some goings-on to bid winter farewell

It's a rainy, gloomy week around here, and it is warm. I personally fancy the fall and winter months, so bidding the cooler temps farewell isn't my favorite time of year.

So while there does not seem to be much new or exciting brewing in my world, there are some faithful iPhone snaps from the past little bit to share.

This one.

He'll be a big brother to the Littlest One in less than a month.

This gal and I visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville a couple of weeks ago.

I'm so pleased the wind kicked my hair right into my face just then.

Isn't this hotel lobby gorgeous?

And this fireplace hosted some fine, fine conversation.

We don't get to do that often enough!

Here are a couple of costumes from the Downton exhibit.

That dress is so elegant, isn't it? I think my thigh could maybe fit into the waist of it.

The leftover snow in Asheville made the prettiest blanket.

I took this somewhere along the approach road to the estate.

If you find yourself in Asheville, do commit to gaining a few LBs at some fabulous eateries.

This dive was a perfect Sunday morning brunch before we left town.

In other news, I'm eying this light fixture for my dining room to go over this handsome fella.

I'm not sold, but listen. Anything's better than the one that's there. I think it has pineapples on it. (?)

And finally, it's just good to be with friends, isn't it?

A Sunday lunch with this one was a treasure.

I'm sad to put away my jeans and sweaters, but alas, spring is around the corner, where all things become new.

And Holy Week.

Cheers!

to the littlest one

Dear Littlest,

Two things happened today: Your mom turned 36, and your dad circulated the 4-D photo of your ultrasound taken this morning. There is so much to celebrate.

You are due to debut in about ten weeks. I doubt you'll make it that far, if your big brother's timeline is any indicator. He came barreling into the world two weeks early at nine-and-a-half pounds, so, do with that what you will.

When we found out about you, Kaki and Audie and Pat and I were all together in Athens, huddled around a computer Skyping with your mom, dad, and brother. Your dad nudged Little Man and said, Carter, tell them what you wanted to say.

While he played intently with his trucks, he mumbled Gonna be a big brudder. No one understood him -- not so out of the ordinary -- and when he repeated it, I got it. We cheered. It was a treasured moment to share all together.

Speaking of your big brother, Little Man knows he has a baby brother growing in his mom's tummy, and he'll give you a kiss when prompted. He stays up late feeding the practice baby that your Emme gave him for Christmas. As best as we can expect, his own little preparations have begun.

Your mom and dad are in a very different place than when they welcomed No. 1. They are several states northward; your dad is out of school and into residency; your mom is working hard in and out of the home; and together they lead a family of three now, not just make up a family of two.

I've thought so much about what your world will be like, and truth be told, I don't know. I'm the eldest sibling, so I know only the anticipation and thrill of (twice) receiving a baby brother, not being the new baby.

So I can tell you this, Littlest:

You will not disrupt your family; you will enhance it.

Your brother will adore you at times and envy you at times; but brothers you will always be.

You might wear a lot of hand-me-downs; but so did your brother, because your mom has great girlfriends who share all things. (On a side note, your mom has great girlfriends because she is one herself. You'll be wise one day to take notes.)

Your dad anticipates a wild and crazy and stressful season when you arrive; that will become a new normal that they will quickly and joyfully embrace.

You may always feel like a comparison, but you'll know no different. You'll be fine.

Your mom and dad have done this before; but you'll never be less important or unique.

You'll not have your mom and dad to yourself; but once you're here, they'll forget what their lives were like before you.

Your grandparents are making plans to be there to greet you, just like they did the first time around.

You're being ushered into a broken world, just like Little Man was; that'll never change. Neither will our worries and cares for you.

You are a delight to our family already, and we are wild with excitement over meeting you.

Stay comfy until the time is right. We'll see you very soon!

o holy week

It's no secret that holy week is my favorite seven days of the year. It's commencing in (all together now!) five days, and it's worthy, and I mean super-worthy, of celebrating.

