It's a BOY!!

Well, after a few months of hiatus (we'll just blame Joy's pregnancy) from the blog, it is time to get things up and running around here again. A few things have happened since it snowed, but none more important than the ultrasound appointment we had last Friday.

After being asked at least 3,482 time over the last month or two if we knew what "it" was, we finally got to find out. We got a real clear picture of the baby's anatomy, but I won't post it here on the blog for fear that it might be inappropriate. Plus, the baby would probably be mad one day in the future when it found out that we had posted pictures of it's anatomy in public. So, without further ado...here is the first really good photo of our baby BOY!

So...now everyone can start asking us, "Have you decided what his name will be?"

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

We finally got a good snow day today in Atlanta. It started this morning while we were in church and didn't stop until sometime after 6:00 PM. We got home in time to enjoy some of it, and let Georgie get out an play in it for a little bit, too. I'm not sure he could decide whether he liked it or not. Here are some photos...

Our house, from the middle of the street...

Me and Joy on the front porch...lovin' the snow!

Georgie, checkin' it all out. Later, he made some yellow snow.

Me and my mini-snowman. Couldn't pass up the chance to build something.

A Better Christmas Gift

I know Joy was really excited about her new juicer, and yes, we've juiced some oranges and some grapefruit, but we actually got a better Christmas gift than the juicer. And here he (or she) is...

Yep...we're expanding the family. Due September 13th!

Mmmm...sweet potato casserole

For the first time in the 3-1/2 years that we've been married, Joy cooked me my all time favorite food in the whole world...sweet potato casserole.

Now, I don't just like any old sweet potato casserole. I like other sweet potato casserole's, but to be my favorite it has to be my mom's recipe that I think she got from an old friend. No marshmallows. No pecans. Just a nice, crispy brown sugar topping. Mmmmmmmmm...

And I have to say, Joy did an incredible job. This casserole was waiting on me when I got home from work on Friday afternoon, and it was gone by Sunday afternoon. She might have gotten a couple of bites, I don't know. What I do know is that it was delicious.

I love my wife!

Sweet Beulah Land

Grandma went home to be with the Lord today. While we are immensely saddened by her loss, we celebrate the life that she lived and the love that she showed us. We know that today she is in a better place, seated at the throne of God along with my Grandaddy. We will really miss her. She was a great Grandma, but she was also a great friend. She was a woman of prayer, and she has prayed me through everything. I will really miss phone calls to her and visits with her

One of her favorite things was to hear my sisters and I sing the old hymn "Sweet Beulah Land." In fact, she was listening to a CD we had made of this song this afternoon when she took her last breath. God is good.

Sweet Beulah Land

I'm kind of homesick for a country
To which I've never been before.
No sad goodbyes will there be spoken,
And time won't matter anymore.

Beulah Land, I'm longing for you,
And someday on thee I'll stand.
There my home shall be eternal,
Beulah Land...sweet Beulah Land.

I'm looking now across that river
To where my faith is gonna end in sight.
There's just a few more days to labor,
Then I'll take my heavenly flight.

Beulah Land, I'm longing for you,
And someday on thee I'll stand.
There my home shall be eternal,
Beulah Land...sweet Beulah Land.

I love you grandma!

Last Day of School!!!

Hardly seems like it was just six weeks ago that Joy headed off for her first day of school. Now, 50 days, 24 trips to Athens, too many tests to count, a couple of papers a project and an oral exam covering more information than any person should be forced to learn, the last day of school has arrived! I think you can tell by the smile on her face that today is a great day.

The hardest part, her oral exam, is already over. She passed it yesterday with flying colors. One more final exam today and she will be DONE. Well, sort of. In an ironic twist of fate, because Joy was not an undergraduate education major and despite her three years of teaching she does not have her teacher's certification. So, even though with her graduate work complete (which is actually a higher level of certification), she has to complete a couple of minor things this fall to get her basic teacher's certification before she can receive her degree. Seems stupid to me, because it is like passing all of the tests to get a driver's license but not being able to do it because you didn't have a learner's permit. But that's just the way it is. It actually works out better for Joy, because now she gets to have two celebrations!

I have been very proud of Joy this summer. She has worked her butt off and sacrificed a lot in order to complete her school work. She's studied longer and harder than I ever would have thought possible, and it has paid off. I'd be remiss not to thank our great friend Wes, who was also completing his graduate work this summer. Wes and Joy have carpooled all summer (saving a little gas money), and studied together every week. Congratulations are in order for both of them!

Way to go babe...I am so proud of you!

Someone has to ruin the curve!

You should already know that Joy is finishing up her grad school work this summer, and she's in Athens four days a week taking four different classes. She has been working really hard and studying a LOT, and as you can see here (click on the photo for the full size version), it is paying off. At least it did on this day!

Just don't ask her what she made on her first test!

Peachtree Numbers are Here!

Fourth of July...
Peachtree Street...
55,000 People...
World's Largest 10K Road Race...


We'll be there. Up towards the front. Running with the masses.

Who else is in?

First Day of School

Just when all of the kids are getting out for summer vacation, Joy is "celebrating" the first day of school! Summer grad school, that is. We made sure that she had all of the required supplies: pencils, paper, scissors, glue...

