The Past Fortnight

Greetings, readers! I apologize for my lack of blogging lately. My, what a hectic month it has been! Belmont and I have both been traveling, working, schooling, and enjoying the changing Spring-like weather that we have been experiencing. There have been many goings-on here at the Belmont household, so I will list them in order of calendar appearance in order to avoid a novel-sized blog entry.

February 16-20: Belmont left town for a service trip with the youth group. I was lonely. My family came into town for a couple of days and we celebrated Calen's 24th birthday. John Wesley also surprised Calen with a birthday visit and wound up car shopping with the help of my dad. John recently graduated with a B. A. in Social Work and got a new job in his field. Now he has a new car! Movin' on up!

John Wesley with the fam, posing by his brand new car!

February 23: Belmont and I went to dinner with our friends, the Behnke family. They have two little kids that are adorable. The more that we are able to hang out with families with young kids, the more that Belmont seems to feel comfortable with having a few of our own someday. (Four to be exact.) How exciting!

February 24-26: We surprised my mom with a visit for her upcoming 50th birthday! My dad and Annie Blue knew, but didn't let on. She was completely surprised! On Saturday afternoon, we had Pop take her on a walk with Indiana. When they returned, Dusty, Will, and Eldon had arrived bringing lunch and roses. Belmont and I brought all of the table décor and we decorated in a flash. (Thanks to the Neill family for our china and to BPR for the lovely linens!) Mom was so amazed that we were able to pull off such a surprise. It was a nice weekend, and we enjoyed relaxing with the family.

The festive table decorations for our lunch party


The beautiful roses that Dusty and Will brought.
There were 2 lavender roses (Mom and Dad),
8 crimson roses (8 kids including Will & Belmont),
and one sweet orange rose for Eldon.

A close-up of the china. Isn't it lovely??

Eldon with his Nani for her birthday. Surprise, Nani!


Eldon with Papa and Nani... What a handsome crew!

February 29: Belmont informed me that we are going to get CHICKENS!! Woo hoo! I am so excited. The owner of their office building has a nice chicken hut where he keeps a few of his own. He was planning to buy a few for his children as well and Belmont got in on the deal. Fresh, free-range eggs coming up!

February 29 - March 4: I went to Tennessee to be a bridesmaid in my friend Stephanie's wedding. She has been one of my best friends since high school and it was such an honor and a joy to spend this special weekend with her! We worked on wedding things from sun-up to sundown almost every day, but we also managed to have a little fun on the side. Yay, karaoke and 3 Crow! She and Josh had such a beautiful wedding. I almost cried during the sermon. The dance party during the reception was incredible-- and it was so great to see so many people from my childhood!

Stephanie modeling her veil at the hair trial.

Our family friend, Mrs. Kathy, made most of the food
for the wedding reception! It was delicious!


The beautiful bride getting ready for the ceremony!

March 5: My beautiful mother turned 50 years old. I cannot believe it. She looks sooo much younger than that. (My friends at work once asked me why I only had one of my older sisters in my wedding instead of both of them. I told them that I only had one older sister... the other was my MOM!) She is such a beautiful woman inside and out and she continually is a model for me of the woman that I want to become. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful counselor and friend!! I also hope I get all of her genes because I would appreciate looking as hot as she does when I turn 50. :)

The cards that my mom received on her birthday! :)


A picture of my mom that my aunt sent for her birthday.
Check out her style!


Ever wonder where I get my drama...? :)

Whew! What a busy month! This week is midterm week at work and that means that things (1) slow down in the teaching department and (2) pick up in the grading department! I am trying to get all of my grading done pronto. This Thursday I am helping to coordinate a wedding shower for our friend Lauren (marrying Belmont's best man, Donny) at the Melting Pot. (Yum!) My friends Corrie and Suzanne are helping me plan and they are awesome. I really have done nothing. Haha! Then Saturday we are planning to travel for over a week on a Spring break tour through the South. We are stopping in Chattanooga on our way to South Carolina. Then we are planning to stop back through Nashville to visit my grandparents on our way home. What fun! I am ready for a week of relaxation and of catching up with old friends. Thank you, God, for Spring break!!

Belmont is on his way home and we are going to catch up on a few episodes of The Office. He has been working hard on his schoolwork all day and got quite a few assignments done! Since we have been working hard today, it is time for some free time. I went grocery shopping today and got loads of healthy stuff to feed myself and my husband. For supper, I made tilapia, sweet potatoes (for me) and regular potatoes (for my hubby), salad, and boiled eggs. Doesn't that sound healthy? Aren't you jealous? I would be... except I ate it all. :)

I hope you are all basking in the glorious weather that God blessed us with this week. Happy Tuesday! More blogging to come after we return from Spring break!

P. S. For those of you who read from your e-mail, check out the blog page! I got a new look update from The Background Fairy @ www.backgroundfairy.com.

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