Plumber-Butt

Apparently, low-rider pants do the same thing to babies that they do to us females.

Sike!

Due to a series of unfortunate events, our house is no longer under contract. Our faith and patience have been tested in many ways. We have wanted to punch and kick several people in the process. I have been accused of threatening people with lawsuits and verbally abusing people all the while they are falsifying documents and lying. Anyway, it has been a rough couple of days. However, we are still moving. Brian and I have decided enough is enough with living in one place and working in another. We will be moving in June unless another series of unfortunate events takes place but we feel that this is what God is wanting us to do at this point. What can you do? You can pray that our house will sell (for real this time)by June so that we don't have to ask for donations from you to pay for two house payments.

On a lighter note, Mary Kate is six months old today! Yeah! I can't believe that she is a half-year old. Brian and I have loved being parents and we can't believe that Mary Kate is our daughter. She is a joy and delight every minute (yes, even when she is grunting loudly for something she wants). So, happy half-year-birthday to Mary Kate!

Holy Father, Batman!!

Have you ever had an experience that changed your life forever? Is there anyone out there in the world who, if you saw them on the street or anywhere else, would seem "larger than life?" Our Aunt Chris and Brian's grandmother got a chance to answer both of those questions recently on a trip to the Vatican:

Here's Grandma Bojo kissing the hand of Pope Benedict XVI (click on the picture for a bigger image):



And Brian's Aunt Chris doing the same:



Both say it was a life-changing experience they will never forget. If you ever meet or see them, be sure to ask for the story...it's a good one!

It's About Time!!!

We have good news! Our house is under contract! Yeah! We can hardly believe it. We most likely will have to be out in about three weeks. I will be contacting Jennifer Starr, the moving expert, to get some much needed pointers. :) We will be traveling to Rome very soon to try to find a house that we can move into A.S.A.P. If we don't find anything, then we will rent until we find something or until we can build a house.

In other news, Mary Kate is sitting up! She is also a grump. She is cutting her bottom teeth and I guess that is making her grouchy. Yikes!

Brian's First Marathon

Way to go, Brian! Brian ran and finished his first full marathon. He even ran it after biking 17 miles the day before. He wants to improve his time for the next marathon, but Mary Kate and I are so proud of him for running that long way. Here are a few pictures of the blessed event.


I know this picture is not good, but I was running to beat him to the finish line with the camera and I barely made it in time. Also, it was so bright that I couldn't see where I was aiming the camera.


Brian smiling for the camera. Or not.


Brian shaking hands with the race director.


P.S. Since I am already bragging about my husband, I'll say that he put all of the laundry away last night without me asking him. I know, I know. I am lucky!

Virginia Creeping Along

We took a vacation this weekend to the Virginia Creeper Trail in Abingdon, Virginia. If you haven't been there with your family, we highly recommend it. On the way up, we drove through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here we are on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee:



The Creeper Trail is an old railroad bed that...you know what, just read the historical marker:



The thing that all the cool kids do at the trail is rent bikes, get in a van, and get dumped at the top of a mountain, and ride down the trail. Since you're pretty much coasting downhill, anybody who can stay upright on a bike can do it (just watch for saddle soreness the next day!). Distance? It's 17 miles from the White Top trail head (where the marker above is located) to Damascus, VA, and 17 more miles from Damascus to Abingdon. Yes, we just rode to Damascus - our posse included Brian, Jenny, Jenny's Mom & Dad, Jenny's sister Madelyn & her friend Whitney, and Brian's Dad. The scenery was breathtaking. Here are some shots from the trail:

Jenny & Brian:



Diane, Jenny, Robert, & Pops, about 100 yards down the trail...NOT resting already, we promise:



The stereotypical American general store, which much to our chagrin, was closed. Our Snickers run would have to wait:



Madelyn & Whitney, on a cool-looking boulder in the middle of a stream:



We'll post more pictures of our trip later today.

Venting

Well, our house has been for sale for almost a year. Some of you might not believe that it has almost been a year, but I assure you- it has. I have a few bones to pick with prospective buyers. Here they are:
1. We do not have, never have had, and never will have a bonus room. If your heart is set on one- don't waste our time.

2. No, we do not have a basement. If you are wanting a house with a basement, please do not make me frantically clean my house and shove my daughter and dog in the car, only to say that you wanted a basement.

3. Yes, we are the first house in the neighborhood on the right. The traffic doesn't bother us. We are inside most of the time.

4. Yes, we do back up to a road. However, when faced with a choice of seeing a neighbor out back in his boxers smoking a cigarette and a nice iron fence with shrubbery and a road, we will choose the road.

5. No, the bulldog stone on top of the hill is not marking a grave of a bulldog. But, if that will make you buy the house, then sure it is. :)

Mmmm... Tasty!

Mary Kate has discovered her feet! Every time I change her diaper, she quickly grabs her feet and tries to shove them in her mouth. She has succeeded two times so far. I can't believe she can bend that way. Here are some pictures to prove it.