We will miss you, Richard!

Tomorrow is Richard's last day at the Church. When we started last August, we knew that Richard's job would be an interim position for one year. It is hard to believe his year is over. He has done an amazing job leading the youth ministry. Tonight at fellowship, the senior pastor recognized, thanked and prayed for Rich. I was so thankful too. I am not going to say working with your husband is easy. It was hard for us at times, but overall we would not trade the year for anything. I loved doing ministry together - working towards a common goal of seeing the kids love Jesus with their mind, emotions and will. I am confident that not working together is going to be good for us, but I will definitely miss him. Things I will miss the most: going to school lunches together, waking up late together, lunch at Chappys, sitting next to him at staff meetings, and most of all having Fridays off together. The Lord was faithful the past year and He will continue to be faithful as we adjust to change. Pray for Rich as he starts his new job!

"You Are Fired!!"

Don't worry I still have a job! I have heard "You are fired" more times in the last 5 days than ever. If I tell Ann Frances(4) to do something that she does not like, she will FIRE ME!!! I think she got the saying from a TV show but I am not sure? I love her little personality! I wanted to share some observations/experiences of being a "parent" the past five days. Obviously, babysitting does not compare to being an actual parent.

- The two boys have the swine flu.

-Vegetables are yucky and "I don't eat green beans."

-Berenstain Bear books are a favorite.

-Rich and I are soo not use to waking up at 6:30am!

-Playing puppies is my new past time.

-Rich and I have a LOT to learn before we become parents.

5 more days to go!!! I hope Ann Frances and I can go to the zoo on Friday.
Pray she doesn't get the swine flu.

The next 10 days!!

Meet the Little's! Richard and I are staying with Tucker, Mason, and Ann Frances for ten days while their parents are in Italy on an anniversary trip! I sure hope Rich and I will be able to get away for 10 days when we have a family. We have had a great time! This afternoon we had a

water balloon fight!

Ann Frances - She is absolutely so much fun! Today, she went with me and Richard to look for a new mattress set.

Ann Frances giving her water balloons to Tucker.

I'll update more later!! Time for dinner!!

Helpers for the night!

My mom and dad have been great help with the house. Tonight they came over and we got a fews things knocked off the list - paint the bathroom window and finish painting the dining room. Four people can accomplish a lot more than two. We are thankful for their help!!

THE HOUSE

As many of you know, Richard and I bought our first home about a month ago. We are super excited about the house. It is located in Old Cloverdale, a historic area in Montgomery. The house was built in the 1930s and is filled with many unique characteristics. Now you must know that the house is one BIG FIXER!! not exaggerating! Just wait to see the pics of the wallpaper... it is horrible. However, my very talented husband wanted a fixer and indeed he got it! He has been amazing. Today, he installed our new pedestal sink and commode. I definitely want to share more pictures once the rooms are completely finished but here are the BEFORE pictures. Absolutely LOVE the outside (ha that is why I only sent the outside picture of the house to my friends!)

And now for the inside....


Living Room

Dinning Room

Kitchen

I know you wish you could have wallpaper like that in your house!

But guess what? After one month of scrapping, the wallpaper is competely GONE!

Thanks to this woman - my mother-in-law, Ginger, has been absolutley incredible. She has dedicated herself and time to getting the wallpaper off. Today she finished!!! The dining room, kitchen, living room, foyer, hall, and guest bedroom were all covered in LAYERS of wallpaper. I also want to thank Richard, Ben, Steve, Jill, Franklin, Caroline, John English, and my dad for helping the layers come down. Whoo-wooo!! I never want to scrap wallpaper ever again in my life.

THANKS GINGER!

never ending job....

Painting - that is what I have been doing the past two nights!
Promise I'll post some pictures of the house soon, BUT there hasn't been time because I have been painting. We have a long way to go. I'll be so glad when it is done.

Alana Got Married!!!

Richard and I were in Dothan last weeked for Alana and David's wedding. Alana was the most laid back bride. I met Alana at Auburn when we pledged Chi-O together. There is never a dull moment with her and she is hysterical. I am always laughing when I am with her! Also, most of my friends were in town for the wedding, and I had gone entirely too long without seeing them. There is such freedom in being surrounded by people who really know and love you. God blessed us with an incredible group of friends.

Beach Highlights

Tonight is our last night at the beach, and we have had the BEST time! I think this is the first time I have stayed at the beach for a whole week. It has been nice not to be in a rush and do what we want. Rich and I are making are own family traditions...Zoe's chicken salad for lunch, margaritas with chips & salsa every afternoon, and watch the sunset at least one night. The first 3 nights we stayed in Seacrest and yesterday we moved to Sandestin for the remainder of our stay. In Seacrest, the ocean was covered in seaweed but today in Sandestin the ocean was absolutely beautiful. I have never seen the water so clear. There was no seaweed to be found. NONE! It was glorious. We spent a great deal of time in the ocean.

On the way down, I told Rich that I bet we see someone we know and he said I bet we don't. Well, I was right and I am glad that I was right because we had a great time last night with some friends from Auburn. We meet at Baytown Wharf and had dinner at Rum Runners with John David and Taylor Cleveland and KC Queen and his finance, Brittany. We loved our time with them. I am sad that our vacation is over tomorrow, but thanking the Lord for the time he gave us to relax, refresh, and enjoy his creation. God is good. I am really looking forward to the weekend. One my pledge sisters and close friend, Alana Wyatt is getting married in Dothan. Rich and I are heading there tomorrow!! Can't wait to see my friends! I'll post about the wedding!


John David, Richard, and KC at Rum Runners.

My first blog!

I have decided to start a blog!! It seems to be the thing to do and is a great way to stay up to date on life. I am excited!

Richard and I are at the beach this week for our first anniversary! I can't believe it has been a year. It seems like yesterday we were leaving The Oaks for our honeymoon. The first year has been great; so much fun and filled with lots of learning :) I definitely love being his wife and am looking forward to year two. I pray that the Lord will help us to love and serve each other as he has loved and served us.

One year ago - August 2, 2008.