Wishing We Were Somehow There Again

Its a lazy Saturday afternoon after a fairly productive Saturday morning. Roo found a deal on a treadmill on craigslist that has made a nice addition to our garage gym. I cut the grass...failing again in my attempt to cut a baseball field-like pattern into our yard...

...I admit I rushed through the job as I was racing the mercury. Its supposed to hit 100 degrees today. I'll give the grass a full-service treatment on July 3rd, in preparation for our 2nd Annual Red, White and Boom party. While I was sweating it out in the yard, Roo ran some last minute Father's Day errands. We rendezvoused in front of the TV for lunch and an afternoon Cubs game. The announcers noted that summer has arrived in Chicago and followed with a quip about the hot 81 degree day. I laughed. Roo admired the sunlit skyline on the screen and wished we were there, not recalling having been to a game in the heat of the summer. In the heat of our summer, we have yet to visit my brother Phil's community pool, but we will soon find our selves on the soft sands of Edisto Island. Our annual family trip is only 3 weeks away. We had to adjust the schedule this year to accommodate for Riley's mom's treatment schedule. Hopefully, while the trip for us will be an escape from work and weeds, Roo's mom will enjoy a much needed break in the exhausting treatment cycle. I wish we were there now.

Riley and I enjoyed Phil's Christmas wishes last night, as his holiday gift of two tickets to see Phantom of the Opera at Charlotte's Belk Theater came to fruition. Aside from school plays, this was only the second time I'd been to see a major musical, the first being Wicked in Chicago with Roo. Coming from a guy that spends many a lazy day in front of a Cubs game or playing on the Xbox, I wish we went to more plays like Phantom.

Phantom's opening scene presented an auction of old opera house items. As I type this, Roo is researching options to set up her own ebay auction-house. We missed out (snoozed through) the neighborhood yard sale a couple weeks ago and inspired by the treadmill find, Riley is going to try to clean out some room in the garage with some on-line sales. I wish her the best of luck, but hopes she patient. No rush...because the sooner she's got the garage cleared out, the sooner I have run out of excuses for not spending part of my lazy Saturday afternoon in our garage gym.

Mom's Myeloma Update

It's been awhile since I've updated everyone on my mom's battle with multiple myeloma. She's been in sort of a holding pattern over the last few months. Labs were good, bone marrow biopsy was good, therefore there was really no need to begin any sort of treatment. A few months ago she began having pain in her hip and was immediately sent in for a full body bone scan. It was determined that the hip pain was probably arthritis but during the scan a second tumor was found in her shoulder. If you've been keeping up with this story you know that her cancer was discovered because of a tumor found in her shoulder that was causing alot of pain which led to an MRI. She had radiation treatments to treat the first tumor. The second tumor signifies that the myeloma is progressing therefore more aggressive treatment is needed as opposed to radiation.
So last month the initial treatment began with oral chemo. The combination of medicines were causing allergic reactions and lab work concluded that the meds weren't really doing the job they needed to be doing. It was clear a new treatment plan would need to begin.

She'll now endure 16 cycles of induction chemo followed by a stem cell transplant. Her first chemo cocktail was Monday --- I was on duty for the first round. We attended a quick Chemo 101 session followed by an hour of fluids, Velcade, and Zometa. The room was filled with soft leather loungers and every chair was full. I sat there wondering to myself what kind of cancer each person was suffering from. I felt bad for the people who didn't have a loved one sitting with them. I wondered if the building architect thought that surrounding the room with floor to ceiling windows would help people forget that they're bodies are being filled with toxic drugs. The gigantic bird feeders positioned outside the windows were completely empty -- I wondered if they'd be filled by Thursday so my mom can sit by the window and watch the birds. I was mesmerized by the beautiful salt water fish tanks and pointed them out to my mom hoping she'd choose to sit closer to one of them next time I'm on duty. Due to her pretty pitiful veins she had to have a port put in this morning so her next round of chemo on Thursday should go a little smoother since the nurse won't have to poke and prod for a decent vein.

I never imagined I'd be going through something like this with someone I love. My mom is a tough cookie and in my heart I know we're going to get through this. I'm not naive enough to think it's not going to be a battle but I know it's a battle that my mom can fight surrounded by the people that love her. When she was diagnosed I really struggled with trying to find the reason that this was happening. I'm starting to realize that there probably isn't a reason but my personal struggle with dealing with this has brought me closer to God and helped me realize the importance of prayer and for that I'm grateful.

I've thought about starting a separate blog to chronicle our journey through chemo and the stem cell transplant. I'll leave that one up to my mom. So for now I'll keep everyone up to date on her progress here as long as everyone who reads this entry promises to add her to your prayer lists!

Let's Eat Year Old Cake! Celebrating 5/17 for the 1st Time!

Well it's fifteen days later and I'm finally posting about our First Anniversary Celebration. On our way back from Edisto we decided to take a detour and check out Irvin House Vineyards on Wadmalaw Island.

Irvin House produces five varieties of wine. The wines range from semi-dry to the regular sweet muscadine. Muscadines are the only grapes that will grow in the humid climate of the Lowcountry. Local Charleston artists created the wine bottle labels.

We enjoyed a wine tasting followed by a tour of the winery. Irvin House is also home of the Firefly Distillery the producer of Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka. They aren't licensed to provide vodka tastings and distillery tours yet so we're hoping we'll get to do that sometime in the future. A case of wine (purchased not drank) later we headed north and checked in to the Oak Manor Inn. This B&B is where the bridesmaids and I stayed during wedding preparations and where EJ and I spent our first night as Mr. & Mrs. This photo was taken on the morning of our wedding day as a few of my aunts were heading home after my Bridesmaid's Breakfast. The innkeeper had a special anniversary gift waiting in our room when we checked in!

We spent the evening dining at the same restaurant that catered our rehearsal dinner - Shrimp & Grits and Chocolate Cobbler. Delicious!! We headed back to the B&B to relax and ended up ringing in year two as Mr. & Mrs. at midnight. I think we were both anxious to exchange gifts so we went ahead and did so before calling it a night. Keeping with tradition I gave my Cubs crazed hubby, tickets to an Atlanta vs Cubs game in ATL (we're headed to the game tomorrow). My ever creative hubby combined tradition and modern gifts and gave me the gift of time on paper. I'm all set for massages, mani/pedis, and salon visits for the summer!!! He also gave me a copy of The Love Dare and made the comment that we don't have to be struggling in our marriage to read it!

The next morning we slept in then headed to my parent's house for lunch and year old cake. I'd heard from a friend that it's good luck to eat the entire cake -- not just one piece. We tried, well EJ tried.....

