Matt's conversation with my stomach...

Tonight after dinner I was laying on the couch trying to see/feel the baby move. Not too much was happening at the moment, so Matt came over and started "talking to her" to see if she would respond to his voice. I think he was actually just trying to be funny. Here's a snippet of the conversation that ensued:

Matt: "Hey Baby, how are you tonight? Did you like your mom's dinner selection? You know, we really can't wait for you to get here. To meet you and to see what you look like. The baby updates we get say that right now you are 14 inches long. That's important for you to understand - one day you will probably be about 5 feet 8 inches long...but right now you are one foot two inches. Well, you have two feet, but...it's kind of hard to explain to a baby like you. I'll try again once you get here. Actually, it gets even more complicated because there's also a whole metric system and that can get really confusing. But I'll help you learn your measurements, don't worry. When you do get here you'll get to meet your brothers, Harry and Morty. They are bigger than you...especially Harry. I bet you'll like him, but you'll have to be careful around him because he is big and excitable and clumsy. If you're wondering what he looks like - he is brown and furry and has a long snout. He kind of looks like Alf. But you don't know who Alf is - that was way before your time. I'll make a note to myself to have something prepared for when you get here to help you learn about both Alf and the metric system. I also have another surprise for you when you get here...I've been saving you some Wall Street Journals. Your mom tried to throw them out when I wasn't looking, but I caught her and salvaged them. So if you are interested in the business happenings from early 2008, I've got all that news for you."

Throughout this monologue I am laughing at what a NERD hubby is, though I do love him very much. I think my laughing just eggs him further along...

Boston

Matt and I recently took a 5 day trip to Boston. We were able to stay with our friends Nick and Caroline for a few days and then spend a couple days on our own in the city. I decided that I could live in Boston. (Ok, maybe not in the winter). But I love how it has the fun city feel yet it is not as huge, crowded or overwhelming like New York. How fun it would be to walk to work or ride the subway or take your baby to one of the many beautiful parks at any time of day without getting stuck in traffic or dying of heat exhaustion. (I realize that all of these things would be miserable in January, but you catch my drift).

It was also refreshing to get out of Texas for a little while - or at least Dallas. Just a good reminder for me that not everyone in this country drives nice cars or wears fancy clothes or strives for huge houses. What a slippery slope...this mentality catches up with you before you even realize it!

It was so much fun to hang out with the Smiths...we had good conversation, lots to see and do, amazing food, and fun, easy fellowship. We are thankful for them...

Here are some of our pictures:



We got to see Caroline's first concert in Boston - she did great and I am loving her new stuff!



In Rockport after a delicious Saturday brunch. Very cute little seaside town. Right before this picture Matt fell on his bum on a sharp rock...sorry babe!



At the beach near their house in South Hamilton.



Cute and BRAVE little man (he was only in his 60's guys - you know I'm right) who got in the freezing water and swam. Put all of us right to shame. We were fascinated by him. I wish I had a picture of his goggles.



Matt and I about to indulge in Mike's Pastries - yum!



Our tour guide on the Freedom Trail (he was a wee little man, but a good tour guide).




Fenway Park. Need I say more? I think Matt thought he was in Heaven.



Also got to see and catch up with our friends Drew and Saona who are at Harvard. They are so cute - can't believe they've been married a year! We miss you guys!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

 

Wanted to post a shout out to my awesome mom on her b-day. Probably not her typical one as she is still in H-town with no power - but she and dad are handling it like champs.

My mom is really one of the most wonderful people I know. I have learned so much from her and as I get closer to being a mom myself, I am more and more grateful to have had her as my model. She is strong, wise, fun, and generous. She puts her family before herself over and over. She is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in or to speak up for what she knows is right. She knows how to make the most of a tough situation and not to take things too seriously. She has more energy than most people I know (at least in the hours pre-falling asleep on the couch at 8 - which I definitely inherited). She is a skilled OT who goes above and beyond to help the children she works with who have developmental delays and disorders. She is hands down the best bargain shopper I know! She has taught us the importance of a healthy lifestyle and has encouraged us to be open-minded to new experiences, opportunities, and people. She has just been through an incredibly difficult year but through it I have admired her strength, patience, and hope. We are so thankful that is is over and that she is back to work, back to her regular self!

Mom, I love you! Have a wonderful day - I wish I could be there to celebrate with you!

When the weather changes

There is something about waking up to a cool morning after many many mornings of only heat and humidity that is SO REFRESHING. It's funny how I make this observation every year when the Texas season finally changes. Every time, I feel so invigorated, grateful, and inspired. It feels like a little present from God that satisfies the soul only as He can. After soaking it in for a few minutes, my next thought is usually how nice it would be to be able to live in Colorado, or somewhere that has MORE of these days. But then I am reminded that I have spent many month or week long stretches in Colorado, and while I do experience that refreshment for a few days when I first arrive, I eventually start to adjust. I get used to it. I expect it. It is no longer a pleasant surprise as much as...just what it is. And then that gratefulness begins to wear off, and then soon it's just the norm.

Reminds me of my relationship with God. How He does these amazing things for me - big things that only He can do. Bringing change that only He can bring. And at first I am OVERWHELMED with joy, and gratefulness, and inspiration. And I think to myself "things will never be the same" or "i will never take this situation for granted again." But of course, over time, I get used to it. And then I expect it. It is the norm. Him giving me good things is just...what it is. I subconsciously begin to think I am entitled to these good things. And then something bad or hard happens and I wonder "why can't You just give me this one thing, Lord?" But how my silly self has forgotten that he HAS given to me over and over and over again. Jesus. My family. My marriage. My health. My job. Our house. My heart beating, my lungs breathing, my legs moving, and my lips talking and communicating. Coffee. A bed. Hot water. Even these are things I don't deserve, yet He loves me and gives them to me.

I hope and pray that over time, I will be able to stay longer in the period of gratefulness. Inspiration. Refreshment. And that when the next hard thing comes (which it always will) I will pause to remember how much He has taken care of me thus far. And He will continue to do so.

Like in 5 days when I'm sure the Texas weather will be back to 95 (as this is just a pleasant side effect of Hurricane Ike). May I remember then these few cool days we've had and look forward to October when the season really does change. Without grumbling about the heat in the meantime. :)