We're still alive!

It's been five months since we've updated this blog.  And it has been a fast five months.  Way too much has happened in the last five months to try and tell you everything, so we will highlight the best we can.  We've missed all of you.  We haven't exactly been social butterflies.  We spent about 90 days completely exhausted from working 80-90 hours per week each.  But things have settled into more of a groove and we're slowly but surely getting some form of a life back.  No complaints here though.  Life is what you make of it and we chose this life....

* Our dreams came true on August 7 when Ugly Mugs Coffee & Tea opened.  We always dreamed of a place where people can hang out with other people in a relaxing atmosphere.  Five months later, the experience has been more rewarding than we even imagined.  We've met so many great people.  We've seen people get married, have birthdays, release movies and CD's in only five months!  We can only dream what many more years of this will bring our way.  Liam gets to spend virtually all of his time with at least one of us.  Also a huge blessing.  Here is Ugly Mugs' MySpace and Facebook pages if you're interested.

* Liam turned one on September 24.  We had a party at a local park with about 25 friends and family.  He got WAY too much stuff but the highlight was the cupcakes his friend Rebekka made for him.  For a child (and his mother) to spend the first year of their life without any soy or dairy to be able to eat a *vegan/soy free* cupcake was priceless.  He at three of them!  He loved them!  And he had a complete sugar crash about half an hour later.  The last few pictures of the day he doesn't even look like he knows who he is.  It was a good day.  He is now able to have dairy, but no soy.   That has made life so much easier.  He's healthier and happier than ever.

* We celebrated our 3rd anniversary on December 2.  Courtney won the awesome award by giving me a surprise anniversary weekend that included a trip to a local vineyard (yes there is a vineyard in Tennessee) a stay at a B&B and a good concert.  She spent months planning it and had everyone from our employees to some of our customers in on the surprise.  Very well done.  Everyday I'm reminded how lucky I am to be married to her.  

* Christmas brought the usual amount of holiday cheer to our family.  We watched the Griswold family Christmas for the millionth time, got to see Liam and his cousins be excited about a present from Santa under the tree and a much more sentimental (i.e. budgeted) spending season.  

So what does 2009 hold in store?  Only God knows!  We're excited about this year for ourselves and for Ugly Mugs.  Maybe a vacation, more time with friends and family.  Hope for more peace and a decrease in suffering all over the world.  Here's wishing the best for you this year also!

'Till next time (hopefully not five months from now).

TDT

Cupcakes 'before'

Cupcakes 'after'

With Mom at the pumpkin patch around halloween

Sporting Mom's glasses (how much does he look like her...)

On our annual pilgrimage to find the perfect DeLozier Christmas Tree

Happy New Year!