Who needs luck when you've got a love like ours anyway?

The Fever

Forget swine flu, the pandemic working its way into our household is baby fever. A co-worker recently quipped that she got a 3rd dog to buy some time from her pressuring husband about having a baby. I shared this with Riley and was greeted the next morning with a circled husky ad in the classifieds. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I pressure Roo into anything but I can’t say I’d settle for a 3rd dog right now either…especially after the latest trip to the vet. We seem to pay an awful lot of money to get the dogs groomed in ways that don’t seem to be of much more value than me shaving them myself. One of Roo’s facebook friends remarked that it is faster to teach a puppy to poop that it is a baby.

Our friends’ baby Buxton first crawl was revealed in this week’s blog. We are taking baby steps ourselves. With Roo’s new promotion, its probably best to let her settle into that role for awhile and I am not quite where I want to be in my career to be comfortable enough where she doesn’t have to work at all. All that said, it will happen when it happens, when its meant to happen. For now, we’ll fall back on the old saying starve a cold, feed a fever. I think it is actually the other way around but we’ve got some good eats ahead of us this Memorial Day weekend.

We kicked it off with ballpark dogs at the local minor league baseball affiliate Friday night. Tonight, Roo is making homemade guacamole. Sometime Monday, marinaded pork ribs will be strewn over a bed of hot coals and smoking hickory chips. I picked up a watermelon from the farmer’s market as well as a couple pounds of fresh green peanuts, so sometime in between guac and grilled corn-on-the-cob, boiled peanuts will be had. I can eat boiled peanuts until I am sick to my stomach. I don't think a baby or a dog could ever cure my crave for those delicious summer treats.

Edisto Maycation Highlights

A photo shoot with a tutu clad beach baby.

Building Crab Cities (what happened to sand castles?)

52 lb Bill Fish

Spending time with old friends

Turning off the blackberry and catching up on some reading...

We're already counting down the days until our return to Edisto in July....

The greatest of these is love...

We have spent the better part of the last few days reflecting, recollecting and remembering where we were at "this time last year." Our wedding weekend is filled with special moments, simple laughs, thoughtful tears, and emotions that I truly don't have the words to describe. We are quickly and easily overwhelmed with joy by the vivid memories of how we came together, how we've grown together and how we've loved together. There have been laughs and less than joyful quibbles as we have also learned to live together.

Some say the first year of marriage is the toughest, I say every day of every year of a marriage should be a challenge. It should never be too easy to love and live for Roo. Challenge is a good thing and not the same thing as a struggle. It may not always be easy, it may not always be fun, we make mistakes big and small. But you can never stop learning and loving. We've done plenty of both in the past year.

We all have those defining moments in our lives that we think back to...if it would have broken this way or split that other way, where would we be now. If I could go back and do it all again... As I look back at the past year (and beyond), I've never lived my life wanting to do it over again because I wouldn't want to miss any of the moments, learned any of the lessons, or loved any part of the past year any less than the amazing way it has all unfolded in the early years of our lives together. For all the support, love, lessons and more, we thank the Lord, our family and friends.

As clearly as I can see Riley walking up the aisle or hear Jessica's made of honor speech or taste the rehearsal dinner shrimp and grits, I can feel the faith in our hearts, the hope for another year of countless blessings and love in our home that we share and grow...the greatest of these is love.

And now, time for some year-old cake...

From the Island!!

EJ & I have spent the last two days soaking up the sun on Edisto Island. My bestie Aly Kat and her adorable family are down here as well. Jackson and Nola Zee have definitely given EJ a major case of baby fever.....

Our first anniversary weekend celebration begins tomorrow. We're headed to my hometown after a pit stop at Irvin Vineyards (home of Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka) on Wadmalaw Island. We'll then spend Saturday & Sunday at the Oak Manor Inn -- the super cute B&B that was home to our wedding weekend last year. My mom's in charge of taking our top cake tier out of the freezer -- let's hope she remembers.....

EJ's in charge of our first anniversary post so more to come from him on Sunday!

Happy Mother's Day to our Moms!!

We love you both!!

On the road again...

Its been a busy couple weeks since our trip to Chicago. Roo has hit the road again for work and I've maintained the homefront, more so on my own as Jessica has moved home to the parents' place for summer vacation. We will check in with her this weekend as we visit for Mother's Day. I expect and look forward to being put to work in the yard. Roo's dad came up to help us in our yard last month. More travel next week, a quick trip for Riley early on then we head to the beach for a taste of Edisto a couple months prior to our July vacation. Next weekend, we will celebrate our anniversary in the same bed and breakfast that we celebrated the wedding in almost one year ago.

For My Husband

You're everything

I always wished for,

better than

I dreamed of,

and all I'll ever need.

Happy Birthday!

xoxo

By this time tomorrow we'll be here...

We'll have a hot dog (or two) here...

We'll do a little (or alot) of shopping here...

and catch some zzz's here...

and since I've never been (surprisingly) we'll spend a little time here...

and have an amazing dinner with Art Smith (if we're lucky) here...

We're off for a 4 day birthday celebration/vacation to the Windy City!

11 months later...10 Ways Marriage is Like Being a Cubs Fan

With Roo on the road this week (Phoenix), I retain control of the blog and in keeping with the theme of the Cubs, I borrowed the following from a friend of a friend. Anna and John joined us for dinner tonight, bringing along baby Buxton. Riley put together a delicious meal, as usual. Over dinner, John...an exceptional writer and the author of Bringing Up Buxton...alluded to a list he had penned for another couple upon their marriage. This couple, also devout Cubs faithful, had recently posted the list on their blog. Intrigued, I tracked it down and with the expressed verbal consent of John, minus the expressed written consent of Major League Baseball, I share:

10 Ways Marriage is Like Being a Cubs Fan

1) The more important it is, the more more likely it is you will lose. She will always be right, so just hope that she still finds you lovable.

2) When all of your single friends are out having fun in October, you will be sitting at home. Asking permission will not help. Even if she lets you out of the house, you will only be able to watch all the fun. Then again, there is always next year.

3) You understand how, after years and years of devoted service, even the heaviest of hitters might need to add a little cork to his bat. Hey, when the long ball leaves, you have to do what it takes to get that hop-skip back into the lineup.

4) At some point, you will think yourself cursed.

5) You will always prefer day games. After a few years, you will think anyone up past midnight to be a fool. You will think about all the money you are saving on electricity bills while getting all your work done in the matinee hours.

6) Blame will be distributed to everyone save you. Bartman, in-laws, some old dead goat, youngsters nowadays. Remember, it is never your fault. You are cursed.

