Watch The Roach Family Grow

Happy Birthday America!

2010-07-05T11:27:00.006-04:00

We celebrated America's birthday just as we would any dear friend, with food, family, and fireworks! Teague and Ginny spent the previous night with Nana and Papa, so Ryan and I enjoyed some much needed alone time. We were more than thrilled to have the kids return home to help make the flag cake. Later in the day we headed over to Nana and Papa's house for our annual Fourth of July cookout. Nana and Papa deck the house out with flags, banners, and Uncle Sam of course. We pigged out on appetizers, so were barely able to eat the huge spread of hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixin's. Luckily we saved about an inch of room for flag cake and ice cream. Much to Teague's dismay, we went to Archdale's Creekside Park for their firework display. Teague is very afraid of the fireworks, so he stayed buried in the blanket listening to Itunes while the rest of us enjoyed the fireworks. They were truly beautiful!!

We are so blessed to live in a nation where we are free to pursue our dreams, follow our God, and become the best we can be. Thanks to all those who served and are serving. We owe you a huge debt of gratitude. Happy Birthday America!!

Simple Summer Pleasures

2010-07-05T10:05:00.002-04:00

Just enjoying some of the sweet things in life that make it all worthwhile!

Family Zoo Day

2010-07-03T14:22:00.001-04:00

The kids and I take frequent trips to the zoo, but it is rare for all 4 of us to be able to go together. We decided to take advantage of today's beautiful weather and go to the zoo. It seemed that we weren't the only family to decide to do that today. It was a zoo!! We didn't get to see many exhibits due to the crowds, but we did enjoy getting out and enjoying the walk. The kids got to see the elephants very close, which was a treat! They loved the picnic lunch and trip to the playground. All in all, a great day together as a family!

A Visit to the Dairy Farm

2010-06-30T22:21:00.001-04:00

The kids went with the FUMC Kid's Club to the Bowman Dairy Farm and Homeland Creamery in Liberty today. They enjoyed a tour of the farm, hayride, and ice cream tasting. They got to milk a pretend cow filled with water, and help bottle feed a calf. Llamas, turkeys, chickens, roosters, cats, dogs, and of course cows were all animals they saw on the fam. Teague said the best part was the ice cream, cake batter flavor!!

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T10:00:00.002-04:00

Today we are celebrating those important men in our lives. Happy Father's Day Daddy, Papa, Granddaddy, and Gramps! We are so thankful for your impact on who we are and who we become. We love you all so much and feel blessed to have you in our lives.

Bible School

2010-06-18T14:40:00.001-04:00

This has been an exciting week for Teague and Ginny as they adventured at Crocodile Dock VBS at our church. The kids learned that God is always with us, He is powerful, He gives us life, He cares for us, and God does what He says He'll do. Both kids loved learning the songs, and dances, and the bible stories. It was amazing to see just how much they do absorb and learn while having fun. Teague learned the story of Moses and the Isrealites' flee from Egypt. He ate "Isrealite flat breads" (saltine crackers) and they were the "best things ever." Today was the final day of VBS and the kids celebrated with a visit from the Asheboro Fire Department. The firemen climbed their ladder and sprayed the kids with the fire hose. The kids loved the cool down, as temps were in the mid 90's today. Ginny was so excited to go out and play in the water, but she never would get in the water. Teague on the other hand was front and center. He played and ran and had the best time. What a great start to summer!

Some of Ginny too...

2010-05-24T12:29:00.005-04:00

The last several blog updates have been all about Teague. It seems that he has been in the spotlight a lot here lately, but let us not for a moment think that Ginny is giving Teague all the attention. She is growing and changing so much, and really trying to be just like her brother. Every day she says something new, does something unbelievable, and brings us such great joy. Ryan basically captured her true essence in a conversation we had over the weekend. We were talking about how blessed we are with our wonderful children. I said, "Ginny has really added so much to our family. I can't quite put my finger on what it is, but she has added so much." Ryan said, "She has added a sense of danger...and constant vigilance!" She is a true ball of fire, and we wouldn't have it any other way!

Teague's Last Soccer Game

2010-05-22T23:42:00.000-04:00

Teague's first (and maybe last) soccer season has come to a close. The Copperheads concluded their season 3-5. While I can't say that Teague developed a profound love for the game of soccer, I can at least say that he improved a lot over the season. He became more involved in the game and tried to make contact with the ball, but was still very timid and not at all aggressive. He really enjoyed being part of the team, and I think that was the most rewarding thing of the whole experience. He made some friends and had fun. Today the team had a pizza party and each player was awarded a certificate, medal, and trophy. Teague thought that was awesome!! The coach really wants Teague to play again in the fall. Teague said that he would just play tennis or golf.

The end of the school year

2010-05-21T14:35:00.006-04:00

Tear, sniff, tear, sniff...Today was Teague's last day of 3 year-old preschool. It is so hard for me to believe that another year has come and gone. This year has been full of ups and downs, some growing pains, and a lot of laughs from my boy. We've gone from flooding the school bathroom/kitchen/classroom to developing really good friendships. I have said before that it is a hard thing to realize that your baby isn't a baby any more, and I've noticed this in Teague a lot the past few weeks. He is so much more independent and self-sufficient. He is at least 6 inches taller than he was at the start of the school year. He is so much fun to be around. His joy at life is contagious. His love for everyone around him is infectious. There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't say something that totally blows my mind; either at his intelligence or his compassion, or simply at his point of view.

Here are some pictures of the last few days as the school year came to a close. He and Emma are at the preschool fundraiser at the church. He was the perfect gentleman to her. It was almost like they were on a date. They held hands in line, and he would guide her forward by gently pushing her at the small of her back. Once, a boy tried to get in front of Emma in line. Teague quickly intervened by pushing the boy back to his spot saying (firmly) "No, you were behind Emma!" It was really cute!! Then there are pictures of the end of the year picnic at Lake James. Teague and Emma, and Teague and his best buddy Connor are featured. He says these are his very best friends! Finally, the last day of school picture on the porch, and one with him and Ms. Shannon (and Emma of course!). It was a good year, and we are very much looking forward to the summer!

Teague's 4th Birthday Cookout

2010-05-15T21:09:00.000-04:00

Today Teague finished off the 4th birthday celebration with a huge family cookout. Again, we had a Curious George themed bash, complete with cookout staples (hamburgers, hot dogs, etc). Teague was thrilled to have all of his family in one place. He got lots of really nice gifts, and even got to put on his "Star Wars Live" show. Unfortunately, due to the heat, Granddaddy, Aunt Beth, and Daddy were the only attendees. It was a really fun day! There is nothing better than a juicy hamburger shared with those you love most. Thanks to everyone who came to the party. Thanks for loving our son and sharing good times with us. Can't wait to do it again!

Happy 4th Birthday Teague!

2010-05-13T22:46:00.002-04:00

Today is my baby's 4th birthday! I still can't believe that he is 4. To me he is still that red-faced, red-haired, tiny baby boy they placed in my arms at 12:28am on May 13th. It is a hard thing to realize that your baby is really a full-fledged child. Like the day he was born, Teague was up bright and early. He was up and at 'em, and full of energy by 6:15. He immediately opened his presents; a Star Wars action figure from Ginny and a Spider Man bike from Ryan and me. I hate to admit that he was much more excited about the gift from Ginny. He went off to school where he was given the royal treatment...literally, he got to wear a crown. After school, we hosted a party for his preschool friends at Kidz Bounce in Asheboro. All of his friends had a pizza, cheese ball, and strawberries lunch followed by a Curious George cake (it was supposed to be a Curious George cake, but really looked more like a monkey-boy). The kids bounced for two solid hours. They had a blast!! Ginny was right there with the big kids, bouncing away. Needless to say, my big 4 year-old took a great nap when we got home. For dinner we told Teague he could go anywhere he wanted for dinner. He originally said he wanted pancakes, so we were headed to Waffle House. Then he wanted chicken nuggets, so Chic-fil-A here we come. Then at the very last minute he wanted to go to McDonald's.

Mother's Day

2010-05-10T11:36:00.001-04:00

It was an eventful Mother's Day for me. One I'm not entirely sure will rank in the top 10 some day. Two important things must be noted: first, Ryan was working out of town from Friday until dinner time this evening, and second that Mother's Day followed a VERY long night for Ginny and I (and Papa too). Ginny took a pretty big fall which resulted in a trip to the ER. Ginny, the queen of spills and tumbles, was diagnosed with a mild concussion. We were thankful that a CT Scan ruled out any brain injury or skull fractures. However, the long night at the hospital, followed by restless sleep (waking every 45 minutes), topped off with the contraction of some sort of virus made Ginny a VERY fussy girl. She was whiney, clingy, and overall tired and "not in the mood." We did manage a great breakfast with Nana, and made it to church in time for Teague to sing with the other "Music Friends." Then we went to Gramps and Granny's house for lunch with the family. It was a quite nice lunch and the weather was nice for an outside visit. Afterward we headed home. Luckily it wasn't long before Daddy arrived. My body must have reached maximum density because nearly the minute I laid eyes on Ryan, I went to sleep. I woke up at 8:15 and the children had already been put to bed. Ryan made me a wonderful dinner of Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Pop Tarts and gave me a new pair of Rainbows as a Mother's Day gift. I enjoyed it, and went back to sleep.

Mother's are really wonderful creatures. They love you and care for you like no one else can. I am so thankful for the wonderful women in my life who have helped guide and shape the person I am today. I hope that my children will always know how much I love them, and that when I gave birth to them, I gave them my heart to carry for life. Happy Mother's Day to all.

FUMP Mother's Day Tea

2010-05-07T20:27:00.000-04:00

Teague's 3 year-old preschool class held their annual Mother's Day Tea today. It was a BIG deal. Teague has been talking about it for two weeks. He asked me one day last week if I liked tea. I told him I liked it fine. He said, "good because you have to drink it at my Mother's Day Tea." A couple of days later he says, "Mom are you coming to the Mother's Day Tea?" I told him, "I wouldn't miss it for the world." He must have gone to school the next day and told his teacher because when I went to pick him up she said, "heard you wouldn't miss the Tea for the world." Then this morning he says to me, "Mom, remember that today is my Mother's Day Tea? Wear something pretty." I nearly died laughing. So, I dressed in a casual, yet pretty dress and headed to the school for the Tea.

The children escorted their mothers to the Fellowship Hall where each child had a specific spot. They had made place mats with their hand prints, a rose made out of a cutout of their hand, and my very favorite...their silhouette. I cried when I saw Teague's because the teacher had even captured his signature cowlick in the back. It was great! At the end Teague said, "Mom, I'm sorry you didn't get any tea." ...they served lemonade. Priceless!

Ginny's First Haircut

2010-04-19T19:56:00.003-04:00

Papa and Nana have been after me for weeks to get Ginny's hair cut. Any mother knows that your little girl's first haircut is a huge deal. It is the first haircut that makes them go from looking like your baby to the big kid that they are becoming. Ginny's hair was becoming a hot mess, I'll admit it. She had very stringy bangs and a pseudo-mullet style going on. So, today we took the much anticipated trip to Great Clips to get it under control. She was the most perfect angel during the cut. She sat still (for the most part) and got a really cut 'do. She is now sporting perfectly even bangs and a pseudo-bob style, and she got an awesome sucker for her efforts!

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T19:33:00.004-04:00

A great Easter is behind us. The kids had so much fun, spread over so many days! We dyed Easter Eggs on Saturday. Boy, what an adventure. Teague didn't like Ginny "throwing" the eggs into the dye. Guess he preferred to be the one to throw them. Ginny wanted multiple eggs in one dye cup. Teague wanted to do the eggs in rapid succession, and was disappointed when there were no more to dye. It ended up ok. We got 14 out of 18 in the baskets, and only suffered minor dying of the hands and clothes. Sunday was good. For the first time ever, I think both children were healthy on Easter morning. They were delighted with the bounty left by the Easter Bunny. Teague got a kite and the game Chutes and Ladders, and a few other little goodies. Ginny got a new book and some hair bows. They both got WAY too much candy, and in the spirit of Easter we allowed them to eat candy before breakfast. Church was great, and Teague was happy to show off his Easter suit. He was ecstatic to be wearing a "real suit" and Daddy even let him borrow a tie clip! Ginny looked adorable in her smocked bunny dress, compliments of Granny.

Following church we had a wonderful traditional Easter lunch at Nana and Papa's house. Martha and Rebekah were kind enough to hide eggs for the kids. Aunt Denise, Granny, and even Papa got in on the action. The kids loved finding the eggs! Nothing is better than banana pudding after an intense round of Easter egg hunting. I have never seen anyone devour banana pudding like Ginny. She turned up the bowl and licked it from top to bottom. Then she shared the spoon with Jetson! It was a delicious treat!

It was a great Easter. We felt so blessed to be surrounded by so many that we love. What a wonderful day to celebrate!

Easter Parade and Egg Hunt

2010-03-31T20:40:00.004-04:00

The First United Methodist Preschool Easter Parade had beautiful weather for our trek downtown. The kids marched in Easter bonnets, bunny ears, masks, etc from the church to the Sunset Theatre downtown. There they viewed a movie, "The Littlest Angel's Easter". After the movie the kids went to Centennial Park and had their egg hunt. Although not an offical student there, Ginny enjoyed the festivities as well. Both she and Teague took off to collect as many eggs as possible. Round two of lots of candy and goodies. The Easter Bunny was in attendance for the parade and egg hunt. Ginny was very unsure of "him" at first. She held on to me with a fierce grip. When the bunny was out of site Ginny would repeat over and over, "Bunny go?" By the end she warmed up enough for a picture. So glad the weather was beautiful and the kids had a great time.

*More pics to follow--computer not cooperating!

A Crazy, Busy, very Fun Day!

2010-03-28T22:14:00.004-04:00

Wow what a day! We packed so much into this day, it is amazing that we made it through without a meltdown. Teague had to be at church early to practice his "Hosanna" processional. Then he and the other "Music Friends" waved palm branches, marched into church, and sang "Hosanna". Then we had a hot dog lunch at church followed by the indoor Easter Egg Hunt. Teague and Ginny both participated and got lots of eggs. They had a slew of prizes and candy to show for their efforts. We made it home in time to get a quick nap during the rain storm. Then we headed to Curious George Live. Ginny stayed with Nana and Papa while we met Emma for the show. Teague was a little hesitant at first. He was very concerned that there were going to be fireworks. I promised him that there would be no fireworks inside. He spent the first 20 minutes with his head on my lap, then he warmed up. He and Emma danced and danced to the show's music. Unfortunately, at the very very end there was a small pop and paper confetti rained down. Teague looked at me very seriously and said "you lied." I explained that it was only a small pop, and not technically fireworks. It didn't matter, he was ready to go. Luckily it was over!

We had a great, although super busy day. Lots of fun pictures to share!

The First Soccer Game!

2010-03-27T17:10:00.005-04:00

We won!! Well, at this level they don't actually keep score, there are no winners and losers, heck there aren't even any goalies...that said, Teague's team won! This game was a comedy of errors from start to finish. We had to be at the field at 9 this morning for pictures. It was about 34 degrees in the shadows and wind. The kids and parents were freezing. The game started at 10. The kids basically just ran around back and forth, except for the two kids (one on each team) who knew what they were doing. There were a few terrific highlights that I would like to share:

1. Teague got to throw the ball into the game to get it started...he nailed a kid in the head with it.

2. Two minutes into the game Teague ran off the field and said that he had to poop. After walking to the port-a-potty he declared a false alarm.

3. After returning to the field he laid on the ground and declared himself both too sick and too tired to continue. (Please keep in mind that the game continues behind us). After some not to gentle conjoling he returned to the sidelines.

4. After growing tired of being on the sidelines he ran into the game out of turn. Extra man on the field was promptly escorted off by his all-too-understanding coach.

5. After a goal and some pretty good plays Teague decided that the team really needed a goalie, so he took it upon himself to goal-tend. Unfortunately, he was tending his own goal and the action was at the other end of the field.

6. Finally, he actually kicked the ball, made contact, and nearly made a goal.

All in all, not a bad first effort!

Happy St Paddy's Day

2010-03-17T18:56:00.000-04:00

Had a great St. Patrick's Day that started with cinnamon rolls with green icing and the smell of corned beef cooking in the crock pot. Teague wanted to do something special, so we put on our green gear and headed out for a picnic at Hagan Stone Park. Teague helped me pack the picnic basket. He got a blanket for us to sit on. I told him there were picnic tables, but he said "at a real picnic you sit on the ground."

It was a bit nostalgic for me, taking the kids to a park where I played so often growing up. I took Teague and Ginny down the same slide I went down at his age. They each posed for pictures on the concrete turtles and took a walk by the lake. We had the best time!

Surprisingly, the kids LOVED the corned beef and cabbage for dinner. Teague even ate the beef! Ginny ate two helpings of cabbage. I guess the tiny bit of Irish blood they have was craving their native fare. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all. Hope none of you got pinched!

Soccer Practice!

2010-03-09T21:49:00.000-05:00

Teague had his first soccer practice today. It was very funny! Teague is on a team of 8 boys, ranging in age from 3-6. They are the Central Carolina Soccer Club Copperheads. The practice consisted of them dribbling the ball, passing from one foot to the next, and kicking it into the goal. At the end they played a game of "Lions and Tourists" where three boys are lions and the other boys are tourists taking pictures. The coach shouts "lions on the loose" and the lion boys chase and tag the tourist boys. After practice I asked Teague what his favorite part was...of course it was being a lion. I think it is going to be an interesting season. Our hope is that he learns how to be a part of a team and comes to appreciate the feel of exercising his body. However, we are pretty sure that the fundamentals of soccer will have to wait until another year.

Lion and Lamb Days

2010-03-08T20:56:00.002-05:00

This month in preschool Teague is learning about lion vs lamb days ("In like a lion, out like a lamb"). Last week was full of lion days, but Teague said that today was the "perfect lamb day." It really was. We had the perfect day; blowing bubbles, lunch outside, finding shapes in the clouds, taking a walk, swinging, and playing soccer. Today was a great reminder of why I chose to stay home with my kids. I wouldn't have wanted to miss today for anything. Welcome Spring!!

