Parent's visit...

My mom and dad were here the last week in July. It was really good to have them here. It's hard not seeing them as often as we'd like, but I suppose the distance makes our time together all the more sweeter. They arrived Monday night late. Their flight was a little late, it took an hour to get their luggage and then I offered a man a ride to the store after he and his family got stranded in Charlotte for the night with no luggage. After all that we finally got home around 12:45am! Tuesday was our least busy day. We did a little shopping and tried to eat at Olive Garden. Emma did not sleep very well the night before and was horrible in the restaurant. I ended up getting my food to go and sitting in the car with her while Mom and Dad ate lunch. Wednesday we went swimming. :-) Thursday was shopping and Friday we left for Myrtle Beach! We decided to go down for the weekend while they were here. I'm SO glad we did. We had a great time and Emma finally warmed up to the sand and ocean. We got back to Charlotte Sunday evening and Mom and Dad's flight left the next day. It's always kinda of crazy when they come to visit. It seems like we try to fit everything we've missed doing together in one week. But it's fun! Here are some pictures from the beach for you to enjoy. There are a few more on Emma's blog.

Little Dot...

We had an ultrasound on Monday. Here's a picture of Little Dot. :-) You can sort of see a profile and feet. The baby had the hiccups and everytime it would hiccup, it's whole body would jump. It was the cutest/funniest thing! I couldn't stop laughing. I'm surprised the tech was able to get everything she needed! :-)

Everything seems to be going well! I've lost weight instead of gained so far. Food hasn't sounded good at all to me the last 7 weeks or so, but I finally started feeling better on Sunday. Hopefully, I'm over the 1st trimester hump!!

Limeade - YUMMO!

So I bought a lot of limes on Monday thinking I would make some limeade. Well, I did today and can I just say YUMMO!

Here's my adapted recipe:

Limeade

juice from 4 limes
1 cup sugar
2 quarts water

Squeeze lime juice into 2 quart container. Pour in sugar with a little of the water. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add cold water and stir. Tastes best when chilled for a couple of hours, but if you just can't wait (like me), just add some ice to your glass. :-)

ARG!!!!!!!!

Why is my daughter in her bed NOT alseep again today? This is day 2 of refusing to take a nap. She doesn't know it, but I'm more stubborn than she is!!

Which Jane Austen Character are You? (For Females) Long Quiz!!!

You scored as Elizabeth Bennet, As one of Austen's most beloved characters, Elizabeth Bennet represents what most women would like to become: strong, independent, and loyal. Of course, she has her faults including a stubborn will of iron and a clinging to first impressions. Overall, Lizzie is bright and lovable...something to admire and aspire to. Elizabeth Bennet 59% Elinor Dashwood 56% Emma Woodhouse 47% Jane Bennet 44% Marianne Dashwood 44% Lady Catherine 13% Charlotte Lucas 9% Which Jane Austen Character are You? (For Females) Long Quiz!!! created with QuizFarm.com Thanks Kelly for the quiz!!

Where were her parents??

This was the first thing we saw when we walked into our bedroom after putting E to bed...

Upon further inspection, we found this in the bathroom...



I guess this is what happens when Mommy and Daddy are trying to restore internet to the computer!!! I supose it could have been a lot worse! I'm actually surprised there is any paper left on the roll!!

A few wedding pictures...

Isn't she just beautiful! ....Mrs. Andy DeBruhl

The married couple

Blissful...

I absolutely love Laura's dress!!

And off they go!

It's a nice day for a...

WHITE WEDDING!!! Our friends Andy and Laura are getting married this afternoon. We are so pleased the Lord has allowed us to know them and be a part of their lives and their wedding! Andy was one of my Orientation Counselors for 2 years. I remember seeing his application and thinking, "Wow, an Eagle Scout. I bet he'd make a great OC." And he did, so much so that I asked him back for a second year. It was his second year as an OC that he mentioned this girl Laura in one of our meetings. He was concerned about hurting another girl in order to pursue Laura. I advised him to pray about it and that if he felt God was urging him to pursue Laura, that he should. Along with other counsel and wisdom, he did! And the rest is history!

I first met Laura on my way to teach Freshman Seminar. Andy was my teaching assistant and Laura had walked with him to class. She was beautiful and it was obvious she really liked Andy. I knew then that God had big plans for the 2 of them!

Andy and Laura eventually began attending our church. Andy also needed an internship for his degree program and I talked with Jonathan about the possibility of his company hiring Andy for the semester. The semster turned into the rest of the year and that year turned into a full time job. Jonathan and Andy were able to really get to know each other through that avenue.

Jonathan and I have both enjoyed watching the ways in which the Lord has grown both Andy and Laura over the last 2 years. We have enjoyed growing our relationship with them simply from employee/supervisor to dear, sweet friends.

