I feel so bad that it has taken me this long to post an update, but not only did I have a fun packed busy week, I also was dealing with dial-up internet at my mom's! My week was incredible though way too fast. It is such a warm feeling being in the company of 3 of my best friends ~~ my mom, and 2 sisters. And ofcourse being adored by 6 amazing children is music to an Aunt's ears!! My visit began on Wednesday to a day at a water park that Anthony James refers to as the "Lazy river". The day was so much fun and my first day of the summer being able to bask in the sun, I desperately needed the sun! Thursday we took all 6 of the kids to Sears to get their pictures taken. While we were there we took the opportunity to have group pictures taken of the "**** Girls 4". I don't think Mom, Jenn, Liz and I have ever had a professional picture taken, so this was very special. Jenn's 32nd Birthday was on Friday, so that day was her day, she got to call the shots (which really isn't that much different than any other day!). We brought the kids to Wolf Trap to see tap dancing. When I was young my mom would bring us to the park to spend the day, it was great sharing this experience now with this generation. That same day, later in the evening my Uncle George, Aunt Susie, Cousin Steve and his wife Stephanie arrived from Florida for Sunday's family reunion. And ofcourse Derek drove down to join the excitement. Unbeknownst to Jenn, when we went to pick up Tom from the airport, he had planned a fun evening at Dave & Busters! She was quite shocked when he took the I-495 exit, she finally caught on though and her immediate comment was "Why did you let me out of the house wearing this, and my makeup!!". Ofcourse, everyone was a part of the plan, I packed her makeup and Derek and the boys had a bag of clothes that mom sent with them. The evening was a lot fun, it was great getting to know our cousin Steve's new wife Stephanie and playing games like we were kids! Saturday was supposed to be our annual July Jubilee (a day when we go to Cameron Run to celebrate everyone's birthdays from June to August) but the weather was not allowing this to happen, overcast skies and rain. It turned out not to be that much of a disappointment though, we were all so tired from our 2 a.m. bedtime that we enjoyed the rest. We decided to just reschedule for September, so do we call it now the "September Jubilee"? Well, Sunday was our Family Reunion, it went wonderfully, but it was very bittersweet because I knew it was time to end our fun week and say goodbye. There were many many tears and numerous hugs goodbye, but we finally got on the road at about 4p.m., had an uneventful drive back to New York arriving at 11:30p.m., not bad. Ofcourse work on Monday for both Derek and I was quite painful!!

During my visit home on Saturday my dear dear friend Heather went into labor!! After 2 1/2 hours of pushing they had to do an emergency c-section, but everything turned out well and at 4:44 p.m. on July 24th Connor Pearce was born weighing 8lbs. and 20.5 inches long. He and mom are home as of Monday evening. Please continue to pray for she and Ken as they adjust to this little life being in their home and as they continue to grieve the loss of their first son, Garrett Pearce.

I believe that is all the catching up I have to do for now. I still have not gotten any of the film developed, so check back for pictures of my fun week in Virginia. For those of you who actually take the time to read this, Thanks!!

Happy Birthday Jake! Today, 7 years ago Jacob Thomas Keim was born to my sister Jenn and her husband Tom in Cleveland, Ohio.  He was their first child and to date their only son.  He is also Anthony James best friend.  Thank goodness he was a boy because there has been nothing but girls ever since.  Can you imagine if he was born Julia Renee Keim, poor Anthony would have been surrounded by all females.  But God knew what he was doing by giving you a boy Jenn! Our lives are much richer with 2 little boys.  To Jacob, sweet baby boy, I remember the day you made your appearance into this world.  After hours of playing Uno with Pop-Pop and Aunt Liz, we thought you would never come! But in the wee hours of night, after much work from you Mommy, you finally decided to enter our lives.  I love you as much as an Aunt can possibly love her nephew.  I wish that I could be there with you today at Mamamaw's.  So here is a little slideshow that I put together for you. I hope you enjoy it!! 

Make sure everyone checks out the pictures that I added today! I was off all day today, my typical Friday off, and woke up with a slight tempature so I spent the day doing odds and ends.  I hopefully will get more added this weekend, so keep on checking back.  Unfortunately we don't have a great digital camera so right now everything is film and I have to take each individual picture and scan it then download it.  Oh well, it makes me feel good to know that I am atleast supporting Kodak employees!! If anyone has a better idea that would save me some time, other than purchase a better digital camera, I will be open to your advice (as long as it doesn't cost a fortune!).

How many maintenance men does it take to fix 1 A/C unit??

How many maintenance men does it take to fix 1 A/C unit??

It turns out it takes 3 men to sit around while you tell them that it is the compressor over and over again!! Until finally after 3 days they say "Yep, turns out it is the Compressor"! Isn't that what we told you on Saturday?

