Janna & Paul Roper

2011-09-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

Jack's 1 year birthday week was so much fun! On his actual day (Wed) we had birthday pancakes and took our usual photo in the glider. Gramma and Grandpa arrived on Thursday and Gigi and Papa on Saturday morning. We ended up having 68 people show up for his party on Sat afternoon which ended up working out great since the weather was lovely and we had a few corn hole sets from friends. Jack has been fighting a cold (and teeth cutting through?) for the past week, but seemed to rally for his party. There were tons of little folks (25 under the age of 10) to distract him and attend to his every need. He was mostly interested in the baby pool filled with ice and drinks. Gigi reported that he spent at least 10 minutes picking up ice, dropping through the slats on the deck into the yard, and saying "uh-oh!". I had been really looking forward to giving him his birthday cupcake (pumpkin ginger) and he definitely played that up for the crowd by doing the classic face-in-cake-no-hands thing. It was heart warming (cheesy but true) to look out at our friends crowded around his chair in a semi-circle singing happy birthday to our boy. We are so blessed. Thanks to everyone who made Jack's first birthday so special and memorable.

10 months

2011-07-19T16:59:00.001-07:00

a tooth poking through, fingers that feed himself, legs that stand alone, a tongue that loves to exercise and make new sounds, lips that say dada and mama, eyes that recognize his dog, hands that clap "yay" and say "so big", ears that perk up to music... we are smitten and overwhelmed to know this boy and have him entrusted to our care. thanks, heavenly father, for such a great gift.

Old Friends

2011-07-19T16:54:00.000-07:00

Isn't it precious how old friendships can endure and even grow despite time and distance? Kim is a dear friend from college and has become even dearer since then. We see each other every Christmas in Richmond and every summer at VA beach. She is such a loyal, consistent friend and teaches me much about earnest faith and perseverance. What a treasure!

New Office!

2011-06-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

Finally. After two years of being crammed in our temporary office, the new building is DONE. We moved in June 9th and it feels so good having the space we need. This is my office below. It's still a bit bare.. Need a lamp or something.
Murals are so beautiful!

These pictures are all from move-in day and they are kinda lame.. I wasn't paying much attention at the time, but wanted to document this big milestone!

9 months

2011-06-29T16:26:00.001-07:00

To me, Jack has such a different look this month.. What do you think? This big boy is getting into everything these days. He can pull up and cruise now, eats just about anything (loves hummus, avocado, strawberries, bananas, broccoli, green beans, chicken, and CHEERIOS) despite having no teeth. He's got the sippy cup mechanics down and is able to sign for more and all done. He realizes it's bathtime when I walk him into the bathroom all stripped down and gives a wriggle and squeal of delight. Favorite bathtime activity: pulling up to stand and putting mouth around faucet. He lights up for his Daddy and is the typical pesky little brother to Champ who takes it, well.. like a champ.

try to watch this without smiling.

2011-06-18T17:24:00.000-07:00

Belly Laugh Video

Tree Down

2011-06-18T17:18:00.000-07:00

This past spring has been one of the worst I can remember for storms. On May 22nd, during a bad storm, we had a large tree fall parallel to the back of our house. We woke up at 3am to a ear splitting crack and rushed to the back of the house to see that we had been spared. What could have crushed through the middle of our home only hit about 13 of our deck. We have marveled at the mercy of God in making the wind blow in such a favorable direction in that moment. Paul has spent many hours taking all the limbs down and fixing the deck, but I think he enjoys the projects!

GROWING BOY

2011-05-21T12:53:00.000-07:00

At 7 months, we were on our way to PA for Emily and Ephraim's wedding, which was spectacular by the way. They were married in an old church on a cold rainy day.. As Emily walked into the church and down the aisle, a gust of wind blew her veil across her face and I heard people gasping around me. She was so poetic and beautiful. Congrats E&E! We love you guys!
8 months was celebrated at Margot and Jon Basses' new house in Fredericksburg, VA. We had another Shiloh reunion and included a little baby shower for all the expecting Moms-to-be! What a joy to reconnect with these dear old friends. Please note that Jack's jeans are unbuttoned at the top to allow more room for his gut to flow.

6 months!

