And We're Off!

We are leaving today for a time of relaxation and fun! And, boy, do we need it!

We'll spend a few days at a legal conference, stop in to see the grandparents, and then head for the sun!

Can't wait to share all of my pictures with you, especially when Eveley's in her bikini!

In the meantime, enjoy these beautiful pictures of little Robbie getting his first taste of the beach in Clearwater, Florida. We went in March 2006, and Robbie took his first steps while we were there. He was only 9 months old.








Playing with Uncle Will


Snoozin' in the Sun


Robbie and Dadoo


Robbie and Aunt Beka (my brother Rob's wife)




All the Little Piggies




My Sunshine



Walking to Aunt Kate

Better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere!

Happy Birthday Carrianna!

Today is my youngest sister's 21st birthday.

Carrianna and Robbie

Carrianna has always been referred to as "the perfect child." From the beginning, she was perfect. When she was a little girl, we would look for her and she would be in her bed asleep. She is sweet, gentle and such a giver!

Then there's the dramatic side of Carrianna. And it's pretty big! I wish I could upload some of our favorite home movies from when she was a little girl. They're hysterical. (Just ask her about her days as a songwriter. Our favorite song was "Have you ever felt that no one loves you." That may sound cruel, but, trust me, it was hilarious!)



My sisters, Kate and Carrianna


Will (our brother) and Carrianna


Carrianna and her boyfried (actually it's Will in a Halloween mask)











Carrianna is finishing up her BS in nursing. That's what she was created to be. When I was in the hospital after having Robbie, my husband needed to go home to rest so Carrianna stayed with me. She was a perfect nurse. She'll actually be going to Togo, Africa this summer on a nursing missions trip.

We love you Carrianna. Happy Birthday!!

Happy Easter

I hope you and your family had a blessed Easter celebrating Christ's resurrection and our new life in Him.

We began our celebration bright and early! Our church had a small sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. under a big tent. Yes, that would be outside! It was freezing (around 27 degrees) but it was a beautiful scene to watch the sun come up as we were reminded of our Hope in Christ.

I had a lot of fun picking out Eveley's Easter dress. She had several to choose from. But, in the end, I decided to let her wear the dress given to her by cousin Layla. She looked beautiful. I tried very hard to get some good pictures and this is all I ended up with.




But, fortunately for me, my friend Kim is a "professional" photographer! (Professional in my eyes!) She invited us to enjoy Easter dinner with her family and friends. They really outdid themselves! The food was delicious, the decorations were lovely, and we had a great time. Eveley enjoyed playing with Kate who shared all of her toys (and chocolate M&Ms) very well. And Eveley loved the dog!

Here are a few of the great pictures taken by Kim.









Kim got this photo while I was helping Eveley look for eggs. Isn't it beautiful!

(If you click on it, you can read my bracelet)

II Corinthians 4:14-18

"We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Kim has an entire slideshow of pictures from the evening on her blog, here

It's Friday....but Sunday is Coming!

Make sure your volume is up. I love this song!

I have tried to find the words to adequately express the new excitement that I have in celebrating Easter. I was always thankful for Christ's death and resurrection and appreciated its significance. But now it has taken on a whole new meaning. Not only does Christ's sacrifice and the miracle of His resurrection save me from my sins and give me eternal life, but it also provides me with the thing I so desperately want -- a reunion with Robbie! And not a short, casual reunion but one that will last for eternity. That's pretty awesome.

I used to think that when I got to heaven, I would race for Robbie, probably passing quickly beside Jesus. Now, however, I realize that the only reason my Robbie is safe and waiting patiently for me in heaven is because of Christ's unbelievable sacrifice and His submission to fulfil God's plan of salvation. For that I am eternally grateful. (pun intended!)

I am adding the remarks given by my boss and dear friend, Judge Arth*ur Ke*lsey, at Robbie's memorial service. They are inspiring and get me very excited.

Bob and Lauren: Everyone in this Sanctuary came here to tell you one thing: We love you. The two of you are deeply loved. By your family, your friends, your colleagues. Your brave and faithful response to Robbie’s death shows that you are also especially loved by God.

Robbie was a bright, joyful flash of light in your lives, a fleeting burst of new life. From all appearances, it looks as though his light has been put out, his new life extinguished. But let me remind you of what you already know: appearances are deceiving. Do not trust them or allow your emotions to be governed by them.

The truth is – Robbie’s light still shines. It is no longer a flash of a shooting star, it is now more like the radiance of an astral sun. His brief burst of life may have come and gone in this world, that much is true, but it has become an everlasting life in the world to come.

How do we know this to be true? We know it because we know Jesus Christ. To us, Christ was not just a moral philosopher – He was and is God incarnate, the eternal Logos who created the world and will be the one to end it. He came to earth as the Second Adam and took upon his shoulders the sins of the First.

It was Christ who declared that those accepted into the covenant of grace will never die. They simply leave one dimension of reality and enter into another. Our most favored poets, our most trusted theologians, our most learned scholars – they all admit that even their best speculations badly underestimate the splendor of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Robbie now sees what we can barely imagine. He has sailed over the horizon of death and landed on the shores of the City of God. He left us a mere child. For all we know, this very day, he now serves as an armor-bearer for angels. C.S. Lewis is right: If we were to see Robbie now, in all his glory, we might very well be tempted to worship him.