Well, hallelujah, we got our air conditioning fixed, FINALLY!! Of course it only took 3 full days of babysitting the maintenance guy and numerous calls to the office, but they finally got on the ball and did their job! Derek and I are extremely wiped out from 6 days of total humidity. I feel a little like a wimp though because when people have found out that our A/C is broken they quickly point out how they do not have Central Air at all ~ ~ okay, so what, I guess I am a wimp, but do they also realize that we live in a one bedroom apartment with only 2 windows and no ceiling fans?!?!? Well, at least it is over with, Derek and I slept like rocks last night and am sure we will be just relaxing this weekend.

On a sad note, my poor Dad lost his dear cat of 17 years. Cecil (aka Mr. B, Cecil B. De Cat) died 2 years later than his vet thought he would. Dad is obviously sad, that was his buddy. So, whenever I figure out how to link email address, you can email him your condolences ~~ Check back later for that!

On a much happier note, today my friend Heather is now 35 weeks pregnant!! Go Heather!! After loosing her son Garrett, born at 29 weeks, please (continue) to pray for her that she will be able to go full term with this little one, or atleast be able to wait another week. They say at 36 weeks they will take her off the meds that are preventing her from going into labor! I will keep everyone posted on her progress.

Today Jenn and Liz, with all kids in tow, are traveling to Virginia ~~ Liz traveling up from Tennessee and Jenn traveling down from Ohio ~~ for their Annual 2 week summer visits to Mom's. I am so jealous that they will all be together tonight, I am sure I will be missing some great shopping excursions. But, I will their in less that a week!

Welcome to our Blog!

Thanks to my wonderful friend Bari, I have decided to create this Blog! So many times with so many different people, I am referring to an events that many have no clue about!! I can't always remember who I have told what to, so hence the creation of this blog. I know Dad, that is all the world needs, another blog! But I thought it would be fun, especially with so much going on. For instance, how many people knew that our Air Conditioning has been out for 4 days now? Yes Liz, it does get warm in Iceland, very warm. Thank goodness though today is overcast and 75. Ofcourse, that doesn't mean that there is no humidity. I have had to come up with creative ways to make dinners without using the stove. We found out, right before the 4th of July, that we are allowed to grill (end of last summer a flyer was sent to all the apartments saying no grilling). So last night it was Kielbasa and potatoes on the grill and Pasta salad. Tonight it will be marinated pork chops, left over potatoes and pasta salad. I really am hoping that they fix this A/C thing by tomorrow b/c I can't think of anything else to put on the grill. After 4 days in a row, we are a little burnt out by hamburgers and hot dogs.

So far our summer is going smoothly though. Derek is enjoying relaxing evenings gaming with his good friends Phil and Scott. As always he is planning his next electronics project ~~ right now it is building another P.C. to hook up to the 46" T.V. which he will use as a monitor! And ofcourse he is loving being the "Grill Master" again. I have been becoming more and more domesticated and have picked up more craft projects. I am keeping up with my scrapbooking and trying to keep up with my crocheting. Bari, the same friend who introduced me to this Blog has also taught me how to make cards. She actually runs her own business that makes cards and invitations, she makes the most beautiful things! As far as summer travel, I leave next Tuesday for home to spend time with my Mom, sisters, and nieces and nephews. Derek will join me that Friday, then on Saturday is the annual "July Julibee". Then on Sunday is the Long Family Reunion. I am so excited about going home and all the family events.

As I write this, once again I am assuming that everyone is caught up on the events of our lives. For those of you who talk to us frequently, this little paragraph will seem boring to you. For those of you whom we have lost touch with over the past couple years or even months, here is a quick rewind over the past 18 months..........On December 28, 2002 Derek and I were married in Fairfax, VA. Thanks to my wonderful friend Heather's expertise (who by the way will be starting her own Wedding Planning business soon, check back for details later) we had a beautiful ceremony. From there I moved to Clifton Park, New York (located outside of Albany) also known at the time as the Frozen Tundra. No joke, there was 21" of snow when we arrived. Remember, I left warm(er) Springfield, VA where it snows only once in a blue moon! When we arrived in New York I took 2 weeks off from looking for a job to "de-bachlorize" the apartment. I then started working at "The Agency" as a Adoption Assistant (that to is a great story!). Derek works at ******* as an Mechnical Engineer and has been for the past 5 years. To go even further back in time, Derek and I met over 10 years ago while I was working at Family Christian Stores. We stayed great friends through High School, remained close during College and considered each other Best Friends after he moved to New York. God just had a wonderful plan for us, it is like God made him especially for me and me for him. So, now everyone is caught up! Wow, I could just go on and on but to hear about our first year of marriage, you will just have to call me.

Well, I hope everyone has enjoyed my first entry. There will be several more to come in the future, I hope everyone continues to read it!