2011-03-14T15:45:00.000-07:00

Jack is 6 months old today! He is such a fun kid. The most grabby little fella ever! He grabs anything remotely in reach. He is also enjoying his first tastes of solid food (video of that coming). We continue to be amazed at how quickly he is growing (wearing 12 month clothing) and how much he learns everyday (sitting up now!). He loves music which we really discovered this weekend when he was melting down in the car and Uncle Robbie had the brilliant idea of giving Jack his phone playing songs. He was entranced and lasted another hour in the car! He continues to be really easy going but can let out a deafening screech out of nowhere. Still hates baths. We are overwhelmed with how delighted we are to know him and be his parents.

Jack and his bouncer

2011-03-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

This boy loves to jump! Not that I'm surprised since his namesake was an All-American long jumper at Penn State. Sometimes he gets so much air in this thing, we're afraid it might break.

Jeans

2011-02-01T18:46:00.000-08:00

My boy is growing every day! Whoever thinks dressing little boys isn't fun is crazy! What is more adorable than Jack in jeans? Absolutely nothing. He is still in the smallest pair of jeans, but we're all set for the next few years. It makes me tremble to think that he will be fitting into those 2 year jeans before too long. I don't care if it's a cliche... I wish i could freeze time.

Father & Son

2011-02-01T18:41:00.000-08:00

Jack and Paul are major buddies these days. Sometimes if Jack is already sleeping by the time Paul gets home around 630, he will just HAVE to look in at him. I love that.

pure sunshine

2011-02-01T18:33:00.000-08:00

4 month stats: 99th percentile for height, weight, and head circumference, rolling both ways, laughing tons and responding to peek a boo. Jack loves to chew on anything, especially his toes. and lately he has been pulling off his socks and chewing on them.

3 months!

2010-12-16T14:06:00.000-08:00

I'll never forget the day Jack turned 3 months, because we woke up that morning to a blanket of snow which was unusual for December 14th.

Jack is charming as ever now. I am really falling in love with this little boy lately. When I go to get him in the morning, he has a full body wriggle and smiles as soon as he sees my face or Paul's face. I first heard a real giggle on his 3 month birthday and he is starting to purposefully reach for objects.

We love you Jack!

Back at it...

2010-12-16T13:57:00.000-08:00

I ran my first race since having Jack on Saturday, Dec 11th. It felt great to be back at it again!

KIPP Academy

2010-12-16T13:46:00.000-08:00

Neighborhood groups are our church's version of the "small group". Ours has the privilege of meeting at KIPP Academy in East Nashville once a week for fun times with some of the students. KIPP is a charter school where the kids attend school from 7-5 each day and go on some Saturdays as well. The teachers are truly amazing people. We get to play games during an open gym time and then do one on one reading afterwards. The kids are NUTS at the end of a long school day, so open gym helps to work out some of the "crazies" before reading. Each year, the program has been tweaked a bit but has stayed the same for the most part. It's a blessing to get to know these kids and their parents that we may not have the chance to know otherwise. Here's a picture of our last meeting of 2010 at our house around the fire pit. I'm really thankful for these friends who teach me so much about serving, leadership, and how to really live in a community. Plus, they're really fun!

NOLL GIRLS ARE THE BEST!

2010-12-16T13:38:00.000-08:00

This photo is from this summer, but I came across it and wanted to post it because it makes me so happy. Don't you just want to squeeze these little girls?? Sara-Beth was one of my closest friends in college and now lives with her husband Eric and three little girls in FL while they are in seminary. I sure wish I saw them more. They came for a short visit at the end of June while Eric was in Nashville for a conference. It was SO FUN and waaaay to short. Again soon, please?