7) You will always find other people just like you with which to commiserate. Everywhere you go, all over the country, you will see hats and T-shirts that you know the pain and suffering experienced by you are not only yours. Somehow you should feel better in light of this common experience, but you will not.

8) Your best decisions will always be made in hindsight. That two-strike pitch with runners on when you blew the save, that strikeout when you sat dead-red on fastball and got the change, that time you thought you were safe and argued until you got thrown out of the game altogether. You will lament each mistake, and there will be many, until the next day, when you will undoubtedly make it all over again.

9) You understand the importance of wearing a cup. It is dangerous out there. A man needs to be protected.

10) Finally, you understand that whether you win or lose (though losing will be the all-t00-common experience), you are playing a team game. One guy hitting for the cycle means nothing if another guy blows the save. One guy winning twenty games means little if the team only wins fifty more. You are part of a team. The season is a marathon, not a sprint. Good luck my friend. May marriage bring you the joy and fulfillment being a Cubs fan never has.

Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Well, one of them at least…Our preacher last Sunday talked about passion, and as a side to the main message noted the importance of being passionate about some things strictly for the same of fun. There are two things that come to mind when I think about what I am truly passionate about in this manner. The first is playing softball. With Morgan Construction undefeated at Cherry Park, I am excited for our church league to get started. The second and more significant fun-filled passion I have is Chicago Cubs baseball. I bleed Cubbie blue and not just that I follow the Cubs almost religiously, but I enjoy baseball. The nerd in me gets excited about the stats, the math behind the game. Maybe my second passion part 2 is fantasy sports. But back to reality…

Last Monday marked the first game of ‘next year’ and superstitious folk may tell you that the first batter is a good indication of the game ahead and the first game is a good indicator of the season ahead. Soriano homered for the Cubs on the first pitch so…Ok, I won’t get ahead of myself but they look to have a good team this year and many ‘experts’ are predicting good things. But we’ve heard that song and dance before only to end up at some point in the fall, wondering where the season went and what to do now that it is over. It’s like watching the series finale of ER…but with the Cubs, that final episode plays out every year with just as much if not more heartache.

Alas, it is spring. Another fresh start, another clean slate and hope of good things to come. There are so many great things about Spring: leaving the windows open all day and night, McLeod strawberries, sunshine into the early evening, blossoming and blooming of flowers and trees. Hopefully, spring will stick around for awhile and not yield to 90 degree temps too quickly. If the past couple months are any indication of what’s to come, I may be mowing the grass twice a week. We have had a considerable amount of rainfall recently, so the lawn is well fed. It always seems that by the time I am done cutting the front yard, the previously groomed grass in the back has already grown an inch. I can’t imagine the Southeast isn’t out of its drought. Most of the showers we’ve had have been heavy downpours. Yet, it never seems to be enough to wash the constant dusting of pollen from the back porch.

Also with Spring comes cleaning…dusting inside is under way, along with vacuuming and sweeping and mopping. Roo has compiled a list of Spring cleaning tasks for us to complete by next weekend. We have slowly worked our way through some of the items on the list but somehow, like the grass, the list is growing exponentially. I cross out one chore as complete, and two more have made there way underneath it. In all fairness, I’ve been the one adding several items, so I can’t complain. I am just hoping for no rain next weekend, when a majority of my to-do’s will take place outside, battling the weeds, trimming, landscaping, pruning and most certainly more mowing and some deep cleaning indoors as well. All of that and more and perhaps getting done in time to catch the Cubs-Cardinals game. For now, all I can do is wait ‘til next weekend.

Mind if I call you McDreamy???

I feel like I'm guest starring on an episode of Grey's Anatomy surrounded by loads of interns and residents. I wonder if their lives are filled with as much drama as Meredith's?? I've already given a few of them new names --- Dr. Reeves has been dubbed McDreamy (sorry EJ) and the chick who came in to do a swallow test could easily be mistaken for Little Grey.

Most of you are probably wondering why I'm surrounded by these less exciting versions of my Seattle Grace favorites and who exactly had to have a swallow test......

My grandfather was in a car accident on Sunday night on his way home from his girlfriend's house. The accident occurred in an accident prone location, at night (what 76 year old can see so great after the sun goes down?), oh and he wasn't wearing his seat belt!! He was immediately taken by ambulance to the local hospital in Hartsville then transferred during the wee hours of Monday morning to ICU at Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia, SC. For those of you that don't know, this is a teaching hospital hence my reference to Grey's.

God is Good....

• He has a fractured nondisplaced C2 and will have to wear a neck collar for 12 weeks.
• He has several gashes on his head that have been stitched up.
• He's alive and will fully recover.

Due to the sensitivity of the fracture's location and his existing cardiac issues he was put in the ICU. All of his scan/test results have been good and he was able to get through the swallow test this morning. McDreamy even said he can be moved out of the ICU later today!!!

We're counting our blessings and thankful he's going to be okay.

-Roo

18, 263 days old, but who's counting?

HAPPY 1/2 WAY TO 100!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday's SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY was a big success. We celebrated my mom's 50th birthday surrounded by nearly 50 of our family members and friends. She's spending today (her actual birthday) in Greenville at the Cancer Center for an appointment -- say a prayer that we'll be blessed with good results again. She and Daddy will wrap up her birthday with a yummy dinner tonight at High Cotton followed by the stage adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird at The Peace Center. Ironically Harper Lee's timeless novel is celebrating its 50th birthday as well.

Happy 20th anniversary of your 30th birthday!!

When the cat's away...

...the mouse will play. Usually, when Roo is out of town, I play a lot of xbox. She'd probably tell you that when she is home I play too much xbox. But that's only one aspect of me fending for myself, especially during longer trips. This week's 4 day trip was longer than most and it also sent room mate Jessica (Riley's sister) with Roo to Daytona Beach leaving me completely on my own. Sunday came and went as it normally would, church, lunch, menu planning for the week, Amazing Race, etc. They left on Monday and by 8pm that night, it probably looked like I'd lived by myself for a month. My work clothes scattered over the floor...on top of my pajamas from the night before. My dinner menu transformed from lasagna and garlic chicken pasta to Cheerios and pimento cheese sandwiches. The shower I took before work this morning was the first since Tuesday morning (I worked from home on Wednesday). I was too lazy to search for the remote yesterday evening that I watched back-to-back episodes of Will and Grace on Lifetime. But its Thursday and following a softball game, I was able to get home and tidy up in time for Roo's return. I semi-cleaned the bathroom, cleaned up all the dishes, vacuumed half the house and relocated my piles to the dirty clothes basket. And I think Riley would prefer to assume I just play too much xbox when she isn't home.

