Gotta Love Your Pops

Hey Peanut,
I was just thinking today of all the ways I love your Daddy. Our fourth wedding anniversary is just around the corner. To me, he is still young and hilarious and wonderful, but I am sure you will eventually see him as old and out of touch. (I'm in denial about that happening to me, by the way.) So I thought I would permanently put out there some things that I hope you will see and appreciate in him. I chose to marry your dad for his heart and personality because everything else will change with time. Money, looks, circumstances can all change for someone. But the things I love about him will always be there.

First of all, your dad is funny. He is so quick-witted and loves to make people laugh. Of course, he often tells the same bad jokes over and over again, but sometimes he will say something out of the blue that just kills me. He loves to poke fun at me and probably will do the same with you.

He is so disgustingly good at things. He is a natural at most sports and totally loses interest if he thinks he can't win at something. He will probably push you to compete in all kinds of things and might get frustrated if you don't pick things up right away. Hopefully your dad will do a better job teaching you to ski than he did with me! But he always wants to be busy, be active. Our family vacations will be exhausting if he plans them. Your mom will want to relax, go to museums, read books, and he will be dragging you off for a horseback ride through the jungle!

But he is very giving. His favorite thing is to have a party at our house. He is a great cook and loves to make people feel welcome and comfortable. He has lots of friends, but keeps just a handful close to him. And for those friends, he would do anything. He is so happy to be helpful and feel appreciated, and even more so when he knows that person can't return the favor. He has been blessed with great friends and I know he will teach you to be one too.

Your dad and I are smart in completely opposite ways. I love books and writing and complicated movies. Your dad can watch sports all day long (while spouting stats and facts about where the players went to elementary school) and hates when I ignore him with a book. But he is great at math and science and will have to be the one to help with that homework. You need help with English, come to your old mom!

My dad once told me that I didn't really appreciate my parents until I didn't live with them anymore, and it's totally true. But just like I did, I hope there will come a time when you realize that we used to be young and fun and interesting. We will eventually want to come spend the weekend with you and your significant other. And hopefully you will see a glimpse of this 27-year-old version of your dad. Because I promise it is amazing.

Not Old... Distinguished, right?

Bo told me the funniest story the other day. He was delivering a custom-fitted knee brace (or something medical) to a nearby high school. Since the school year is ending, things are about to get a lot slower for him. So he goes to the front office and tells him that he is dropping it off and the kid's name.

And the office staff person goes, "No problem. We'll make sure your SON gets it."

Bo said he almost died. If he had a son who was a junior in high school, he would have been 10 years old when he was born!

I should have said, "Well, that's definitely not an Old Dad."

More Prayers for Expectant Mothers

God of Joshua,
A new baby. A bigger family. The tribe is increased, and we are thrilled. A new person will surely make our home seem more like a haven, a place to replenish and rest. Lord, teach us how to graciously say to the world, "as a family, we choose to serve the Lord."

Lord, I pray for a peaceful place for this sweet baby to grow up. From its tender first days, I pray that it will know that it is treasured. When they are older, help us to make their friends feel welcomed and loved. Around this table, let us pray with the hurting and the doubting, and those who would come to know you as Savior. Bless us with laughter - roof-raising laughter. Holidays full of tradition and memories. Sleepovers with lots of kids. Big suppers. A guest room that's rarely empty. A routine that brings security. Let ours be a household of faith.

I know that my temperament and heart will play a huge role in setting the tone for our family. So I ask, please start with me. Fashion your servant into a godly wife and mother. Give me spiritual health and a thirst for truth - a secure foundation on which to build our faithful house.

Remind us each day that our time with this baby will be precious and brief. I pray that when it is grown, our child will take our heritage, continue the legacy, and serve you will all faithfulness. Because of your indwelling, may our family be known as a household of faith. Amen.