SHUTTERFLY PROMO

2010-12-09T10:47:00.000-08:00

I don't need a reason to love Shutterfly any more than I already do, but here's one. They are now offering 50 free Christmas photo cards for bloggers who write a post about their experiences with Shutterfly. I have never sent out Christmas cards before and wasn't planning on it this year either, but this promotion has given me the inspiration I need to get it done. I think. It depends on whether I can convince Paul to wear the matching PJs I got us for a family photo. Kidding. But anyway, talking about Shutterfly is easy for me since I am an avid user of their services and website. I have always posted my photos to Shutterfly's website and now that we have Jack, I post about a million pictures a month. The site is incredibly easy to navigate and the options for organizing pictures is an ultimate time saver. I always send my photo albums to family and because it is so easy, they are probably sick of all the email invitations they receive to view photos of Jack. This year, several of our Christmas gifts to family are coming from Shutterfly. I applied one of my favorite Jack photos to a large photo canvas and also made a few photo gift mugs for family members to take with them to work. Of course all the photos I used are of Jack, but Champ will certainly be included in our Christmas photo. The photo above is one of my favorites... maybe we will use that one. Check out their promotion here.

2010-12-08T15:52:00.000-08:00

Things I love about Jack Roper:

1. When he smiles it starts small and then suddenly erupts into a huge, open mouthed smile with the right side of his upper lip a little higher than the left side.

2. When he poops, he makes an amazing sound of high pitched grunting that is quite prolonged.

3. He sucks down his Vitamin D drops like it's candy... I have always told my patients to be prepared for rejection because their babies won't like the taste. HA!

4. When we clap his hands together, he smiles so big every time.

5. He snores so loud I can hear it all the way across the house.

6. Jack started sleeping 6 hours at night at 6 weeks and has been sleeping about 10 hour stretches at night for the past two weeks.

7. When he smiles, I see his Dad's face.

8. He is on the verge of finding his laugh. Every once in a while, I get a little chuckle that is 1/2 cry and 1/2 laugh.

9. He is hilarious at feeding time. Extreme frustration and impatience and the sounds that go with those emotions.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-30T10:26:00.000-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving in Nashville. Mom, Dad, Rob and Laura all came down for the weekend.
We celebrated Laura's 20th birthday with some eggplant parm and chocolate cake.
Paul stoked up the fire pit our last night together

Meeting Aunt Laura for the first time. Roasting by the fire in the marshmallow suit.
Snuggling with his namesake
Get me out of this clown suit!
Meeting Uncle Robbie for the first time!
Watching star wars together.
We had a great time, but said many times how much we missed Mark, Jenn, and Anna Kate. Can't wait for Christmas!!

Boxing with Dad

2010-11-27T11:34:00.000-08:00

Entertaining our guests over Thanksgiving!

2010-11-19T06:18:00.000-08:00

Jack had his two month well check this week. Stats as follows: 14lbs (95th percentile), 24 in (80th percentile), and head circumference 95th percentile. No, I have not been feeding him sausage.
Shots were as awful as I anticipated. I will definitely have more compassion on my patients (and our nurses who have to give those shots all day long!).

FULL ON

2010-11-19T06:15:00.000-08:00

Thumb sucker. I will often find him like this in the mornings now when he is waking up. As much as I was hoping he wouldn't find that thumb, it is so darn cute.

Still my biggest buddy.

2010-11-19T06:12:00.000-08:00

Champy is still my pal. He's so great about being patient when I have my hands full and waiting for his turn to play. We get a run together most days as well as walks and trips to the park for frisbee time! He seems to be noticing Jack a little more lately... sniffing, licking, almost sitting on him from time to time.

Play date

2010-11-19T06:10:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed a visit from Heather and Wyatt. Hard to tell from their respective sizes, but Wyatt is 3 weeks older than Jack. He is such a squeezable little man! It's fun having friends who are enjoying and experiencing similar things with their babies.

2010-11-19T06:06:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed that Paul is sporting a dirty 'stache. It's for charity (go to www.rightinthemoustache.com). Anyway, can't pass up an opportunity to exploit the child. Poor kid. But honestly, he's gotta learn how to roll if he's gonna be a Roper.

sweet boy

2010-11-19T06:05:00.000-08:00

I love this picture. Even though it's blurry and cut off, it makes me so happy.

LOVE

2010-11-19T06:01:00.000-08:00

clean

2010-11-19T05:52:00.000-08:00

love the bare bum. you seem to like bathing, jack-man.

zzz

2010-11-19T05:46:00.000-08:00

I have to back up a little. This is a photo from when Jack was about a month old and started sleeping 4-5 hour stretches. And then, as if on cue, he slept from 9pm to 6am on the day he turned two months old and has been doing that for the past week. Go get 'em tiger.

