The New Mr. and Mrs. Oates

What a beautiful job the guys did on their car... This was the day after the wedding, back in Brookhaven. Rob and Tina came down at lunchtime to see family and friends once more before they left. While innocently eating lunch at the church, some of Rob's friends (and...brothers?) snuck out to surprise the newlyweds with a decorative number on Rob's car. The front read "We're on a Mission from God" and the sides and back several other interesting things.

The Four of Us

Rob(bie), Liz Anne, Reuben, and I loved being together for Robbie and Tina's special weekend! This picture was taken at the rehearsal dinner in Jackson. Man were there some tear-jerking speeches!! A great time was had by all. Reuben finished the evening with his awesome best man speech--funny, touching, and sincere. I am so blessed to be part of this wonderful family!!

Quarter of a Century

Adam surprised me with my favorite kind of birthday cake (Pillsbury Funfetti with cream cheese frosting--neither found in the UK!) in the shape of a cake my mom often made when I was a child. If you can't tell, there's a doll stuck in the middle of the cake, and the cake is her "skirt." Reeses pieces (another favorite of mine, also not in the UK) made up the decorative border along the bottom. YUMMY! :) It was so fun to be home with both Adam and my family for my birthday. As I write this it is Wednesday evening, the 29th, and we fly out tomorrow afternoon to return to London. It has been sooooooo wonderful to be here in Brookhaven. But I know we must return to England. Time to get back to our youth. It will be good to see our friends again and pass on some American goodies. I will try not to bore them to tears with stories of my family and friends here in the States! Must try to get some sleep now as I rarely sleep more than an hour or so on the plane. Lord willing and the creek don't rise I'll be writing my next entry back in the good ole UK. (No, I haven't heard them use those phrases, but if I don't keep saying such I'll lose my Southern twist on the British life!)

The Family Grows...

Mr. and Mrs. Rushton :)

The Big Step

I've actually done it. Created my own blog. How am I supposed to start this? I guess I will get the hang of it as time goes on...It is strange thinking I am going to post this entry and anyone who wants may read it. I can't promise this site will be especially funny or witty or thought-provoking. But I hope it will give others a peek at Adam's and my life in London and help us stay in touch over the miles. As all of my friends and family know, I find it very difficult to communicate consistently (or at all). I do apologize to all of you once again for that. I hope this will help us feel a bit involved in each other's lives! I don't know how often I'll write. Another "play-it-by-ear."

It feels quite late at the moment so I will probably keep this short. Ironically I am not starting this "London" blog in the UK. I am back in my parent's house in The Homeseeker's Paradise (Brookhaven, Mississippi for those of you who haven't had the great priviledge of visiting before). Adam and I have been here for a week and a half for a very special occasion...the wedding of my big brother Robbie (I just can't switch to Rob!) and my new sister-in-law, Tina. The big day was yesterday, the 25th of March. It was a beautiful wedding and let me tell you that these two are awfully happy to be married!! We've all had a wonderful weekend laughing and reminicing with family and friends, eating yummy food, and worshipping the Lord together--oh, and eating more yummy food. Tina is a wonderful woman who I am proud to call my sister. She has found a treasure in my dear brother Robbie, as well. Hopefully they'll come visit us in London soon! After all the food and visiting with tons of family I am one happy, sleepy girl. So on that note I will close. I have to be careful cause I can tend to get really random and wordy when I am tired....So what was I saying? Oh yes, good-bye for now. :)