Playing Catch Up. . .

No, I didn't give the blog up for Lent (though it may seem that way). . :) I've spent the morning posting and backdating as much as possible. There are several new posts in the month of March. I promise to try to be more faithful. The past several weeks have been quite demanding and such a whirlwind. . .

Breakfast with Uncle Ebic

Uncle Ebic came in town for Spencer and Lacy's wedding, so we met him at a really neat cafe in East Nashville for breakfast. . . We miss him so much. It was nice to connect with him face to face over French Toast Pancakes stuffed with Nutella and Banana! :)

This child's eyes are heavenly! Not sure where he got them, but I hope he shares the gene with his sister! :)

New Best Friends

I have a LOT of catching up to do on the blog. I apologize. The month of March has been a whirlwind so far with birthdays and road trips . . . a wedding this weekend. I promise I'll catch up soon! For now. . . Here's Jonah with his new best friends. :) He bought these with a gift card from Aunt Sarah. Pretty sure they're going to be his first attachment objects, which is a bit comical for two reasons- first, they're as big as he is and second, he refuses to carry one without the other. :)

Letter to Eve

(A long-overdue letter to my daughter)

Eve Amelie, my precious girl . . .

I received the hope of you in the months preceding your conception. My spirit was peaked in God for your life and expectation grew in my heart.

In August, prior to the revelation of you, I was overcome by feminine energy. It was as if the world around me (and all that was in me) began to bloom. My eyes were opened to the beauty, grace and charm of the ordinary. All things feminine caught my attention . . . I even wore flowers in my hair, which felt quite appropriate for the season (an outward sign of an inward change).

I began to receive what I interpreted as whispers from heaven of your impending life- a single pink rose growing in our front lawn, a white hair bow I found on the ground while walking one day . . . I saw your name everywhere (even in the word “everywhere”, even in the word “even”). The name “Eve” infiltrated my life it seemed and brought chills with every recognition. (I will write more about the power and significance of your name later. It overturns my heart and beckons me in profound ways. . .)

When your Dad and I received confirmation of your life, through 2 pink lines on a little white stick, I felt confident you were with me . . . my girl. My sweet, charming, beautiful GIRL! Even the color of the lines on the test felt like a proclamation of your gender in my spirit. I had only used tests with blue caps and lines prior, but randomly bought a pink one this time . . . coincidence? Not to me.

My soul thundered at the revelation of your gender at our 15-week ultrasound. It was to me confirmation that I hear the voice of God and have the capacity to receive his word over my family and children (even through the most ordinary and seemingly unspiritual moments and events of life). My spirit was energized with a deep assurance that God is active in the processes of our earthly existence, that his intent and purposes loom weighty overhead, that he whispers of things to come to those who walk with him and hunger for his voice.

I sense the pleasure and joy of God in these days as he knits you together in the secret place. He delights in you, Eve. He dreams over you . . . You are his mercy manifest; his promise revealed; his heart extended. As we receive you, we receive more of him . . .

Birthday Boy

Hard to believe Jonah evolved from THIS:

To the adorable boy below in just 2 years!! :)

We had Jonah's birthday party several days before his actual birthday this year, so we tried to make his REAL birthday as special as we could. We went to storytime at the library then met Daddy for lunch and a visit to Centennial Park.

The Grizz and a Gypsy

For Allen's birthday this years, Aunt Scarlett and Uncle Raymond helped me make one of his lifelong dreams come true. . . We went to Memphis to see the Grizz play. It was so much fun spending the day walking the city just the 2 of us and then sharing the joy of seeing one of his favorite teams live.

I had one of the most interesting experiences of my life while we were there. . .

While standing in line waiting for a bathroom at Starbucks, a tall man in his mid-forties with long curly hair and an Irish accent came up to me and said, "You're pregnant!" I laughed and asked if it was that obvious. He smiled and said, "It's a girl." I confirmed that it was in fact a girl. Then he proceeded to say, "She's due May 12th. . ." I immediately got chills! He had a 50/50 chance of getting his previous statement right, but stating her correct due date got my attention for sure. . . He went on to say, "This is not your first baby (Jonah was not with us) . . . You have a son who is almost 2." Jonah's birthday was the next week! At this point I was fixated on his every word. . . Curious about where this man came from and how in the world he was accurately stating details of my life. He said, "You're daughter will come 2 weeks early. She'll be 5lbs 10oz, but don't worry- she'll be healthy. . ."

WOW! I mean, seriously, what do you say in a moment like that??

He went on to explain that he was from a long line of Irish gypsies. . . He said he's not a gypsy himself, but when he gets instincts about people they're always right, so he wanted to share. . .

The most interesting aspect of all of this is that during our ride to Memphis I had an extensive and emotional phone conversation with my mom expressing concern over Eve's health and potential delivery complications. At that point she was still breech with the cord around her neck, and for a multitude of reasons it caused me to feel anxious (understatement). . . Needless-to-say, the timing of all of this was interesting.

It was as if the calm of God fell on me when the Irish Gypsy said "She'll be healthy". . . I actually repeated back to him "She'll be healthy?" And he smiled and said, "Yes! She'll be healthy. . ." I received those words in a Divine way in that moment and have genuinely not experienced that level of worry or anxiety over Eve's well being since. . .

I'm not sure what you believe about prophecy or those the Lord can and cannot use to do his work in our lives. I personally believe that he delights in using unexpected people and circumstances to bring about his purposes. I think many are used by him without ever realizing it (yes, even non-Christians). I'm not sure of the Irish Gypsy's spiritual state, but I feel strongly he was used by God that afternoon to speak life and hope over Eve . . . and I receive it still.

Whether she actually comes 2 weeks early and weighs 5lbs, 10oz is quite minimal in my mind. Even if she comes 2 weeks late and weighs 10lbs I'll still feel like that moment and interaction was given to me by God to still my anxious soul and bring assurance and faith I couldn't reach prior. . .

Happy Birthday, Jonz! :)

It's been 2 years since we welcomed our beautiful son in to the world (and he still mesmerizes me). :) Jonah brings a level of joy and contentment to our lives that we could never reach without him. It's been so much fun watching his life and personality unfold. We look forward to the months and years ahead, anxious to see the plans and purposes of God fulfilled through him.

Thank you, Emily, for investing so much time and energy in capturing Jonah's special day!! :)

New Hair

Jonah's new hair, thanks to Mimi! :) Looks like my toddler has morphed into a teen! LOVE. THIS. KID.

Playing with Papa and Grams

This is a long video (5 minutes). . . I don't have the energy to edit. It was easier simply to export as is. This was taken last Thursday. My parents kept Jonah all afternoon and well into the evening to give me a much needed Mom break. Jonz had a blast with them as you'll see!! Pretty sure I didn't cross his mind once while he was there. :)

This is the 3rd post tonight. . . playing catch up after a few day sabbatical from the blog.