Our New Addition

I'm a dog person. Growing up, I had a beautiful golden retriever named Sophie. Dogs are fun and playful and loving and cute and snuggly. They come when you call them and are loyal to those who love them.

My husband is a cat person. Growing up, he had a couple of cats, one in particular that he just loved. His parents have two cats now and we enjoy watching them play, when they decide that they want to play!

But I guess the bottom line is that my husband and I both love animals. We especially have a heart for the cute and needy. One day last week, as I was washing dishes, I looked out the kitchen window and saw a skinny gray cat walking by. She saw me too and stopped in her tracks. I could tell she was a stray and needed food. I walked out the back door just in time to see her and a little baby kitten scurry under the house. Well, that's all I needed to see! I filled a bowl with milk and grabbed a piece of bread, not knowing exactly what to feed a cat. I went back inside to watch and sure enough, they crept back out and drank that milk like crazy! The kitten played with leaves and the mom sampled the bread.

Over the next few days, we continued to feed and water the felines. They became my husband's mission. He was determined to catch them. We decided that if we caught the kitten, we would keep her. We borrowed our neighbors raccoon trap, but the next morning Brice saw the kitten playing in it but not setting it off! Then she ran to the front yard to play with her mom. Brice snuck out the back and waited for her to return. She ran back toward their lair and as she rounded the corner, Brice scooped her up and brought her inside to put into the carrier. She may be little, but she's got claws!

We dropped her off at the vet's office before heading out of town with my parents. Brice was quite anxious to hear something about her. They finally called and told us that her major tests checked out - so we're keeping her!

Sunday afternoon we headed to Wal-Mart and to an aisle I've never been down - the cat aisle! We loaded up on everything cat! At this point you might be wondering, "What does Cole think about this?"

He's very excited!!!

We headed to the vet to pick up our new bundle of joy. She was calmer, but still scared.

See her in the corner?

She's been living in the playroom for the past few days. By day two, we could pet her under whatever she found to hide under. By day three, she would play with us and let us hold her - though you can tell she's still unsure. She's purred in our hands, so she must be feeling more comfortable. She loves to pounce on toys and my fingers! We've named her Macie - no significance, we just thought it was cute. Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

Travelin' with the Parents

My parents frequent a popular playouse in Crossville, TN. We finally found a weekend we could all go together. So Friday morning the four of us loaded up in the Cheely family car and headed to Tennessee!





We had dinner at the Cumberland County State Park that night. They have fried catfish every Friday night. Now I was envisioning a pavilion out in the woods with grandma and grandpa serving up some fried catfish and potato salad. It was actually a quaint restaurant with a nice buffet and great view of the lake!

The it was on to the Cumberland County Playhouse!

Friday night we saw Beauty and the Beast.

Now, my sister and I saw this show in

New York City in 1998 with Toni Braxton

playing Belle. Toni didn't have nothin' on

this girl! It was very well done and we

thoroughly enjoyed it.

Saturday we saw one of the playhouse's signature shows. It's about a country family gathering for a singin' at the Baptist church. Very funny - until one of the elderly audience members passed out and we had to stop the show. My sweet dad stood up to let the actors know what was going on, and then he prayed. After a short recess, the actors came back out and asked dad to pray again. (We heard it was a problem with the woman's pacemaker.) We did enjoy the show.

The weekend was a lot of fun! We enjoyed the uninterrupted time with mom and dad, good conversations, and lots of laughs. We'd definitely do it again!

From Guest Room to Massage Room

For those of you who've known me a while, you know that I love my guest room. When I became single again, that room became my baby. I loved getting it just so quaint and cute for guests. It had 2 twin beds in it, which my married guests complained about regularly.

When Brice and I got married, he brought a queen bed into our marriage. It replaced the two twins, but we found a quilt almost identical to the others so my room stayed cute and coordinated.

Then my husband started school for massage therapy and needed a place to practice. So the cute guest room has transformed into the massage room. I was reluctant about this at first, but seeing the need, gave up the room for the cause.

Brice has purchased his first massage table. We also purchased room darkening shades and he got a fan for Father's Day. So while he was at class Thursday night, I decided to set up his room so help assure him that I am on board. It's still quaint and homey and perfect for making clients feel relaxed!

He has to massage several people for free while in training, so if you're ever in town, give us a call!! (he's really good!)

Father's Day - Belated

Sunday was Father's Day, Brice's first as an official father. Unfortunately, Cole was at the beach so we couldn't celebrate that day.

The cool thing about that was that we could each devote our day to our own dads. I went to church with my parents and then hung out at their house for the afternoon. Brice had class but went to his parents' afterward. The two of us used a gift certificate to The Melting Pot for a dinner date that night. Such fun!

Cole got home Tuesday so we celebrated the big day Wednesday night. Cole and I decorated the house in preparation for Brice's arrival. We even found an inflatable flamingo and palm tree in the party closet. Cole hid the gifts and made clues for Brice to find them. Here's Brice with his loot:


The scavenger hunt was followed by a seafood dinner, cooked by yours truly, and then the dance contest began, disco ball and all . . .




The night also included a heated pool tournament, which I ended up dominating.

It was a fun night and Brice felt special - that's all that matters!

Wedding Mania

'Tis the season to be marry-ing.

Two of our dear friends got married last weekend and are now on their 3-week honeymoon in Europe.

Two more of our dear friends got married this past Saturday at 3:00, which unfortunately meant we couldn't go.

Two more of our dearest friends got married this past Saturday at 4:00, and that's where we were.

This is Courtney Cook and Geoffrey Rogers:

They were united in marriage June 8, 2008 by her brother Jonathan. Brice was a groomsman and I was actually the director. Who knew it would be so fun? I really had a blast!

She looked like a princess!

Everything was perfect - almost, only those things that those who know would recognize. The ceremony was beautiful and sweet. I thought my dad marrying me was teary, but try a sweet big brother! The reception was held at Flower Stems - yes, a flower shop. They have an upstairs for parties.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and hope to do it again.

So if any of you out there are getting married or know someone who is, give them my name as a coordinator! This might just be my destiny . . .

HG

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back, I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Oh no, You never let go, through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go, in every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go, Lord, You never let go of me

- Matt Redman

This is me and my best friend, Marci:

This is Marci's daughter, Hannah Grace:

Cute, isn't she? She's 2 and a half and full of personality. A couple weeks ago she started throwing up and complaining of the back of her head hurting. A CAT scan revealed a brain tumor and a biopsy revealed Pineoblastoma - an aggressive form of cancer. Surgery to remove the tumor is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, June 4th.

Please stand in prayer with us that God will do something amazing, that is so undeniably Him, that those who hear will be moved closer to Him - some, even for the first time!

You can keep up with her progress HERE.