Happy 7th Anniversary!

Derek and I celebrated our 7th Anniversary this past weekend. We started the weekend out by packing up the car and heading to Aberdeen, Maryland 5:30 am on Saturday. The weather was amazing- actually a little chilly. We ran a hilly 5k with a few friends at Ripken Stadium. My childhood hero, Cal Ripken, started off the race and gave final awards out at the end of the race. One of our friends received an award from Cal himself and even got a picture with him! I told Derek, if I would have known Cal was going to be giving out the awards I would have trained much harder!

We left Aberdeen and had a hearty Bob Evans brunch on the way to Harper's Ferry. Our friends Rob and Aaron joined us for our relaxing getaway-they got to celebrate our anniversary too!

Derek surprised me with a beautiful suite at our hotel. It had a jacuzzi in the room facing the tv. That was a super treat now that we don't actually have television at home anymore!

After some much needed rest from the morning's race we decided to take a little tour of the town and grab some dinner. We ate at the Secret Six, which told us the history behind John Brown's revolt. The history was fascinating, the food was delicious, but only after an hour of waiting on it!

We got our usual "card fix" in and played some spades until midnight-only to be stomped by our "friends". We'll see if they are invited back next year!

After a good nights rest, Derek and I decided to start our Anniversary day off by going for a hilly West Virginia bike ride. We did 8 miles-one for each year of marriage and one because I didn't know better! I paid for that ride for 2 days!

We met up with the Coopers at Tri-State Baptist Church and got a very warm welcome from all of the members. The message was just what we needed.....Amen, Amen, Bring it, Come on preacher, Whoooohewww. (That's a little inside joke for the Coopers)

We then headed toward home, but stopped for the afternoon in Great Falls. We enjoyed the quiet afternoon and beautiful scenery. It really was a wonderfully relaxing weekend and well worth doing again. I believe the boys got wind of a new scheme to try it again next month- they want to ride 70 miles on their bikes along the C&O Canal and have us meet them up there. Sounds good to me-I'll be in the car!

A Girls Best Friend!

For those of you who have been praying for me- thank you so much for your prayers and concern. The Lord answered my prayers so perfectly that I know it could only be the hand of God.

My dog Prince started showing some signs of being uncomfortable this morning, which I promised myself that if he was in any pain during his illness I would definitely take him in. He refused even water today, so I knew it was time to take him in. My friends cousin is a vet not too far away, so she was kind enough to have an appointment carved out for me and meet me there. Another friend put on her warrior suit and took on my 2 kids plus the two I watch along with the 7 she always has.

I prayed all the way to the Vet's that the Lord would make it clear to me what to do when the time came. I also prayed that He would bless Derek and I for trying to be good stewards of the money He has given us. I asked that He would not make me have to decide on expensive tests or x-rays and to give the doctors wisdom in counseling me. I also prayed that I would feel comfortabel with whatever diagnosis they gave to be able to put him down if needed (especially if I opted not to have tests done). I had an appointment at 1:00 scheduled and pulled in at 12:57. I got out of the car and opened the door and just rubbed him and talked to him for a few minutes. He kept his eyes on me and just breathed slowly. I realized I needed to get him out from the other side of the van, so I closed the door and went around to the other side of the van. When I opened the door and reached for the blanket he was on, he took 3 deep peaceful breaths and went peacefully.

The Lord knew exactly how it had to happen for me. He spared me from all the pain of the decisions I would have had to make. My friend was right there beside me within minutes and was a wonderful comforter-taking care of all of the details that I just couldn't deal with. When she went in to have them come to take care of him, just for 2 minutes I started to feel some sprinkles come down from the sky as I sat with him and just cried. I thanked the Lord for crying with me.

My two friends really helped a ton- I guess this is one of those situations where it really pays to have the BEST friends in the whole world.

I have a heavy heart, but feel so relieved that it really was just his time to go and that it was ALL in the Lord's hands.

Thank you for your prayers-

Melissa

4th of July 2007

We had a great time with lots of our friends.
The day was perfect and so was all of the great food!
What a blessing it is to be able to celebrate America
in fellowship with other Christians!

All of us at our friends house for a church family cookout and fun fireworks

Austin and Derek enjoying the fireworks. Notice the ball in Austin's hand-he still doesn't go
anywhere without a ball in hand!

Reagan and her best buddy side by side, as usual!

2007 Congressional Baseball Game

We had a fun time at the Annual Congressional Baseball game. Austin was in aww. You know how he feels about balls! We were able to hang out and have some fun with the Coopers and the Lloyds!

Austin Vaughn knows how to have fun at a game!

The Coopers ENJOYING

the HEAT!

The Lloyd's enjoing Ms. Charlotte!

What? Princess Reagan at a sweaty baseball game?

Go Republicans!