Another Snow Day?!

2010-03-03T13:49:00.002-05:00

We have had so much snow and yet Teague's excitement for it never fails. Today Teague and I went out bright and early and made a snowman. You can tell he is very tiny, but it was fun. Teague loved putting the baby carrot as the nose.

Now we can say with all enthusiasm...Come on Spring!

Makin' popcorn

2010-02-26T21:22:00.000-05:00

Just too adorable to pass up...Teague and Ginny decided to make some popcorn and watch a movie after their bath. Teague was holding Ginny so she could see the popcorn pop.

Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T23:14:00.002-05:00

Here are my Valentine's opening their gifts! Happy Valentine's Day! Love to all!

Happy 50th Anniversary, Gramps and Granny!!

2010-02-10T10:16:00.000-05:00

Gramps and Granny celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday. Papa and Aunt Denise hosted a really wonderful luncheon in their honor at Sunset Ave Church of God here in Asheboro. There were many of Gramps and Granny's friends in attendance. Unfortunately, due to 14+ inches of snow in Virginia, family members were not able to make the trip.

Gramps and Granny took turns telling the story of their marriage. Milford and Dreama were married on a Wednesday afternoon (February 8, 1960). Gramps got off work early and picked Granny up from school. They drove to North Carolina to get married. Yes, they eloped! They had to have a blood test to get their marriage license, and Gramps apparently had elevated blood pressure and had to lay down before the ceremony could be performed. It took so long to get him back to normal that they almost missed the Justice of the Peace. He told them that he knew they were coming and waited for them. They didn't have any witnesses, so the JOP got someone in the hall to sign the certificate. (Because of this Gramps jokes that they aren't really married). They planned to keep the marriage a secret until they could get a place of their own, but Granny made the mistake of telling her older sister. Pretty soon Gramps' family found out and the secret was out. The rest is history.

We are so blessed by their marriage. It is a model for our family. Life isn't always easy, but you stick together. You remain strong in your faith and put that first. Marriage is work and commitment. We are so thankful to have this couple to learn from. We love you Gramps and Granny! Congratulations on 50 years together!

Snow Day, Snow Day!!

2010-01-30T11:02:00.000-05:00

Teague was thrilled to see the ground covered with snow this morning. He was so excited that he wanted to go out and play at 6:30am. We told him that he would have to wait until after breakfast, so he wanted everyone to eat immediately. We got him to wait until 8. I got him dressed in layer upon layer of clothes and sent him out the door. Then I wrestled with Ginny to get her dressed. She was fighting me the whole time. It was so hard to get her to stay in her mittens and hat. Finally, everyone was out the door. I went to get dressed and by the time I finally walked out the door (maybe 2 minutes) Ginny had already removed her gloves, fallen down in the snow, and was screaming bloody murder. She refused to stay out any longer. So, my snow time lasted long enough to walk outside and pick Ginny up. She still cried for about 10 minutes after I brought her back in. She kept screaming "hands!! hands!!" Teague had a great time sleding and playing. Snow got in his boots, his gloves were soaked, but he loved it.

A slow start to the year

2010-01-06T09:51:00.002-05:00

Thank goodness the year has started off slowly for us. After fighting colds and stomach bugs the past few weeks we are thankful for some down time. Here are some cute pics of Teague and Ginny doing their thing. Ginny has discovered that the dryer can be a very fun place to hang out. If only she could get the folding and putting away down it would be so helpful.

A Christmas to Remember (hopefully just the good parts)

2009-12-25T23:19:00.001-05:00

We had been looking forward to Christmas morning for weeks. Nothing can compare to the excitement of waking up on Christmas morning, except the anticipation of seeing the look on your kids' faces as they wake up on Christmas morning. For us, that morning started a little differently. Teague woke up a little after 1am very sick. He had a terrible cough and was sick to his stomach. We were up and down with him all night. When he woke for the day, I asked him if he wanted to see what Santa had brought him. He said he would rather lay down and sleep. That is when I really knew it was bad. Of course, I got weepy. I didn't want his Christmas to be ruined. Upon seeing that I was upset, my extremely compassionate son said "it is ok Mommy, it isn't bad to be sick." I told him that I just didn't want him to have a bad Christmas. To which he replied, "But Mommy, I'm having a GREAT Christmas!" That made me cry harder...
It took a while, but he finally mustered enough courage and strength to open his gifts. He and Ginny were both very pleased with their loot. Teague announced that Santa got him everything he wanted except Connect 4. Lucky for him that one was covered already by Granny. He was pleased to find that Santa had even brought him an X-Wing Fighter for Luke Skywalker. Ginny got a doll house, some Little People, shoes, and a drum...Santa, of all things you bring Ginny a drum!!!
It wasn't long after we opened presents that Teague crashed. Fever spiked and he was down for the count. When asked if he wanted to stay home or go to Papa's, he said "I'll be so sad if I don't go to Papas!" So, we took him. He continued to get sick, be totally lethargic, and overall just punk. He delighted as best he could in his new scooter, helmet, and pj's that he received from Nana and Papa. Ginny seemed to enjoy Teague's gift more than he did. We heard a steady chorus of "ride, ride, ride" until we finally let her. Ginny got a big girl duffel bag with her name on it, Princess books, and pj's. She was thrilled with it all, mainly Teague's scooter. Ryan and I received our annual "dead body" box full of groceries. We were so excited because it was all name brand food!!
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was for Daddy and me. Teague and Daddy were about to throw in the towel for the day and head home for some rest when Papa said, "there is one more present, but it is in the basement." I started to get annoyed because I thought it was a joke, and wasn't in a joking mood. We all trudged down to the basement to find a big box covered with a sheet. Like accident on-lookers we stood around the box as Papa ripped off the sheet. Underneath was a GIANT flat screen HDTV!!! We were speechless. We really thought it was a joke for a few minutes, but were totally estatic to find that it wasn't!!
So, Teague and Ryan went home to get Teague on the mend. I took Ginny to Gramps and Granny's for our Whitaker Christmas dinner. You have never seen so many presents in your life! There were at least 50 presents under that tree. Let's not forget the filet on the table, complete with salad, potatoes, coconut cake, chocolate and pumpkin pies. It was Christmas insanity!!! We enjoyed Gramps' Christmas gift game where everyone selects a package, one of which contains $50 and the rest have food and other prizes. Ginny was a perfect angel. She must like being the center of attention, and not having to share the spotlight with brother. She got so many things; her own "hello", a Foofa (Yo Gabba Gabba) microphone, a FurReal kitten, a baby doll, hair bow, and Princess dinnerware. Teague's gifts were saved until he feels better. It was a really nice night, except that Teague's presence (and Ryan's too) was really missed.

I will selfishly admit that I was bummed out today that Teague was sick. I was basically on the verge of tears all day. It was not as much fun without his laughter, squeals, and overall rumpass. But tonight after he was safely tucked into bed I tried to reflect on that Christmas night so many years ago as Mary held her son. He was so tiny and perfect set against a backdrop of imperfection. Here he was, the Prince of Peace, lying in a stable with farm animals faced with the threat of imminent death. Yet, it was the happiest day of for all humanity. Teague's illness was a definite distraction, but I will try to remember another mother's son who made all my joy possible. Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Eve 2009

2009-12-24T23:30:00.001-05:00

Today was busy, and full of Christmas celebrations. We started the day in Hickory, closing out our week long visit. The kids were delighted to find their stockings were full and their were lots of presents under the tree. Teague received roller skates, a fishing rod, a dual-action light saber, Hungry Hippos, a Darth Maul action figure, a Star Wars lunch box, and a stocking so full of things we can't list. Ginny got a baby doll that talks and crawls, a lighted faux fish aquarium, a new sweater coat, a pair of designer jeans (thanks Aunt Beth), a sweater and shirt, and again...so many other things we can't list. Mommy and Daddy got lots of wonderful gifts, but were most thrilled to receive Granddaddy's original painting that was the cover art for the Roach Christmas card this year (featuring Teague and Ginny's names on sleds). We just had a wonderful time, and shared a lot of special memories. We said our teary goodbye and headed back to Asheboro to make our final preparations for Santa's arrival.
Teague and Ginny (kind of) helped me make Christmas cookies to leave for Santa. Teague loved putting on the sprinkles. One special snowman was the recipient of an entire bottle of red sugar sprinkles. That one is definitely going on Santa's plate. Then we got ready for the Jones clan celebration at Nana and Papa's. It was so nice to catch up with everyone. The kids received more gifts (does Santa even need to come???). Teague racked up with Ants in the Pants and Hyper Dash. Ginny got a new Cinderella baby she named "Eyes" and a train set. They were tickled pink! Teague ran around in a nightshirt and underwear for a while. We stuffed ourselves with delicious food, and left fat and happy! The kids are now nestled and snug in their beds. Ryan and I are just left waiting for Santa. Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good NIGHT!

PS-Sorry photos are not in order...too tired tonight to organize.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2009-12-21T21:17:00.000-05:00

Ryan celebrated his birthday in Hickory. We had a pretty laid back day. Grandmommy didn't have school due to the snow. We had some sinful lunch and a big surf 'n turf dinner complete with King Crab legs and mud pie for dessert. Hope Daddy had a great day! We love you! Thanks for being the best Daddy and hubby in the world.

