Help!

To whom it may concern:

Hi, my name is Harley. Please help! Today mommy had this great idea and bought me this stupid sweater! I try to express my dislike by running away and attacking the sweater each time she tries to put it over my head, but she just laughs and tells me that "I'm the cutest thing she's ever seen."

My daddy thinks it's so adorable that he takes pictures of me - I can't even stand to look at the camera.

Gee, I hope their baby comes soon!

Begging for your help,
-Harley

Children's Christmas Pageant

Last night we had our annual Children's Christmas Pageant at church. This is my third year being in charge of the pageant and this year was by far the sweetest and simplest of any I've directed. There is just something so meaningful about seeing children act out the nativity story. It doesn't take a lot of bells and whistles-- after all, how can you do anything to add to the greatest story ever told? All of the kids did a great job with their parts and I am so proud of them!

Dinner with Charity, Chad and Avery

Last week Ryan's cousin Charity along with her husband Chad and their daughter Avery were in from Arizona. Thursday night we had them over for dinner. It was so good to see them and we had a great visit! Avery just turned two in November and she is quite a pistol. She certainly kept us entertained! We wish they lived closer so we could see them more often, but we're very grateful to have been able to spend an evening together.

On the Count of Three Everyone Say "Jennifer's Pregnant!"

On Sunday, Dec. 7th I broke the news about my pregnancy to the youth. I had Carlinda Todd (one of my youth parents) take a group picture for us. Once everyone was together, she said "okay, on the count of three everyone say 'Jennifer's Pregnant!'" It was a priceless moment! At first there was dead silence... then the whole restaurant (we were at Franco's in Harrisonburg) erupted in squeals and laughter. Within 10 seconds, everyone was on their cellphones calling their family and friends to share the news. I'll never forget this night-- I love these kids!

A 30th Birthday Dinner for Becky

Left to Right: Crystal, Becky, Amanda, Amy and Jennifer. From Fall Dinner Party

Left to Right: Todd, Vic, Davy, Tracy, Becky and Ryan. From Fall Dinner Party

From Fall Dinner Party

Last night Ryan and I hosted a dinner party in honor of my sister Becky's 30th birthday. It was a wonderful evening filled with lots of laughter-- our faces hurt from laughing so much! After dinner Ryan built a fire in our chiminea and we sat outside talking and swapping stories. We were so thankful that the rain cleared off and we were blessed with a beautiful fall evening. I am so glad that Ryan and I could help Becky celebrate this milestone. She always does so much for everyone else and she deserves lots of happiness on her birthday and every day! Happy 30th Becky-- we love you!

Quarter of a Century

Today I celebrated my 25th birthday. My day started with a jolt as I was awakened by Harley pouncing me - I guess her way of wishing me a happy birthday. Jennifer and I got ready and hit the road to spend the day in Richmond with Mom, Dad, Scott, Beth, Grady and Libby. Grady, and Beth also have October birthdays so we took the chance to celebrate all three together.

On the way Jennifer made plans to stop and eat at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Once in Richmond we spent the day as a family hanging out and catching up. For lunch we had quite the feast thanks to KFC and Captain D's. It was nice to all be around the table together having lunch.

After lunch we opened presents and hung out a little longer before having to get on the road once again to head home. Once home Jennifer presented me with a huge basket full of some of my favorite foods that I'm never allowed to get at the grocery store, which included: Fruity Pebbles, Car's gummies, Reese's Pieces, Martin's BBQ chips, Gibble's cheese doodles, six-pack of Heineken, Cherry Coke, Gatorade and snickerdoodle cookies.

My special day was polished off by ordering Papa John's pizza, enjoying one of my Heineken's while watching several episodes of "Everybody Loves Raymond" on DVD.

With a quarter century of wisdom now under my belt I'm reminded that a birthday is not about the gifts that you receive, but who you're able to share your birthday with - a gift in itself I believe! Thanks to everyone who made my day special!

Road Trip

Jennifer and her sister Becky took a road trip to Asheville, NC to do some antiquing on Oct. 2-3. It was just the two of them, a pick-up truck and the wide open road. On Thursday for lunch they stopped in Mt. Airy, NC-- the home of Andy Griffith. They traveled downtown to Snappy's Lunch where they had the famous porkchop sandwich, then to Oppie's Candy store for some sweet treats. They arrived in Asheville around 4pm and headed straight to the Antique Tobacco Barn (a MUST-SEE), where they spent the rest of the afternoon before checking into their hotel. For dinner they went to the Tupelo Honey Cafe in downtown Asheville-- delicious!

Friday morning they did some more antiquing before hitting the road and heading back home. On the way back they stopped in Cana, VA, where they found LOTS of treasures-- including a farmhouse table for Becky's newly remodeled kitchen! They came home with a truck load of finds and memories that they'll cherish for a lifetime!