Happy 10 months!

No lists or stories here or best of's here, just a thank you and I love you sent from Rock Hill, SC to my wife currently in Daytona, Fl...we've been married for 10 months, together for 7 years and looking forward to an uncountable number of memories and moments for the next 70 years and 10 months. Always. xoxo.

A night at the movies...at home

March has indeed come in like a lion. Three weekends ago, we were faced with 6 inches of snow. Last weekend, we saw the mercury climb into the 80s. Unfortunately, those temps were cut in half this weekend accompanied by a slow and steady sprinkle. Its raining just hard enough to have to use your wipers and carry an umbrella but soft enough to really just be a nuisance more than anything else. A good rain is one you can nap to. This mist is mostly just moistening everything in sight. It certainly messed with my plans to cut the grass this weekend, but for that I am not completely complaining.

Nor am I complaining the choices for our Saturday night double feature. Friday night was dinner in Charlotte with friends from work and we hit the ground running Saturday morning. Following a birthday lunch with my dad in Columbia, we attended a SC start-up support group with Roo's mom for the International Myeloma Foundation. We were spent and thus decided to spend Saturday night on the couch. We returned from Blockbuster with Burn After Reading and Changeling. The first was light and easy to follow and just sort of ended. It wasn't a ridiculously complex plot, but the acting was enough to keep it going. We followed that up with the thicker and darker story that may have won Angelina Jolie an Academy Award (I didn't watch them this year and Roo is out shopping so I can't confirm or deny this statement).

Our evening was catered by a local Chinese restaurant. Riley enjoyed the Coldstone that followed dinner more than her Chicken Lo Mein for. I rarely stray from the safe favorites on the menu so had no complaints about my Sesame Chicken (even the second time around with leftovers for lunch after church). With all the places we've been and all the things we could be doing on a Saturday night with all of our friends, more times than not, there is no place I'd rather be than on the couch with Roo, in like a lamb.

Simple-minded posts for 200

A week ago, I spent the week working out of our Philly office in the University area of the city of Brotherly Love. Just over a week ago, we had around 6 inches of snow in South Carolina. A week later, Roo is now outside Philadelphia and I am typing from the back porch enjoying 70 degree weather in the early evening. This follows spending 30 minutes during dinner with my friend Alex. Our friends at Nielson would tell you that Jeopardy is popular pre-prime time programing in our household...if they ever asked. I used to get bummed out when an unsuspecting Teen Tournament would sneak onto the set. Tonight, just as equally as I craved any of Roo's menu items over the meal I was forced to feed myself, at the end of the show, I longed for that Teen Tournament and the remote chance at a challenge on any of the questions. Instead, along with Alex, the girl from Big, the second-rate Bob Saget AFHV and Dancing With the Stars host and some other lady joined me for dinner as they kicked off another Celebrity Jeopardy tournament. I have taken serious issue through my facebook statuses against ABC and their ratings push by staging the Bachelor finale(s) and then bringing the dumped back to DWTS (mark my words, she will win). But, Jeopardy has over-responded to Saturday Night Live parodies claiming dumb celebrities simply can't answer real questions by throwing really dumb questions at simple celebrities. Halfway through the first round, I felt pretty good about all the questions I was answering. Before the first daily double was uncovered in the Double Jeopardy round, I was un-challenged and had returned my attention to the equally stale meal in front of me. This presented me with two realizations. 1. I should pay more attention to the Food Network. 2. I should have been a celebrity, because I could have then been on Jeopardy and challenged that Ken dude for longest run.

Life Update

Over the past 17 days since our last post....

• We had dinner at Cantina 1511 with a work friend of mine who was in town on business. EJ had been here a few times for lunch but it was my first time and after our delicious meal I've already made reservations for us to go back next weekend! The guacamole is the best I've had in Charlotte!

• My parents came to town for an impromptu weekend visit. I tried a few new recipes out on my Dad. We went to Beef O'Bradys on Sunday after church, a place that doesn't serve "real food" as my southern fried daddy likes to say. We ended the weekend with a trip to Sears to purchase a freezer. EJ and I had been discussing getting one for a few months. My dad had his truck so it made sense get one while he was in town. Little did we know that my parents would decide to cover the remaining balance after we used up a gift card we'd received for Christmas!! We're spoiled. EJ has plans to fill the new freezer with steaks. My vote's for ice cream....

• I went to West Palm Beach for work.
• I went to Atlanta to interview for a new job.
• We spent a rain saturated weekend celebrating Winthrop's Homecoming. Saturday's basketball game was followed by an evening of grilling under the tent (not a good idea), reminiscing with friends, flip cup, beer pong, and of course Rock Band.

• We enjoyed a SNOW DAY!!

• EJ went to Philly for work.
• I went back to Atlanta for meetings and to accept a new position with my company!
• EJ spent the better part of Friday delayed at the Philly airport.

That brings us to today. In the same week we saw 4 inches of snow and insanely cold weather we're now out on the deck enjoying the Carolina blue sky, birds chirping, and 78 "unseasonably warm" degree weather. Hello Spring!!

Trust Him for Tomorrow

Isn't it a blessing to be sitting in church and hear a sermon that touches your heart and gives you answers to questions you were asking yourself just a a few days before?


During our Valentine's Day dinner on Saturday, EJ looked across the table at me and asked, "What do you think we'll be talking about over our v-day dinner next year?" I honestly had no idea.....
I did however know exactly what he was referring to because there's no doubt in my mind that he has a mild case of baby fever. So I wasn't surprised when he said he thought we'd be discussing what's been on his mind since the day we said "I Do".

I'll be honest -- I'm an obsessive planner. I make tons of lists on a daily basis. I plan our weekly meals every Saturday. I planned our entire wedding with the help of my mom. Our 1 year anniversary trip has already been planned and booked. I could go on and on. However, the one thing I can't seem to "plan" is when to start our family....

I pray every day for God's guidance. When will be the right time for us? How will I know if we're ready? My job requires me to travel 90% of the time -- when will I be willing to leave my jet setting job? Could I even find a job if I decided to leave? Again, I could go on and on.

I hadn't gotten any answers to these questions/prayers until Sunday. Our pastor began a sermon series two weeks ago titled God's Purpose: Right Now. The second sermon of the series told us that as we live out the purpose of God we must remember five things.

1. We WILL face challenges. Sometimes God asks us to endure challenges to get us to a place where He can do future things.
2. We WILL make mistakes.
3. Our work for God will outlive us.
4. God does not always work according to our timeline. We must obey Him today and trust Him for tomorrow.
5. We will have to make sacrifices. Sometimes God asks us to sacrifice the things we love because he has a plan for us that we'll love more.