For loving it so, I'm not sure I've ever put out one festive decoration. (Christmas gets all the love.)

Meanwhile, I've been piddling in Adobe Illustrator (remember me mentioning those beginner tutorials?), and decided to design a few mini-prints in honor of holy week.

Why not?

(Let's not start with how Easter bunnies aren't biblical. I know this. But they're cute!)

This one's my favorite. When I'm feeling frustrated or defeated, no matter the time of  year, I remind myself that Sunday's comin'.

These flowers were tricky little ones, but they turned out cheerful, I'd say.

And who doesn't love a one-of-a-kind dyed Easter egg?

Maybe I'll print these out, frame them up, and let them show off on a bare wall at my house for the next couple of weeks.

O Holy Week, you deserve it.

thankful thursday #175

I'm gonna call it, folks. This week. It's time for it to end.

It's been a challenging season at work of late, for a litany of reasons that wouldn't make a bit of sense to you unless you worked in the office next to me for the past lots-of months. No need to chase that rabbit.

But this week in particular, I felt ill-equipped, inadequate, and flailing. Like I never had answers, or direction, or skills, and that every step I took was the wrong one.

Do you know this feeling? The devil loves it. He loves it when we're feeling trapped in the dead of winter.

But, spring is peeking through, literally and figuratively. And when spring comes, so does renewal, and life. There are some seeds that want to sprout, if you nurture them, and grow them.

So this week, while I felt beaten down by the proverbial winter, I stepped a little into spring, into something new, and started an online beginner's class, to learn Adobe Illustrator.

I'm not dreaming of a second career in graphic design. But to have even my tip toes in the sea of creativity is refreshing, and invigorating.

It makes me thankful for spring, and for the promise of new things to come.

Has spring creeped into your world yet? Have you felt that spring itch, where you're ready for a seed to sprout?

Go on, be grateful!

some goals

I've made some successful new year's resolutions in the past.

In two different years, I gave up fried foods, and managed to pass on Chick-fil-A #1's and chicken biscuits for an entire year. That was tough.

Tougher was the year I vowed to drink 365 glasses of milk. I hate milk, like super-hate it, and so this was a healthy resolution that challenged my self-discipline. While successful, it never got any easier to (literally) swallow.

So yes. I've made, and kept, resolutions.

But I'll tell you what's what: Starting on those resolutions is a lost cause when I'm not home in my routine.

I mean, there is no way I'm passing on homemade biscuits at a family meal for New Year's dinner. That's just sacrilege.

As far as I'm concerned, the new year begins when I'm back home and facing my routine again, with my feet back underneath me after a glorious break from it all.

And today's the day.

This year, "goals" came up in a conversation as a preferred word over "resolutions," so in honor of that, here are some goals I'm aiming for in 2014:

bad habit to break // Snoozing my alarm. I am the. Worst.

habit to form // Monthly "family" dinners with friends around a table, lingering and chatting with no agenda.

a new skill I'd like to learn // Writing a grant application. (Or mastering my new crock pot, which I probably have a much better shot at doing.)

person to be like // I already fight hard against the comparisons game. I think I'll just try to be like me.

good deed to do // Host a brunch for some senior adult ladies from my church.

place to visit // Italy. And it's happening, people.

book to read // My reading list is so long right now. George W. Bush's Decision Points has been on there awhile. I might tackle that one this year.

food to try // Quinoa. I don't know why it scares me so.

do better at // Designating time each day when my iPhone is not within reach or sight.

Which of these categories resonate with you? What are you hoping to achieve in 2014?

thankful thursday #150

"Housekeeping ain't no joke."
-- Louisa May Alcott

Confession: I'm a terrible housekeeper.

Here are my strengths:

I keep clothes off the floor and in the proper drawer or hanger for the most part, and most "things" are kept in their designated place.

No dishes stack up in my kitchen sink; I'm persnickety about that. And my dishwasher is almost always clean and unloaded.

Beyond that, I don't have much to brag about.

The hard core chores, like mopping, dusting, scrubbing toilets and tubs, washing tiles and wiping baseboards? Blah.

During my fall travel season, I occasionally receive mileage income, if I drive my own car for day trips. I earmark appropriate amounts for fuel and maintenance, and sometimes with leftover funds, I splurge on a cleaning service.

Oh, man. There's just not much better than coming home to a sparkling house.

That's happening tomorrow, people. And I'm dang thankful.

Splurged on anything lately as a special treat? If you have, go on, be grateful!

right about now (the one where i'm spinning)

At any given moment, there are random bits of life to share.

Even in seasons of spinning we have something to chat about.

loving: this picture.

I snapped it in Cullman last month, in this store.

reading: these books.

I give the scoop on those here. But as a brief update, Sweet Water has turned a little crazy. Beware.

excited about: a recent clearance find at an office supply store. It's reminiscent of my file tote from a couple of years ago, but it's a little bigger. It was $6, so I happily upgraded to accommodate my growing mess.

missing: some work buddies who flew the coop a couple of months ago. Football season trash talking isn't the same around here.

trying to: do this.

enjoying: this little gem of a bluetooth speaker.

It was a birthday gift that has delivered tunes to my morning routine every day. It makes mornings so much more bearable.

using: this lately.

The Dictionary app is handy for when I'm on the go, but I do enjoy going old-school at my desk sometimes.

wearing: a hair tie like this on my wrist every single day.

Everyone raves about how these don't leave a crease in your hair, post pony-tail. I would disagree and tell you they do leave a crease in my hair, albeit a less-crazy crease. With that said, they don't pinch, and that's good enough for me.

waiting on: season premieres of a couple of TV shows. I wish I weren't looking so forward to them. But I miss the Bravermans, and the Crawleys. Like they're real people. So sue me.

planning: some travel to commence in exactly 224 days. Packing lists can never start too soon.

singing: with Colla Voce again this fall. After a year off, it'll be good to make music again.

needing: a serious kick in the pants to get back to a gym routine. And for this sinus cold to vamoose.

learning: of some (more) dark corners of my heart that the Lord is oh-so-gently bringing into the light. My friends and I typically react to this uncomfortable refining process with a melodramatic Oh, the dross! The DROSS.

listening: to my JJ Heller station on Pandora. I'm so over local radio, and the songs they play over and over again. Pandora must be one of the greatest inventions ever. Do you agree?

wishing: my flight tomorrow morning did not require a 4:45 a.m. wake-up call. It's no secret that I'm not a morning person, but 4:45 is practically the middle of the night. Wrong, I say. Just wrong.

doing: birthday gift planning for the baby bro. I don't know what I'll land on, but it won't be one of these, guaranteed.

praying for: the supernatural strength to "delight in insults," like Paul manages to do in 2 Corinthians. It seems like an uphill battle, if I'm being honest, but I don't think faith is supposed to be easy.

dreaming of: just one, sacred month where I am not required to stroke a check for a home repair. That would be amazing.

These are the goings on in my world, right about now. What's happening in yours?

hello monday (a sporty one)

I had such a great weekend; did you? It was just relaxing enough, just productive enough, and just fulfilling enough to make today seem not-so-welcomed. I could have used another day.

But alas, time never stops, so we might as well say hello, Monday.

------------------------------------

Hello, College World Series.
How about Mississippi State, punching their ticket today?
Happy for my other Bulldogs.

------------------------------------

Hello, Fred Couples.

He played in the Regions Tradition Senior PGA event here in town. It wasn't the Masters, but I enjoyed an afternoon on the course anyway.

------------------------------------

Hello, war wound.

Look familiar? It is.
No one told me running was so hazardous.

------------------------------------

Hello, half marathon.
I'm considering running one this August, but haven't fully committed.
After my little tumble yesterday, I'm questioning the logic.

------------------------------------

Hello, vacation in thirteen days.
I'm not sure I've ever been quite so needy for a week of beach.

