Ode to Joy

Joyful, Joyful

I adore Thee

Friend of nature
Heart of love
Laughs unfold like flowers between we

Soaking up the sun above

Listens to all friends’ sin and sadness

Drives our fears and doubts away

Giver of unending craftness
Fills us with the light of day

Happy Birthday, Joy! You're an amazing soul and a wonderful friend. I appreciate you every day and love you Very much!

Congratulations, Amber and Charles!

Wow, you guys. Wow. Yesterday was one amazing day.

Charles had planned a surprise 27th birthday party for Amber at Lost Creek Winery in Leesburg, Va. We were to be dressed in our finest and arrive 30-45 minutes before Amber arrived at 1:30.

They arrived, she was surprised by all the people there (her family, his family, friends from college, etc) and that's when Charles started his proposal. My favorite part of his proposal was when he told her, "Well, I don't want to date you anymore (pause for audience laughter)... will you be my wife?" Just beautiful.

It was a magical day. Here are some picture highlights...

Montague has Sprung...

Montague is in bloom... there were beautiful things all over the yard today...

Summer is almost here...

To a teacher, the seasons pretty much go like this:

Fall

Winter

Almost Summer

Summer

During the beginning of Almost Summer, I decided to purchase a new toy... It even has a facehole so I can read a book/not suffocate.

If you need me this summer, you'll know where to find me...

Rainbow Cake!

For my Spring Break this year, I went to Savannah to visit Mandy. I arrived the day after her birthday and her friend Cassie (who is delightful, by the way) had made her an AMAZING cake.

So, with Lou's birthday coming up, I asked for the recipe and tried it. The cake part was fun and the icing needs work, but here is what it looked like:

The bottom layer was a vibrant purple, but it just doesn't look like it with my camera....

And I got to use a cool teal color to decorate the top...

Here's the magic!

So, happy birthday, my lou! I would not make that cake for just anybody. Love!