Another Blessed Beginning

If you know me at all, then you will know how wonderfully thankful I am to be able to post the news of another arrival. On Friday the 13th (of August) I had a bubble in my heart, and I just knew that I was pregnant. I snuck away from the boys, but of course Charlie ended up in the bathroom sitting on his stool while I waited. There it was, that vague pink line I had waited on. Of course Charlie wanted to see. I slipped the plastic lid on and handed it to him. "Go take this to Daddy." Like a bullet, he shot of of the bathroom and threw it Jamie's way. When Jamie saw it he was speechless, but what was there to say? We were both so utterly flooded by God's goodness that we had nothing to say but embrace. With Charlie in the middle I realized, it doesn't get better than this. Weeks went by and I became a little sick. With my little sister, Casey's help answering the phone or watching Charlie while I lost my breakfast, I was able to keep the news hidden. The thing Jamie and I knew immediately was this was something we needed to keep to ourselves for a while. As crazy as so many people have told us that is, we needed that. Slowly I began to leak the news to immediate family. As with Charlie, no one seemed as excited as I'd thought, only because no one could ever be as happy as Jamie and I. Last week we were thankful to have been able to have our first ultrasound. The tiny beats that began to echo through the examine room caused me to freeze. My heart welled up and then the tears came. I wiped them away quickly, not to upset Charlie, but I saw right away Jamie's were falling just as quickly. There we were, our family of 4. No place on Earth held the love that this room was filled with. A perfect report followed as well as a wonderful visit with my Mid-Wife, Heather Jordan. She hugged me tighter than anyone when we found the heartbeat again in her office. She's been down the road with us and experienced the bumps as well as our high spots. Our blessing is due April 24th. Here I am, watching my little Charlie sleep thinking, Can I take care of two? How will I do the laundry? Will I ever get groceries? But I stop, Who cares?! I know this little child inside of me will have the love of many. Who needs anything more? These are the best days of my life. Nothing short of the Lord's grace has gotten me this far. I can't wait to see what each new day in our lives will bring! (almost) 11 weeks and counting!

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80 Years of Bittersweet Memories


On Sunday, my Nana aka Cora Ray, celebrated a momentous day. She turned 80. If you know my Nana in the slightest, then you will understand our fears as my sister, my aunt, and I began talks of a surprise party. She is quite stubborn when it comes to making a spectacle of her. After much busy hoopla, a beautiful night was formed. After inviting her siblings and closest friends and family we were able to spend an entire evening showing one of the greatest women I have ever known just how appreciated she is. My Nana isn't a woman who is easily described. I have lived within a mile of her for my entire 26 years. It seems as I look back over every wonderful and tragic event in my life, she is there. Born in Blowing Rock in 1930, my Nana tells stories of tourists, cooking, and summer work. I love hearing about her younger days, before her life was overrun with demanding grandchildren. To describe my Nana as selfless is so small. I have never, ever, stepped into her house without being offered something tasty to try or a couch to cuddle on when she knew I was under the weather. I laugh every time I take Jamie to her house to eat because her array of diverse foods is always a surprise. He is always in awe. You see, she cooks every meal with the likes and dislikes of each family member in mind. No tomatoes in my pasta, no onions in Casey's spaghetti, no nuts in Marissa's side of the cake. It seems the harmony in my family, though too often unstable, have been built around my Nana's kitchen. No matter what point in your life you are in, her house is the same. I remember the same priceless hospitality the day I came to her house after losing everything in a fire as I did the day that I carried my Charlie into her house for the very first time. Her consistency is of the"old world." No one has that anymore.



As I stood there watching her face on Saturday night move from person to person with tears in her eyes, I thought, "Does she enjoy this, or is she so unselfish that she wishes we hadn't done it?" I loved each moment with her that night. It wasn't until this morning that I opened my thank you card, "Thank you all for my gift. Thank you for your hard work, and for caring about me." I realized nothing, no party, no meal, no gift, no card, no birthday poems, will ever EVER come close to repaying the chocolate, homemade birthday cakes, the hugs when I was breaking apart, the laugh when I got hurt, the last minute missing ingredients for my dinner, the warm stove when the power was out, and ......the love she's given me for 26 years. Each time I pass by her house and see Charlie point and scream, "Nannnnnnaaaa." I smile inside. Her love has truly passed through generations. Happy 80th, Nana!

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Getting Started

Alright folks, let the fun begin. I am a disgusting newbie at this, but this just fits my life perfectly right now. Our family is enjoying wonderful changes everyday, and I love sharing all the details. Kudos to my favorite family nerd, Marti for helping me kick this off. :)


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