So for the next six weeks, Joy will be heading up to Athens four days a week. Hopefully, at the end of these six weeks she'll have completed all of her degree requirements and have her Masters Degree in Music Education.

Good luck, sweetheart!

Tagged

Four jobs I've had:

1. Church pianist
2. Camp counselor
3. Elementary music teacher
4. Piano teacher

Four movies I've watched more than once:

1. McGee & Me movies
2. Home Alone
3. The Wedding Planner

4. Father of the Bride

Four places I've lived:

1. Claxton, GA
2. Rome, GA
3. Lilburn, GA
4. Stone Mountain, GA

Four TV shows I watch:

1. American Idol
2. Amazing Race
3. The Office
4. The Biggest Loser

Four places I've been:

1. Africa
2. Israel
3. New York
4. Germany

Four people who email me regularly:

1. Julianna
2. Jane
3. Jennifer
4. Scott

Four (Five) of my favorite foods:

1. Mexican food (chips & salsa)
2. Daddy's grilled chicken
3. Mama's fried shrimp
4. Grandma's vegetable soup
5. Low Country Boil

Four places I would like to visit:
1. Hawaii

2. Italy
3. New York, New York (been there, but I want to go back soon!!)
4. Alaska

Four things I am looking forward to in the coming year:

1. Finishing my Master's Degree
2. My nephew being born
3. time at the Beach
4. time with Scott

Strawberry Pie

Joy didn't just spend all day yesterday driving around to McDonald's and Dunkin Donuts getting free chicken biscuits and iced coffee. She also found a little time to make me one of my favorite desserts...Strawberry Pie.

And I must say...it was delicious!

Piano Recital pics

These are pictures from my Spring Piano Recital at GAC. Emily & Erin (our 2 nieces) are two of my piano students that performed on Saturday. They played very well!
Luda & I played our "famous" Chopsticks Theme & Variations duet!

Thank the Lord for IN-Calling!

If Joy ever looks a little strange to you, it will probably be because her cell phone has become permanently attached to her ear or something. Check out this section of her phone bill this month...

Now, add up those numbers in the "USED" column. Yeah...2,640 minutes in one month. That's 44 hours! Let me say that again...44 hours! To her credit, almost 800 of these minutes came while she was down in Claxton helping get ready for Jane's wedding, but still...44 hours! Some figures you might be interested in...

Total calls (in and out): 875
Average calls per day: 28
Longest call: 29 minutes
Average call length: 3 minutes
Average time per day: 1 hour 25 minutes

She can wear that thing out can't she? Of course, the most important number in that graphic above is the $.00 All that for "free!" Like I said, thank the Lord for IN-Calling!

Julianna's recap of Jane's wedding

This is why I love my sister Julianna. She tells it like it is, and she is a great story teller. This is her recap of Jane's wedding that she shared with a friend.

"How was the last Usry wedding? Let's just say, we saved the drama for last. :) Hundreds of flowers froze to death the day before the wedding (which meant buy more and arrange them); it rained 40 minutes just before the wedding (which meant, get sides for the tent b/c the wedding was outside...but it did stop raining and we didn't end up needing the sides); jane left happy as a lark to go to the Dominican Republic but we found out in the early morning hours on Wednesday (Tuesday night) that she had gotten extremely dehydrated from a stomach infection (lots of vomiting) and was admitted into a hospital.... should I go on? :) Hunter's dad flew down yesterday, and she should be let out of the hospital sometime today. It was a blast! :) Other than stuff like this (which I think makes for great stories) everything went wonderfully; it was a beautiful wedding! "

By the way, Happy Birthday, Julianna! Love you.

Few more pics...

Jane's bridesmaid's luncheon at Mrs. Pam's house

Mama & my sisters
Our 2 beautiful aunts!

Jane is Married!

Jane's wedding turned out to be beautiful! It was a very busy week & weekend, but we all survived. We have survived 4 weddings in 3 years!

The Conrad's

Here are some pictures that were taken on Saturday before the wedding.

Jane was a beautiful bride!

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

Today is a special day. Yes...it is Joy's birthday.

Twenty-six years ago, God brought Joy into this world. Three-and-half-years ago, He brought her into mine. I wouldn't trade a day of that time for anything.

Happy Birthday, babe. I love you!

Adventures in Quilting

No, she didn't make it herself, but as a gift for me she had it made. It is a quilt/blanket that is made up of some of my old Georgia Tech and Fraternity t-shirts that were otherwise just taking up space in a box in the attic. We were going to do it with my Peachtree Road Race t-shirts, but I don't quite have enough, yet.

I think it is pretty darn cool...how about you?

The Great Outdoors

Scott & I enjoyed some time away this weekend. I was out of school on Friday, so he surprised me and took the day off. We went down to Callaway Gardens and enjoyed the outdoors. We rode our bikes, ate some good food, and rested.



The weather was beautiful!




Scott built a fire in our cabin, which we really enjoyed.

He is "Mighty to Save"

This is a great CD! If you don't have it, you really should think about getting it. I have had it for a while. Recently, I had started listening to it again, and it just has some incredible songs. I was in the car this weekend for a trip to Claxton, and I just really enjoyed it. My favorite song: Mighty to Save

Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave