Southern Beauty...

Hello everyone! Things have become insanely busy....or maybe, they just haven't stopped being busy.:) Anyhow, we are in the midst of the new semester, and with it has come several changes and exciting new things. We got our computer, and our in the middle of getting set up with bellsouth, so soooonnn I shall be online all the time!!! Also, for those of you who have tried to call me recently, I have had much cell phone troubles, and thus have been without a phone until hopefully tomorrow. So do not think me rude if I have not replied to a message.:)
Well I have started a new job at the school doing some secretarial/computer work up at what we call the 'White House.' The reason for this being that it actually is an old, beautiful, southern white house. I work from about 9-12 am, and then Bray begins teaching at about a quarter to 12, so Hobbes takes his nap and stays home. Because of the different scheduling, Bray's day starts later and goes later. It has been really great for me to have something structured in the day, and I am enjoying it so far. I will also be playing for the upcoming children's musical they have, so I am looking forward to the interaction with the kids, as well as warming up my skills on the ivories once more.:)
Bray has been steadily teaching, practicing, performing, driving the bus, you name it, he's doing it. On Friday his choir had a performance a few hours away, at which, I might add, they did amazingly well, so we drove there, got home late, then got up early to drive 3 hours to Cleveland, MS for the regional Metropolitan Opera competition. We brought Charity along to babysit, as I was playing. Bray won one of the 3 awards, and although we will not participate in the next level, did very well, and found out some good info for teachers for Bray, young artist programs,etc.. We have a Kurt Weill competition in February which we have to send a video in for, so that is our next focus on the opera side of things. Other than that, we are looking forward to visits from parents and relatives, and just keeping on top of everything. We miss you all as always, and shall keep you updated as often as possible!





for the pics:Bray & Archer throwing sticks in the river by the levy, Hobbes and I watching the water, and a beautiful reflection of a tree in the water. Down below, a pic of us one gorgeous Sunday morn, and Hobbes and Bray celebrating at the Met competition yesterday. Enjoy!

Pics from Shawna's wedding,Moscow, etc.

Shawna and I right before the wedding!
Shawna and Josh at the reception- cutting the cake...
Bray and I 'gettin' jiggy with it,' and then a crazy pic of me and my dad...
Isaac, Bray and Hobbes, being boys, and last but not least, my mom and Hobbes, saying goodbye at the airport.:(

Home again, home again...

Well, we're back. We had a fairly uneventful trip home, albeit that I was sick the night before, and was dragging my feet a bit on the way. It was hard to say goodbye to my parents, but we cheered ourselves with the hope of a visit from them sometime in March...hint hint!
Jordan picked us up from the airport, and then we went to Monroe for church and the annual pastor's conference. Unfortunately, Bray had to go back to work earlier than expected, and so I stayed the week at his parents' house.

Hobbes and I had lots of fun- playing with the cousins, going to Bethany's for lunch, visiting with the Wilsons (down for the conference) and playing matching outfits with Jaiken and Archer...see left. ( down below is what the back of their outfits say- Hobbes has frogs, Jaiken has snails)

















To the left is a pic of all of Wendy and Steve's kids....we haven't been altogether at the same time since the 2 babes were born. (Going left to right: Caleb, Bray, Matt, Remy, Jordan, Kajsa, Charity, Bethany, Hobbes, Archer, Jaiken)Needless to say, it has been a wonderful vacation, but we are ready to get home and back to the grindstone! Thanks to all who hosted us and entertained us in Moscow....it felt like going home. We miss you all, and look forward to future visits! God bless!

Happy new year!

Hello everyone...I hope you had a great new years...as I mentioned in my previous post, we were in Portland, Oregon with my extended family. It was a short but sweet visit- we spent some time with Hobbes' great-grandma, and 2 of his great aunts.
Although things have been crazy-busy, both Bray and I have greatly appreciated the time we have had with friends and family. As you can see from the pics, we went ice skating, played a hilarious board game called Quelf, had coffee, coffee, coffee...and did wedding stuff for one of my best friends, Shawna.
It will be a bittersweet parting on Saturday, as we head home- although we are looking forward to seeing Bray's family too. Moscow still feels the most like home to us- but it's good to experience new things. So if ever you want a taste of the South-give us a ring, and we'll put you up. Have a great new year, and we miss you all!
Here is a 4-generation picture for my side of the family, with my dad's mom...below is Hobbes experiencing Powell's bookstore ( one of the very be st in my opinion) with his grandparents.The lovely woman giving Hobbes his first lick of a candy cane is my Aunt Jill. Last but not least, is a pic with all of my siblings on New Year's. Enjoy!