Are you ready for the week? Hello, Monday. Let's do this.

right about now (the one where the days are longer)

Don't the longer days of sunshine make you happy? They sure do that for me.

It makes me excited for just about everything, even these random bits of life happening in my world, right about now:

loving: this address stamp.



Wouldn't that make a sweet wedding or housewarming gift?

reading: this book by M.L. Stedman.

 

Not gonna lie, I've started it twice before. I'm hoping the third time's the charm.

excited about: all the family I'm getting to see this spring and summer! Between my recent jaunt to Delaware, an upcoming graduation, a beach trip in June, and the Peachtree Road Race in July, I'm getting a family fix I don't get to indulge in very often. It's quite a treat.

missing: the lovely Lori. Recently she moved a million few states away. I miss cooking new recipes with her.

trying to: eat out less. My dollar stretches so much farther that way.

enjoying: this gym that recently opened about three minutes from my house.



It's nice that everything is fancy and new, but oh, to have it so very close by does wonders for the motivation factor.

using: this beauty balm, of late.



I was feeling adventurous, so I'm giving it a go. So far, two important notes: SPF 25 included, and it doesn't make my face look orange. (Cue the collective amens.)

wearing: a Band-Aid on my chin for two more days. I am following the doctor's orders after a tiny little incision had to be made, but I'm kind of really over it.

waiting on: my home insurance company to give me some resolution to a pretty pricey error they made. I could do without that headache.

planning: many more trips to visit the Melt Food Truck here in town (only when the budget allows, of course), where every menu item is inspired by a grilled cheese sandwich.



Need I say more? I've been waiting months to go, and when I finally went last week, that Caprese Melt was something to write home about. 

singing: "Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave. All the time. One of our radio stations around here plays this one a lot, so I can't ever get it out of my head. But it hasn't gotten old for me yet.

needing: a gel cushion for the spinning bike seat at the gym, before too many more classes. That's probably all that needs to be said about that.

learning: to use this new toy. (Per usual, this came to me as a gift, so don't even peek at that price tag.)

Do you think it will make me run faster? Me either.

listening: to podcasts still. I can't get enough.

wishing: I didn't have to wait four months until the return of Revenge. I am reeling from last night's season finale.

doing: a little road trip tomorrow for work. In another rental car. If anyone's in the market, ask me. I've driven at least twelve kinds in the last eight months.

praying for: less me and more Jesus.

dreaming of: an overseas trip. I think 2014 might be the year.

So this is me, right about now. What are you currently up to?

thankful thursday #99

This weekend is my alma mater's Homecoming, which I never get to attend because of my job.  Boo.

But, I have a dear friend -- a fellow native Athenian, in fact! -- through whom I can live vicariously.  She is faithful to come to town for the festivities when she can, and better, her parents come too!  I love that they embrace her college as if it were their own.

Her parents had me into their home a bajillion times when we were kids, and I'm grateful that I get to return the favor tomorrow!  They're all coming over for dessert, and I'm pretty excited to serve up these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars (why yes, yes they are as tasty as they sound), and brownie sundaes (because I have it on good authority that Cassie's mom loves a good brownie!).

Now, for the 100th Thankful Thursday giveaway!

When I first started this series, it was really about habitually and intentionally looking for the good around us, even for something simple.  Practicing gratitude internally. 

What is being increasingly revealed to me, is that gratitude should also be practiced externally, overflowing to the people around us every day.  Sadly, in my life, I might think I'm grateful for a person, but I don't thank them actively.

Gratitude is good for the heart.

But what if it was shared, too?

Simple math tells me it might have twice the impact.

So, those two cute sets of note cards up there from Bella Louise Paperie are up for grabs. For free!  Here's how:

1. Before the 100th Thankful Thursday post next week, leave a comment on today's post with something you're thankful for.  Or a person.  Or an experience.  Or anything you want.