PS-Pictures included of Ginny because they were taken today and were so super cute! She was in bed by the time we celebrated.

The Roaches take on the Grove Park Inn

2009-12-20T20:57:00.000-05:00

This was the tenth time I have accompanied the Roach family to the Grove Park Inn for lunch the Sunday before Christmas. I must say that this year was the most eventful. Virginia really adds some adventure to any restaurant experience. Add elements such as carving stations, precarious food displays, 100 gingerbread houses, 60 Christmas trees, etc and you can begin to see why this year was so special. Before we had even really gotten started on our meal Ginny already had a nasty mess in a 3-foot circumference of her chair, which by the way she wouldn't put her behind in to save her life. Thankfully everyone took turns allowing Ginny to accompany them to the buffet. This allowed the rest of us about 3 minutes of peace in which to eat. Once she returned, it started over again. Once the dining room thinned out some we allowed Teague and Ginny to wander around near our chairs. The next thing I know, they have pushed an enormous (literally, a 10 feet tall plant in a 2 feet tall planter) across the floor, and BANG it goes over. The waiters and waitress rush to help, but at this point Daddy is already scooping mounds of mulch back into the planter. It really was a nice trip, but I think next year we will leave the kids in Hickory!

I'm Dreaming of a White (Almost) Christmas

2009-12-19T18:43:00.001-05:00

Teague has been telling me that we were going to have a white Christmas for three weeks. For three weeks I have been telling him that it doesn't usually get cold enough in NC for it to snow in December and that there would be no white Christmas. Today he woke up and said, "Mom, it does snow here for Christmas!" Moms just can't get a break!!
Asheboro didn't get much; less than an inch. We left today for our trip to Hickory for Christmas. We drove through Greensboro who had more than we did, and on to Hickory who got a lot!! We arrived in Hickory to a blanket of about 8 inches of snow. Teague wouldn't even let us get unpacked before he was outside running around in the snow. Ginny was not a huge fan! She got a new coat and snow boots for the occasion but did not like the feel of it on her body. It was too cold and wet. She would just sit down in the snow and cry for someone to carry her. Daddy and Teague completed a snowman with a bottle cap face and Granddaddy's hat. This is such a nice addition to this Christmas. We are so excited!

Family Craft Day/Christmas Party

2009-12-18T20:32:00.001-05:00

This has been a busy week. We have finished up our shopping and baking, and Teague managed to fit in two celebration days at preschool. Yesterday I participated in the Family Craft Day. Teague got to decorate a gingerbread man with lots of icing and candy decorations. I think more of the decorations ended up in his mouth than on the gingerbread man. He also got to see Santa. He was super nervous at first. He kept saying that he didn't want to tell him anything, that he would just go get a treat bag. Once it was his turn, he hopped right on Santa's list and gave him the run-down. He even looked at me and said "just five things, right mom?"
Ryan was able to attend Teague's class Christmas party, which basically consisted of eating a variety of snacks. Teague did get a little treat bag. And so it begins!!!

Happy Birthday Papa~

2009-12-16T21:27:00.001-05:00

We had Papa and Nana over for a little birthday celebration. It was not my finest display of culinary skill, but the food was edible. Papa and Teague love Key Lime Pie, so that was served in lieu of cake. Papa got his nose buttered by Teague, and Ginny helped open the gifts. It was a fun night! We hope Papa had a really special day, and we LOVE him so very much!

Ta-da!

2009-12-06T20:24:00.000-05:00

The tree is all decorated! I have three angels this year...one on top, and two in front. The best gifts ever!

The Perfect Christmas Tree

2009-12-03T22:20:00.000-05:00

Ryan and Teague weren't able to go on the annual trek to Pineola to cut down our Christmas tree this year, so we went with Nana and Papa to Mistletoe Meadows to get one "off the lot". After having several years of no input, it was nice to have a say in tree selection this year. Ryan said "that is too small" about every tree I picked. Of course we usually have to cut 3 feet off the bottom and another foot off the top to get his picks in the house. The lot was a little muddy, but it was a fun family get-together. Nana and I both picked out cute "little" trees. It is perfect and fits beautifully in the room. We are going to decorate tomorrow night as a family. It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

Happy Thanksgiving 2009!

2009-11-26T23:02:00.004-05:00

Our family has so much to be thankful for this year. We all still have jobs, everyone is in good health, and our home is filled with more love than we could imagine. We feel so blessed everyday! Today we took some time out to be with the ones we love most, and to truly reflect on all that we have been given. Happy Thanksgiving!

Teague's Thanksgiving "Feast"

2009-11-24T15:56:00.000-05:00

Teague's Thanksgiving "Feast"

2009-11-24T15:17:00.002-05:00

Teague had his preschool Thanksgiving "feast" today. He was so excited! Something about that word, "feast", really had him going. When he realized that "feast" was just another word for "a lot of food" he was more than just a little disappointed. The class had a good time, and ate on turkey placemats made from hand prints of each child's family members. Ginny got right in on the action. She pulled a chair up to the table and made herself at home on Teague's plate. That girl doesn't miss a beat. The best thing was when the whole class stood together and said "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart." and did signs! I melted!! I give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart that I have such terrific kids!

Carolina/Duke Game

2009-11-08T14:41:00.006-05:00

The Roaches had a blast at the Carolina v. Duke game yesterday. The weather was just perfect for a great game. Everyone had fun playing Cornhole and "tailgating" at the Carolina Inn. Bob and Becky have been attending this game with a group of friends for over 30 years. It was nice to get the different families together to catch up. Teague and Ginny were wild as rams. Ginny was dressed as a Tarheel cheerleader, and enjoyed getting some attention from a real cheerleader. Teague was enjoying everything until we got to the game. Once the first firework went off, that was all she wrote. For the remainder of the game, and I do mean every single minute of the game, he sat with his hands over his ears, and spent the majority in the fetal position under our seats. The rest of us enjoyed a great game, and were pleased when Carolina came out with a win.

Halloween

2009-10-31T21:46:00.001-04:00

Another great Halloween! The kids received enough candy to last for 6 months, but they had a great time. We were thrilled to share our Halloween fun with Nana, Papa, Gramps, and Granny. We enjoyed a quick pizza dinner, before the masses of trick-or-treaters showed up for their bounty. Granny was kind enough to satisfy the trick-or-treaters while Gramps, Papa, Nana, Daddy, and I took our goblins around the neighborhood. Even though it was Ginny's first time, she became an old pro in no time. Teague knew the routine and was thrilled to show Ginny the ropes. The kids' costumes were a big hit. Everyone thought they were the cutest Star Wars kids on the block. People especially got a kick out of Ginny's honeybun hair. This is a holiday that we enjoy every year, and it was especially nice to be able to share it with people we love. Happy Halloween!

Fall Fun

2009-10-29T20:35:00.000-04:00

Just some family fall fun! Daddy made a big leaf pile and the kids had a great time jumping in the leaves. Both were a little skeptical at first. Ginny wasn't sure that she liked the feel of leaves, Teague didn't like the hard ground underneath the leaves. After a while, they both had a blast, and Daddy did too!! Teague, with his eagle eyes, spotted a small turtle that was just a little larger than a half dollar in the leaves.

Children's Sabbath/Fall Festival

2009-10-25T23:36:00.000-04:00

Today was Children's Sabbath at church and Teague got to sing 2 songs with his preschool friends in front of the whole congregation. Nana and Papa even came to watch. The kids did a great job! Teague knew every word and even all the hand motions. We were very proud, and are so happy that he has found something at church that he likes so much.

This evening the church held their annual Fall Festival where the children dress up in their costumes and play carnival type games. Teague and Ginny's costumes were the hit of the festival. Everyone loved that they dressed in coordinating costumes. (Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia from Star Wars for those of you who are pop culture challenged.) Everyone was making over how cute Ginny's wig was. Teague had a blast playing all the games, and getting a full bag of treats! Ginny had a blast running around the room, making Mommy and Daddy chase her. Aunt Denise even came by to join in the fun. We had a great time, and got lots of candy. This is just the first of the Halloween festivities for the week. By Saturday, Teague won't even need to go trick-or-treating!

Pumpkin Carving With Nana and Papa

2009-10-24T16:23:00.000-04:00

In keeping with tradition, Nana and Papa came over for the 4th Annual Roach/Whitaker Pumpkin Carving. It was a lot of fun this year since Ginny was at the perfect age to get into everything. Teague told everyone ahead of time that he would get out all the pumpkin guts. He quickly renigged when he saw what the task involved. We also lamented selecting such a large pumpkin, when gut removal started. The Roaches had two pumpkins to carve, one Jack-O-Lantern and one Jill-O-Lantern, of couse. Pumpkin carving, followed by the ceremonial lighting, and then some freshly baked pecan pie. Life is good!

It was great fun, and the pumpkins came out great!

