Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  We finally took a few pictures after Mass today and with any luck, we will get cards out BEFORE Christmas.  Now, they might not land in mailboxes until after Christmas, but they are out.  We attempted these photos six weeks ago.  Thought it would be nice to take some pictures in Scott, AR looking all natural wearing jeans and a sweater and standing in front of some old pecan trees.  A migraine and ER visit later, we scrapped that idea.  Next idea was to take some pictures in Shreveport two days after Thanksgiving.  We scouted the perfect spot and decided on taking photos in front of the Shreveport Arts Center.  They have beautiful old trees--very Southern.  Well, after 48 hours of to die for weather and sunsets, it poured for 10 hours straight.  Fail!  Third try was after the lighting of the State Capitol in early December.  I just knew it would be a lovely time to run inside and take some pictures around the beautiful decorations.  What was I thinking?  Who knew the fat man in red would also be making an appearance at the Capitol?  There were a gazillion kids and parents.  We quit that idea immediately.  So, on December 18, I finally snagged our photographer (also known as my sister) and made our way to the State Capitol.  SCORE--finally.  Hopefully, they will arrive on 12/23 as promised, and we can get them addressed, stamped, and out the door.

This was the winner!  

This one had potential, but the wind was picking up and we had a shadow. 

Another shot of us in front of the Capitol.

Thanksgiving 2011

This is just a quick post to highlight our Thanksgiving.

We had a great time down in Shreveport with Dad, Suzanne, Kerry & Clay.  This was our first time to see Dad and Suzanne's completed house.  They are settling in, and we loved having a place to stay down there.  I must admit, sleeping in a comfy bed and getting to wake up and walk downstairs for coffee definitely beats staying in a hotel (which is what we used to have to do because there wasn't enough room for Kerry and I with our husbands at Suzanne's house).

Below are a few photos of the house and us pre and post Thanksgiving feast!  Where was my camera at midnight when we were at Best Buy with every other crazy person in the Shreveport/Bossier area?  Better luck next Black Friday!

Front of Dad & Suzanne's House

Dad's Office

Sconce and Cross going up front entry stairs

Looking down into the formal living room from the upstairs walkway

Three cooks in the kitchen

Chief Cook!

Team Jucas pre-feast

Post Lunch!

Out back--sitting on the pool fountain.

Well Done My Good & Faithful Servent

Julianne Dunning Eddy

 September was a bittersweet month.  We mourned the passing of John's beloved grandmother, Guggy.  Julianne "Judy" Dunning Eddy, fondly referred to as Guggy by all who knew her, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 in Scottsdale, AZ.  She was surrounded by most of her loved ones, and John will point out that he sadly didn't make it.  We jumped in the car the minute we heard she had taken a turn for the worst, but the 20 hour car drive was too long for Guggy to wait. John was at peace knowing he tried everything he could to be there, and he knows Guggy isn't holding it against him.

Our visit in Arizona was for a sad reason, but we actually had a great time.  Guggy would have wanted it that way.  Since we got to AZ with time to spare before the funeral, we enjoyed a few days in Payson first.  We saw Pat and Ted's wonderful new house, went for a few walks, and managed to take the canoes out for a little spin up by the Rim.  AZ  never disappoints with the amazing views, picturesque lakes, and breathtaking scenery. 

After a few days in the mountains, we were ready to go to Scottsdale to see the rest of the family.  It has been a long time since we have seen that much of John's family in one place.  Come to think of it, we haven't seen that many Eddys since our wedding in 2007!  They had lots of catching up to do.  There was laughter, tears, and lots (and I mean lots) of storytelling.  Never a dull moment with John's family!

Julie hosted a fantastic visitation service.  It was funny, smart, and sweet.  Guggy looked so peaceful laying in her casket.  We were waiting on her to sit up and join the party.  On Sunday evening, we had gathered at the Hancock home to break bread and visit.  This turned into a movie set that was later revealed at the visitation.  I truly believe Julie might have missed her calling as a film maker.  The video tribute was cute, creative, and a labor of love.  I say labor because she stayed up most of the night editing all of her Iphone footage.  If I were more tech savvy, I would have the video on this blog..  Check out mine or John's facebook to watch the tribute.

The funeral Mass on Tuesday was hard.  Funerals are always hard.  It is hard to watch your loved ones cry and it is also like putting salt in a wound for me.  Did I mention we are both criers?  I used to not cry much, but the older I get the more I cry.  John is the same way.  We cry at the drop of the hat, and we have an unspoken rule...kind of like on Steel Magnolias.  "Nobody cries alone in my presence!"  If one of us is crying, I promise, we are both crying!  I find myself crying in Church sometimes.  Don't ask why, but hymns can just tug at my heart sometimes.  "Do not be afraid" was sung at my mom's funeral, so my water hose tears just turned on immediately when that was sung at Guggy's.  The responsorial psalm, "Shepherd me O God beyond my wants, beyond my fears from death into light" was also sung at my grandmother's funeral Mass in March.  It is my Uncle's favorite and he specifically requested that particular one..  Needless to say, it was personal for me.  Not only because I loved Guggy, but because these songs truly say what I believe, and they remind me of the most special people in my life.  Guggy is in good company. 

Aunt Mike planned the funeral, and it was perfect.  The chapel was the perfect size, the music, as previously mentioned, was superb and the Mass readings were spot on.  Now, the homily, delivered by the angelic Father Tom was "lights out"!  It was the perfect mix of reflections of Guggy, the promises of Heaven, and the beauty of the Eucharist.  What wisdom he shared with us all!  You could hear a pin drop, and I caught myself nodding in agreement! I think everyone else really enjoyed it as well because you could sense the Holy Spirit doing miracles in that room.