Points four and five filled my heart with such peace and certainty about the future and answered the questions I've been asking myself for months. So Valentine's Day 2010 dinner conversation may or may not involve baby talk and that's okay because we're obeying Him today and trusting Him for tomorrow.

9 for 9

Following our 8 reasons after 8 months...and in no way inspired by the 25 things chain letter tagging its way through Facebook...its seems lists are a fun and fitting way to count away at the months and memories that Roo and I have shared so far. So here is February's 9 for 9...9 simple memories after 9 sensational months.

June - Roo and I sing karaoke for the first time as husband and wife at Kate's post graduation party. We perhaps later paid $5 to hear the same song played at the grand opening of Charlotte's Howl at the Moon dueling piano bar.

July - We got to share a room on the annual family vacation to Edisto Island...finally! Though my snoring may send me back in with the boys next year.

August - We celebrated 1 year as homeowners...a nice tax deduction from one side, a long honey-do list from another view...from any standpoint, a beautiful home. We also celebrated the birth of baby boy Buxton, the son of Roo's best friend and college roommate. For Roo, it was love at first sight....

September - It wouldn't be an EJ-written blog entry (just as it wouldn't be EJ and Roo) without a hint of Chicago. We tailgated with my dad, Mike, Caroline, Phil and others at the Bears-Panthers game in Charlotte. October - Trick or treat? Definitely a treat to have hosted a Halloween themed baby shower for Bradriane. Brad and Adriane in non-US Weekly talk.

November - This past Thanksgiving will be hard to top and I may never eat another un-fried turkey again. Add Riley's cheesecakes and family to the mix and we obviously have so much to be thankful for.

December - Max celebrates 1 year in our house and in our family. Its not that we had a party for him or anything close to a celebration but our dogs do play such a significant role in our lives that they were due a mention here. I also assumed no one wanted to hear that I was excited to get socks for Christmas.

January - Roo and I camped out...in our living room. Thanks to Blockbuster, Roo's chocolate-covered strawberries and our fireplace. It was the best stay-cation I've ever had.

February - As if we aren't short-changing February enough by only giving it 28 days, we are also trying to force a favorite moment out of the first two weeks? Valentine's Day dinner at the River Rat seems to be the front-runner but with Winthrop's Homecoming at the end of the month, my surf and turf my take a backseat to Scandals, cornhole, and our 1st Annual Homecoming Party. Stay tuned for those stories.

This one's for the guys

Valentine's Day is nearly upon us. I've learned quickly that giving her a ring DIDN'T give me a lifetime free pass to not worry about February 14th. I've also learned that Roo will very easily let me know what she might want for V-Day...or Christmas...or her birthday. All I have to do is ask and sometime not even that much. I guess a few years of giving her practical gifts or playing the "I'll take you shopping to buy whatever you want" card have motivated Roo to motivate me to try a little harder. Not harder, smarter I think. She appreciates any gift, and expects no gift, make no mistake. But she knows I enjoy giving her something she enjoys. So I've got the rest of the week to hammer this out. I just wanted to let the guys out their know that all you have to do is ask. We made it this far on our own. Why not get a little help? But if anyone has any really good ideas...feel free to share.

Nostalgia

I can't sleep. And no, its not because I've been stressed over writer's block and not posting a new blog in 2 weeks. I am most likely apprehensive about the night to come. Riley is the traveler of the family, not me. It takes me at least a night to get used to being in a new place, away from our pillow-top, to get a decent night's sleep. Hence, sleeping in 3 different hotels in 3 nights isn't working out for me. I don't like being away from home. But, I am in Chicago...and better yet, my old stomping ground. Much like Steelers fans needed specific events to take place in the closing minutes of Sunday's Superbowl, it took an alignment of certain cosmic events for me to be writing you from Diversey and Clark in the 773. Yet, here I am. I am travelling this week, my once-a-month away from home that has taken me to Rockford, Illinois and will take me to Manassas, Virginia. Its easier to say Chicago and DC. Our work at the Rockford hospital ended at least a half a day early and left me on my own for over a day in the Windy City. My search for an overnight stay sent me to a place I knew, said old stomping ground in north Lincoln Park/south Lakeview. I took not only the cheapest hotel on my company's approved list but also the closest to where I lived during my sabbatical from the sunny South between 2005 and 2007. I've been to Chicago 3 times now since Roo and I packed...correction...crammed all of my belongings from my studio apartment 5G in the Brewster on the shores of Lake Michigan into an Enterprise mini-van, headed south bound for a better life and a life together. For you trivia buffs, my old apartment while I was at Northwestern was where the movie Child's Play was filmed. For you good friends, this place was one that nearly breaked but ultimately maked Riley and my relationship. So its bittersweet being in the old stomping ground, I tried to reunite with a few close family members and friends, I watched some Bulls basketball and even some Blackhawks hockey. I walked in the brisk gusts that brought negative wind chills. And I laid my head down thanking God for all of it and mostly for Riley not giving up on me. I got promoted today, for the second time in about 6 months. While very deserved, it came quite unexpected. I take pride in what I do and I try to make those around me proud of my work. Again, mostly, I want Riley to be proud of what I am working towards because it is for us, not for me...and yet it all finally comes so naturally. The days when I lived for myself are long gone. The days when I thought I could or had to fight for myself are past me. I know I don't have to nor would I ever want to without Roo at my side. Again, it is bittersweet, and a little frostbitten, to be in the old neighborhood. So many memories, good and bad, come back to me so quickly...but then all of those are overwritten by the memories forged over the past year and a half. I'll probably go get a Chicago-style hot dog with my Uncle Mike on the way to O'hare tomorrow but I don't think any hot dog has ever tasted as good since Roo said I do.

Editor's note: I don't write this stuff just to attract followers or to get "You guys are so sweet" posts. This was mostly written because Roo is a time zone away and most likely asleep while I can't be just that and wish I were a few 900 miles closer. The bed here is very uncomfortable...find me a case where the cheapest hotel option was the best.

Soup, Snow, Miami, Cheesecake, & Vegas

We made Chicken Tortilla Soup on Monday and it was delicious. Definately a keeper and will be added to the menu rotation. If you want the recipe let me know!!

We woke up Tuesday morning to a blanket of snow. Unfortunately I was headed to Miami for a meeting and didn't get the opportunity to enjoy a snow day at home with EJ, Max, & Kennedy.

(Please note that we don't normally shave Kennedy during the winter months. She is now sporting a summer cut. There was a little mix up at the groomer's on Monday --- completely EJ's fault by the way.)

