. It was a chilly afternoon, but as you can see Jack loved the swings as usual. In the words of a sweet kid I know: "It was the best party ever!"

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Just got in from Terri's wild and crazy bachelorette party down in A-town. Okay, so it wasn't that wild and crazy, but it was a ton of fun. In fact, I can't remember when I have laughed that hard. Most of the old crew from high school/WFBC was there. Stacie and Cassidy organized it and kept it a secret. She just thought she was having dinner with them, but we were all waiting on her...with some fantastic accessories.

We all got a kick out of the gifts she received, which I won't share here...tee hee hee. Anyway, it was a fun time and the wedding should be the same. Looking forward to Saturday night.

Time to (thow a) Party!

Friday morning Jack and I left town and headed for Athens. We had a shower to help throw for one of my best friends, Terri, back in Winterville. On the way we stopped in Commerce and met another great friend, Brooke and her 3 cute boys at Chick-fil-A for breakfast. They live in South Georgia but were up visiting family and friends for the week. Although it was a brief visit, it was great to see them and meet the newest member of the family, baby Ben. Here are a couple of pictures of these cuties!










Once Jack and I arrived in Athens we met up with my mom and did some shopping and running errands. Later we went over to Watkinsville to meet my dad for lunch. Jack wasn't a very cooperative diner until Grandpa got out the ice cream. Since we were in the neighborhood we stopped by to see one of my best friends at work, Stacie. We got a tour of her new office. Finally, we headed home for Jack to get a nap.

Friday night Stacie joined us for dinner at Rafferty's, one of my favorites. Yummy...cheese fries and soup and salad! Jack did pretty well until it got a bit too close to his bedtime. We headed home although Stacie asked about stopping by the Haunted House first...ha, ha!




On Saturday, I needed to help with party preparations so mom watched Jack while I helped get things ready. It was a bit hectic, but we pulled it off. Angie & Jill, two great friends and excellent fellow hostesses, did a great job. We had the party at a pavillion in their backyards. It was a lot of fun. Here's Jack flirting with Angie's daughter Andee Claire. Jack and AC have the same exact birthday; they were born just a few hours apart. I'm not sure she was in the mood for his antics.

You're So Vain

On Monday, I had the truck serviced and my teeth cleaned. Lots of fun stuff. Jack and I had lunch with Grandma Jan and one of her coworkers at my favorite spot...Chick-fil-A. Then, Jack and I spent the rest of the day hopping from place to place until we were scheduled to meet up with Stacie and Terri at Five Points Deli (the one that is not in Five Points...but still has my favorite Heath Bar Crunch cookies). We went there because it is right next to David's Bridal, where Terri would be trying on dresses...fun, fun, fun! Stacie fed Jack while I scarfed down a Pimento Cheese sandwich and then we headed next door.

Jack pretty much entertained himself by talking and smiling at himself in the enormous wall of mirrors, which was great at first. Then as if someone had flipped on the Carly Simon hit, "You're So Vain"...Jack began to kiss himself in the wall of mirrors. It was sort of cute, but also insanely gross. We took a few pictures, then he was pulled away from himself kicking and screaming. Don't get me wrong he's cute, but there is such a thing as being a little too self-evolved :)

Terri tried on lots of pretty gowns and even a few not so pretty gowns. I'd show them here, but wouldn't want to reveal her dress before it's time. By the end of the evening she had it narrowed down to two, both of which looked great on her. One is more simple and classic, the other a little fancier and sparklier. Jack made his choice clear...