I'm thankful to have chosen a career that allows me to live a life my parents only thought they could dream of for me. And I know that's materialistic and selfish. I'm just so grateful to be able to save for my life, my son's life and my parents' lives. And though I wish, I so wish I didn't have to work, so I could hang out with Tate so much more I'm grateful for having the job I do. And having chosen this job I also know that money definitely does not buy you happiness. I was never happy doing what I do. I'm happiest being a mom, a tired, worn-out, beat up mom whose son looks at her like she's the bees' knees. Mom of a son who is funny, silly, quirky, loving, independent and all mine.
For without this career I never could have afforded to have him!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Sunday, November 4, 2012
November 4, 2008
Four years ago on this date, November 4, 2008, Barack Obama was elected President of these United States.
I was here at home watching the returns here with my sister, Lindsey. It was an amazing evening.
I called my parents as soon as it was announced because I had to hear them witnessing this event they most definitely did not think they would see in their lifetime.
The election of a black man as President of the United States.
They both had tears in their voices. And my mom said she never thought she would see this day.
And I will say this...if the black man had been a Republican they would have been just as overcome. Because this heroic moment was not about party lines, but about possibly finally reaching Martin Luther King, Jr.'s promised land.
Though sadly, the state of this country today is most definitely not Martin Luther King, Jr.'s hope for our promised land.
And that is one of the biggest reasons I was so worried about having a little boy. For I would be having a little black boy. In this country. In this time of racial strife, still.
But for this one night, I was over the moon...
I was pregnant (I had taken 3 more digital tests this day reveling in the words 'PREGNANT' and we had a new President with new hope for our country.
Lindsey and I got on the phone that night at 10:10pm as soon as the official announcement was made that Barack Obama would indeed be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States. We were calling the airlines to get flights to Washington, DC to bear witness to his swearing in. We purchased four tickets that night...for the two of us and my parents. (The tickets were uber cheap too! I suppose the airlines hadn't had a chance yet to inflate their prices before we called!).
We were going to trek to DC...me, little Sunshine, Lindsey and my mom and dad!!
So tonight I'm thankful my parents were able to witness that moment in history four years ago. I hope it erased some of the pain of all the hardships, torment, hatred and downright ugliness of the Civil Rights Era of which they had to live through. I pray noone ever has to experience what they did along with millions of others. Ever. Least of all my beautiful, sweet, black son.
I was here at home watching the returns here with my sister, Lindsey. It was an amazing evening.
I called my parents as soon as it was announced because I had to hear them witnessing this event they most definitely did not think they would see in their lifetime.
The election of a black man as President of the United States.
They both had tears in their voices. And my mom said she never thought she would see this day.
And I will say this...if the black man had been a Republican they would have been just as overcome. Because this heroic moment was not about party lines, but about possibly finally reaching Martin Luther King, Jr.'s promised land.
Though sadly, the state of this country today is most definitely not Martin Luther King, Jr.'s hope for our promised land.
And that is one of the biggest reasons I was so worried about having a little boy. For I would be having a little black boy. In this country. In this time of racial strife, still.
But for this one night, I was over the moon...
I was pregnant (I had taken 3 more digital tests this day reveling in the words 'PREGNANT' and we had a new President with new hope for our country.
Lindsey and I got on the phone that night at 10:10pm as soon as the official announcement was made that Barack Obama would indeed be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States. We were calling the airlines to get flights to Washington, DC to bear witness to his swearing in. We purchased four tickets that night...for the two of us and my parents. (The tickets were uber cheap too! I suppose the airlines hadn't had a chance yet to inflate their prices before we called!).
We were going to trek to DC...me, little Sunshine, Lindsey and my mom and dad!!
So tonight I'm thankful my parents were able to witness that moment in history four years ago. I hope it erased some of the pain of all the hardships, torment, hatred and downright ugliness of the Civil Rights Era of which they had to live through. I pray noone ever has to experience what they did along with millions of others. Ever. Least of all my beautiful, sweet, black son.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Thanksgiving Celebration - So Thankful
Tonight was our annual Girls' Thanksgiving Dinner that my girlfriend R hosts at her house for the females in our tribe. We were missing a few tonight who had prior commitments, but it was a beautiful night as always. Lots of love and laughter.