I was sad to leave the snow behind but excited to warm up in Miami, or so I thought.... Miami wasn't much warmer than SC and my plan to spend Wednesday morning on the beach was foiled. The highlight of my quick trip was dinner at Michy's on Tuesday night. The decor was beautiful and the food was DELICIOUS!!!

We're headed out to a dinner party tonight at the home of one of EJ's coworkers. We're in charge of dessert so I've got a chocolate chip cheesecake in the oven right now. No big plans for Saturday -- I do have a few gift cards from Christmas burning a hole in my pocket so we may venture out for a mini shopping trip. Sunday's plans include church and a four hour plane ride to Las Vegas for me. It's a work trip and I've never been to Vegas nor have I ever really been interested in going. We're staying at the Monte Carlo -- their beds better not suck. I really hate being away from home more than 2-3 days.... Is there anything to do in Vegas besides gamble??

Exasperated by the Inauguration?

My wife will probably change the password to ban me from posting here after she reads this...but...I have read on blogs and heard office talk and glanced at Facebook statuses and even engaged in conversation with Roo regarding the election and inauguration of Obama. I too watched in awe at the turnout and respectfully applauded the passion and patriotism displayed by so many that wanted to witness history. But I haven't understood all of the criticisms.

The scene of the mall flooded with waving American flags was breathtaking...and inspiring...and also overwhelming to consider not only how much money was spent on the inauguration ceremony itself, but also by the millions of people that attended, those that held their own after-parties and those viewing parties set up on widescreens and projectors in parks and street corners across the country. Perhaps that money could have been spent better on feeding the homeless or researching disease...but at what point do we draw the line where normalcy is no longer acceptable? Please excuse the comparison and try to follow me. After 9/11, the NFL played a full slate of games the following Sunday. Enthusiastic fans cheered louder than they ever have because it felt good. Life, if only for four fifteen-minute quarters, felt normal again because the world's trouble existed only outside the turnstiles and terraces.

America hasn't been feeling well lately, in so many ways. The economy, wars, natural disasters, political scandal, peanut butter recalls. There are many reasons people are losing confidence in the world we live in. Watch your local news tonight. How long into the show before you hear a good story, a happy story? And don't count the weather...which you especially won't if you are down south. Brrr.

As witnessed Tuesday, many people expressed enthusiasm and emotions beyond that as they watched Obama's inauguration. I believe most of the celebration was for the very change that so many voters sought. It goes without saying (which the expression itself makes no sense to me because whenever anyone uses it, they go on to say what didn't need to be said) that many participated in the event wanted to solely be part of the event itself, part of history.

Valid criticisms can be made at the magnitude of the event but is it any different than the millions of fans cheering on their favorite athlete at a game or singer at a concert? Lets not forget this is a very significant moment historically. Had Hillary Clinton defeated Obama in the primaries, I feel she would have easily commanded the November election for many of the same reasons Obama did. How many of the blogs, including ours, might have been devoted to the first female President of the United States? And what would be wrong with that?

I almost don't like that I am writing any of this. As I type I debate hitting that orange publish post button because this isn't so much a snapshot of a day in our married life or a sneak-peak into how my brain and bathroom etiquette have evolved over the past 8 months. This is a defining point of our lives even if over-induced by the media so I suppose to react and respond is not entirely revolutionary.

Nevertheless, I think the message would be missed so I will hack away. The point of all of this is that unmistakenly, hope and faith are placed in God and God alone. There are different views of religion that weigh pre-destination differently and that's the last thing I want to get into. Simply put, Obama is a man of God and I trust he will be guided in leading our country by God and through the prayers of the nation. And I trust that Obama will make the decisions to lead our country through these troubled times or at least make his best efforts to make America feel a little better. And I think that is what all the excitement was about yesterday. I fail to understand criticism of the opportunity for change in our nation. But that's just my take.

Riley and I have different political philosphies and that's ok. We know that God will lead us through whatever life is presented before us. Whatever happens in the world, wherever Obama takes America, we will face it all together. I want to celebrate the last days of Obama's term with the same passion and enthusiasm as we witnessed Tuesday. I want to see what I voted for.

Ultimately, now that its all said and done, I am ready and want to see the change I voted for instead of seeing the first dance highlights...I accept that they go hand-in-hand. Last night's bash was the honeymoon, and it will be short-lived because we are reaching the 2 minute warning. Back to reality. And tomorrow, back to our regular posts.

Editor's note: I appreciate the freedom of speech, one of many freedoms forged so long ago that perhaps we take for granted. I appreciate that I was able to vote for Obama as my president and I appreciate that my wife was able to vote for McCain. We appreciate all of our readers and your comments. I must say that I don't care too much for people that aggressively try to change my opinion or that of others. I hope you can all respect that...or else appreciate my ability to delete disrespectful comments.

8 reasons after 8 months

Happy Anniversary to us! It's been 8 months! And here are 8 reasons we will last 80 more years and then some...

1. Our wonderful friends, our family and our faith.
2. She is a phenomenal cook, I am a phenomenal eater.
3. We know how to fight without hurting feelings...and how to make up.
4. I will spend an entire Saturday afternoon shopping with Roo, even though after 20 minutes at Hobby Lobby, I am exhausted.
5. She will skip the last stop at Belk or TJ Maxx on that Saturday to get me home to watch some football.
6. Everything we are is with and through each other.
7. I share the remote control and she shares the cleaning duties.
8. Because when we said I do, we knew it as forever.

Chairmen of the Board

Our weekend "to do" list has one and only one thing on it --- seeing these amazing beach music crooners on Saturday night at Amos'. I'm a born and raised Carolina Girl who'd always Rather Be in Carolina somewhere On the Beach because I've got a major case of Beach Fever so we'll spend Saturday night Shaggin' the Night Away....

Stir Crazy

Its been nice having Roo home without much work travel for the better part of the past two months. I know she has enjoyed the break from security lines, baggage claims and continental breakfasts. But from Sunday to Friday of the past week, I think she was starting to get a little stir crazy here in the house. She left the house once, Friday, to make a grocery run. I applaud her will power. To prevent impulse shopping trips, she had employed a self-imposed quarantine. Because she had been shut in the house for a period longer than the first eliminated Big Brother contestants stay in the CBS house, I figured our Friday night might include a dinner and desert trip, or perhaps a movie. However, the most unlikely events followed. We rented 3 movies...and watched them all Friday night. We camped out in front of the fireplace, shutting out the rest of the world. And it was great...so were the chocolate covered strawberries she had prepared earlier in the day. We did manage to sneak out of the house a few times this weekend, watch some football, go to church, but all in all, there's no place like home.