Andy and Laura ~ May God continue to draw You to Himself as He draws you closer to one another. We pray the love you now have for one another will only grow and the relationship you have with one another only deepen as you seek to serve our King, our Lord Jesus. We love you both and look forward to knowing you as Mr. & Mrs. Andy DeBruhl!

In case you hadn't figured it out yet...

We are expecting!!!! According to the ultrasound today, Little Dot is due January 31, which makes me 8 weeks 4 days pregnant. We are thrilled to be pregnant again and thank God for the little life growing in me! So far everything looks good. I wish I could say I've been feeling good! I have felt worse this time around, but got a prescription today for the nausea I've had. Jonathan will be happy as maybe our house and the laundry will get some of the tlc it desperately needs!! You can't tell too much from these pictures, but here they are nonetheless!!

Charts...

WARNING! Ths may be more information than some of you want! :-)



I started charting last month, and I've been meaning to blog about it for a few weeks. Women, if you have never charted, DO IT! I say this only so that you can see how intricately God created our bodies. It truly is amazing. Our temps are lower during our periods, drop significantly during ovulation and go up after. They then drop again when we start our period.........AMAZING! I'm including my chart from last month from www.fertilityfriend.com so you can look at it. Some of you who know a few things about charting will be able to tell something else! ;-)

Van Gogh...

I made this "Van Gogh" cake for my friend Amanda. Her birthday was in May! We love Miss Amanda!

The edge is gummy bears. The pot are broken up Necco Wafers. The flower petals are Starbursts (melted, rolled out and cut into petals) and the centers are mini chocolate chips. The stems are icing. It was so much fun to watch it transform into exactly what the magazine looked like!

Van Gogh...

Twilight Run...

Jonathan ran in another 5K this past weekend with some friends from church. I'm really proud of him. Maybe in the next year, I will run with him...

This is what E did while Daddy ran! :-)

Broccoli...

Can you believe we grew this in our garden????

Trip to Texas...

Emma and I were able to fly to Texas last month to surprise my Dad for his 60th birthday. He was completely surprised and we had a great time! Enjoy some of the pictures!
Tera, Abby, Reg, Trent, Me, Mom, Dad, Jay and Emma




Trent and Emma in the pool with no water





Emma playing in the dirt (we could not keep out of that corner!)












Me with Abby












Emma playing TBall

IKEA Pot Rack...

All you get from me are a few pictures. Jonathan says he will blog about putting it up. He surprised me by putting it up while Emma and I were in TX. :-)

Radishes...

Look at these radishes from our garden! I should have taken pictures before I cut the stems off. Oh Well!! I can't believe these were just little seeds about a month or so ago! Amazing!

Thoughts...

I've been trying to think what I should post about the shootings in VA. I haven't come up with anything profound, but maybe that's OK. Maybe I'll just post what's on my mind...

As I watched the news media unfold their version of what happened, I just began to cry. What a senseless act of violence!! I couldn't imagine being a parent of one of these students! And how nerve wracking it must have been for all parents and loved ones of students who attend Virginia Tech...waiting to hear from your child, to finally hear their voice and know that they are safe. And then I began to mourn for the students who are left there to deal with the aftermath...those in the rooms next door, those in the building, those who knew those that were shot, the whole campus community, and the list goes on. And finally I began to think like a college administrator. What a task the faculty and staff have ahead of them. Questions will continue to flood the phone lines that no one can answer. Blame will continually be put on the university and it's leaders. Students will grieve and counselors will try to help them make sense of it all. Residence hall directors will ask themselves if there was anything more they could have done to save the two gunned down in the residence hall. Faculty will question what could have been done to prevent this young man from coming into their building with guns. Leaders will ask what security measures should have been in place to prevent this from escalating (or even happening, for that matter). Blame. Who to blame? I suppose we as humans need a place to lay blame.

Some blame has already be given to campus leaders. Is this the correct place for blame. I don't think so. I think the only true blame can be placed on the shooter. Could measures have been taken to prevent further killings after the first two murders. Probably. But how could ANYONE know? I truly believe campus leaders did what they felt was best for the whole campus community.

I could go on, but I won't. It's a tradegy and I'm praying for the families of the victims and for Virginia Tech.

March Madness...

So if Florida wins tonight, not only do I win the Kelly trophy, but I will also win Keller Madness!! Whoda thunk it?!?!

GO GATORS!!

Memorial Garden...

We madea quick trip to the gardens this weekend. Everytime we go, I'm amazed at the beauty! Who, but God, could create such profound beauty?

Cherry blossoms...

Finally! We have cherry blossoms, 3 years after we planted it! Now if the Japanese Beetles will JUST STAY AWAY!!!!!!!

It's officially...

TOENAIL SEASON!! Green for St. Paddy's Day...

Emma wasn't too patient the first go round, but she was much more intrigued for the touch-up!

