Abby!

Don't worry... you didn't miss anything... she's not ours. This is our niece Abby, born on Monday, April 16th. Can't wait to see her in person!

Hokie Perspective

I wanted to post an email from my friend Becky, a fellow Hokie, who works for CNN in DC. When she heard what was happening in our home away from home, she volunteered to go down and cover the events. Here's an email message I got from her this week... just wanted to share.

I just wanted to give you a quick update and a note of thanks. I’ve been in Blacksburg since Monday around 5p and it’s been such a surreal experience. I’ve produced about 150+ liveshots and set up about 40 interviews. Since Monday, I’ve slept for a total of about 6 hours and today has been one of the first times I’ve had a second to actually stop and consider what has happened to my campus. I’ve been running around so much that it really hasn’t seemed too personal but slowly I am beginning to realize the enormity of it all. It only begins to seem real to me when I see the graphics of “Virginia Tech Massacre” and I realize that it’s not some movie that I’m watching but it’s real and it’s big words across my screen that are actually true. I have yet to break down in tears although I’m sure that will happen at some point in the next few days once I continue to process things.

To my fellow Hokies, I join you in the grief and sorrow and I hope that we can continue to take this opportunity to share the good stories and memories. I have to admit that when I left to come down here within minutes of hearing about the tragedy, I didn’t bring any orange and maroon. Thank goodness our workspace is across the street from the Volume Two! Also, the school and community have been so incredibly nice to us and (with the exception of the extremely frigid temperatures and wind gusts of 50 mph on Monday night) it’s definitely reminded me of all the reasons I loved my time in school and love this place. This place and the people here have made me so happy to wear the title of Hokie!! Also, you wouldn’t recognize parts of this place… unfortunately we in the media have taken over the alumni center and for a few days there have been literally 1000 journalists from around the world. There are about 150 satellite trucks in the parking lot and it’s not an uncommon occurrence to run into Geraldo in the food line!! But good news, I was able to trade in my room at the Days Inn by the Cracker Barrel in Christiansburg for a room at the new Inn at Virginia Tech for the next few nights!

I volunteered to come down here and I’m glad I did. I have been able to show and share with my colleagues what Hokie spirit truly is. And all my colleagues are slowly coming to understand what makes this place special. And unfortunately it took something so tragic for the world to see but I have colleagues who are going to the bookstore to buy paraphernalia. They understand now why we Hokies are such rabid fans! I’ve never been more proud to be a Hokie than I am right now!

I think I’m going home either Saturday or Tuesday morning and life will somehow return to a normal routine but I think it’s only then that having been here and experiencing this horrific story not only as a journalist but more importantly as a Hokie will all sink in. I wish I could have spent a week in Blacksburg under completely different circumstances but it has been nice to be back on campus and be a part of such a great community!

LET’S GO HOKIES! LET’S GO HOKIES!
Becky

Easter

The tradition continues... we journeyed to Jacksonville, FL to spend Easter with Becky's grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins! Despite the weather being very un-Florida-like, we had a lovely time. It was Jeff's first trip down there. As you can see from the photos, we dyed Easter eggs, as we do every time we go down!

First Anniversary

To celebrate our first anniversary, we decided to go hiking at Fall Creek Falls State Park about two hours from Nashville.