"Now fear the Lord and serve him will all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the river and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:14-15

Surprises Galore

People have asked me before what the Chinese birth calendar predicted for our baby, and today is the first time I had ever looked at it. My boss actually did it for me because she just couldn't wait. Apparently some of them calculate it based on your birthday and the baby's birthday, but that one was loading incorrectly, so we went for the simplified version. These figure it based on how old I will be when the baby is born and the month of conception. So based on the Chinese wisdom of the ages, the winner is.... BOY! We'll see.

Then last night after a round of golf with a friend, Bo came home with a huge gift for us from our friends Chad and Kara. They have a three-year-old daughter and were apparently just about ready to sell off their very nice baby gear, and decided to just bless us with it instead! So we now have a wonderful stroller, car seat, and the best part is that they had three car bases already! Now we will have one for each of our vehicles and not worry about which car is baby ready.

So here is a picture of the Peg-Perego stroller (different fabric from ours). Apparently they are one of the best brands available, so we are thrilled to have one major thing checked off our list!

We had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend with our friends James and Jessi, who flew in from Abilene just to spend the day with us. So nice to have your own plane! We ate a lot and enjoyed a few hours at the Retama Park horse races. Bo and I won a few bucks on a Quinella bet (you bet the two horses that will finish first and second in any order) but then got a bit too fancy on the next race and lost our winnings. We tried to bet the top three finishers and were way off. But it was fun. Then Sunday evening we had a big "shrimp dump" with a bunch of friends and their families. The kids played very well together and Bo's cooking was fabulous as usual. Pretty much my only contribution was lemonade and banana pudding! Of course, every time people come over, Bo says we need to have parties more often if only to force me to clean the house!

Hope you and yours had some relaxing time too!

The date is set!

Checkup went well today. The baby's heartbeat, or the whooshing sound as I call it, was about 161 beats per minute. My blood pressure was good, my weight gain is... none of your business. And we made the appointment for when we will do the ultrasound.

JUNE 4TH! One day before mine and Bo's anniversary. What a nice gift that will be! Then Bo's going to a conference on Padre Island for a few days, so I will be totally free to go crazy buying things. :)

Maria's Memory Fund

If you haven't heard the news of the tragic loss, Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter was killed yesterday in a horrible accident. Here is the link to the news story.

The Chapmans have always been godly examples of the church's call to take care of orphans, and so in lieu of flowers or gifts for her funeral, they ask that you consider making a donation to Shaohannah's Hope, the organization they founded that assists Christian families with the expense of adoption. You can learn more about Maria or leave a gift in her memory here.

Mommy Instincts

Last night, Bo and I came home to find three very tiny and hungry kittens in our driveway. After talking to my sister (the vet), she estimated that by their size they could be about 4 weeks old. But they really need to eat! One is orange and the other two are grey and white. And I cannot stop worrying about them! Joe seems to be very curious about them but doesn't seem likely to hurt them, other than barking. Amy says I need to introduce them so they aren't afraid of each other, rather than keeping them apart and only making it worse. She's so smart...

So this morning, I had to leave them alone for the day and I was just so sad to go to work. Maybe my maternal instincts are kicking in a bit. I did give them warm milk rather than straight out of the fridge, and I did clean their eyes where they were a bit crusty. I guess I will have to see if they are still around when I get home this evening.

So in celebration of my new found mommy-senses, here is a video that was sent to me a while back. It is the William Tell Overture revised as the Mom Song:

How sure is sure....

I have my next doctor's appointment coming up this Friday. I think we are just doing a checkup, but then I should be able to schedule a sonogram appointment. It's the big one! Hopefully we will know if we are having a boy or girl soon!

But I told Bo last night that I have this fear - What if they tell us one gender, but they aren't really sure? What if we go crazy with planning and buying things, only to find out a few months from now in another sonogram that they were wrong?

When we went shopping the other day, we talked all about plans for the room, what things we would need to buy. I think I was dreaming excitedly and the prices were just swimming in Bo's eyes. He kept asking, "Do we really need ALL THIS STUFF?" Diaper bags, baby clothes, toys, books, strollers, wipe warmers... Our finances will be completely taken over. In a good way.

