One More Redwood

I have some news. I've delayed telling for a while because I wanted to be sure.

But it's official.

Our family just got a tiny bit bigger. The news came as a surprise, but I am adjusting well, and the rest of our family is very happy about it.

Our little guy is small now, but he's growing every day. We have been to the doctor, and he said all is well, so it looks like our little guy has found a home.

Our new puppy, George Oscar Bluth, Gob for short.

You didn't think I was pregnant did you?? Heavens, no.


When Jack knocked on the door a few weeks ago, I thought he must have forgotten his keys. When I opened the door, I realized it was his mind that he had lost. He was holding a tiny ball of mangy, flea infested fur. I knew Jack wouldn't be bringing home a cat, so I assumed the lumpy mass was a dog, although my first guess was a baby hyena.

Jack: I brought home a friend for Oskey!

Me: No.

Jack: His name is Gob. Isn't he cute?

Me: No.

Jack convinced me to let it stay over the weekend to just see if we liked him. However, I insisted on an emergency vet visit. After being cleared by Dr. Smith, Gob had none of the nasty diseases I had been certain he was carrying like mange or rabies, it looked like I might not have a way out.

After the weekend and the vet bill, however, I felt like we had invested enough in the thing, and we might as well keep it. He's growing on me, for sure, and SB is thrilled that her puppy action has now doubled. She calls him "Bob" and asks about him every day. "Where's Bob?"

Gob (Bob) and Oscar: Best friends

Steve Wells: the Man, the Myth, the Photographer

Last weekend, Jack and I got to spend a little bit of time with one of Jack's best friends from high school. I've known Steve Wells for several years now, and I have forgiven him for not so discreetly writing "Jack don't do it" on a dry erase board during our rehearsal dinner.

Steve is a great guy, hilarious and lots of fun. Whenever we get together with all of Jack's buddies from high school, I always ask, "Is Steve going to be there?" If so, then you know it's going to be a party.

I got to see a different side of Steve on Saturday, when he whipped out his camera and went to work on SB. I knew photography had been a hobby of his for quite some time now, but he recently quit his job to go full time. I think it was a great decision.

He lives in Panama City Florida, but his family is still in Columbus, MS, so he is in the area every now and then if you need a good photographer. I know we are definitely going to get him to do this for us again in the fall.

If only I had known we were going to have a photo shoot, I would have cleaned Sarah Beth up a little bit after lunch and put a bow in her hair!! Her face was a MESS, hence the black and white close up pics. I still think the pictures he took turned out great, except for the family shots, which wasn't his fault as you will see.

SB didn't cooperate fully for the family photos.

You can see more of his work here. It's just pictures of SB. I am sure he has a web site, and I will post the link when I get it from him.

Thirty Love Jack

Jack woke up early on May 16 this year. It was a big day for him. Thirty years old. We had been planning for weeks, and Jack turned up the pressure to make his 30th one to remember.



I think we succeeded. If you missed the party, shame on you. For the 35-40 people who did make it, it was a crawfish extravaganza that shan't soon be forgotten.

We started the party off right with a giant batch of crawfish, and the recipe got better as the night progressed.







The weather didn't stop us, as our neighbors generously donated a couple of tents for the occasion. It rained off and on for most of the day, and our carpet took the brunt of the punishment, but the rain did little to deter our plans.

Jack only pretended to be offended at the shirts I made for a few lucky partygoers. I took our favorite school picture of Jack from when he was about 13 years old, added a clever title

Sorry the quality is so poor. I didn't get a close up photo until after the party, when the shirt had been washed.

and we paraded out in front of the crowd to Jack's feigned dismay.

As you can see, he really did love the final product.


I also put together a rather embarrassing slide show of Jack growing up, complimented with a few great photos of myself, but lucky for Jack, his guests never got to see it, since I forgot to show it!! Trust me, it was great.

Special thanks to all of the out-of-towners who made the drive to help us celebrate.

The Jollys

The Hollemans before the party got started

Rob came all the way from New Orleans and Allen from Columbus

Joey (since we're counting Columbus)

The McNeeses (how did they get away without a photo???)

Rob J. and Beau

and all the ones I have forgotten. I would also like to thank everyone who came prepared with a toast. Jack's brother Rob made a fantastic video from footage he shot during the party and all of the stories you shared behind Jack's back.

From getting lost while driving to Louisville to get the crawfish to scrubbing our carpet the next day, the evening in between was well worth all of the effort. I hope everyone who came had as much fun as we did!

Only a few crawfish were psychologically tortured during the making of this party.

Happy 30th Jack!