Editor's note: The Happening is the worst movie I have seen in quite some time...if not ever. But that's a different rant for a later date.

Mom Update

My mom's doctor called with the results of her bone marrow biopsy on New Years Eve. Results we didn't want to hear. 2008 really was going out with a bang... I began to prepare myself mentally for the journey ahead of her, of us, of everyone. A journey of induction chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and high dose chemotherapy. Six days later her doctor called with more lab work results and a change in her plan for treatment. My mom's lab work results had improved over previous results and the doctor decided that there wouldn't be a need to begin chemotherapy despite the results of the bone marrow biopsy. We asked ourselves why the doctor didn't have both sets of results on New Years Eve. There was a little confusion but there was also a big sigh of relief. The day will most likely come when we'll be staring in the face of the chemo monster...that time is not now. A prayer was answered.

I've come across several blogs belonging to multiple myeloma patients. Blogs detailing the lives of the people who suffer from this disease. Some of the writers are in the early stages of the disease like my mom and there are others who have been through years of chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, and the list goes on (they're surviving). Reading about their struggles and triumphs has helped me deal with what's happening. I'm thankful for those people. Thankful that those people are brave enough to share their lives with the world and help me have a better understanding of the disease.

In my research of multiple myeloma I came across a website dedicated to helping everyone battling MM - patients, families, friends, caregivers, etc. www.myeloma.org My most recent visit to the site led me to their Mail for the Cure global fundraiser. Mail for the Cure has already raised $70,000. Mail for the Cure involves writing letters and sharing information with people regarding multiple myeloma. I immediately emailed a request for 50 donation envelopes and I'm eager to start mailing my letters with hopes to raise myeloma awareness while raising money to support MM research. If you're interested in making an online donation you can do so here: https://myeloma.org/donation.jsp

Did anyone see Oprah's Spirituality 101 episode last week? Oprah said something that I truly believe was a message meant for me, "I always think everything is happening in your life, no matter how difficult the crisis, to teach you more about who you are, to grow you into who you were really meant to be."

2008 in Review

For obvious reasons, 2008 was a great year. Here is how it looked through her eyes and mine:

Best Meal of 2008
he said: Most holidays are a feast, as are meals at Edisto in July. Mike smoked up a smorgasbord on Christmas day but I get real satisfaction about anything I cook myself. Thanksgiving’s fried turkey was number one, and would rank high on the all time-list.
she said: The chicken salad sandwiches on our snorkeling excursion in Antigua…and Thanksgiving was pretty good too.

Favorite TV Show
he said: The Office
she said: John and Kate plus 8

Trip of 2008
he said: My vote goes for our honeymoon trek to Antigua and nothing can compare.
she said: Nothing tops the trip down the aisle…he wishes he would have thought of that.

Movie of the Year
he said: We saw I am Legend in 2007 at the theater but I bought it on DVD in 2008 and have watched several times on the tv and the iPod. If I hadn’t just bought and watched the Dark Knight a couple weeks ago, Batman may have rendered the Fresh Prince a little less legendary.
she said: Ever thine, Ever mine, Ever Sex and the City.

Favorite Book
he said: Playing for Pizza by John Grisham. Twilight does receive recognition for being the only book in my life, Dr. Seuss aside, that I’ve read in less than a day.
she said: As it should, the Bible played a very significant role in our lives this year. We had a traditional wedding ceremony that included a reading from Papa (Roo’s grandfather). We also joined First Baptist Church.

Song of the Year
he said: Someday We’ll Go All the Way by Eddie Vedder was close, wait next year…
she said: It’s a toss between Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, which takes me back to Antigua and Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing which will not only be heard anywhere we go with a juke box, but was also the last song played at our reception.

Memorable Moment of the Year
he said: I can close my eyes and nearly feel the sun-stricken warmth of May 14th. Three days before our wedding I was driving down the back roads of South Carolina headed to Hartsville to meet my soon-to-be-bride. It was a long, flat stretch of highway 151, just south of Pageland. I had the windows rolled down and the volume turned up. The sun was shining but it was a warm, not hot, nor humid May Carolina day. And its not the exact moment that is so memorable, but instead the feeling I had that at that moment that means so much to me. I looked forward to the weekend’s wedding, as well as the rest of my life with my wife knowing that everything was as it should be. I am a laidback person, but at that moment, I had not a care in the world, no stress. I was at complete ease and peace. I had achieved nirvana knowing where I was headed, on the road, and more so in my life.
she might have said: Two pictures of Riley capture two very intimate moments of 2008. A normal picture is worth a thousand words but these two pictures are truly priceless. Pre-ceremony, a puffy-eyed Roo is getting a pep talk and making final preps to her appearance with her mom, dad and sister. The moment this picture captures is so simple yet says so much. Similarly, a teary-eyed bride appears to be laughing at a quip from her dad during their first dance. These were Roo's moments and I can't imagine what they mean to her, but I know they were very special.


Honorable Mention Moments
we said: This year, we were blessed in so many ways. It was full of moments that we cherish, moments both big and small that defined the year, strengthened our relationship and will stay with us forever. Those include all aspects of our wedding day, from Jessica’s toast to our evolution of dance. Henry (EJ’s dad) called Riley “Mrs. Johnson” as we sat on the sun porch at the Oak Manor bed and breakfast. It was the first time she was addressed as such. We helped welcome Buxton to the world with friends and proud parents Anna and John. EJ was baptized and also won a softball title at Cherry Park. We hosted a few baby showers for friends, held a star-spangled 4th of July party and hosted Thanksgiving. The annual Edisto trip included a fishing trip that landed a few sharks. We made progress in the home décor department. Though they lost, we had a great time tailgating and taking in the Bears-Panthers game in September. There was so much going on in 2008 that we started blogging!

And with 2009 upon us, we look forward to all of its best of’s. We know that with them will come challenges and it won’t always be easy…but we also know we’ll never face any of it alone.

Happy New Year to all of our friends and family and followers!

Reading List

Kate Gosselin is my hero. If you're a fan of Jon & Kate Plus 8 you'll love their new book. She uses a ton of bible verses to describe some of the situations she's endured throughout marriage and parenthood. I would love to meet Kate and her brood. I'd also love to have a "quiver full"....one day...


I stole our copy of Marley & Me back from my mom last weekend while we were home. I finished my second read last night before bed. I think I cried for nearly and hour (AGAIN) after I finished the final page. I'd forgotten what a great read this one really is. We've been planning to go see the movie this weekend but I'm not sure I can and if I do I'll need LOTS of Kleenex!!

Santa EJ put this under the tree for me. MAJOR BROWNIE POINTS!!