Robbie also now knows with certitude something we often doubt. And that is the only thing that matters in heaven is what we do for God on earth. What did Robbie do for God on earth? Did he build a bridge or write a book or split an atom? No. He did much more. He brought you love. He brought you happiness. He brought you joy. The greatest feats of the proudest man cannot compare favorably with that.

We believe these truths, to be sure, but how can we still not ask why? Why Lord? Let me say two things to you about this question.

First, I believe you should distrust anyone who attempts to answer this question for you. Not one of us participates in the councils of God or speaks on behalf of the Almighty concerning providential matters of life and death. On such things, God and God alone pronounces judgment. Everyone else falls into the category of Job’s counselors, with whom God was not well pleased.

Second, do not let your heart condemn you for asking this question. Jesus Himself, while dying on the cross, cried out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sa-bach-thani” – My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Every person on the hill of Golgotha heard Jesus ask that question: the Romans who executed him, the Sanhedrin who accused him, and the disciples who served him. They all waited to hear God’s answer. But on that dark day no answer was given. Many walked away from that scene thinking no answer was given because there was no answer to give. But they were badly mistaken. On the third day, Resurrection Sunday, God gave his answer. The world has never been the same since.

Bob and Lauren, today is Friday, but Sunday’s coming. On that Day of Resurrection, God will wipe away every tear you shed, answer every question you ask, and reunite you both with your beloved son.

Maranatha - Lord, come quickly.
Master, I prayed many times with Bob and Lauren about Robbie. Each time, we prayed that Robbie would follow us into the Kingdom. But you have decreed that we shall follow him. We acknowledge you as sovereign and holy. We admit that the mysteries of your will baffle us, but we trust both your goodness and your power.

Continue to fill Bob and Lauren with your Holy Spirit. May they not go a single day without experiencing your mercy and grace. May their love for each other grow in strength and resolve. And may the promise of being reunited with Robbie fill their hearts with invincible hope and show the world around them the power of the Gospel.

In your holy name we pray, Amen.



Pictures from www.freefoto.com

The Big Day

For Christmas 2006, I bought my husband a kiddie seat for his bicycle. Knowing Robbie's love for outside, I thought this present would be perfect. And I was right. It was a hit!

Soon after Christmas, Bob assembled the seat and decided to give it a try. We bought Robbie a helmet (which was a difficult task since he is half "McCay"), and the boys rode off to spend one very memorable Saturday morning together. You can read more about that here.





The seat stayed on Bob's bicycle and, every now and then, we would glance at it leaning against the garage wall and wonder when it would be Eveley's turn.

This Saturday was the big day. Pop and Marme bought her a pink helmet, but we decided to let her wear her big brother's helmet for the inaugural ride. She loved it! Halfway through the 8-mile route, Bob felt something against his rear end. It was Eveley's big helmet resting on him. She was sound asleep.

Despite Daddy's sore muscles and Eveley's nap, I think this was the first of many Saturday morning bike rides together.

Spring is in the Air

Spring is definitely in the air. The winds are picking up. The temperature is rising. The birds are chirping. It's exciting and seems to put an extra kick in people's step.

But for some reason, spring makes me a little sad. It was the same way last year. As the temperature got warmer, I was drawn outside. I loved seeing the signs of spring -- the bright yellow forsythia and the budding dogwoods. But it sure does make me miss Robbie. I cannot tell you how much Robbie loved being outdoors. He couldn't get enough of it. No matter how long you let him play outside, it wasn't long enough. "Outside" was one of his first words. He would stand on his tiptoes with his hand on the door knob and cry, "Outside, Outside!" So, I thought I would share some of my favorite pictures of Robbie enjoying time outside.



Robbie riding the jet ski with the dog!



On the 4-wheeler with Marme


On the tractor with Pop


Letting Grandpa push him on the dolly


With best-friend Lilly




This is one of my favorite pictures because I think it captures so much of Robbie's spunky personality. He was always on a mission!


And, of course, Robbie's very favorite outdoor activity -- riding with Da-doo!


I don't believe Robbie has even set foot inside his heavenly mansion yet. He is way too busy exploring outside, I'm sure.

Gimme a Break!

Everybody needs a break. That's why there is halftime, time out, recess, sabaticals. But what about a break for moms? I mean a real break: no cooking, cleaning, worrying about the laundry, scheduling, errands, shopping (grocery, that is).
Bob agreed I needed a break, and the planning began.

This past Friday, my three dear friends came to visit. Hannah is my law school roommate. Jenna is the wife of my husband's best friend. And Bridget lives right here (at least for 4 more months!).


I got them each a monogrammed bag!





So we headed off to the Homestead in Hot Springs, VA for a weekend of spa services and girl talk. Neither were disappointing!



We began the day at the spa with facials, massages, manicures, and chatting in the eucalyptus steam room. It was awesome! Then we went to check out our suite. I've never stayed in a suite this big. It was huge, and we began to discuss where our kiddies could all sleep (if they were with us!). Each of the 6 closets could easily hold a couple pac-n-plays!


The weekend was wonderfully relaxing, and the conversation couldn't have been better. The only problem was that it was too short.


I am so grateful for my girlfriends and the many ways they have helped me get through this past year. We are pledging to make this an annual (or even semi-annual) event.






Okay. The unasked question: how was Bob with Eveley? They had a wonderful weekend. He got out the video camera to record all of her "tricks" and witnessed her take her first steps! They too had a great time of bonding.