Rain, rain...

When I was little my mom would talk about how good the rain was. How it washed everything clean and made the outside fresh. As a child I just saw everything getting wet. As a teenager I saw the rain as the destroyer of my perfectly coiffed, hard as a rock, bangs. And as a young adult the rain brought slick streets and slow days at Disneyland. Now the rain means all of those things (even though now the rain frizzes my perfectly straightened hair!). The rain is many things to many people. But now I realize - once again - that mom was right. Rain is the great cleanser. It washes away all of the dirt and muck. It makes things seem brighter and more clear. I can't help but feel like there are parts of my life that are made clean by the rain. And so now I see the rain as the blessing that it is, not only for the outside, but for me as well.

Choices

I've recently been reminded that life is all about choices. You make millions of them a day without even thinking twice. There are big ones and little ones, major ones and minor ones. But choices are what makes up life. I was raised with the saying, "Attitude is everything." I disagree. Everything is in what attitude you choose to have. A person has the ability to make that decision. Now, don't get me wrong, circumstances directly affect the choices a person makes. But ultimately, I CHOOSE my attitude, for better or for worse!

The joy of technology

At this moment I am sitting outside. On a bench. Under the shade of a tree. Feeling the breeze and sunshine. While I write this on my iPad, my iPhone sits next to me. Why is this so exciting? Because I am at work. Outside of my office. If anyone needs me they can reach me. Although they don't know where I am, they know how to find me. I can sit outside enjoying the day and still be productive. I have to admit that technology intimidates me. I don't pretend to know much about it, but I do know that it has it's advantages. Like earlier, when I was having a mid-morning slump, my iPhone alerts me to a message. It was the sweetest picture of Maddan painting out in the sunshine. Ms. Bon thought that I would enjoy the experience (and boy, was she right!) so she took a picture and shared it with me. Although there are numerous concerns regarding technology, for me, today, it has brought me nothing but joy!

And so it begins...again!

Daddy's Thoughts

So, as many of you already know, we are having a little girl in July. In the days since we learned what we are having, nervousness has subsided and reality has kicked in. And with that, the shopping has begun. I visited Baby Gap the other day and found some cute little outfits that I had to get for my daughter (it is very weird saying 'My daughter', but getting easier every day).

A couple days after the purchase of said outfits, I called upon Nana to air a serious concern of mine...will my daughter even be able to fit into newborn clothes? With both mom and dad topping 6 feet, there is a feeling that our daughter is going to not be a large baby, but a loooong baby. I guess we shall see, and the good thing about tags on clothes is that you can always exchange for a bigger size!

Yesterday was the baby's EKG, and the technician said that everything looks great. Baby M is a healthy bundle, and we couldn't be happier. The technician also supplied a close up of our little one's face, and my initial reaction was 'Thank goodness she has her momma's nose!"

Her first race...

Mom "protecting" Baby M's using ear protectors

This weekend the family was in Fontana at the Auto Club Speedway watching Papa race. Although he didn't spend as much time on the track as he would like, Papa enjoyed having both of his granddaughters with him. Not only did we try to protect Baby M's ears ;) , we even went out during the break and had our first experience on the track. Maybe she will be a racecar driver like her mom!

It's a...

...GIRL!!!

Marty and I are SO excited...and nervous. While I am planning on decorating the nursery (and our daughter) in pink ribbons and bows, my husband is already thinking about her dating and the issues that will arise with that. Heaven help us! We know that she is a gift from God...and he will be the one to help us through it all!!!

Our "kids"

Puppy Maverick and Old Lady Missy

Oh how I LOVE my dad!

Yes, I'm over twenty years old...don't I look GREAT??

So, here they are...our "kids."

Missy came first. She is over twenty years old and can't see or hear very well. Bless her heart, she has even lost a tooth or two!

Marty found Maverick at the humane society almost two years ago. We were told that he was a boxer/lab mix and would grow to be 60 pounds. HA! He is almost 100. We should have known not to trust them, the card also listed him as a girl!

We love them so much. They both bring so much to our family. It's going to be amazing bringing home a baby to the mix!

Comments...

Marty is the computer genius of the family

Okay, so I hear that it is impossible to leave a comment for us. I must apologize, but, I am just proud of myself for creating this blog! Those of you who know me understand what I am talking about. Bottom line is, Marty will be home this weekend, he will fix it then. ;)

From Florida with love...

Marty's office

The view from outside of his office

The view from Marty's place

As may of you may know, my wife is in California while I play with baseball people here in Miami to help pay the bills. Most days I catch myself thinking of how my unborn baby is progressing, and wondering how my wife can take care of a house, two dogs, home repairs, work…all while growing our baby. Then I think about how I was blessed with one of the strongest women I have ever known. Someone who shares the same strength as my parents, making me think they came from the same mold. When the day comes that we are actually able to live in the same house we will be as strong as any steel, solid as any gold and harder to crack then any safe.

I am hoping that I am home before Baby Sewell comes into this world, which if it hasn’t been stated, is tentatively July 11. So if you are keeping score, that would be three July birthdays, the rest of the year, nothing. And, if it weren’t bad enough that all of our birthdays are in the same month, the first name of our little one will also start with an ‘M’. At least the monogrammed towels will work for the whole family!!!

And yes, my husband IS this sweet!