Summer Time

You know it's summer when Amos turns into a muppet!

Happy Birthday Carter!!

Well, I haven't done a lot of posting this week because it's been especially busy with a new arrival! Carter Edward Roper was born on Friday at 5:02 PM weighing in at 6 lb. 15 oz. and 20" long. I am absolutely thrilled and couldn't be a more proud "aunt."

Becca went into the hospital Thursday afternoon. So of course I immediately came to visit! Doesn't she look amazing?!

And here I am with the little guy. He is so precious. We instantly bonded. I really think he recognized my voice! ;) I can't wait to watch this wonderful baby grow up.

Other Stuff

Here are some more pictures of what we occupied ourselves with this past weekend.

It was a simple task really...drive a nice large riding lawn mower and jam with Kenny Chesney. Now that's not a bad way to spend an hour or so on a Saturday afternoon. Here is the fruit of my labor. Now, Cary has something to do with this lush green lawn. Maybe I should have involved him a bit more with those poor seeds....

Although it may not look like it, I did work very hard to clean this front porch. Birds have made many nests and therefore have left many "presents" for us on our siding. But now it's clean and we can enjoy it from our swing.

Since we were on a roll, I just had to dress up our mailbox with some pretty flowers. Several friendly folks drove by while I managed to change the knees of my jeans from blue to black. The highlight was meeting a new neighbor!

Cary planted some boxwoods and a blackberry bush in the back yard.

What The Heck?

As some of you might remember, last month I attempted starting to grow some plants from seeds. I was amazed when the seedlings began to grow and really thought I had a green thumb. But alas, the crazy Virginia weather and I don’t know what else took the life right out of the small plants. Once I put them outside, they began to wilt and looked a little light in color. So today I found it necessary to lay to rest the precious seedlings. So much time, effort and love went into planting and watering. Here is what they were.

Here is where they now reside. Maybe I’ll have better luck next year.

Gorgeous Pink

My husband brought these beautiful flowers home last night. Immediately a huge smile covered my face and I said "Sweetie! Who are those from??" (should I really have to ask?) He said "They are from my mom!" (good thing I did ask). Oh my gosh, I felt so loved and special. It's amazing how flowers can have an impact on me. The photo doesn't give the color justice. They are what I call, "gorgeous pink" and to make it even more special, I had peonies in my wedding bouquet. I wish I could just hug Lynn's neck. Oh my gosh they smell divine! Now I will have a smile all day. :)

Breath Of Fresh Air

Today I made some time during the work afternoon to get together with my cousin, Michelle. She currently lives in San Diego with her 4 year old daughter and husband who is in the Marines. Every once and a while she makes the trip back home. Thankfully she's moving home in a month where we can see much more of her. It was so nice to just take some time away from a work schedule to sit in the sun, drink some frosty Starbucks and chit chat. Sometimes there is nothing like a good girl chat to lift the spirits and bring a breath of fresh air to my day. Thanks Michelle!

Teamwork

So far this weekend has been very productive. I anticipated working on Friday evening with Cary on our Greenford Street remodeling project. When I got home from work it was a rush to begin the house cleaning process until it was dinner time. I made some spaghetti and then we finally sat down to catch up on "Lost, " which was such a good episode. This was went Cary decided to surprise me and tell me we weren't going to Greenford St. (THANK GOD). So instead I was able to crawl into bed early and watch some TV before falling fast asleep.