Spring garden...

We planted our spring garden this past weekend. We actually planted some seeds this year...that's a first for us. Little seedlings are a safer bet, but surprisingly we have some things starting to come up! Here are some pictures the day we planted (Saturday). We have radishes, carrots, cabbage, an early girl tomato, spinach, lettuce, and mesculin greens. YAY!

2 hours, 28 minutes and counting...

That's how long Emma has been playing in her bed, refusing to take a nap... *eyes rolling*

Goober ChickenTush

I found this on my cousin Kerrie's blog. Enjoy!

What's your new name?? :-)

1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your New first name:

a = snickle
b = doombah
c = goober
d = cheesey
e = crusty
f = greasy
g = dumbo
h = farcus
i = dorky
j = doofus
k = funky
l = boobie
m = sleezy
n = sloppy
o = fluffy
p = stinky
q = slimy
r = dorfus
s = snooty
t = tootsie
u = dipsy
v = sneezy
w = liver
x = skippy
y = dinky
z = zippy

2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last name:

a = dippin
b = feather
c = batty
d = burger
e = chicken
f = barffy
g = lizard
h = waffle
i = farkle
j = monkey
k = flippin
l = fricken
m = bubble
n = rhino
o = potty
p = hamster
q = buckle
r = gizzard
s = lickin
t = snickle
u = chuckle
v = pickle
w = hubble
x = dingle
y = gorilla
z = girdle

3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:

a = butt
b = boob
c = face
d = nose
e = hump
f = breath
g = pants
h = shorts
i = lips
j = honker
k = head
l = tush
m = chunks
n = dunkin
o = brains
p = biscuits
q = toes
r = doodle
s = fanny
t = sniffer
u = sprinkles
v = frack
w = squirt
x = humperdinck
y = hiney
z = juice

$300 to fix or $215-$400 for new?!?!

Ok...so the motor is out on the washing machine. To replace it, it will cost almost $300. I can get a NEW WASHING MACHINE FOR $218! I would rather pay up to $400 for a new washer than $300 for one with no warranty left that may have to be fixed again. Jonathan agrees that a new machine is the better investment, so I guess we're in the new washer market...

Drive belt??

Our washing machine isn't agitating or spinning. From what I can find on the internet, the drive belt may be worn or broken...whatever that means. Please pray Jonathan can figure it out and fix it soon. I'd hate for any of the 3 of us to have to go in public naked due to the lack of clean clothes!! And more importantly right now, there are soaking wet clothes in the washer that I've tried to spin and re-spin 3 times...it doesn't take long for wet clothes to mildew...eeeewwwww!

Motor Vehicle Inspection...

I'm used to getting my car inspected. Texas requires the same thing. My inspection expires the last day in December. Since we have lived in North Carolina, I don't think we have ever had my car inspected on time. December is filled with Christmas and our minds are not turned to maintenance of the car. So every year we receive a letter in the mail at the end of February stating that we have until May 1 to get the emmisions test done or we will be fined $250. This is enough of a warning for me to go get the car inspected! SO...today, Emma and I spent 25 minutes sitting inside a little Texaco station waiting for the car to be inspected. There is a place on 49 where we ususally go, but the guy who does the inspections was out to a meeting and wouldn't be back for an hour and a half (we get to stay in the car there, so I like it better...but we didn't have an hour and a half to wait for the guy). My point...can someone please tell me why I have to pay an extra $10 to have my window tint inspected? They use a little device that goes against the window and it takes less than a minute! Anyway...no use complaining about it. The fact of the matter is that it costs $40 to get my car inspected (23.50 for the actual inspection, 6.50 for the sticker and 10.00 for the tint inspection). Until next year my car inspection friends! Maybe next year I will remember my inspection before December and get it done in November! :-)

Allergic Rhinitis...

Allergic Rhinitis - Overview

What is allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis, often called allergies or hay fever, occurs when your immune system overreacts to particles in the air that you breathe-you are allergic to them. Your immune system attacks the particles, causing symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose. The particles are called allergens, which simply means they can cause an allergic reaction.
People with allergies usually have symptoms for many years. You may have symptoms often during the year, or just at certain times. You also may get other problems such as sinusitis and ear infections as a result of your allergies.
Over time, allergens may begin to affect you less, and your symptoms may not be as severe as they had been.
What are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
In most cases, when you have allergic rhinitis:
You sneeze again and again, especially after you wake up in the morning.
You have a runny nose and postnasal drip. The drainage from a runny nose caused by allergies is usually clear and thin. But it may become thicker and cloudy or yellowish if you get a nasal or sinus infection.
Your eyes are watery and itchy.
Your ears, nose, and throat are itchy.
Which allergens commonly cause allergic rhinitis?
You probably know that pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds cause allergic rhinitis. Many people have allergies to dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, and mold as well. Things in the workplace, such as cereal grain, wood dust, chemicals, or lab animals, can also cause allergic rhinitis.
If you are allergic to pollens, you may have symptoms only at certain times of the year. If you are allergic to dust mites and indoor allergens, you may have symptoms all the time.