A Visit from Gigi & Papa

2010-11-03T14:51:00.000-07:00

Gigi and Papa have been here for the past three days. We have so enjoyed their company. Plus they are great babysitters, yard tenders, make great food! Is there anything as precious as seeing your parents love on your child?
Thats Papa wearing Paul's chuck taylors

strong

2010-11-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

6 weeks

quack

2010-11-03T14:39:00.000-07:00

"I said I wanted to be a Ninja!"
Still humiliated...
But too bad, because you're the cutest duck ever. We love that Mary, Sarah, and Thomas have all worn this costume too! A new family tradition?
Hopefully E ends up liking younger men.

The Snuggly "Jack" Blanket

2010-11-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

My dear friend, Amy made this super soft blanket for you. So many people love you already, Jack. We are blessed.

Already?!

2010-11-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

Like Mother Like Son?

2010-11-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

Future Nittany Lion?

2010-11-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

It's hard to get excited about those Nitts, the way they've been playing this season, huh Jack?

3 weeks!

2010-11-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

Sewanee

2010-11-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

When you were two weeks, we took a trip up to Sewanee. The soccer teams of your Dad's Jr. and Sr. years of college were the most successful in school history, so they were invited up for an alum game to play the existing Sewanee team (they won, 3-0!) and banquet honoring the players. Gigi & Papa were here that weekend to relive the glory days as well.

Working Hard

2010-11-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

Each photo about a week apart

5 weeks

4 weeks
3 weeks

Mush

2010-11-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

sweet snoozing mush-face

The Football

2010-11-02T08:01:00.000-07:00

Daddy's favorite hold.

First Bath!

2010-11-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sumo

2010-11-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

Sumo Wrestler. Resting up so I can grow more chins later today...

Buddies

2010-11-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

Eloise Grey
S.A.
Gus Wonder.

Sweet little buddies for you!

Chest Snuggling

2010-11-02T07:52:00.000-07:00

The only suitable way to sleep for the first few days!
Your Dad would stay up late with you sleeping on his chest so that I could get some sleep.

Love from Grandma & Grandpa, Gigi & Papa

2010-11-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

Grandma came three days before you were born and stayed through the next weekend. Grandpa joined for a few days after you were born as well. Then we enjoyed a long weekend with Gigi and Papa... You are snuggled in the grey knit blanket Gigi made for you.

Discussing life with your namesake.

Meeting Big Brother

2010-11-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

Big Brother sure does love your blankets, though!

Not much interest from Champ yet. Once you can toss a toy, you may be more appealing to him, Jack.

John Hamilton

2010-09-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

"Jack" joined us on September 14th at 10:48 AM, weighing 9-6, 21 inches long. We are smitten.

More Baby Shower

2010-08-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

The decorations were just perfect and the food was amazing. As you can see there were some really special handmade gifts. I kept looking around thinking "I can't believe this party is for me". So thankful for my friends, family and this baby boy

Baby Shower

2010-08-29T14:07:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful baby shower thrown by my dearest friends a few weekends ago. It was especially fun to have family come into town.

2009-10-08T11:03:00.000-07:00

My blogging skills are SO LAME. I am the first to admit it. For me, if I'm on a blog, I'm checking to see what my niece, Anna Kate is up to. Lately, she sports a jean jacket, totes a baby doll and is taking her first steps. But I digress.. this picture here was taken over Labor Day weekend when all my college buddies got together for a little reunion at VA beach. Our lives have changed since the under-grad days, but with great ease, we picked up where we left off. These girls are so fun!! I'm thankful for how they still show me grace and make me want to know the Lord better, even as the years go by.

2009-08-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

This is my niece Anna Kate. She LOVES dogs and saying "ooooo". She also loves when her dad (my brother Mark) hides behind a chair and then rushes up to her on the floor pretending to "get her". Her face produces the most amazing synthesis of terror and delight... I seem to recall similar memories with my own Dad as a child.