Saturday morning we were up early and oh my gosh was it a crazy day. When Cary left to pick up the lawn mower and do the "round" of lawn care, I finished my cleaning. There was just enough time to grab a small snack before the man got home and we headed off to Greenford. Now I do have to brag a bit on my husband. He was genius enough to find a fraternity at VCU who will come out to help with some of the work for really cheap. Having been in a sorority I had a preconceived idea as to how all this house and yard work would play out with a bunch of fraternity boys. I'm happy to report that I was mistaken. The 9 or 10 guys arrived on time, they worked so hard and had a fantastic attitude for the 5 hours we had them. Team work was the name of their game. Through the rain, spreading top soil, spreading gravel, removing a chain link fence and all the other many tasks we had lined up, they were all about being a team and accomplishing the goal. As a matter of fact there was a moment when I couldn't help but get a little teary eyed. The last of the work had been completed except for a HUGE roll of chain link fence which needed to be hauled up into a dump truck, the bed of the truck was probably 5' off the ground. The guys took a minute to determine the best way of using their combined strength and a few 4 x 4 timbers we had laying around, to hoist this beast of an object into the truck. "Okay guys, on the count of 3...one...two...three" and they all lifted the fence a foot or two, then again "one...two...three.." and then the fence was in the truck. I was like a proud mom watching my boys accomplish something together...all 10 of them. Cary looked at me and I'm sure my face had gotten a little pink with the tears filling my eyes. Immediately I turned around and began to walk away. I mean I could feel proud but couldn't let on that those guys were getting to me. :)

At last, the day was done and an incredible amount of work had been accomplished. What a fantastic feeling. A good night's sleep and day of smaller house projects is on hand for the rest of the weekend.

Proud Daughter

This week has been crazy and it seems I have every intention of posting blogs daily, but the time just slips away. So here is our week in review.

Friday night (this would be May 4) Cary and I had dinner with some missionaries from Slovakia. My parents have developed a wonderful relationship with Miro & Veronica along with her parents John and Martha. Both couples were in the US last week to raise money for their church. My mom has planned a 2 week trip to Slovakia in the next couple of weeks to hold a women’s conference at their church. This is a photo of Miro and Veronica with Cary and I after dinner when we all hung out in the Man Room.

Saturday my grandparents arrived into town from Florida in celebration of my mom’s ordination into the Assembly of God ministry.






Aren't they just the cutest!! I love them so much I could just squeeze them, but I wont, because I wouldn't want to break them...



This was a big event for our family. I’m so proud of my mom, she has been working so hard for many years to achieve this goal and finally, here she is. She married my father right out of high school and moved with him while he attended Central Bible College. She worked in the book store to be able to support them while dad completed college. He was ordained and then they spent many years pastoring small churches in North Carolina while raising a young family. When my dad was transferred to Virginia with a general contracting company she found a job at their current church, West End Assembly of God where she was the Sr. Pastor’s secretary. Then the Lord began bringing her other opportunities to serve, beginning with leading the Women’s Ministries. One day she made the decision to start the long and arduous task of walking the road to become an ordained minister. And now, here we are! She is the only female minister on staff at WEAG and heading up the Women’s Ministry, Small Group Ministry and leading mission’s trips to foreign countries so other women can feel the Love of Christ and His calling on their lives. Like I said, I’m really proud of her.








Someone else who shared in my pride, my father. He radiated love for my mom and to see him participate in the ordination ceremony (all participants spouses were included in the event) smiling from ear to ear and walking with an extra umph in his step was fantastic. I remember he had the same demeanor on my wedding day. Aww, I love him.




Although other things happened this past week, these were the highlights and moments I never want to forget.

Happy Thoughts

I am absolutely tickled pink that today is Friday. Sure, I have a lot of work ahead of me this weekend but for right now, the sun is shining and I am looking forward to a fancy dinner tonight. That’s enough to make my day! I pray this good attitude sticks with me when I’m doing yard work at 3 houses and gnats are eating me alive mid day tomorrow! But then again, tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo and some delicious Mexican food, margaritas and Nascar await us at the Robinson’s house. So there, I’ll cling to that thought every time a gnat finds its way into my eye or bits my shoulders. HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Weekends

Where does time go? Every weekend for what seems like 2 months I've said "maybe next weekend will be a little more relaxed" and then reality hits me and there is no relaxation. This weekend we are hosting some misssionary guests from Slovakia. They arrive on Thursday and then on Saturday my grandparents arrive from Florida. A client has requested that I work with her on Saturday to select some finishes for her renovation, which we will begin in the next couple of days. On Sunday close friends are being Baptized and then on Monday we are traveling to Maryland for my mom's ordination. I'm looking at the calendar right now and next Sunday is Mother's Day. I need to start planning a vacation!!