#604 Research, Oz & Birthday Cookout.

Today. Was perfect.
This morning we went to Lauren Rogers Museum of Art to try and get information on the history of the house we are possibly buying in the near future.
I could just fall out in the floor seeing those words on the screen. Not telling which house yet, we’re saving that nugget of information for when it’s all definite—but it’s in the historic district and has a fascinating story about its history. This is the only clue I’ll give you tonight:
Always been fascinated (and terrified) by the suit of armor that stands watch in the museum.

We found the house in a book about the history of Laurel and learned a little more about it after our research at the museum led us to the library:
Then this afternoon we had tickets to see The Wizard of Oz at Laurel Little Theatre. We walked from home and saw our sweet friend Brooke play Dorothy in a *seriously* broadway-worthy production. I’ve never seen such special effects in community theatre. We were the next to last audience in its totally sold-out 3 week run, so I hope you got the chance to see it!
Somewhere over the rainbow:

 

Munchkin Land:

While Brooke as Dorothy was my hands-down favorite, everyone loves the Cowardly Lion, right? How great were the costumes?

There’s no place like home.

And then, we went out to my parents for what I was told would be just us having dinner for my birthday, but when we pulled up, Jim, Chad & Annalee were there (Mal was late :), and we grilled out and had a surprise birthday party dinner on the deck. We did a whole lot of laughing and story telling. It’s the best feeling to be with your closest friends and family and know there’s no where else on earth you’d rather be.

Opening mama’s presents. She bought us a little ‘Hotty Toddy’ sign for our soon-to-be yard (fingers crossed!), and a beautiful vintage needlepoint of A Parting Blessing to hang beside the door in our soon-to-be house. It will always be so precious to us!
 
Tonight, I felt so thankful. So thankful and joyful. For our friends and family, for our relationship that’s getting better and stronger every day that we’re married, for the blessings God just keeps sending us. There’s so much. My bedtime prayers might stretch on forever tonight.
Hope and Jon, y’all were missed.