DAY ONE: CHAMP & THE SHOCK COLLAR

2009-06-11T09:46:00.001-07:00

on our run this morning, champ and i had our first go at using the shock collar. he's been pulling so much lately at the leash when he sees other dogs, that i fear losing control and not being able to run with him anymore. so this is for his own good. but man. i hated doing it. the way he jumped and even yelped was so sad. but as the bible tells us (and my dad faithfully quoted often during my childhood), "foolishness is bound up in the heart of the child, but the rod of discipline will drive it away."

yes, i treat my dog like a human.

ps. no pictures these days since i dont have a camera

i have strep

2009-01-28T10:53:00.000-08:00

just fyi, when you start feeling like you are going to pass out at work and you can't swallow, it might be strep throat. go have a swab done to be sure. then get meds.

i hate primary care

JUSTICE LIVING

2009-01-15T11:34:00.001-08:00

im reading this book for the second time through-- its called Just Courage by Gary A. Haugen, the president of the International Justice Mission. I love this quote from the book: "We can't lead others in loving God if we arent leading them in loving their neighbors". the quote is based on 1 John 4:20-21 "And He has given us this command:Whoever loves God must also love his brother". The author goes on to say that for those neighbors around the world who are suffering injustice, we can't say that we love them if we do not draw near and seek justice on their behalf. i've heard it said before, that we are called to this very thing: justice living. God, grant the wisdom, opportunities, and obedience to live out this calling.

Christmas with the Sallades

2009-01-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed 4 days in PA with my family over Christmas. The undoubted highlight was meeting Anna Kate. She is 6 weeks old now, smiling and charming everyone she's around. She really is amazing... advanced, if I may say so! We also had the chance to enjoy Champ, Molly (Mark & Jenn's Cockapoo), and Penny (my parents' Vizsla tearing through the house for 3 days non-stop. When Anna Kate developed a skin rash after Champ licked her face from chin to forehead, we decided to keep the pups under tighter reign... but they sure did have a good time!! We had a wonderful visit. I don't yet have pictures from our visit with the Ropers, but be sure that there will be lots of pics of our other two nieces, Mary & Sarah, once those pictures surface.
The SUNSHINE in our lives....

Catch up.

2008-12-16T10:04:00.000-08:00

So lots has happened since I last posted. I'll do a quick run down to catch anyone up who reads this eloquent blog:

I started my first job as a nurse practitioner at Rainbow Kids Clinic on September 29th. I'm so very thankful for a job and even more thankful for the pediatrician I work with. He is completely gracious and committed to my growth as a provider while still giving me great freedom to develop my own practitioner skills... I never feel as though I'm pestering him with my questions. Highlights so far have been: a child's perplexing limp solved when a large toy was found in her shoe, a toddler's discolored palate solved when the leaf was peeled off the roof of her mouth, getting barfed on 12+ times, children coughing DIRECTLY into my mouth, and many other laughable moments. I have been learning much about trusting the Lord with each of these patients as I've struggled with feeling like "I have to fix everyone's problems". The more I realize I can't even fix my own problems, the more I realize it is the Lord of all who will change hearts and lives for his glory. In that truth, I can rest and be content doing my job.

On November 13th, my favorite sister turned 18.

On November 14th, my older brother Mark and his wife Jenn had a baby girl. Anna Kate has dazzled us all with her every expression and movement. We praise God for her life and health. What does He have planned for her life?!

For Thanksgiving, Paul and I were in Richmond with the Roper family. We had a wonderful time together... dominated by playing with our other two precious nieces, Mary (3 1/2) and Sarah (9 months). I fear that Paul and I won't like our own children very much (should we be blessed with them) since the bar has been set so high by our sibling's children. Ah well.. We are thankful to be sure.

On the 20th of this month, Paul, Champ, and I will begin the Christmas trek. Stopping first in Richmond for a few days with the Ropers and then on to Wyomissing PA for the second part of the holiday. We are beyond excited for this trip and the time we will have to spend with our favorite people in the whole world.

Done for now. pictures another time.

Martha & Ian Robinson!

2008-09-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend in VA, celebrating Martha & Ian's wedding. It was a particularly special time of reconnecting with dear friends who have become increasingly scattered all over the world. I'm so thankful for God's goodness in giving me these friends. Until the next marriage.... I'll miss you all

Our Little Buddy

2008-09-09T08:12:00.001-07:00

Here's what Champy has been up to lately:
Naps with anyone who will let him lay on them.
Daily visits to the East Nashville Dog Park... gotta release the energy somewhere!
Sunbathing...
Playing hard!
And of course, relaxing whenever possible.

