Can you believe its been 8 months?!

Yesterday was our 8 month anniversary...so...we decided we'd celebrate a little. We've been trying to diet for the past couple of weeks so that was one thing we decided we'd do for sure--splurge! :0) We spent the day at the Short Pump mall(the biggest mall I've ever seen) and at various other shops along the way. Then we decided we both felt like having pizza for our "splurging" ;and so we stopped at Papa Johns on the way home. It was a wonderful day spent with just the two of us. I have the most wonderful husband that there is and I am so happy to be his wife! :0) It seems like its not possible that its been 8 months already; but I know for sure that they have been some of the most wonderful months of my life!

Valentine's Day Brain Freeze

Ok, I know we still have a little bit of time before Valentine's day, but I'm having a really hard time coming up with something really special and unique to give to my sweet hubby! It's so easy for them to buy for us girls, but for some reason I struggle with buying things for my guy on holidays like these... So, if you have any suggestions or if you can sympathize with me please let me know so I won't think that I'm the only one who struggles with this... LOL

Snow!

We haven't had any snow accumulation yet this year...and I guess you really can't say that what we got today was accumulation exactly; but its at least sticking to the ground in a few places here and there. LOL Unfortunately with it came rain which is now freezing on the surfaces of sidewalks and things...so...that's always fun...

Baby Shower

Victoria and Gabby and noodles (the doggy)

James and Rachel

Daddy-to-be with the Care Bears! :0)

Beautiful Dresses!

Her Cake

Saturday, as i mentioned before, was Rachel's baby shower. It was at one of James' aunts houses. I was a little nervous to be honest about being there with a bunch of people I didn't know that well, but we had a blast! Their family was very friendly and made you feel right at home. Anyhow, I was in charge of the games so we played the clothes pin game (requested by victoria) :0); Finish the Nursery Ryhme; How well do you know mommy-to-be; The yarn measuring mommy's tummy; and the baby alphabet game. I got most of the ideas from a baby shower website. Anyhow, it was a really nice shower and she got a lot of beautiful things! We're all excited for little Hannah Rose to come --especially her mommy! :0)

Answered Prayer

Just thought i'd give an update on Claude's surgery. He went in to surgery about 7:30 am and came out around 9:00 am. Everything went well and the doctor's are very pleased. He was groggy when we saw him but that is to be expected! LOL Thank the Lord for His help!

Newsy Requests

Well things have been surprisingly calm in the LaVan household for a few days. However, they're about to get a little more hectic... before I go into that though, I thought I'd share a little humerous thing that happened this morning... At about 7:30 am our doorbell rang. Highly unusual...so my husband went to the door and it was a guy from the furnace place coming to fix our compressor that they already fixed last saturday... actually it was a different company I guess than who actually fixed it so I'm not sure where this company comes in...anyhow, it was really crazy and something that would probably only happen to us! LOL So, anyhow... tomorrow morning a young boy in our church (Claude Garis for those of you who may know him) is going in for surgery on his foot. He will be in a wheelchair for several weeks following the surgery so if you think about him over the next few days (especially tomorrow at 6:30 am) pray that all will go well and the surgery will correct his problem. In other news... Saturday is a baby shower for Rachel in our church. Its a family/Church shower combined. Hoping that all goes well for her over these last few weeks of pregnancy! Wouldn't hurt to keep her in your prayers also! :0)

Furnace Update

Well...the furnace man was supposed to get to our house between 9 and 9:30 this morning...he showed up at 10:30 of course... Anyhow, he started whatever it is he's doing to it and said he'd be back after making some other calls... Hopefully we get it fixed today. Its 17 degrees last i checked...

Freezing!

I know that there are many other people who are enduring MUCH colder temperatures than we are here...however, this is NOT the time we wanted our furnace to go on the blink! Even if it is Virginia!! We've been having temps in the 20's and our house has felt like its in the 40's! Ugh I've spent my spare time wrapped in blankets! :0) (Which my husband thinks is amusing, since I look like the abominable snowman! Or however you spell that...) The furnace man came today and we have some issues... I don't know all the technical stuff but its not good... things are broken that need fixed. That make it clear? LOL Anyhow, hope it gets straightened out soon!

New Pictures

A beautiful Virginia Sunset

Just thought I'd post these...haven't posted any new pictures of us in a while.

Birthday Party

Last night was Claude Garises (a boy in our church) birthday party...We were invited to join them at Shoney's to celebrate his birthday, so we went. It was the whole Garis "clan" and us. We all had a nice time...especially Claude! LOL It was nice to get to fellowship with our church people as well. Happy Birthday Claude! :0)

AWC Quartet Visit

"Proclaim" and Mr and Mrs Tom Sanders and Colin

I need toys at my house! All he had to play with were coasters! LOL

Pulling Out

Wesley and Tim listening to stories

Rachel and Rhonda looking at wedding pictures; and Susanna listening in on the stories..

Sunday night "Proclaim", the mixed quartet from AWC, came to our church. After Church they came over to the parsonage for a snack and spent the night with us. Tim and Wesley actually stayed over at Sis Barbara and Sis Arlene's house since we have limited sleeping space. So a big Thank You!!! to the ladies for helping us out! :0) We had a blast though talking and carrying on! LOL Bro Tom Sanders and Luke enjoyed talking about "old times". They stayed for breakfast this morning and left around 10 ish. And, of course, Colin (Tom and Rachel's little boy) kept us all entertained! :0)

Brag Time

Jeffery listening to "the story" during the Christmas Program

Jessica (my little angel) singing "Away in a Manger" for the Program

Jeffery with the other 2 wismen saying his "welcome" part

Here are some pictures from the Christmas Program at mom and dad's church. I'm proud of my little sweet peas for saying their parts perfectly! Jessica sang "Away in a Manger" and Jeffery said a welcome part with the other two wisemen...although I think they ended up each saying it individually instead of altogether! LOL Kids make programs so interesting! :0)