OH Happy Day!

I'll never forget the afternoon of June 14th, 2011. For the first time in my life there was a real possibility that I could be pregnant. I was afraid to hope too much and my heart was so comfortable w/ the doubt that I was certain that the test would show up negative. Imagine my complete and utter surprise when I saw two pink lines show up, a positive indication that you were inside of me...a dream that was going to become a reality. I can not articulate perfectly the variety of emotions that I felt when I saw those two pink lines...it was so overwhelming that all I could do was break down and cry. The biggest emotion that I felt was of breathtaking gratitude. I remember thanking God immediately over and over. I wanted to have faith that this would someday happen for us but I never let my heart believe fully that it would.

Since that day I have never been the same and I know that I never will be the same again... and it's amazing and wonderful to experience all of this! We are so excited...beyond words excited!

The first person I called was your Aunt Tosha. Eleven years prior, I was fortunate to be there while she took her first pregnancy test and found out that she was pregnant with your oldest cousin Grant. It was just as surprising for her then and I was so thrilled to share that with her. So immediately, I thought of her and wished she were here to witness all of this w/ me. So I called her and she let out the biggest cheer of excitement, she can not wait to meet you! She will be a great Auntie to you. After a few minutes, I realized she was not alone hearing all of this - your Mimi was there too! So she got to hear the news of YOU that day too. Of course, your counsins Grant & Zach were there as well (and they hope that you are a boy :)) They all promised to keep the news a secret from grandpappy and the rest of the family until we all get together next month for Fourth of July weekend. Even Grant & Zach promised they would not say a word...you are a very cherished secret at the moment.

Now, your Daddy was at work so technically he was the 6th person to find out about you. LOL that was not my intention. But you don't always think very rationally when you find out the biggest news of your life. So I wanted to think of a creative yet sweet way of letting him know about you. I knew he would be over the moon happy but also so very very very surprised. When he came home that night I had posted a sign on the back door that read, "Welcome Home Daddy!" I wish that I had taken a picture of his face when he walked through that door. Such sweet, sweet surprise...stunned surprise would probably be a better description. I showed him the two pink lines and we just held on to each other. In all of my life, I've always felt loved, but never as much as I felt loved right then. We had a quiet evening of just talking and digesting what your pending arrival means to us and what steps we need to do in the near future to start planning. We also called your other Grandparents and let them know the good news. They live in California so as we were not going to be seeing them over the summer we knew we had to let them know about you right away. They are so thrilled! You will be so very loved!

The count down begins little one....you will be here with us next February. Our very own little Valentine baby! We simply can not wait!!!

Love, Mommy

Spring 2011

Your dad and I just had the most amazing vacation - a dream of mine for a long time now has been to travel abroad. Of course, w/ the possibility of having you soon, it would not be feasible to try to plan a trip like this w/ a baby here or on the way. So we had planned this trip back in November of last year to make it happen. We went to London England and it was during the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton - such an exciting celebration to spectate and be caught up in - I have so many stories of this wonderful time to share w/ you one day. Your aunt Ashley & uncle Scott went w/ us and it was 10 days of plenty of adventure. After a few days in London, England we then, well, your daddy & uncle Scott went and rented (and drove) a car so we could travel to a beautiful English coastal town - St. Ives in Corwall, England. (The driving part was super scary but quite hilarious at the same time...definitely lots of pics and stories to share about that too :0)) Cornwall is a place I always read about growing up in different novels and I always, always, always, wanted to visit. Such a special time to get to share this adventure w/ your daddy...we had so much fun. Lastly, we spent our last few days in Paris, France. By far my favorite of the trip...the food, the sights, the romance...it was so memorable.

We had hoped that we would bring home a very special sovenier of our dream vacation...YOU! But it's not to be ...just yet little one. We are trusting in God's perfect timing and so hope for you, but we are keeping busy and daddy and I are just enjoying each other...we know alone time and expensive vacations will be a thing of the past once we have you in our lives. So we want to enjoy it and take it all in...but we can't wait to share our lives w/ You!

This past weekend we planned a little getaway to Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach. Everywhere I looked I noticed little babies...they caught my attention like never before. I never really felt an ache for you as much as I did then...I pray we have faith that God will bless us w/ having you. I can totally envision us ... a family of 3... at the beach w/ you.

Maybe next summer.

xo mommy