Sidenote: To any moms out there that are looking for a good book, I just read "Little Earthquakes" by Jennifer Weiner again. She also wrote "In Her Shoes" which was made into a movie with Toni Collette and Cameron Diaz. One of the top movies on my list. But this book (LE) is about four women and their stories of becoming mothers. It is funny, heartbreaking, and so true. I don't think I appreciated it as much the first time around, but I devoured it in three days this time. Two bottles up from this critic!

Dear Pants

To all my beloved ones, I am so sorry that this day has finally come. I just can't bear to see you all the time in my closet, knowing that I can't be with you anymore. It's not you, it's me. I am just getting too fat. I remember all the good times we shared. Especially you, Wide Leg Trousers. You always gave me the appearance of longer legs and a less curvy figure. How I will look forward to our reunion. But I take heart in knowing that you will be protected. The lovely plastic tub under my bed will protect you from dust and neglect. You will be close to me in at least one way. And I will be thinking of you and working toward the time when I can proudly show you off around town again.

But as for you, maternity pants, we are truly the most wicked of enemies. You are unflattering, unshapely, and quite frequently cheaply made. You just don't have what it takes. I have had enough of your sabotage in dressing rooms. I despise the way you make me feel like an unsuccessful shopper! But I will find a way to beat you. I will make my tailor my ally, and our combined forces will be too much for your polyester pompousness. And if I have to drag my husband shopping with me, so be it. What is one casualty in the search for a decent outfit? Target is on my side. We shall overcome!

Breaking and Entering

My friends Jason and Cara saw a whole different side of me last night. I dropped by their house to pick something up, and noticed that only one of their vehicles was in the driveway. I had already called both of their cell phones and left messages. So I knocked on the door, rang the doorbell, waited some more, knocked again, made eyes at the cat through the window.... And then I decided to do something incredibly weird.

I have to confess, I really had to go to the bathroom. And I have a key to their house. So I thought I would run inside and be out again in two minutes. Had they walked up thirty seconds sooner, I would have still been a normal person on the porch. But here's the sequence of events:

Me struggling with the key to open both locks. (Time elapsed - 20 seconds)
Opening the door and making sure the cat doesn't run out. (Time elapsed - 5 seconds)
Cara walking up the sidewalk and puzzledly saying, "Hey."
Me turning around so embarrassed and shocked and then having to explain why I am crazy enough to break into their house. (Time elapsed - 5 awkward minutes)
Them nicely letting me inside to use the bathroom and sit around and watch TV. (Time elapsed - next two hours)

That's some good friends!

Top Ten Things I Learned From My Mother

10. A little bit of makeup goes a long way.
9. Sunscreen is your friend.
8. There's no shame in saying no or asking for help.
7. HGTV and the Food Network can waste away hours of your time.
6. It doesn't cost a lot to look like a lady.
5. Newer and more expensive doesn't mean it is better. Things are just things.
4. Giving of yourself makes you wealthy, not poor.
3. Never stop learning and sharing it with others.
2. A good book is like a vacation.
1. Prayer can change everything.

Better than James Blunt

Since I sit in traffic for an hour every morning, I tend to occupy my time (while at a complete stop) with eating breakfast or doing my makeup. This morning, I finished putting on my eyeliner and glanced over at the big green work truck next to me. There was a very sweet man, probably in his forties, who smiled and said to me, "You're beautiful."

And my hubby tells me that all the time, but it seemed so sweet and spontaneous coming from a stranger. I wanted to get out of my car and go hug him. I smiled and self-consciously put up my mirror and fiddled with the radio station. But to that man, you don't know how much a girl needs to hear (or lip-read) that sometimes. Especially one who is getting chubbier by the day.

Millerade? Is that a new product idea?

Last night I stayed too late at the office and missed my yoga class, so instead I called Bo and told him we should just take Joe for a walk. So after scarfing down some cereal (we were both starving!) we suited up and got Joe on the leash. Sadly, I wear tennis shoes so infrequently that my dog assumes that they are put on specifically for his entertainment purposes. I come out with them in hand, and he starts jumping up and down and pacing in utter joy.