NC State Fair

2009-10-21T16:00:00.000-04:00

The kids enjoyed their first trip to the state fair. It was a fun-filled day, full of food, games, rides, exhibits, and food! Teague was a little hesitant about riding the rides, but once he got started he didn't want to stop. Ginny was all about riding the rides, and love the tea cup ride. Everyone enjoyed seeing the animals and exhibits. We especially loved the piglets! We stayed nearly all day, and everyone was exhausted as we headed home. Teague said "when can we go back there" about 10 times on the way home. Just good 'ole family fun!

Susan G Komen Race For The Cure

2009-10-19T15:51:00.000-04:00

It was a proud day for the Roach girls (Mommy and Ginny) as we completed our first 5K race. Mommy, Ginny, Daddy, Teague and Grandmommy all participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Foothills Race. Teague and Daddy didn't do much running since Teague fell in the first 5 minutes and was down for the count after that. Ginny and I were super proud of ourselves for finishing the race, having run nearly all of it. We finished in 36minutes and 48seconds. I couldn't believe it! The time isn't great, but just being able to run for that long made me feel great. Ginny was a real angel the whole way. She hummed and talked to me, giving me more motivation and encouragement than I thought possible. It was really a great accomplishment. I hope to do more of these, and get that time down to around 30 minutes!

A Fall Pineola Weekend

2009-10-05T21:25:00.000-04:00

Another great weekend in Pineola. The leaves weren't really changing yet, but it was still beautiful. The weather was basically perfect. Just a slight chill in the air in the morning and evening, but beautiful all day. We had great roaring fires in the inside fireplace and outside fire pit. Had some delicious smores, steaks, and fish. The girls enjoyed our traditional "Girl's Day Out" in Blowing Rock. Had a great lunch at Storie St. Grill, followed by some super shopping at Shoppes on the Parkway. Ginny was a real trooper, proving once again that she can definitely hang with the Roach girls. The Roach boys did some hiking, ate some BBQ, and had a great time down by the river. It was nice just being together. Can't wait until our next trip!

Happy 70th Birthday Gramps!

2009-10-02T15:40:00.001-04:00

Happy 70th Birthday Gramps! It is hard to believe that you are 70, since you have more spunk and energy than most of us who are half your age. We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments. On your birthday, we celebrate you and are so happy that we are the ones with the greatest gift!

Happy 1st Birthday Ginny!

2009-09-12T21:37:00.002-04:00

It is hard to believe that our Baby Girl is a year old. Time flies when you are having fun!! We celebrated royally today, with a Princess Party. It was pink and girly and wonderful! Ginny really had a great time playing with her guests, opening presents (soooo many!!!), and especially eating cake. She was thrilled to dig right in, up to her elbows in that cake. She put it in her hair, nose, and everywhere else. She may have even eaten some. There were about 150 pictures to choose from, but I think you get the point from these.

It was truly a great day. It was so nice to have friends and family here to celebrate our first year with "Ginny Belle". She has brought so much love and joy (and excitement) to our lives in just a short time. She is adventurous, fearless, and daring. She is smart, loving, and sweet. She is everything a good princess should be.

In The Surf

2009-09-05T15:59:00.002-04:00

A Day On The Tracks

2009-08-23T00:02:00.002-04:00

Teague The Cowboy

2009-08-07T23:45:00.003-04:00

One day I might ride in the rodeo!

More Beach Pics

2009-07-19T21:19:00.004-04:00

Roach Beach Trip 2009

2009-07-19T20:47:00.006-04:00

What a wonderful trip it was! We enjoyed a very extended 10 day beach trip to Figure 8 Island and Wrightsville Beach with the Roach family. It was Ginny's first time with her toes in the sand, and I think she is now a beach baby! It took several days before she learned that sand was for looks, not eats. She and Teague both enjoyed playing in the water and on the beach. Teague loved fishing with Daddy and Granddaddy. Ginny loved taking long walks to "the pointe" with Grandmommy and Mary Ben. Mommy enjoyed the free time to read "Twilight" (who knew Teenage Vampire love could be so enthralling). Teague and Ginny had lots of babysitters in their grandparents, Aunt Beth, and cousins Sarah, Will, and Julia. Both children were both captivated by Will, and I think a small fan club has formed. At the end of the week, the kids enjoyed their first stay at a hotel (I mean "resort"-sorry Grandmommy!). The kids enjoyed playing in the pool, walking to the pier, and flying a kite on the beach. We ate lots and lots of great meals and had wonderful nights overlooking the ocean. The vacation passed in the blink of an eye, but we will cherish the memories forever!!

July 4th, 2009

2009-07-11T10:59:00.000-04:00

July 4th

2009-07-05T20:23:00.001-04:00

Happy 4th of July everyone! God Bless America!

By the way...the internet is a powerful tool for researching the lyrics to all sorts of patriotic music that you can sing during the fireworks display!

One Day Fun Day

2009-06-24T22:10:00.002-04:00

Our church is undergoing massive renovations, so decided to have a one day "bible school" this year. This is the first year that Teague has been old enough to participate, and he had a ball. He sang songs, watched puppets, visited Daniel in the Lion's Den, watched a movie about David and Goliath, made play-doh, played water games, and got to go on a real firetruck and get squirted by the firehose! He was so pooped that he fell asleep soaking wet in the car. He can't wait to go again next year!!

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T20:01:00.004-04:00

Today we took the day to celebrate the wonderful men in our lives. My family is so blessed to have such amazing male role models. I am so thankful that I have such a phenomenal father, who has always been and continues to be a source of strength and unconditional love for me. I know that Ryan feels the same about his father. He will quickly tell you that his father is not just a dad, but also his very best friend.

It is also a great source of pride that my wonderful grandfather is now a huge part of my children's life. They love their Gramps so much! Words can't express the feeling you get when you see your grandfather with your children!

I can't even begin to say or demonstrate how much I love my husband and father of my children. There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't amaze me with his patience and affection with our children. So many men are afraid to show their love, but not Ryan. He freely gives his hugs and kisses, and showers our children with praise and words of encouragement. My life and the children's lives are all the better for having Ryan as our husband/father.

Thank you to all the dads out there who have loved us and made us who we are. Moms may get all the glory sometimes, but no one can ever fill dad's shoes.

While Daddy's Away the Kids Will Play

2009-06-20T19:56:00.001-04:00

Daddy is away working in King's Mountain this weekend and the kids are wild and crazy. Teague and Mommy made brownies, and Teague got a brownie batter goatee and mustache. Then the kids (I should say Ginny, but Teague really enjoyed it more than she) got a new baby pool. We have had a great time, but we miss Daddy.

Happy Birthday Nana!

2009-06-14T21:29:00.003-04:00

Nana got a birthday celebration that lasted all weekend. The kids and I spent Friday and Saturday nights with Nana while Daddy was out of town. We partied with the Jones clan on Friday night. Nana got to enjoy a hamburger/hot dog dinner (which she mostly prepared herself). She did however enjoy Ginny repeatedly spitting up on the carpet and Teague dragging out every toy/game in the house. It made her feel young again! Saturday's celebration included a fun-filled trip to Sam's Club. Daddy had to wedge himself in the car between the two carseats (a truly funny sight every time). Then at Sam's Teague had to go to the restroom twice and spilled an entire can of Ginny's snacks in the aisle. I'm sure Nana and Papa were both a little joyed to see us leave today. Happy Birthday Nana! We love you very much, and hope that despite the chaos it was still a lovely day.

Just a Swingin'

2009-06-08T20:39:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Nana and Papa for the new swingset! We are LOVING it!!

Ginny's Growing Fins Too!

2009-06-03T20:08:00.001-04:00

We get one out of the water and it is time for the other one to go. Ginny started swimming "lessons" this week. Her lessons consist of 30 minutes of Mommy and Daddy holding her in the pool and swishing her around. She mainly wants to chew on the rubber duck. She can't be bothered to do any of the things the instructor wants her to do like splash and kick her legs. What can I say, at least I don't have to bribe this one.

Just Some Sweetness

2009-06-01T20:05:00.001-04:00

Just some photos of my two being the sweet little angels that they are.

She's A Crawlin'

2009-05-22T19:50:00.001-04:00

Ginny has found mobility! She finally got up on those knees and took off. She is so happy to finally be able to get around! I am so happy that I got to see it (girl's weekend starts tomorrow)!

Teague Is Growing Fins

2009-05-21T21:54:00.000-04:00

(The pictures are really hard to see) Teague started swimming lessons at the YMCA in Asheboro this week. He is going 4 nights a week for two weeks. I thought it was going to be like his baby lessons (ie. us in the pool with him, splashing around, etc.) No, no. The first thing the instructor said to us was, "It would be best if you guys could stay at this end of the pool. The kids do better that way." I will add here that Ryan and I were the only parents who actually did stay at the end of the pool. The wall was lined with "hover-parents". No us, we let our little Nemo do his thing, and were a little proud that we were so "with it". He seemed great at first. Then at the end he said that he didn't want to go back. By the next morning he was begging to get out of the remaining lessons. Anxiety got so bad that he threw a tantrum before the next lesson. I literally had to hold him in the car and strap him in his seat. The pride in my parenting that I was feeling the day before vanished as I bribed my son with a $1 to finish the day's lesson. I mean, you gotta do what you gotta do, right? Well, he got so anxious about going "neifen the water" that he puked in the pool. The instructor was ok with it though because Teague was courteous enough to puke in the drain. Day three was much better. He jumped right in, did his thing, went "neifen" the water and was even swimming without a lifebelt. I think he may end up really liking this swimming thing. Of course, I am going to be $8 poorer, plus we promised him a pool for the yard.