2. Promise that if you win this little giveaway, you will send grateful words on these cards to friends, family, coworkers, whomever, not because they gave you anything.  Just because you appreciate them.


3. Next week, I will randomly select two people from the list of comments and announce them. I'll ship them right to your doors.

That's it.   And just think!  If you're one of my two readers, your odds are phenomenal.  It can't get easier.

So here we go.  In honor of #100, go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #89

You know what this month is?

It's my last month of weekend freedom.  Work travel is four short weeks away, and while that does not excite me, I can be grateful for these last weekends I can still claim as my own.

It's the month that this guy ...

... turns one.  Can you even believe it?  I sure can't.

But I'm pumped.

And, it's the month that summer starts its (really) slow fade into fall.  Cooler weather is (kind of) around the corner.  I think my heart just skipped a beat.

August, you are bittersweet, but I will choose to be grateful for you.

What're you appreciating today?  Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #83

For a slew of reasons, our family beach week is on hiatus in 2012.

My flesh wants to be bitter about this, but I can't complain about it, because let's face it, I'm so miffed to not have a week-long beach vacation sounds downright brattish and spoiled.

Darn you, you heart of gratitude.

I think so much of the fun of a vacation actually happens in the the season of preparation, the looking forward, the expectation of it all.  Don't you?

Several weeks ago during a particular rough patch, one where in any other year I'd be thinking, If I can just make it to June 23rd, I was grasping hard for something to anticipate.  Straining to see some light at the end of my tunnel.

Alas, BEACH WEEK was not written in bright, cheery purple, and the white blocks on my calendar gave me a palpable blank stare.

So I took matters into my own hands during said rough patch, and filled up that sad, empty space on my calendar.

Now it reads, CABIN FEVER 2K12 and praise Jesus, it is a mere three days away.  It cannot get here fast enough.

I will retreat here ...

... I will cozy up and read my books here ...

... I will cook for my friends here ...

... and I will take in this view every day.

For these things to anticipate, I'm thankful.

What are you looking forward to today?  Go on, be grateful!

on my mind

The chaos of my recent move has absolutely spilled over into my brain.

My mind is all over the place, and pulling together anything remotely worth posting is a lost cause.

To illustrate, here's one big bunch of ramblings that are rolling around in my head today:

• I had a conversation today with a friend about half marathons.  I think I'm getting the bug again.  Scary.
 
• Dad mailed me a note, just to be the first one to send me something to my new address.  I just love him for doing things like that.
 
• Moving requires some out-of-pocket expenses, I'm well aware.  But can we all agree that the saddest bit about those necessary expenses, is that they are unseen?  Mr. Non-Skid Rug Pad, you are so blah.
 
• I think I'm going to have start sewing again.  Everyone start putting that on the prayer lists.
 
• The previous owner of my home installed a lovely koi-(mini)-pond-water-fountain-feature, which currently houses three koi fish.  They've been named Finn, Gill, and Nemo.  I'm glad to have that settled.
 
• Finally, and most importantly, I want to plan my annual trip-to-a-place-I've-never-been-before.  I have a couple of spots in mind, but give me your suggestions!  I'm open to any and all you got.

One thing I am able to focus on, though, are these cute cheeks I get to kiss in three short days!



And that is enough for this chaotic mind.

While I focus on that, let me hear those vacation ideas, friends.  Don't leave me hanging.

thankful thursday #73

The world we live in is beyond materialistic.  I know this.  I struggle with that sin to a point, although I rarely think of myself as having outrageous amounts of stuff (save for the closet and pantry purges of 2011).

For the past two weeks, though, I’ve not had a clear path to walk in my apartment, thanks to all my possessions coming out of hiding and into stacks of boxes.

The movers have told me they will call me tomorrow for a final box count, so they’ll know what size truck to bring.  I haven’t counted the boxes yet; it will probably be embarrassing.

So here I sit, writing my final Thankful Thursday from this address.  I move in less than 48 hours to a new home – just up the road, not far – and I’m looking quite forward to new.  New space.  New décor.  New projects.  New memories.