Happy Birthday, Kelly!

2008-09-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

This past week, we celebrated 28 years of Kelly Wendel. We have been in Bible study together for the past three years, and have enjoyed precious friendship especially over this past year. She is an example of godly grace and fortitude. Here's to you, Kelly! And here's to another year full of joy and adventures....

Bryson & Lauren's Wedding

2008-09-08T13:43:00.001-07:00

We recently enjoyed a weekend in New Haven, CT as we celebrated Paul's friend, Bryson's wedding. Paul has known Bryson since they were quite young, and his mother kept reminding me at the wedding that "I raised your husband, you know!" We really enjoyed seeing some of Paul's oldest buddies from Richmond and puttering around Lauren's home town. Here are a few photos of the event.

2008-06-10T18:37:00.001-07:00

So I mentioned that we went to PA. We went up for Memorial Day weekend and got to attend Mark's installation ceremony as he officially became the head pastor at Calvary OPC. It was a great family affair! We spent the day in Philly-- got to see the art school where Laura will be spending a chunk of her summer. We also got to see Laura get all dressed up for the prom right before we had to head back. It was a really short but wonderful weekend at home.

Champ's weekend away from home

2008-06-10T18:32:00.001-07:00

Champ stayed with our friend Emily a few weekends ago while we visited the Sallades in PA. Emily has two boxers...this is Champ giving kisses to one of them.

Astrid & the 1/2 Marathon!

2008-05-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Astrid came all the way from Brooklyn for a visit. We had a lovely weekend of relaxing, seeing Nashville, and taking Champ to every green space within at 10 mile radius of our place. We also ran the Music City 1/2 Marathon...quite well, I might add. Our legs were pretty rough for a few days...

Here's to YOU, Astrid. Thanks for coming to visit. I look forward to the next time! xo

Champ!

2008-04-21T06:55:00.001-07:00

Meet our new baby, Champ. He is a 6 week old boxer with lots of extra skin and attitude. We picked him up yesterday after returning from New Orleans. We had a rough first night involving whining in the crate which progressed Paul on the couch with him, me on the couch with him, and finally Champ in the bed with us (NOT UNDER THE COVERS!). Which arrangement do you think worked best? We love this little guy. Paul will take him to work most days. Between the ping pong table and Champ at the office, I doubt work will be done ever again. Come visit us and meet our new buddy!

New Orleans for the Weekend

2008-04-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, Paul and I went down to Louisiana for our friends' Pete and Stephanie's wedding. After the wedding, we spent a day in New Orleans with our friends Howell and Kelly. Quite a unique place. I loved being able to see the Mississippi River from our hotel room. We ate po-boys and gumbo and walked up and down Bourbon Street for awhile. The French Quarter has a lot of character and seems to have retained its historical flavor of the past. We saw human statues, live Cajun music, magicians, tons of college kids, and lots of pirates who were apparently having a big pirate-y convention that weekend. Bizarre and entertaining! My feet were screaming bloody murder by the end of the night...We slept well, above the lights of NO. It was a great day trip! (Paul rode the mechanical bull...see below. yehaw)

North Children's Clinic

2008-04-21T06:10:00.000-07:00

Last week, I finished a 4 month preceptorship at North Children's Clinic in Hendersonville, TN. I got to work under the two pediatric nurse practitioners working there. I got lots of practice doing patient care from start to finish with the luxury of someone to tell me whether or not I was making appropriate assessments and treatment plans! I loved my time there. I start my next preceptorship on May 19th and will graduate on August 3rd. Hooooray!

One Great Day

2008-03-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

I had a most delightful birthday yesterday. Thanks to so many of you for making it special with your cards, gifts, phone calls, and messages. A group of girlfriends and I had brunch at Marche in the morning. Paul and I watched some basketball, Jen and I went shopping, then all three of us had coffee. Paul and I had dinner at Park Cafe, which was such a treat! He even surprised me by having our waiter bring out dessert with a candle in it. So fun! Here are a few shots from the day. Thanks again, all. I am very blessed to have had 25 fabulous years of life.