2 Year-Old Preschool Over!

2009-05-20T19:19:00.000-04:00

It seems like just yesterday we were dropping Teague off for his first day of preschool, and now the school year is over. He has had so much fun meeting new friends, making crafts, and learning the most important lessons in life; sharing, caring, and being a friend. This week they had their end of year activities. His class had a very nice party at Lake Lucas where they all received a goodie bag from Miss Rene'. She also gave each child a cross-stitched picture with the school logo and each of their names beside a heart. Teague is already looking forward to next year when he will begin going to school 3 days a week. We are wondering what we are going to do all summer when Teague wakes up to say, "is it a preschool day?"

Can it be that Teague is 3?!

2009-05-13T21:40:00.000-04:00

Three parties for a three year old...a bit excessive? NO!! Teague had the last two of his parties today. He had a cupcake cake ("Cars" of course) with his preschool class. For the record, cupcake cakes have the most icing you have ever seen outside of the 5 gallon tub they are shipped in. They use icing to glue the cupcakes to the board, then they have to glob it on in between the cupcakes to make the solid rectangular surface on which they decorate. For me and the kids, it was heaven; for the other parents, not so much!

Tonight, Gramps, Granny, Nana and Papa came over for a chicken pie dinner, per the birthday boy's request. Teague helped me decorate for his party, and set the table all by himself. He assigned seats while setting the table, and remembered who was where at party time. Granny was so sweet to make a strawberry cake for Teague's special day. It took two tries to get the candles out, but no real problem. He got the traditional buttered nose treatment, and opened a few gifts. He received the WALL-E movie from Ginny, and said thank you to her at least ten times. Mommy and Daddy gave him a soccer goal so he can practice those killer kicks. Nana and Papa gave him some really cool clothes.

Teague had a wonderful birthday, although it was very difficult for us to believe that the time has passed so quickly. It seems impossible that my baby could be three. Of course, he was curious to know tonight when he would have another birthday party. I told him, "When you turn 4." And he said, "I'll be 4 in just a minute!" How true!

Thank God for Mothers

2009-05-10T21:02:00.003-04:00

Today was a very special day to say thanks to Moms. My family made this day very special for me. To start off the day, I awoke to find both of my children in my bed. Any other day I would have been annoyed, but today I thought it was really special. Daddy and the kids had put a great surprise on the front porch, new adirondack chairs! I have been wanting them for ages, and my thoughtful crew bought them for me! They look great, and I can hardly wait to read the paper and drink some coffee out there. Unfortunately that probably won't happen until the kids leave for college. We went to church together and Teague stole the show during children's time again. Rev. Holder asked the kids what today was, and the older kids answered Mother's Day. He asked what we did on Mother's Day and Teague said, "We put paint on our fingers and put them in a card!" My son the literalist!

After church we went to Papa and Nana's for lunch with the family. It was just a nice time to kick back and enjoy some time with one another. Nana and Papa gave me a magnetic stamp kit that allows you to put your own phrases together to create your own stamp. Teague thought that was great, so I made two stamps for him and he put them on his arms and forehead. They read "I love you baby" and "I love you son". He loved it.

This is truly a great day to celebrate the special women in our lives. I am so thankful to have had such special women in my life. I continue to be inspired and motivated by them. Some people aspire to do something great in life; cure cancer, be on the Supreme Court, be famous. For me, I am doing what I know I was born to do, be Mommy to my kids, and that is something truly great. Even though it is a challenge sometimes, I never forget what a blessing and responsibility God has given me. "To whom much is given, much is required." My children are my life. When they rejoice or hurt, I do the same. Today I told Teague, "I am so happy to be your mother." He said, "I am so happy to be your mother, Mommy." He followed that with a great big smile and a hug. Those are the moments that I put in my heart to keep forever. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. May God continue to bless you for all that you do and all that you mean to the "kids" who love you!

Teague's Birthday Party

2009-05-09T22:51:00.000-04:00

After much debate and back and forth, we decided to have Teague's 3rd birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese in Greensboro. Teague had four friends, and 20 (adult) friends and relatives join him for a pizza party, games, and a Chuck E. Cheese show. It was beautiful chaos. Chuck E. Cheese is perfect for three year olds. They can't escape, they can yell as loud as they want, and the food is all junk. (it isn't bad for adults either) Teague really enjoyed himself, even though he was a little overwhelmed at first. He played skee-ball and air hockey, and won lots of tickets. Unfortunately, he didn't earn enough to win the bouncing dolphin toy he wanted (so of course Granddaddy ponied up the extra $15 so he could have it). He also had the biggest, most awesome Lightening McQueen cake you have ever seen! Teague got a lot of great presents (opening them was a marathon because another party was coming in). He got a real golf club set, Ming-Ming from WonderPets, a Cars sleeping bag, a bubble blower, two firetrucks, a remote controlled police car, a putt return machine, Cars fishing game, Cootie game, Hippo golf, a UNC championship shirt, an outfit, book, Cars bathing suit, and a ball toss game. He was so excited!! He loves everything and can't wait to play with it all. Thanks to everyone who came. It was really a special day!

A Great Big Brother

2009-04-18T20:45:00.000-04:00

There isn't a day that passes that Ryan and I aren't surprised by how well our children interact. (I know you cynics out there are saying, "yeah, just give it a couple of years!") Well, we are chosing to believe that our kids are going to love each other and be best friends forever. Ginny is getting bigger, and the kids are really starting to play together more. Teague couldn't be more loving and patient with her. He will call to me if she is fussing. He will sit with her and comfort her until someone comes to get her. The other day she was fussing and he actually said, "it is ok Ginny, I am here. I won't leave you alone." Of course, I cried. These are just some cute pictures I snapped today as Teague was helping care for his baby sister. He insisted on feeding her, and she loved every minute of it. Then tonight at bath time, she finally got to get promoted to the big tub. The two of them loved being together! It is better than I could've ever imagined.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T21:31:00.000-04:00

You'll be thrilled to hear that the Easter Bunny came through...Teague got his t-ball set!! He could not be happier! He also got some books and balls and lots of candy. Ginny got a cute outfit, a book, and some toys. We went to church where Teague participated in the children's sermon. When Rev. Holder asked, "why do we celebrate Easter?" Teague said, "Jesus is alive today!"

We had a great traditional lunch (ham, potato salad, deviled eggs, green beans, banana pudding) at Granny's house. Teague hid eggs with Granny, Aunt Denise, Papa, Martha, and Rebekah. He had a great time. Ginny had a great first Easter, and Teague certainly enjoyed himself. So much so, that tonight he said "Easter is over, which 'time' is it now?" I am the crazy one who answered, "well, it is almost your birthday."

Easter Preparations

2009-04-11T19:50:00.006-04:00

Whew, it has been crazy around here as we prepare for Easter. Teague has been so thrilled that it is "Eastertime". He has been talking about coloring eggs and the Easter Bunny for at least 4 weeks now. We have been reading Easter books and talking about Jesus and the reason for Easter. I hate to admit it, but Teague's favorite part is the part about the Roman Soldiers. Each night he wants me to read his picture Bible and talk about the Roman Soldiers. At least he is interested. The excitement has been building, and now the countdown is officially on!!

Last Saturday the church hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for all of the church/preschool children. Teague and his buddy Emma had a great time looking for eggs. Teague was thrilled to find that all of the eggs had a prize inside. He also made some beautiful Easter-themed crafts.

On Monday, Teague's class had an Easter party, and on Wednesday they had an Easter parade. Each child and their parent paraded from the church to the theatre on Sunset Ave for a movie, then to the park for an egg hunt. It was FREEZING and soooo windy. The Easter Bunny was leading the parade, so the crowded was excited!! None more than Teague, he has been dying to tell the Easter Bunny about his Easter basket preferences. At one point, the Easter Bunny had stopped traffic so the children and parents could cross. Teague starts yelling something at the top of his lungs. It took me a minute to realize that he was screaming, "Easter Bunny...I need a T-ball set SOOOO BADDDDDD!" Finally he got the chance to actually sit and tell the Easter Bunny that he "needed" the t-ball set "so bad". At some point we must discuss the difference between need and want...

And last night, it was time for the greatly anticipated egg coloring session. I got out all the dye and the cups. We got out the cameras, posed the kids, only to discover that we didn't have enough white vinegar. So, I pulled a rabbit out of my hat (pun intended) and combined the white vinegar with the red wine to eek out enough to make the dye work. Then, I followed the instructions for the "perfect hard boiled egg" (put eggs in water until boiling, remove from water, cover and let sit for 18 minutes) only to discover, as Teague threw the first egg into the dye, that the eggs were still raw. So, I put the eggs back on the stove to boil, three seconds later the power went off...for over an hour. By this time it was too late to do anything, the dye was kaput, and I had to explain to a 2 1/2 year old why we had to wait yet another day to dye eggs.