But alas, saying hello to new means saying goodbye to old.  Not surprisingly, the ol’ nostalgia is kicking in, and I can’t help but feel grateful tonight for ...

The awesome neighbors I’ve had here, whose median age is 70, and who do not party hard.

The pristine landscaping my landlord demands.

The prompt maintenance service I’ve received, but only needed on a few occasions.

The tiny increase in my rent, which happened only once in five years.

The nearby trail that I accidentally discovered last spring.

The accessibility I’ve enjoyed to everywhere in Birmingham.  Location is king.

Living five minutes from Lori.

The friendships born here that grew into the accountability group I adore.

Stay tuned for more fun facts about the “new” that’s around the corner for me, but in the meantime, celebrate some “old” in your own life, and for the goodness therein.  Go on, be grateful!

three, two, one

And then boom, it's 2012.

For the first time in what seems like a hundred years I did not stay up to ring in the new year.  I was enjoying time with the fam, including the parents of an active little four-month-old, who were very sleepy.

We just called it a night so we could be ready for the early morning wake-up call.  I felt a little bit regretful, but then that early morning wake-up call came, and I didn't regret it anymore.

And then I scampered over to Tampa for the debacle that was the Outback Bowl.  It did not feel great to be a Bulldog, but you know, we tell ourselves it's always "great to be a Georgia Bulldog!"

Darn those childhood cheers.

I'm pretty bummed about going back to work (oh, the emails that await me), and my car is having a regularly scheduled "tune-up" which will likely cost me a fortune, but these circumstances will not steal my new year's joy!

• Since I'm car-less, I'm going to putz around town with my dear friend Kels, who does have a car, and the day off.
 
• I have a fun trip planned for next Monday and Tuesday with Emily.
 
• I might start house-hunting soon!  We'll see.
 
• My new Christmas toys are begging to be used.  Can't wait to whip up a smoothie in my new blender, and read a good book on my Kindle!

Cheers to 2012, friends!  Embrace all things new!

advent

The tree is trimmed.



Mr. Nutcracker is on duty.



The table is set.



The nativity is unpacked.



Advent is here.

And we wait.

Come, thou long expected Jesus!

thankful thursday #41

For about the eight weeks leading up to college football season, I confess that I dread the start of it all.  It's the end of my weekends, and the beginning of a grueling travel schedule.

While everyone else starts making predictions, talking smack, and advancing the rumor mill, I intentionally turn my radio off of all sports talk and try hard to deny the looming season of insanity.

Like clockwork, though, about two weeks before Labor Day weekend, I get over the dread, and I hang my travel schedule up in my office (a mighty fine Excel matrix, if I do say so myself).  It’s my outward acceptance of the inevitable, and it means I’m ready.

Ready to go.  Ready to start the 14-week countdown to the end!

Today college football kicked off – literally – and I could not be more thankful to get this season underway.

Bring it.

What're you appreciating on this eve of Labor Day weekend?  Go on, be grateful!

two weeks notice

Dear Baby,

I talked to your dad tonight, and I can just tell it, you are itchin' to meet us!

You're growing like a weed (8.9 lbs, at 37 weeks, whoah)!  Your dad was less than 8 pounds when he was born, but your mom was a perfect 10, so maybe -- if your mom is lucky -- you'll land somewhere right in the middle.

You are moving around like crazy.  Your mom and dad get kicks out of your kicks, and I am banking on you being a little ball of energy as soon as you get here.

Everything about you looks healthy and happy. You are rumored to have a thick head of hair, chubby cheeks, and a round belly!  I love it!

Even though you were expected to be a September baby, it looks like you won't be here any later than the 30th of this month.  And that just happens to be my dad's -- your granddad's (name still TBD, ugh!) -- birthday!

(Actually, I happen to be really struggling to find a great birthday present for him, so if you could somehow make your grand entrance on the 30th, that would take some pressure off.)

