the sweetest sound...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAVTz5jLXMQ

a friend loves at all times

As early at 8 weeks, Madison is already blessed with friends. Anna Cate and Maddie "e-mailed" back and forth today after Madison got her shots. Needless to say, it hasn't been a very fun day for Maddie or her Mommy today.

Subject: dear maddie...

Dear Madison:
I just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you today. My mommy has been praying for you. You will have to tell me ALL about your visit and what I should expect on Monday. I sure do hope that you feel okay and that you aren't too cranky for your mommy and daddy.

Love,
Anna Cate

......................................................................................................

Subject: RE: dear maddie...

Dear Anna Cate,
Thanks for your e-mail. All I have to say is that shots STINK! I am feeling pretty yucky today and just can't seem to get comfortable unless Mommy and Daddy are holding me. I hope you are having fun at the lake. My Mommy and I will be praying for you too when you go to the doctor on Monday.

Love,
Madison

P.S. I got to see our friend Charlie P. last night--he asked about you and your Mommy and Daddy:-)

anna cate & maddie grace

Thanks, God, for friends of all ages.

the year in review

Since I am just now starting this, I thought I'd provide a run-down of the last year top-ten style (in order of occurance, sort of)...

10. I traveled. A bit.

june '06, frontier ranch in colorado--a week of camp at one of
the most beautiful places on earth with a bunch of my high school friends

aug. '06, biloxi, mississippi--my mom and i went on our first mission trip together & witnessed firsthand the devestation left by hurricane katrina (little did we know little madison was also with us!).

sept. '06, ocean isle--labor day weekend with our small group

nov. '06, windy gap--several of my young life girls served other high school folks through work crew at our fall camp.

jan. '07, ocean isle--a weekend away with my sweet friends…melissa & blair pampered the pregos--amy, whitney, and me.

feb. '07, myrtle beach--one last romantic getaway before the baby comes (this is not where we stayed, btw--if there are any Chris & Chris P1's out there, you'll understand the pic)

9. I grew. A lot.

20 weeks; 28 weeks; 40 weeks

8. I was reminded of my amazing friends and their love for me at all my
baby showers.

in december, emily coordinated the shower that happened at the heritage family christmas.

that same weekend joann & jane threw both of us a party with all our "old" and "current" young life kids (pictured here).

in the spring, melissa, melanie, amy s., millie, & becca hosted a tea party shower. here i am with sara and my 3 college roommates, laura, becky, & scottie.

then my best friends from high school, amy e., kellie, & sara and my sister, jenny threw me a shower in greenville.

i was also honored by another shower in g'ville, given by the neighborhood friends and a shower at work given by my sweet coworkers. needless to say, madison was hooked up even before she was born!

7. Three of my closest friends had their beautiful babies...then a few
more announced they will soon be having & adopting beautiful
babies!

melissa's asher; whitney's ollie; amy's anna cate

6. I enjoyed many celebrations with our wonderful family &
friends.

becky's wedding; new year's eve

5. Our precious baby girl, Madison Grace, was born May 4 (only 2
weeks late!).

4. I decided to leave my job at the middle school I was at and
accepted a counseling position at a brand new school for kids whose families have just immigrated to the US.

it was a difficult place to work to say the least, but kids like these made my time there feel worthwhile. i'm sad to leave a few of my coworkers that have become dear friends, but i'm so excited about this new opportunity!

3. Charlie and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary (that equals 10 years of dating and 17 years of knowing each other--whoa!

june 2002; june 2007

2. We experienced many very special firsts with our daughter.

first mother's day; first father's day; first vacation

1. My sister moved to the 'boro for GUPY (http://gupy.org/) this summer & to nannie for us in the fall.

aunt jennny with maddie--what a blessing that she will be here with madison when I go back to work!

Can't wait to see what things are in store for this next year!

Day of Rest...First Day of Blogging

So, I've succumb to peer pressure and officially joined the blogging world. I've actually wanted to start one for quite a while, but my fear was that I would post once or twice and then never get around to keeping it updated. So, we'll see how this goes...

It is Sunday afternoon and I am tempted to take advantage of a few free moments by catching up on laundry or balancing our checkbook, but I feel like God has been teaching me through my time at home as a new mom over these past 7 weeks that time spent still and quiet is sacred and necessary. As different and challenging as life has been lately, it is amazing how much down time (not necessarily free time) I have had. Whether I am nursing Madison, taking her on a walk, or resting with her while she naps, I have spent more time than I have in years being quiet, by myself. Although this could definitely get lonely, and often necessitates an evening outing with Charlie or with friends, I have found that the silence and stillness has done me good. Sweet Maddie coming into our lives has really taught me that there is a simple truth that lies in the old cliche' "take time to smell the roses." I have known that the Lord has wanted me to slow down for a long time now--giving me a newborn has, oddly enough, allowed that to happen.

So, it is the Sabbath, and I am actually "sabbathing"...resting, pondering recent lessons from the Lord, and enjoying the view (see below)...