THIS IS ME RIGHT NOW! Is there any relief? If anyone has any suggestions, FOR THE LOVE OF SPRING, please let me know! I'm taking Allevert everyday and we won't have prescription insurance until April 1 due to Jonathan's new job...I'm to the point that I will try ANYTHING! It's so bad that I SERIOUSLY thought about wearing a surgical mask to walk this morning!!

Gwinnett,GA...

Have you ever been to Gwinnett, GA? Might I suggest a visit there? Maybe a drive through the scenic parking lot of a Korean Farmer's Market (twice) off Exit 103 of I85 North. Let me warn you, though. If you'd like to stop just for a few minutes to grab food and then hop back on the interstate heading north, you might choose Exit 104 instead.



On our way home from Atlanta, we were going to grab some food right off the interstate and eat in the car. We saw a sign for food that included Chick-fil-A. PERFECT! Take that exit. Once we exited, there were no more signs showing which direction the food was. We drove left...no food. We drove right...no food. We turned down a side street (twice) and turned around in a Korena Farmer's Market (twice)...no food. We turned by Khol's...surely there's food close to Khol's...no food. Finally, we decided to get back on the interstate to find food at another exit. There's the sign for South I85, but we need North I85...turn around...no North I85 entrance to be found ANYWHERE! Let's get on South I85 and then turn around at the next exit. As we FINALLY get back on I85 heading in the correct direction (North), we see the food sign we had seen an hour earlier. It was actually for Exit 104 and not 103. Next to the the Exit 103 sign read words similiar to this "No rentry to I85 North"... SOOOO, after finally getting food off Exit 104 we were back on the road after an hour and a half diversion. :-P ETA: There was a stop at a gas station in this saga that I will let Kelly tell you about...I stayed in the car to "guard" the van.

We had a GREAT time in Atlanta Friday night and Saturday. Our day Saturday began with sleeping late ;-) (5:45 am for some, 6:30 for others and 8:00 for the last of us). After some chatting and showers, we were off for breakfast. We found an IHOP...PERFECT! I LOVE Harvest Grain and Nut pancakes. Our waitress was wonderful and 2 of us were stuffed until we could eat no more. It was finally time for IKEA. We drove into the parking lot at about 10:30am and found literally the closest parking spot possible. It was right across from the entrance. We started upstairs in the showroom (which is AMAZING, if you've never been). We had finished walking through by 1:00pm or so and stopped for a quick drink and snack (no time for a real lunch...we had shopping to do). After our snack, we headed for the warehouse portion to find our treasures. We finished up ready to check out at 5:30. By 6:00 we were loading our van full (literally) of purchases up, ready to head back to Charlotte. If we ate in the car, we could be home by 9:30 or 9:45. Well...that didn't happen (see above). We pulled into Charlotte at about 11:00, were at my house by 11:15 and I think Joy finally made it home at about midnight. I don't know about the other girls, but I think it was worth it! A good time was had by all! (In case you missed it, YES we did shop in the same store for roughly 7 hours!)

My "big" purchases are below:

A pot rack to be hung over my bar....


And Roman shades for my living room window and the back door.
I can't say how much I enjoyed this trip! Thank you again to the Daddy's who stayed home with the kids! Thanks also to Nathan for sharing his Marriot points and for letting us take your only van with keys, leaving you homebound with the kids all day!!

IKEA IKEA IKEA

Say it with me now, IKEA IKEA IKEA!! Today is the day I get to go to Atlanta with my dear friends Kelly and Joy to spend the night and then shop at IKEA all day Saturday! I've been looking forward to this since before Christmas when Kelly mentioned a possible trip. It was just decided earlier this week that we would actually go on Friday and spend the night. It will be my first night away from Emma. I'm not worried. She'll be with her Daddy! (Although, you can be praying...he has a fever and feels horrible...) Thanks to our husbands for the time away and time off of being a full time mommy and wife!

C F O

Here it is...the big news you've been waiting for! Jonathan was offered a CFO (Chief Financial Officer) postion with Mecklenburg Radiology Associates on Thursday of last week. I had to wait until he gave notice at work (yesterday) to post it. I'm very proud of him! He will start on February 26.

And Kelly, Jonathan would LOVE to grow his hair and start a band. That would actually be his profession of choice! And toenail season is right around the corner!!

A new post...

I know...it's been a few days. I just wanted to whet your appetites a little...a new post is coming in the near future...keep checking. I'm hoping to post something new in the next few days (and no, we aren't pregnant...that I know of)