Guggy gave John his faith, and that was one of the main things that attracted me to John when we first met.  I knew he wasn't always a devout Catholic as a young adult, but I knew the seed had been planted.  So, thank you Guggy for instilling the most precious gift in your grandson because I am now enjoying the fruits of your labor.  If it hadn't been for you, we probably wouldn't be married today!  I owe ya...

The Cousins & Father Tom

Father Tom's Video Tribute-enough said!

 

Oops, I did it again!

How do I let so much time pass by between blogs?  Yes, we have been busy, but I still find time to check email, facebook, popsugar, and pinterest!  Oh my, pinterest is my new obsession of choice!  It is like twitter, but for fashion, party planning, and decorating etc.  John loves it for the architectural ideas and photos.  It is really a great way to find ideas and "pin" to your board for later.  Ok, I just figured out how this happened.  I've spent the last two months on pinterest...ha,ha. 

The good news is that John has recently purchased a new work laptop.  It is so fancy that you can just take out the memory disc from your camera, pop it into the super special insert spot on the laptop, and ta daa--all the photos are uploaded.  No more searching for your camera/computer cord and uploading.  I'm so happy and look forward to updating the blog on all of our summer happenings....now that I have good photos to post.

Happy Labor Day!

Meridian Family Names New Partner

This is just a quick post to say how proud of John I am!  After years of working in politics, John has been named a partner in a national public affairs and consulting firm.  From the wife's perspective, they are lucky to have him (smile), and I know he is grateful to have the opportunity.  For more info on the company and what all they do, the website is http://www.meridianhq.com/ . The press release speaks for itself.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Dad!  We celebrated Father's Day one weekend late.  It was just as special and we all had a great time. 

As usual, our time together revolved solely around food.  We are foodies and not ones to miss a meal.  Lunch on Saturday was at Zsa Zsa's.  You can't beat their steak salad and wood fired pizzas.  I always want to have their homemade gelato for dessert but am always too full.  One day...one day I will get my dessert!  Pre-dinner cocktails and appetizers were at our house.  John and I had too much fun putting our spread together.  Blue cheese stuffed olives, grape leaves, marinated tomatoes/mozzarella balls, jarlsberg and fontina cheese with some hard salami rounded out the menu.  I am a sucker for a good cheese spread.  We went the Italian route because dinner was at Vesuvio's Italian Bistro-hands down the best Italian food in Little Rock (or at least of what I've experienced thus far).  We have been talking this place up so much, that I must admit I was nervous that it wouldn't live up to the hype.  I am happy to report that it did!  John and I both got the spaghetti guitara.  Words cannot express my love for this dish--homemade egg noodles with sauteed shitake mushrooms and the entire dish is dumped into an 80 lb wheel of Parmesan cheese and stirred/scraped around before being replated-table side.  I'm telling you, if you like table side guacomole, this will knock your socks off!  Oh, and John had a chocolate martini that was to die for.  Finally, we went to Mass at 10:30 on Sunday and headed to the Capitol Hotel for lunch.  Once again, the pimento cheese and soda crackers were the highlight...that is until the french fries w/ a truffle bernaise dipping sauce came to the table....O.M.G...put a fork in me, I'm done!

Thanks Dad and Suzanne for coming to Little Rock--we love you!  I will now go plan my weekly workout schedule in an effort to work off the 10 lbs I gained in the last 48 hours, thank you very much.

Appetizers before heading to Vesuvio's

Our Beloved

Since I'm blogging now, I couldn't let the day pass without writing a little something on Mom.  Four years ago today she left this earth just 22 days shy of her 60th birthday.  Talk about a day I now dread...JUNE 1--ugh.  It is pretty close to NOVEMBER 1, the day we found out how sick she was.  Seven months to the day.  Totally sucks.  I hate cancer.  I mean, I HATE cancer. 

On a lighter note, Mom was one of a kind.  I miss her, and I know lots of other people do as well.  Either they miss her as much as they say they do, or they are just being nice.  I prefer to think it is the former and not the latter.  She was kind in every way.  Soft spoken but not one to be pushed around.  I am speaking from experience here--she meant what she said and she didn't often have to say what she meant.  You just knew.  She led by example and Kerry and I learned to take our cues from her.  She was always right and not because she said so, she really was.  She was gracious and dignified.  When she was sick, she never missed writing thank you notes when a meal was delivered.  At one point, one of her best friends asked her to please stop!  She knew Mom was thankful and she appreciated the gesture, but she was going to keep bringing meals no matter what.  When Mom was sick, the sweet cards, meals, and random acts of kindness poured in.  Having cancer is a brutal way to find out how much you are loved, but as Mom said:  "I know who my friends are, and I have not been disappointed!"

Dad put Kerry and I in charge of her headstone and footstone.  I, in turn, put Kerry in charge of said monuments.  Kerry is an artist, and Kerry was not going to let Mom have anything less than awesome.  We were all thrilled with how it turned out, so I thought I would post a picture.  Dad helped us come up with the wording for her footstone, and I think it sums her up to a T...'Our Beloved'...Perfect!

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her, Amen.

Headstone that Kerry designed and painstakingly handled every detail from start to finish.

Footstone--we discussed something more traditional like:  Wife, Mother, Friend etc...but Dad chose "Our Beloved"