HaPpY BiRtHdAy!

Dear Tradd and Jackson,
      1,825 days.  That number sounds so large!   Your Aunt Jan told me a long time ago that with children, the days are long, but the years short.  I have never felt that to be more true than today....on your fifth birthday.  In some ways, I feel like you have been with us forever...but it's the small things that remind me of just how fast those days have passed.      

Holding your hands and feeling them lace in between my fingers...half the size of mine now.  Remembering when those little hands were chubby and barely filled my palm.

Buying you new shoes last week...size 11!  Your feet looked like boats to me when we tried them on, but sure enough your toes were at the end.  Remembering your first pair of shoes, those white, stride rite walking shoes.
Snuggling with you when you sneak into our bed in the early morning when it's still dark outside.  Realizing that when our heads share a pillow your feet almost reach to my knees.  Remembering you curled up on my chest your very first day.  

Our conversations when you try your best to understand this world. Just yesterday our conversation on the way to school went something like this...
Jackson:  Mama, Max is in heaven right?
Me: Yes, buddy he's in heaven.
Tradd:  And that's where God lives?
Me:  Yep, God and Jesus and Nana and Max and Pops...
Tradd:  Has he always lived there?
Me:  Yes, he's lived there forever and ever.
Tradd:  So he's never going to move?
Me:  I don't think so buddy..?...?...

You challenge me everyday...EVERY. DAY.

Knowing that our family will be changing with this new baby makes me look at you with new eyes.  I am hanging on to every day that we have together and trying my best to soak you up.... a friend told me the other day that after we have the baby and you come to see us in the hospital, that you will look so big to me...never bigger.  As excited as I am for that moment, it does make me sad a little bit.  It's been "us" for so long.  1,825 days to be exact....

Last night while he was tucking you in, I overheard your Daddy telling you about the day you were born.  Both of you squealing with laugher when he was acting silly made me hope you will always love to hear that story as much a we do. 
We love you precious ones!  Happy, Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mama  

Southern Home

A Baby Changes Everything

So I've been waiting to write about this until the time was just right...and tonight the time is right.

Here is a glimpse of our newest blessing...

I know it might not look like much now, but if you look hard enough you can see little feet on the left side! 

I am 13 weeks pregnant with an August 19th due date!!!! 

I have had the chance to share this story with some of you, but need to document it for my family so here it goes....

In the fall, Tradd and Jackson began telling people that we were having a baby...a baby sister to be exact.  Sunday school teachers, preschool teachers, grandparents, strangers, didn't really matter to them as long as you'd listen...they even named "her" Kacy.  So you can only imagine my surprise on December 7th at my yearly WELL visit with my OB when I was told that this spoken prayer for a sister, made by two precious four year olds, had been answered.  When I think about the coincidence that surrounds that very appointment, I can't help but smile at the way God works.  My original appointment was for early November, but my doctor had to reschedule so December 7th is was. 
At the appointment, I politely answered all of the nurse's questions and she asked if we were considering more children.  I explained that we were building a house and well, not at the perfect spot to have a baby, but IF we did it would be within the year.  Big stress on the "IF".  My doctor (who delivered our boys and I love) came in and says, "So we're doing it again!"  After I had a good laugh, I told him not to get ahead of himself...we talked about the house, our current living arrangements, etc. and moved on to the exam. 

Not to give TMI, but during my exam he was mashing on my stomach and it hurt when he pressed on my right side...told me it was probably a cyst, nothing to worry about.  The first thing I learned that day is that when you pee into the little cup, they do not automatically run a pregnancy test...sooooo when he left the room, as I dressed, he asked his nurse to run a test.  When he came back in, he laid the test down and calmly said, "Well, Misty, you are actually pregnant today!"  I nearly fell out of the chair.  Not only was I shocked, but Lee was OUT OF THE COUNTRY.  As in, I could not even talk to him for almost 48 hours!  
I left that appointment white-knuckling my steering wheel, in complete shock and smiling from ear to ear.  I can only imagine what I looked like!   Of course, my next thought....telling Lee.  Wasn't sure what he would say or how he would react.  I told him the next night as soon as he got in the door and put his bag down from his trip...he said, "What?  We're having a baby?"  And when his tears came, I knew everything was ok...he was just as happy as me. 

We waited a few week to tell the boys...they didn't act surprised....I guess they were sure their prayer would be answered.  The picture below was taken the day that I found out, December 7th, at their school Christmas program.  When I look at this picture I will always remember the way I felt that night....holding a secret so big, one that would change all of us...well, a baby does change everything.