Misty and Rachel in Nashville!

2008-03-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

This weekend, Misty and Rachel came to visit. Among the many fun things we did, we ran a 5K on Saturday. It was pouring with thunder and lightning the whole time, but we had a blast! Jen's big goal was to run a 5K before graduating law school, so special shout outs to her!

welcome to the world, sarah heath.

2008-03-16T08:19:00.001-07:00

Look at this beautiful child. Isn't she a doll? Any guesses on what she might be dreaming about?Sarah Heath Roper was born last week & all are well. Congrats Hart, Colleen, and Mary-- We can't wait to meet this little one!

2008-03-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

Today, Annie painted my fingernails. She's three. Little girls are the best!

Isn't He Sweet?

2008-02-20T14:06:00.001-08:00

I like this picture because it looks like I force my husband to help in the kitchen. But in actuality, Paul cleans up the kitchen every night like it's 2nd nature. I love this. I love him.

Misty Reaches a Quarter of a Century!

2008-02-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

Misty Amber Johnson. She's one of those rare gems that comes into your life and then never leaves because she's just THAT contagious, THAT loving, and THAT precious. Misty and I were roommates for my last semester at Grove City College-- before I transferred to JMU. I've always been struck by the Lord's obvious presence and work in her life and the passion with which she seeks Him. Misty can make a joke out of anything and a pun out of any word. She is a bright spot in my life and in so many others' lives. I love you Misty! Happy Birthday to you! I am so very grateful that you were born.

2008-02-06T18:32:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Sarah & Carly! I have been blessed with so many wonderful friends. Two of them share the same birthday! I hope you two have a great day (probably celebrating together) and know how much you're loved. I'm so thankful you were born & pray that this next year is one in which you continue to know the Lord's love and character more deeply. Miss you!

Our Two Nieces

2008-02-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

I have two nieces. 1 human, 1 canine. the black furry one is Molly, and I would like to formally welcome her to our family. Welcome, Molly! Though your breed be "cockapoo", you are not a frivolous lap dog. I wish you many happy years of being a strong female of great ambition and dignity. Molly is Mark & Jenn's new puppy, and I can tell that she will be a well loved and well spoiled little creature!

My other niece is Mary. Because she is so awesome, I will include a photo of her as well. Everything Mary does is wonderful. Paul and I are afraid we might not like our own kids very much because we love Mary so dearly, and they will have quite a lot to live up to.

Our third niece or nephew will be arriving in about 1 month! Hart and Colleen are due to have their new baby on March 5th. We can't wait to meet you, Baby!

Happy Birthday, Nora!

2008-01-31T06:24:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, Nora turned four! She had a joint party with her best bud, Evelyn, on Saturday. It was at My Gym, a kids' roll and tumble play place...it was quite a blow-out party. I'm so thankful for my little buddy who has brought me so much joy and for her family who have been so dear to me since I've been in Nashville. Happy Birthday, Nora. I love you!

Red Carpet

2008-01-24T12:13:00.001-08:00

Last night I spilled 1/2 a jar of salsa on our brand new rug. I spent the next 15 minutes feeling stupid and angry while i pathetically tried to sop the slop off the carpet. I didn't do a very good job with that. I also didn't do a very good job responding to the situation, although Paul kept gently reminding me that it's just a carpet. I'm terribly embarrassed by the fact that everyday I break, spill, or mess up something. I realize that I want to feel "put together" in all I do, and I hate feeling stupid. Last night's salsa dump made me start to think that I will continue on as a klutz until I stop caring so much about being a klutz...God has a way of teaching me like that. Until then, I need to slow down and we need to child proof the home. I wish I'd been in better spirits last night and taken a picture of the mess for you to enjoy, but you can use your imagination.

2008-01-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

I never thought I'd be a blogging type, and I may not be. But realizing the frequency with which I check my friends' blogs and the pleasure I get from them has inspired me to try it too! Now, I must state my disclaimer clearly: We have no children (or puppy!), and until God blesses us with a little missy or mister, I feel that this blog will lack a certain amount of luster. But as my dear ones have been flung far and wide since our college days, I am desperate to do whatever it takes to stay connected. So here goes...