Birthday Celebrations

Yesterday, Saturday 2/16, we spent the day in Mt. Airy- first to my mom's for the big reveal that we're taking her to the Big Apple for the weekend for her double thirtieth birthday. Brandon, Kelly, and Ashtyn, who were on their way to Disney World, crossed paths with dad, who was coming back from Tampa, all called in together so we could all break the news. Can't wait! We're leaving 2/29. Here's the best shot of shock:

Then on to Ryan's dad's birthday shindig- a taco party of normal Jessup proportions--ginormous--cooked with love by the birthday boy himself.

Then there was Mema's millionaire pie, with a singing "1" candle--because "those are the only ones that sing".

Ryan wrote a special poem for his dad, which he of course loved.

Cupid brings snow...

On Wednesday night, 2/13, we were watching American Idol and as I went to the kitchen, something caught my eye out the window--my lands, it's pouring snow! Here are some pics of the night and the next morning--we got about 3". Since we didn't even know there was a chance of snow, it was quite a pleasant surprise.














The next day we enjoyed 60 degree weather, and as a result, an empty flowerpot broke--I guess the extreme cold to extreme heat broke this dollar store find. I found it poetic, you can ponder your own philosophical conclusion.

Pretty, Healthy

On our quest to eat healthier, this photo op presented itself. Simple. Yummy. Fresh from the earth.... : )

Lovelee Reunion at Melissa's Baby Shower

Last weekend, Feb 2, I went to a baby shower for Melissa at Jenn's house in Clayton and got to see several of the Lovelee girls (the girls from my college Bible study). It was a blast from the past complete with reminising over old pictures--I know it's only been a few years, but there were pictures of things that I don't even remember--for example my hair being really long. Anyway, it was a great time, and here are some pics.

Top: Casey, Katie, Melissa, Jenn, Erica w Vivian.
Bottom: Kelly, me.




Case, E and I. E had Vivian back in August and this was the first time I got to meet her--she is so precious and a very happy baby! I don't think it really hit me until I really saw E with Vivian with my own eyes that she had had a baby! And to think she thought she would be the last one of us to have a child and now she is the pioneer!



This is me w Vivian- I think she liked me--or my hair at least. Note to self- pull back hair when holding babies or they will pull your hair.






Or, give the baby a toy to distract from the hair and turn baby facing front. I think it went well, but this girl is not quite ready for one of her own--one day.......

Anna Grace is here!

We have a new cousin!--Miss Anna Grace Dowell. Born at 11:15 Saturday morning 1/12--9lbs 12.4 oz, 22 1/2 in. long. Tammy was quite the trooper having no time for the epidural (sp?), but Anna was "kind" to mom only requiring two pushes to enter the world! Here are some pics once Anna arrived back to the room from the nursery.





The proud parents.




The growing family. Nathan was so cute saying "Anna!"--with short a's like "Ahnnah".





The pics aren't in chronological order. This is actually the first pic--Mema scooped her up right when she came in the room--you can see from her face that she was ready to get her hands on her first granddaughter. Her response was "Gosh she's heavy"--but the little one had about 10 blankets wrapped around her! She looked like a little burrito.




Next I had my turn to hold her and then Ryan.










Nathan was pleased that Anna had thought of him and brought him some cars to play with in the room. Such a proud big brother!

Best Friends: A Visitation

Here's two of the smartest people in the world, reuniting on the island of misfit toys. Myself (pictured left) and Jordan "In the World of The Two Eyed Man The Cross Eyed Man is King" Jones (pictured right).





After some small talk over a pint of milk, Jordan's mate, Kerry, joined us for some more "small" talk. We appear quite small, but we are actually 10 ft. 2 in. and 9 ft. 8 in. respectively.
Big people, Little Minded World. A new reality show coming to you this fall on Fox!

Bye Ol' Blue

Well, Ryan finally bid goodbye to good and faithful ol' blue--his 1992 Corolla which he has been driving for 4 years. For 6 years prior to that, he was driving the same exact make/model/color car, so this is a nice change for him (and me).

His new black '08 Honda Civic EX which he will call--"Mr. Saturday night"

He's also been working hard on a big round of poetry submissions which I will publish a couple here for you all to enjoy:

This one is really short, but one of my favorites:

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LIFE AND THE DREAM

In the dream

life was not enough

In life

dreaming made it bearable

---

and another...

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RESIST

I offer the day my heart

the heart of a manimal

for the sun to burn

and the moon to tow

and I shall be moved by them

I will open this heart

for the people to plow

and allow them to taste His spirit

I will accept things as they are

and resist the devil

Say it again

I will resist the devil

Live it

and give in

to the smile of the higher light

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