Ryan and Teague ventured to Wally World to procure another egg dying kit, and the biggest bottle of white vinegar you have ever seen. The egg dying was finally completed this morning, and not a moment too soon.

We are getting ready to set out the baskets and the plate of carrots, and hope that the Easter Bunny comes through with a T-ball set for Teague!

A Roach jam session

2009-03-30T20:05:00.002-04:00

Teague and Ginny play the hits together! Too cute to pass up!

Ginny's Baptism

2009-03-22T17:42:00.008-04:00

Today was such a special day for our family. Ginny's baptism was just perfect! She looked like an angel in her dress, and even got to wear her special locket. The service started off so sweetly when Teague went to "children's time" and Rev. Holder said, "Today we are going to do something really special, we are going to baptize Teague's little sister, Ginny." Teague softly clapped his hands and said, "yeah!" That was just the beginning to an emotional service. It was a special honor and treat for Granddaddy to be able to baptize Ginny. Even though the water was freezing, Ginny was a real champ and didn't cry a bit. When she was presented to the church she charmed everyone by smiling that big toothless grin. She posed so sweetly during an endless photo session. We now know that she is a diva for sure!

We hosted a luncheon following the service. It was wonderful!! We had a great buffet of chicken pie, mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls. Followed by, what I believe to be, the most beautiful cake ever. She received some really beautiful and thoughtful gifts, but the best gift of all was having our family and friends there to celebrate with us.

God has so richly blessed our family. Today we thank God for the gift of Virginia Ryan, and we pray his blessings on her life. May she always know happiness and faith. May she never doubt the love that surrounds her, both God's and ours. And may we always show her the love of God and live the example of Christ. Thank you God for our precious little girl!

Happy Birthday Martha

2009-03-21T22:37:00.000-04:00

Cousin Martha turns 14 today! It is hard for me to believe that she could possibly be that old, but as I watch my own children grow I see how quickly it happens. We celebrated tonight with a Mexican dinner at Gramps and Granny's house. We had the world's best strawberry shortcake for dessert. Teague was a big "help" to Martha as she opened presents and blew out her birthday candles. We loved getting to celebrate with the family, and we LOVE Martha. Happy Birthday "Marfa".

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T22:01:00.002-04:00

Everything was coming up kelly green at the Roach household today. We enjoy this holiday every year, but got really into it this year since green is Teague's favorite color. Yesterday Teague and I made green cupcakes. Today we all wore our green clothes, ate corned beef and cabbage, green mashed potatoes, drank green apple juice, and spoke with an Irish brogue (not really). We did however listen to Celtic music during dinner, but Teague wanted to turn it off. It was great fun, and we all loved being Irish for the day.

Go Heels!

2009-03-15T17:15:00.002-04:00

Teague and Ginny enjoyed watching the Tar Heels play in the ACC tournament this weekend. While they met an untimely demise, our little ones still loved getting dressed up in their UNC gear to cheer them on.

Ginny is six months old!!

2009-03-12T21:20:00.000-04:00

It is hard to believe that our little girl is half a year old! She is growing so quickly, and hitting this milestone makes it all the more real how fast time flies. She is now starting to sit up without help, but only for a few seconds to a minute. She is also working very hard to roll from her back to her stomach. She can just about make it, but has a hard time figuring out what to do with her arms. Ginny is becoming more vocal, making lots of girlie squeals and blowing raspberries. She loves to watch her big brother and laughs at just about everything he says. It has been a wonderful six months, that has passed in a blur. We are going to take a second today to relish in our family and to reflect on our time with our special girl.

First Cereal, Now Fruit

2009-03-07T15:04:00.001-05:00

Ginny enjoyed her first taste of the good stuff today! She had some bananas with her cereal this morning. She loved it!!! She couldn't get enough. When we would give her cereal, she would whine and grunt. She wanted the bananas! Our little girl is growing up.

Another Snow Day...HOORAY!

2009-03-02T17:53:00.004-05:00

Randleman, NC was blanketed in about 5 inches of snow this morning when we awoke. We were all very excited, but none as much as Teague. He was dying to get outside and sled and throw snowballs. So, Mommy started the task of putting on the snow gear. Two shirts, two pairs of pants, two pairs of socks, rain boots (brand new...cow ones, purchased yesterday for just this occasion), coat w/ fleece insert; out the door he went. Of course, in the commotion Ginny starts fussing, so I got her settled and went to put on my snow gear. By the time I got my coat out of the closet, Teague was coming in. He had had enough. "Too cold, and wet" he said. "Don't want to sled, too scary and muddy at the bottom." So, I started the process of undressing the snow clothes. We did actually make snow-cream this time, to which my ever-cautious husband said, "I'm not eating that, do you know what kind of nasty stuff is in snow?!" Teague and I ate it, and enjoyed every bite. We also had hot chocolate with marshmallows, and enjoyed the warmth of a day spent together.

Ginny is eating cereal!

2009-02-22T10:40:00.002-05:00

There are some of you out there who have been dying for me to give my little girl some solids...so here you have it. Ginny started solids this morning with an appetizing bowl of rice cereal. It got lukewarm reviews at best. She wasn't sure whether she liked it, but just like her mother, she ate at least half of it just to be sure. She did eat it like a champ, and knew just what to do. A world of culinary delights awaits her!

Happy Valentine's Day (Ginny's First)

2009-02-11T21:29:00.002-05:00

Mommy is going to be at a sorority leadership conference this weekend, so will be away from the kids and Daddy on Valentine's Day. February 14th, being a celebration of love, couldn't pass without a little Valentine exchange, so we exchanged Valentines this evening. Ginny was the recipient of a cute card and a pink and red dinosaur with wings that sings. The jury is still out on whether she likes it or is petrified of it. Teague got a TON of candy, a card, and some bath markers. He loved the card the best! I will miss getting to spend the candy and hearts day with the kids, but when you love someone and you tell them, every day is Valentine's Day!

Happy Birthday Granny!

2009-02-09T17:25:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday to our most special Granny! We had a wonderful birthday lunch with her yesterday (which was really her and Gramps' 49th anniversary). It was a great celebration! We love her so much and she is such a blessing to our lives. My family is so blessed to be able to have her care for the kids when I am at work. Granny is a daily reminder that some angels are here on earth. We love you Granny, Happy Birthday!

Watching Noggin together

2009-01-22T16:26:00.000-05:00

Just too precious! They are watching tv together. I love it that they are holding hands, and Ginny even put her head on Teague's shoulder!

Snow Day

2009-01-20T16:48:00.000-05:00

We got about 2-3 inches of snow today! Teague couldn't have been happier! To him it was like three feet. He wanted to build snowmen, make snow angels and snowcream, and sled. Of course, he was a little disappointed to learn that the snow wouldn't ball up to make a snowman, and we didn't have a sled. Daddy came through though. He "created" a sled using the top of Teague's sandbox. Way to go Daddy! It was Ginny's first snow. I bundled her up in two layers, and put on her heavy bunting. Handed her off to Daddy while I dressed Teague, and by the time I finished with Teague she was sound asleep. I am so bad of a mother that I took her outside asleep just to take her picture. The end result was worth it!

Magic Rainbow

2009-01-07T21:23:00.002-05:00

After a blustry walk around the block (wind gust up to 35mph) we returned home just as the rain started to pour. We got inside and I started getting everyone settled when Teague began screaming with excitement. He spied a rainbow across the street. It was quite easily the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen. It made a complete arch across the sky, and each color was easily visable. Teague was just beside himself, and it was a true joy to get to see a rainbow through the eyes of a two year-old.

Sunday Finest

2009-01-04T13:14:00.001-05:00

Ginny and Teague wore their new church outfits today, and I thought they looked so cute it warranted a blog entry!

Playing together

2009-01-02T12:55:00.004-05:00

As a mother, I have been anxiously awaiting the day when my little ones would play together. I got a little glimpse of that today as Teague prepared Ginny a meal in his kitchen, and gave her a check-up with his doctor kit. It was so sweet, and they were both such good sports. I can't wait to watch them become even better playmates. Happy New Year to all!

Meineke Tire Care Bowl

2008-12-27T23:42:00.001-05:00

Granddaddy, Daddy, Teague, and I went to see Carolina play West Virginia in the Meineke Car Care Bowl today. I began to feel like we were never going to get there (or get home for that matter) because traffic was so bad. It took us over an hour and a half to go two miles. We got there to drizzling rain and chilly/windy weather. The game was exciting and Teague was great! Midway through the third quarter he began craving a "green drink" that he saw someone else drinking. Ryan, being the good father that he is, took Teague along the concourse to look for this infamous green drink. He assumed that it was some kind of snowcone. Once they had walked halfway around the stadium, with no luck, they began to give up. Just then someone walked by and Teague shouted "Daddy they have one!" Ryan looked up to see someone carrying a Mountain Dew, which he could have bought just outside of our section. It was a fun game, despite a dissapointing Carolina loss. Now we are just looking forward to basketball season!

Christmas Fun

2008-12-27T14:56:00.002-05:00

A Very Big Christmas

2008-12-26T09:54:00.000-05:00

It would take hours and pages to describe the wonderful Christmas we had this year. Ryan and I agree that it was probably our best ever. It was just so wonderful to see Christmas through our children's eyes. We did so many Christmas activities, from preschool parties to holiday baking to visiting Santa to attending Christmas Eve church service. It was the first time in a long time that we really embraced the true meaning of the season.

