it's only been two months!

SO.... I love reading other people's blogs- mine is totally boring! So today I'm going to do lots of updating- with pictures! :)

The sun is finally shining- although that will probably change in 5 minutes. I have to say one of my favorite things about spring is not having the heat or AC running- our electric bill was 1/3 of what is normally is! (yes- the fact that I get excited about this proves that I am a Burger!)

Speaking of Burgers..... about a month ago in April I went down to NC for a "Memorial Lecture" at NC State University in honor of my dad. The college of design wants to make this an annual event for students, faculty, alumni & members of the professional landscape architecture community. It was very special knowing that people were gathering in honor of my dad to learn and grow in their profession. I'm looking forward to next years event!

Julia made up a really wonderful DVD of a journal & pictures of their trip from 1976. My parents & Julia and Jeremy took a 3 month camping trip around the country. One of the most interesting things was how much everything cost- for three months- 14,000 miles- the total gas bill was $278!

So here is Charley at 26-27 years old?

On the subject of lectures, I am reading the most incredible book- I recommend it to anyone. This man is dying of pancreatic cancer- but his wisdom and outlook on life is just incredible:

Jason and I are spending lots of time outside- walks around the neighborhood and hanging out in the yard. Our kitty loves to sniff outside and lay in the sunshine. Jason could use prayers as usual for his back pain- it seems to be getting worse and affecting other parts of his body- I know it is very frustrating for him. He's used to a managable level of pain- but lately it has been really bad. His work is going well- which we are very thankful for. We're hosting our first client appreciation party at our house next weekend and that should be fun, but a ton of work.

We're doing Relay for Life next weekend at Anne Arundel Community College. I don't know how to make links yet..... but it should be an awesome night. I'm taking my friend Shannon for the first time- she was diagnosed almost a year ago with a rare form of some kind of lymphoma, not even sure exactly what it was, but it was bad. Her progress has been a miracle- and I went with her to the doctor a couple of weeks ago- we celebrated her high school graduation with the nurses & doctors. Shannon just won prom queen too at her high school. I can't wait to walk the survivors lap with her!

So tomorrow is Mother's Day- and it will be a great day, and a sad day. Sad b/c I miss my mom SO much- all the time. Happy b/c I'm pregnant, and preparing for motherhood myself! I'll have to start my baby blogging soon! :) Soon enough! But it should be a fun day- church, then going to a cookout with new moms & another soon to be mom from church, Jason's family over at our house, and then to see one of my FAVORITE singers, Jay Clifford. (Gray's Anatomy fans- one of his songs was on the show last week- it was a very nice suprise!) So I think I'll have enough distractions not to be too sad. Here is my mom and me somewhere, not exactly sure where! And then my little baby bump- not one really yet, and I think I had just eaten so feeling more bloated than anything! :)

The first prego shot- maybe at 7-8 weeks, number two at 12 weeks! :)

I haven't gotten to the "crazy cleaning" stage yet- it's coming though. Here is my closet that is in desperate need of attention. It's in between summer/winter clothes, but then most of my summer things I will not be fitting into after too long, so what to do? I'm fine with it being a pigsty for now! (My mother would not be proud!)

And while we're in my room- here is the goal board that I made several months ago- it turned more into a prayer/thankful board- my parents devotion and love for one another encourages me in my marriage. My cancer journey reminds me that my life is such a gift, and my ability to create new life is truly a miracle. An angel picture to remind me of all the angels in my life and inspires me to help others. A baby crib! This was before I found out about our pregnancy- so that continues to be a huge focal point in our prayer life. And Jason and my journey together- a great picture from our wedding day. It's nice to wake up to those thoughts every morning.

OK- I think this a pretty good update! :) I think we're off to a birthday party- or we may just stay home and watch a movie- that sounds better to me! :)