a tradition

The baby of our family graduated from college last weekend. He's going to be spending the summer in Milwaukee with mom and then is packing up and moving to Seattle, WA! Thank goodness for airplanes! I'm excited to visit him out there over the next couple years.

Well, all six of us kids, mom, and one of our in-laws got to be together last weekend in Eau Claire, WI, and we had a blast. Bryan, Meeghan, and Joe got to meet their new nephew Nathanael for the first time and I do believe it was love at first sight for all of them :) We went picture crazy together. Guess that's what happens when we don't get together too often. We definitely acted very silly together and enjoyed one anothers company emmensly. We were sad that Tricia and the kids couldn't be there to make the entire family complete, but they got to hear some of the craziness through phone calls.

So below are three of the pictures from the weekend. Joe and I have a tradition. Every time I have graduated he has put on my cap and gown and we've taken a picture together. Well, it was now my turn to put on his cap and gown. We have alteast two more of these pictures coming over the next couple years...so watch out!

CONGRATULATIONS JOE BUD!!!!!!!

I'm so proud of you!

Under Contract!!!!!!!

So, God and I have been talking about the sale of my house. As I make this move to Boiling Springs, NC, the quick sale of my house in a declining market would be a huge blessing from God that would assure me even more that I'm moving in the right direction. (I know that sounds like I'm not being faithful or that I wouldn't be happy unless His answer is what I wanted it to be...but really we had some good talks. I would have been okay with any answer). But, I'm happy to report that after 18 days on the market my house is offically under contract! I am proclaiming from the rooftops that God hears us and that He is good. My sister Chrissy is here tonight, so my roomates (Jeanett and Rosemary), Chrissy, and me are getting ready to go out and have a celebratory ice cream :)

My Second Family

I have spent the last two weekends with this wonderful family pictured to the left. They have whole heartedly adopted me into their family and I am truly blessed by it. Now, don't get me wrong...I completely adore my true family (and am so excited to get to see all of them next weekend!), but the Suddreths are that second family that I believe everyone needs in life.

It all started when I met Heather (my best friend) at Appalachian State. She invited me to her grandma's place in Boone to have dinner and play games with her family. The countless laughs and stories started that night over a game of Pictonary! I am truly blessed by this great family and so thankful for all the hugs, meals, laughs, and time shared with them.

house on the The Market

I got a great call from my realtor tonight...someone who looked at my house yesterday is very interested! woohoo!!! Now, I've never done this before, so I'm really trying not to get my hopes up, but.....my hopes are up. My house went on the market offically last Monday. I've had about 7 or 8 people look at it already, which is wonderful. All I really need is THE ONE.

I'm making a huge change in life and moving from Raleigh, NC to Boiling Springs, NC. That is moving from a great city to a one stop light town (seriously...one stoplight). I have two sisters there, a brother-in-law, and now a new nephew. Other than some great friends here, there is really nothing holding me to Raleigh...so I'm stepping out and moving. The Lord and I have had lots of conversations about this move, and He is amazingly orchestrating the details. When my house went on the market we had a conversation about how I really need my house to sell quickly, in this declining market, as confirmation that I really am making the right decisions. Looks like our God is really being faithful to this faithless girl. I'll keep you posted.

Let the blogging begin

So, with the encouragment of my college friends I've decided to start a blog. I've absolutely loved keeping up to date on their lives through stories, pictures, and videos. I only hope that I'll be as good as they are at it! So, as of May 6, 2008...LET THE BLOGGING BEGIN!