The funny part was what Bo decided was proper "walking attire." Now that he has to dress professionally for work, he usually changes into some shorts the minute he gets home and just wears his white undershirt around. Redneck Chic. Last night, he also decided that he wanted to unwind with a beer and at some unknown point in time to me, he purchased Miller Chill (the kind with lime flavor added). Gross. But he didn't have time to finish it all before we were ready to go for a walk.

So we are walking up the driveway, or should I say being dragged by a hundred pounds of furry excitement, and he is hurriedly trying to finish it. I laughed at him and told him how appropriate it was that he was chugging half a beer before we exercised. He agreed, and thought it was wiser to drink it slowly. As we walked.

I cannot tell you how hysterical it was to see us. Yesterday was the first time Bo looked at my stomach and said I am really starting to show, but I told him that walking next to him, my beer drinking leash-holder, people probably would just assume that I have a beer belly! We had such a good laugh. If only I could have found my camera!

Babies, babies everywhere!

Well, we have another family that has welcomed not one, but TWO new baby boys. Our friends Holly and Brian were doubly blessed with Miles Elias and Shane Avery one week ago today. The twins are healthy and happy. Mom and Dad have told us that they are sleep deprived but doing well!

Bo went to take them dinner last night and said he could not get over how small the boys were. I told him that six pounds is actually very healthy for twins because there is only so much room in there! That would be like me having a twelve pound baby.... Unbelievable. Holly, you are a trooper!

Peanut's New Friend Addison!

Congratulations to our sweet friends, Laura and Josh who welcomed a new baby girl to their family this past week. Addison Lane was born on April 21st and weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. We hear they are all doing well (other than lack of sleep...) and we wish them many many blessings all the way in South Carolina!

Today

Dear Dad,
I miss you so much today. I wanted to just call and hear your voice. I feel sometimes that I want to have a conversation with you and just pretend that we are on the phone. But when I say the words out loud, it just makes it more real that you aren't here to hear them.

There still seem to be a lot of broken pieces left since that December. You were such a fixer, and I have a feeling that it is driving you crazy in heaven that you can't take these problems away for us. When you were gone, it's like our whole family got stuck on some deserted island. And sure, we have made huts and learned to fish since then. But we still keep wondering when we are just going to get rescued.

I wish so much that you were going to be here to meet your fourth grandbaby. I think it would mean alot to you to know that our possible little girl will have your name in some way since there are no more Haley boys. But then again, I know how special Ryan is to you and I know you had so much fun getting to do boy things. I can just picture those big rough hands of yours trying to delicately hold a tiny person again. Even though you didn't look it, you had such a gentle way with kids and they always just loved you. Nothing like sitting on Papa's lap and checking out his beard.

Anyway, I guess I just get the urge to talk to you every once in a while, and even though this is the most non-private way to do it, it makes me feel better to just get it out. I know you would be so proud of Bo and I, and know that we are going to work hard to be the kind of parents that we appreciated in ours. Really, Bo is going to be such a good Daddy. He reminds me of so many things in you. I just wanted to say that I love you so much and miss you every day. Especially today.

Surprises are Blessings Too

Just another reason I am not a big fan of Barack Obama:

From one of his rally speeches in Pennsylvania this past month as reported by Slate Magazine-

Obama said that when providing information about sex to his own daughters, "I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby." (http://www.slate.com/id/2190285/pagenum/2/)

I don't ever want my child to hear that some babies are a punishment to their mothers. Every child should be seen as a blessing, as a gift from God. I get a daily email devotional, and today's scripture was Psalm 127:3, "Children are a gift from the Lord, they are a reward from him. (NLT)"

Every new life is a reminder of God's love and graciousness to us. A chance to begin again and see the innocence of life, the kindness and goodness that he intends for all of us to show eachother. There is no child born that was a mistake. There are certainly children born into horrible circumstances, but that does not make THEM horrible. There are families all over the world that wish they had a chance to love a child of their own, and I am sure they are just as disgusted as I was to hear the Senator's comment.