Many thanks, and much love to you.

aunt robyn's first gift for baby felton

Dear Baby Felton,

Well, baby preparations are in full swing!

After we came down off the euphoria of hearing the big news, Mom and Dad visited your soon-to-be-home in Ft. Lauderdale for a weekend visit.  I heard the recap of overwhelming exploratory visits to Babies 'R Us and Target.  It's a lot of information -- and stuff -- to process, I think.

Mom is kicking around "Kaki" for her grandmom name, although I can't officially declare it so quite yet.  And the spelling is definitely uncertain at this point.  So, stay tuned on that.  We'll let you know.

Dad is preparing for an office move, and somewhere in his packing and purging process (he's not a great purger, FYI), he stumbled on some little UGA booties that he hand-delivered to your folks on their trip to Florida.  Instilling in you a deep, deep Georgia Bulldog love can never start too soon!

He hasn't proposed any granddad names yet.  I've warned him he really should be proactive about this, because I kinda don't think he'll like someone else deciding for him.  He strongly prefers to take these matters into his own hands, so ... I'll keep working on that.

On my end, I'm getting technologically prepared for your arrival.  My little netbook with the webcam has been fixed, and it's good to go, so we can Skype regularly.  And, I'm looking forward to seeing your mom's pooch here pretty soon!
 
Today, I made a big purchase that I've been considering for a few months, and while I had almost justified it anyway, your upcoming arrival was exactly the reason I needed to take the plunge (coupled with Uncle Sam's tax refund ... no, no, not a real uncle ... the proverbial one).

So, it's not technically for you, but it's because of you ...



Here's to capturing lots of sweet memories, Lil Bit!

dear baby

Dear Baby Felton,

On Friday night, your mom and dad started sharing with the world that, God willing, you'll be gracing us with your presence in about six months.  To say we are excited might be one of the biggest understatements of all time!

They live far away, and so they told Mom and me first on Skype (I wonder if you'll even know what that is by the time you're old enough to read this?), so they could see our reactions.  Mom squealed, I laughed, and it was such a sweet, joyous moment to share.

(And I know Dad and Patrick also responded in predictably hilarious fashion, but I didn't get to see them.)

That was all on the outside.

On the inside, I could barely process -- it's taken me two days! -- all that was swirling around in my heart and mind.

Because I'll forever be your practical aunt, I naturally began to wonder at what point I should book a plane ticket to Ft. Lauderdale to meet you.  You're scheduled to arrive sometime around Labor Day weekend, which of course is a busy work weekend for Dad and me, but I'm not stressing out.  We'll meet at exactly the right moment.

And oh, your parents.

Your mom and dad have treasured you in their hearts for almost three months, without telling a soul!  I know it was hard for them, because they are so excited to spread the news, but I'm so glad they got to share that secret together -- just the two of them -- for a spell.

They are one of my most favorite couples, because they love each other so completely.  They are best friends, they laugh together, they've cried together (or at least your mom has!), and they know that even when the other one messes up, forgiveness and commitment are never far away.

Baby, you've got parents who are keepers!

I'm equally excited for Mom and Dad (what will be their grandparent names?!), because they love their kids well, and they will love you just as well.  And I know you will love them back, in the way grandkids do.  And Mom and Dad deserve the chance to experience grand-parenthood.  They really do.

I worry for the world you're entering; it is broken and scary.  I'm not a mom, but I imagine it's a hard time to raise up children to be good and upstanding; to do the right thing, and to treat people well; to ultimately follow Jesus, despite our culture telling you that instant gratification, wealth, and material things will satisfy.

So we'll just pray hard over you, and for the people that will surround you.  And we'll pray that ultimately, God's the One who has the most influence over you.

Until you get here, we will anticipate, and decorate, and celebrate.  We'll wonder whose eyes you'll get, and assume you'll get the best DNA from both your parents, and of course while we can't know any of those things yet, Psalm 139 holds true, and God does know.

But really, we love you already, and just can't wait to meet you!