We started our celebration with our trip to Hickory last Saturday. We enjoyed a festive dinner there with friends. On Sunday (Daddy's birthday), we attended Granddaddy's church service where Teague and Ginny were the focus of his children's sermon. Following church, we had the traditional Roaches' Grove Park lunch. The children were great, and Teague even made friends with the chef and received a special dessert. We drove back to Hickory, stuffed to the gills, and had Daddy's ice cream cake while we watched the Panther's game. Another trip to Asheville was in store on Tuesday. We enjoyed a great lunch in Biltmore Village, and the kids visited Santa at the Asheville Mall. Teague was a little scared at first, but a Starburst bribe proved fruitful and a great picture was taken. That night we enjoyed another wonderful dinner together, followed by our annual viewing of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. On Christmas Eve we got up and opened stockings, enjoyed a Granddaddy prepared pancake breakfast, and then opened presents. It was a wonderful visit and we HATED to leave, but we had to head home for Santa to come.

So, we rushed home, made cookies for Santa and then headed to church. The service was beautiful, and I got a little tear as I saw my beautiful family all together on the pew for Christmas Eve. After the service we went to Nana and Papa's house to celebrate with the Jones clan. The food was delicious and Teague had a great time playing with his cousins. He was totally exhausted, so we had no problems getting him to sleep. Santa's elves worked until the wee hours of the morning to get Teague's presents just right. The milk and cookies were left for Santa's enjoyment, and Noel was packed and ready for his return flight home. Ryan and I were so excited about Christmas morning that we could hardly sleep!

Teague awoke early on Christmas morning, and in an effort to stave off mid-day meltdowns, we put him in bed with us. There was no better feeling than waking up on Christmas morning with the whole family, including Caesar, in bed together. Teague ran into the living room to see what was left for him. At first he didn't say anything or make any gestures, but after a few seconds he was elated. More than once he said, "this is exactly what I wanted!" Ginny was thrilled with her gifts too, but she was a little more low-key about it. We played with the new toys for a while and then headed to Papa's for another round of presents. Teague LOVED his toys there and played to exhaustion. Later that evening we headed to Granny's for a Christmas feast. We ate until we could hardly breathe, then enjoyed a new Christmas game developed by Gramps. We all chose a present to open, and those who chose the same present had to draw. One present held a very valuable prize. Of course, Papa was the lucky one to draw the best prize and got $50!!! We enjoyed the new game, and hope it becomes a tradition. Then we opened the mountains of presents! I think at last count there were well over 65 presents to be opened! Teague was so overwhelmed by the end of the day that he just crashed.

We really had a wonderful Christmas. Not for the tons of presents we received, but because of the closeness to friends and family. We are so blessed to be so close to so many that we love. It was a pleasure to share the holiday with you, and we are looking forward to doing it again next year. Until then, we wish all of you a happy new year, and may 2009 bring you health, love, wealth, and the time to enjoy them.

(For those who are dying to know everything Teague received: guitar, 235 piece art set, 2 movies, cd, candy, kitchen, football uniform including helmet, play-doh, play-doh factory, light wand, Memory, workbench with working tools, toolbox, Thomas the Train tent, doctor kit, several sweaters and shirts, basketball shoot-out set, several puzzles, Cars umbrella, Lightening McQueen car, Diesel train engine, Thomas the Train Lighthouse, extra train track, bathtub crayons and watercoloring tablets, coloring book, candy canes, UNC jersey, The Giving Tree, Lightening McQueen underwear, football bank...I'm sure I forgot something, but this list is just INSANE!!!)

Happy 30th Birthday Daddy!

2008-12-21T23:19:00.003-05:00

Yes, it is true...Daddy is 30!!! Seems so hard to believe that the shy yet sarcastic 21 year-old guy I met nine years ago has turned 30. We celebrated with our annual Roach trip to Grove Park with a huge lunch, and then took the celebration back to Hickory to have cake and the Panther's game. Daddy enjoyed his gifts, which may have been more appropriate for a 13 year-old rather than a 30 year-old, including a Wii and Guitar Hero, and a few other things that he was thrilled with. Daddy says he had a great birthday, and we wouldn't have it any other way. We love you so very much Daddy! We can't wait to see what the next 30 years have in store for us.

Happy Birthday Papa!

2008-12-16T23:54:00.000-05:00

Today is my daddy's birthday. Teague spent the day with Papa to help him celebrate. I hear that they had a big day: haircut, visit to Santa, visit to Nana at work, lunch at Stamey's, ice cream at Yum Yum, and a big nap. What a day! We also hosted a Cumpleanos Fiesta for Papa at our house. We had chicken enchiladas, beans, rice, and horchata to drink, followed by a German Chocolate cake for dessert. Papa got the traditional "buttered nose" and some presents. I hope he had a wonderful birthday. Papa, we think you are the best! Thanks for all you do for us, and especially from me, thanks for being such a great father. Happy Birthday, I love you!

Teague's Christmas Party

2008-12-15T11:45:00.001-05:00

I had the fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on how you look at it) pleasure of being the "party mom" for Teague's preschool Christmas party. This, more than any other holiday task, has added to my holiday stress. Planning a meal for your one 2 year-old is daunting enough, but try doing it for eight. I wanted to do something semi-healthy and well-balanced, but still yummy and kid friendly. Basically I had this vision of the kids eating my party food and thinking, "this is the best Christmas party ever." Then I wanted all the parents to be green with envy and thinking, "she is so clever, I wish I could come up with ideas like that." Well, it didn't exactly come out that way. My co-chair was late and only brought dessert. I made pigs in a blanket (because after all it is just a hot dog and a biscuit) but the kids were unimpressed because they didn't look "right". Apparently, 2 year-olds only like their hot dogs cut into rounds on a plate, sans bread. I also made a red and green fruit salad with strawberries, green grapes, and red and green apples (clever, right?). Most of the kids picked the grapes out leaving everything else. When I asked Teague why he wasn't eating his fruit he said, "some of it is slimy." At least the cheese cubes were a hit. Of course, I didn't do anything but dump those out of their prepackaged container.

Remind me never to volunteer to do this stuff again!

Oh, by the way...I don't think the parents were that envious either!

Our Tree

2008-12-07T13:35:00.000-05:00

Ryan, Teague, and Granddaddy went to Pineola to get our tree Friday. They picked out a beautiful tree, although it is bigger than our living room. It took all day yesterday, and two trips to Wal Mart for lights, to decorate it. Teague's excitement was overflowing, but frustration quickly ensued as none of our lights from last year would work. We tried every bulb and changed fuses to no avail. Finally I had to go to Wal Mart for 8 hundred more lights. Teague was napping when I returned; I guess he gave up on me. I got all the lights on (1300 total) and still didn't really have what I consider to be "enough". When Teague woke up, the whole family joined in the decorating effort. The tree turned out beautiful! The Christmas card picture...well that is a story for another day. Let's just say, it wasn't pretty.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T22:17:00.003-05:00

It was a wonderful first Thanksgiving for Ginny! We started the day with a Thanksgiving Breakfast Feast at Nana and Papa's house. The whole Jones clan was there. It was a beautiful day to throw the football around and enjoy a perfect fall day. We ended the day with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at Granny's. The food on that table was something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. We had a BEAUTIFUL turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole, green beans, deviled eggs, pretzel salad, and of course, cranberry sauce only to be followed hours later by pecan pie and pumpkin cake. Our bellies were extremely happy, and very full.

Today we celebrated our many blessings and thanked God for all we have. We were especially thankful this year for the arrival of Ginny, who has added so much to our family. We are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family who make life so great for us. Happy Thanksgiving from our turkeys to yours!

Happy Birthday LaLa

2008-11-26T19:12:00.001-05:00

Today was Olivia's (aka "LaLa") 4th birthday. We celebrated at the Sir Pizza in Asheboro with a Royal Feast pizza for the princess. Then she had the biggest princess cake we have ever seen. Teague enjoyed celebrating with his best friends and sharing Olivia's special day.

Teague's Thanksgiving Feast

2008-11-24T22:05:00.003-05:00

Teague had his preschool Thanksgiving Feast today. His class made Indian headbands with their handprints as feathers. The front says, "I'm thankful for my friends." The class enjoyed chicken nuggets, corn, rolls, juice, and turkey cookies. It was a fun day for his class and a great Thanksgiving kickoff!

Remembering Uncle Jim

2008-11-21T09:34:00.002-05:00

Today would be Uncle Jim's 51st birthday. We think about him each day, but it is on milestone days like these that his presence is especially missed. Jim's passing in September has left a very noticeable void in our family. He was a great man; the very definition and example of a true "family man." Our thoughts are especially with Mary Ben, Sarah, Will and Julia today as they remember Jim. We love and miss you "Uncle Jim".

Ginny Smiles

2008-11-20T16:27:00.004-05:00

Ginny is smiling a lot more these days, but she REALLY makes you work for it! It is really hard to catch her smiles on camera because they are so fleeting. Enjoy some rare and hard to get photos of her sweet smile.