We're headed Uptown tonight for sushi and the countdown at Nikko's. Check back later for our 2008 In Review: His & Her Edition

Happy New Year!

Holiday Hangover

We made it back home after nearly a week of travel to multiple Christmas celebrations, mainly in the sandhills, around the state. Its good to be back home, our home. Back to work tomorrow for me, as Roo will most likely spend the day getting everything in the house back in order...and catching up on the DVR. Not sure I am ready to fall back into the routine, though luckily a short and broken work week will not afford that routine to settle just yet. I am fairly certain that I am ready to return to eating normal amounts of food each day. Riley's family, unbeknownst to them, spoils me with food. Every meal is a mouth-watering feast. The fact that Riley can make just about anything had over the holidays makes my mouth water a little more. I hope to learn to smoke some meat, as we were treated to a deliciously smoked spread from my step-brother Mike Thursday night. Max and Kennedy also feasted on more table scraps than usual this week, but all in all, I believe they are ready to get back to the normal swing of things. The trash man comes tomorrow, as he does every Monday, and he will find a bin full of bows and ribbon, boxes and paper scraps. But these hardly tell the true tale of 2008's Christmas. It will be the first of many for Roo and I as husband and wife and it will be memorable for many reasons: I read a book in less than 24 hours, a first in the history of me (sure its Twilight and written on the level of an 8th grade girl, I still did it), Riley's dad's side of the family had a mini-reunion (again, with maximum food selection), I learned the true meaning of giving a gift and all that goes into it, we discovered Max to be a dog with no understanding of the society-imposed cat-dog love-hate relationship and we discovered that sometimes less is more. of course, this is just scratching the surface. I could go on and Roo could paint a similar or completely different picture...but I won't, because I have to get up early for work tomorrow. We hope everyone had an equally enlightening and enjoyable Christmas holiday!

"I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick."

I wrapped my first Christmas present of the season today. Any given year that may be the norm, but this year is much different than most before. This year, my shopping was done early. Most years, for me, early meant the 23rd of December. An oft overlooked and underestimated perk of marriage though is centered around gift-giving. All of our gifts are stamped "From" Riley and EJ. And Riley did a wonderful job of co-ordinating our gift giving efforts. Unlike most years, the only person I had to work at getting gifts for were Roo. And unlike most years, I listened, paying close attention to her hints and wants. Hence, she won't be getting a shower radio this year. 2008 was great, for the obvious reason. But now being married, holiday shopping season seamlessly and stress-less-ly came and went.

Holiday travel however does not come so easy. Go see Vince Vaughn and Reece Witherspoon in Four Christmases and you'll understand. Perhaps not as dramatic, but I wish there were an easier way to spend time with all of our families at Christmas. It is family that makes this time of year mean so much, not the gifts nor garland lights (that I never hung). I will definitely start my house decorating design much earlier in the calendar. There simply wasn't enough wattage this winter.

It certainly doesn't feel like winter either, the Christmas Day forecast puts the high around 70. Tomorrow, sans Christmas sweaters, we will continue to rejoice the reason for the season and bask in all things Dasher and Dancer. We will celebrate our family and feast on the turkey and fixin's. Honoring all the Comets, Cupids, Donners and Bliztens.

Lo, hear me exclaim ere I close out this web site, Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.

"Rich is the person who has a praying friend." Janice Hughes

My mom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma two months before our wedding this year. Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells which attacks and destroys bone. There is no known cure, but it is treatable.
She went through radiation treatments throughout April and May and since then her lab work has not shown cause for further treatment. – until 3 weeks ago. A change in lab work (a change that signifies the disease is progressing) led to a second bone marrow biopsy on Friday. My Aunt Lib and I were able to be in the room during the procedure. I’ll share two things about the procedure: (1) The tool used for the biopsy is about the size of a nail. (2) The woman who did the procedure was a very robust woman and had to use ALL of her robustness (is that even a word?) to drill the nail sized tool into my mom’s hip bone.
We’ll know the results of the biopsy next Tuesday. The biopsy results will determine if we’ll move forward with treatment or continue to monitor lab work on a monthly basis. We’re hoping for the latter.
I share this very personal information with our readers because I am asking for one small favor from each of you. Pray for my mom. Pray for her health. Pray for the doctors who care for her. Pray that the news we hear on Tuesday will be an answer to our prayers. EJ started this blog to share our lives with friends and family. However, we now share our lives with readers across the country who we’ve never met. I have enjoyed getting to know several of you through your own blogs. Those of you who openly share your love for Christ and share your own life struggles are among my favorites. I can only hope that across the miles a few of you will hear my request and pray for my mom. To those of you who do – thank you from the bottom of my heart.

It hopes in all things, it endures in all things.

We're celebrating 7 months today!

My grandfather read this passage from the Bible during our ceremony. He is an amazing man and it was a blessing having him be a part of our wedding.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a tinkling symbol.
And if I have prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
And if I dole out all my goods, and if I deliver my body that I may boast but have not love, nothing I am profited.
Love is long suffering, love is kind, it is not jealous, love does not boast, it is not inflated.
It is not discourteous, it is not selfish, it is not irritable, it does not enumerate the evil.It does not rejoice over the wrong, but rejoices in the truth
It covers all things, it has faith for all things, it hopes in all things, it endures in all things.
Love never falls in ruins; but whether prophecies, they will be abolished; or tongues, they will cease; or knowledge, it will be superseded.
For we know in part and we prophecy in part.
But when the perfect comes, the imperfect will be superseded.
When I was an infant, I spoke as an infant, I reckoned as an infant;
when I became [an adult], I abolished the things of the infant.
For now we see through a mirror in an enigma, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know as also I was fully known.
But now remains faith, hope, love,
these three;
but the greatest of these is love.

Christmas Cards are Done!!

Has everyone been crazy busy like we have?!?! We finally got all of the Christmas decorations up last night - just in time for me to leave on yet another work trip. I'm spending the rest of the week in rainy Baltimore (and of course I forgot my umbrella). Thankfully this will be the last trip until after the holidays!! We've got a busy weekend ahead of us -- final Christmas shopping, Christmas Dinner Theater at church, EJ's work holiday party, baby Buxton's church dedication, and my great uncle's birthday party!! Whew!

Hope everyone enjoys our VERY FIRST Christmas card. I apologize for spoiling the surprise for those of you who'll be getting one in the mail! We chose a few of our favorite photos from the past 6 months (7 in 7 days!). Left to Right: Honeymoon in Antigua, Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers in September, Dorothy & The Scarecrow on Halloween, Sunday afternoon after taking in the sights and sounds of "Christmasville" on Main Street.