A Letter for Luke.

"And the child grew and became strong in spirit" --Luke 1:80a

Beloved boy,

You revealed your profile to me today, and in doing so, gifted me a small glimpse of you. I saw the same strong jaw I see in your daddy and the tiny hairs emerging on your sweet head. Though I am your mama, the One who knitted you knows you better, and He has entrusted you to my care. Long before I knew you, I prayed for you and just as in the book of Samuel, the Lord granted me what I asked of Him.

As I count down the final days of your arrival into this world, I pray that God will cradle you in the waters of good health and gentleness, that He will nourish you with joy and wisdom and strengthen you with the spirit of His love.

Showered with Love.

On January 26, my sweet friend, Amy, hosted a shower for baby Luke at my parents' house in Florida. It really was a wonderful day, and I am so thankful for the family and friends who attended. I sometimes forget how difficult it is to live in a state so far away from our extended family. I really love being around them and enjoyed the weekend we had to catch up.

As Amy is one of the most efficient people I know, she has, of course, already detailed this event on her own blog. For posterity, here is a picture of some of the 643 cookies that Amy claims to have eaten that day:



And for the record, I am disputing the portrayal of the "pants incident." That's not quite how I recall the course of events, but alas, challenging the accuracy is not the purpose of this post. My reason for writing is to thank her for being such a wonderful friend.

Amy was my college roommate. Actually, my husband and Amy went to high school together, and it is because of him that she and I and two other women ended up living together for the majority of my undergraduate years. She is probably the closest thing I have ever had to a sister as living together for that long through formidable years like college brings about a certain closeness attained only by exeriencing both the good and the bad with each other.

Though it's been 14 years since we first met, I still maintain warm memories of those initial moments of getting to know her. We'd have long talks on our many walks to campus, where because of our height difference, I would have to practically run to keep up with her. We've cooked many a meal together, and no matter how old we get, I will always associate Amy with tri-colored pasta with a dash of Parmesan cheese coupled with half of a bagel with strawberry jam.

Perhaps one of the reasons I so value her friendship so is because she charted many of life's important milestones before me. She and her husband, Matt, got together long before my husband and I did, and I have watched, with admiration, as she has become a wonderful wife and mother to her two precious children, and how she handles each with humor and strength and above all, grace.

I have benefited tremendously from the advice she has given me throughout my own journey down similar paths, and I marvel at how our friendship has evolved through time and continued to grow despite physical distance. Thank you for everything, sweet friend.

Jonah's First Snow.

Yes. I said snow. I know what you're thinking. How far north did we move anyway? Just to Atlanta. But apparently, it snows here. And yesterday, it really snowed. We had enough to build a snowman! Obviously, you can tell from the above picture that I was far more excited about this than my little man. Here are some pictures from this blessed event.

From the front of the house:

Our backyard:

Happy Winter!

Brothers.

Meet Luke Thomas.

On November 15, 2007, we officially found out that God has decided to bless our family with our second boy. His anticipated arrival is on or about April 3, 2008. I realize that many of you who read this blog are already aware of this news, but I thought you would like to see a picture nonetheless. The above is the only shot I have of him at 20 weeks as he refused to pose for a profile picture.

I must say I am excited that Jonah will have a baby brother. I look at the relationship my husband has with his two brothers and the relationship he has with Jonah, and I can't help but smile. Todd and his brothers talk on the phone almost everyday and really make an effort to see much of each other, though they live in three different states. I cannot get them off of the phone with each other during college football Saturdays - especially Todd and Tim - they hold "virtual hands" during the Gator games, discussing every play, every penalty and every coaching decision. It's truly hilarious to watch.

Oh and the way they are with each other's children! Todd loves his nephews, Noah and Wade, and the feeling is mutual. And Todd's brothers adore Jonah and celebrate his milestones along side of us. When we all get together, the house is anything but quiet, but you cannot help but enjoy their collective energy and the feeling that there is a closeness here that will grow more so with time. We are blessed indeed to have this family full of boys.

But I think what is most joyful about having another boy is having watched the relationship develop between Todd and Jonah these last two years and knowing that Luke will receive much of the same. They're close as only father and son can be, and I'm so grateful for that. On weekends, Todd and Jonah have little adventures together. They'll go out to breakfast and the park (I think they've been to almost every one in Atlanta) - playing outside for hours until Jonah literally can't keep his eyes open. He giggles the hardest around Todd, and I can tell already that Todd is teaching him to be strong and brave and the kind of man that God wants him to be.

And so as I wait out these last few weeks before Luke's arrival, I will continue to reflect on these blessings - knowing that Luke was divinely chosen for us and what an honor that is.

Two Years Old.

Two years old today, little man. 730 days to go from this:

To this:

Where is the time going? Happy Birthday, my love.

Four Years.

Today, Todd and I celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary, and he surprised me this morning just like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7p9EbqFPmU

Well, okay, so not quite like this. It was just after six in the morning. Little Jonah was already awake and kicking away in his crib. I was sleeping in old sweatpants with spaghetti stains on them from Jonah the night before.

I heard Todd sneak into the room and climb into the bed. He then placed his hand on my shoulder and moved his hand in such a way that I thought he was pushing away a bug or something. I immediately sat up, causing the necklace to become lost in the bed, and it took me a few minutes to figure out that the above song was playing from the laptop he had placed on the floor. I began to giggle when I realized that he was trying to carry out this romantic gesture, and really, I wouldn't have had it happen any other way. It was the perfect representation of life as we know it - chaos and humor and courtship and sleeplessness all bundled into a commitment that I think of each time I look down at my wedding band.

I have loved this man since I was an eighteen-year-old college freshman, and it was a dream personified to stand before God and become his wife and partner. He is everything I could ever ask for in a husband and father.

I have so enjoyed this journey and look forward with anticipation as it all unfolds. Happy Anniversary, my sweet.

Siblings.

Lately I have been spending a lot of time in Jonah's glider. I don't really mind as it is actually quite relaxing. Jonah likes to be rocked sometimes, and I am happy to oblige. Some days he drifts off to sleep and other days he just giggles, plays with my hair and touches my face. It's all rather fulfilling.

Todd and I have implemented a new bedtime routine the last few nights. We let Jonah run up and down the long hallway on our second floor. He always begins this endeavor with such enthusiasm, sprinting as fast as he can to the other side and back. Eventually (and I do mean eventually as his energy seems endless), he tires and ultimately collapses into our arms ready to be taken to his room for prayers and bed.

Last night, about 30 minutes after Todd put him to bed, he began to cry and I went up to his room to see if he wanted to rock to sleep. As he lay across my stomach, I began to feel lots of flutters from this little one I am carrying inside. I was immediately overcome with a feeling of intense contentment, and I think I was for several reasons. This was the first occasion I have felt any real sense of movement from this pregnancy as I am just 18 weeks along, and I was happy to discover that feelings of excitement and wonderment were just as fervent as they were when I reached this milestone for my firstborn.

But more than that, I think the true reason for my contentment came with the realization that this was a tangible start to their bond as siblings. I have spent much time during this pregnancy wondering about this - how this new little one will fit with our family, how my children will get along and how my heart will adjust to the capacity of loving two children as much as I have loved having one. And I think last night, God was kind enough to give me a little glimpse and for that I am so very grateful.