Here's the gorgeous table she set for us...
I took Tate over to my parents early this afternoon and got him situated. I skyped with him while they were eating dinner, and he seemed happy as a clam. We also talked on the phone...I was shocked by how much he talked to me on the phone, AND I understood almost everything he said. So very sweet to see my boy enjoying himself with my parents without me there. But I still wanted to reach through the computer and cuddle him up. He's in good hands and is sound asleep now, which is where I should be.
So, tonight I'm eternally grateful for the friends God has blessed me with, for their love, support, kindness, honesty and kinship. In addition I'm so thankful that my parents are able to spend this time with Tate and that they're so very willing to take care of him so I can have a night out once in a while.
Here's the gorgeous table she set for us...
I took Tate over to my parents early this afternoon and got him situated. I skyped with him while they were eating dinner, and he seemed happy as a clam. We also talked on the phone...I was shocked by how much he talked to me on the phone, AND I understood almost everything he said. So very sweet to see my boy enjoying himself with my parents without me there. But I still wanted to reach through the computer and cuddle him up. He's in good hands and is sound asleep now, which is where I should be.
So, tonight I'm eternally grateful for the friends God has blessed me with, for their love, support, kindness, honesty and kinship. In addition I'm so thankful that my parents are able to spend this time with Tate and that they're so very willing to take care of him so I can have a night out once in a while.
PREGNANT! Tate's Birth Story Continues
Four years ago today, November 3, 2008 at 5:30pm I took the Clearblue Easy Digital Pregnancy Test and this is what I saw...
To say I was shocked is putting it mildly! Quoting from my journal that very day...
"I took 3 pregnancy tests today - at 5:30pm the Clear Blue Digital read 'PREGNANT". I could not believe it. I was just shocked! I didn't know whether to jump for joy, cry because I was so happy or just not believe it. I so wanted to talk to Christian, but it was 12:30am in Germany and he would not answer the phone :(. I so needed to share this news - I called SMP and she wouldn't answer either. I called my mom who was excited..."
I apparently didn't trust those first 3 digital tests, so I took a traditional, read the stupid lines one, around 7:45pm which was not positive. So at 10:30pm I did another digital one which read 'PREGNANT!'. (why anyone still monkeys around with those cheap 'read the lines ones' is beyond me...too ambiguous!). And I did 2 or 3 a day for another week. I was only 9 or 10 DPO, so it was super early to test, but I just knew something was different. And also I'm the most impatient person around, so I knew I was never going to be able to wait 2 full weeks.
I did finally talk to Christian that night, around midnight my time as I just had to tell him!! He finally woke up and heard his phone :). He was over the moon.
PREGNANT! WOOHOO!!
The last phrase in my journal that night...
"The human body is amazing, but I know without God this never would have happened. He is taking such good care of me. I pray this pregnancy remains viable and that I have a healthy baby. Please let the baby be healthy."
Tate was 9 or 10 days old and on his way!!!
To say I was shocked is putting it mildly! Quoting from my journal that very day...
"I took 3 pregnancy tests today - at 5:30pm the Clear Blue Digital read 'PREGNANT". I could not believe it. I was just shocked! I didn't know whether to jump for joy, cry because I was so happy or just not believe it. I so wanted to talk to Christian, but it was 12:30am in Germany and he would not answer the phone :(. I so needed to share this news - I called SMP and she wouldn't answer either. I called my mom who was excited..."
I apparently didn't trust those first 3 digital tests, so I took a traditional, read the stupid lines one, around 7:45pm which was not positive. So at 10:30pm I did another digital one which read 'PREGNANT!'. (why anyone still monkeys around with those cheap 'read the lines ones' is beyond me...too ambiguous!). And I did 2 or 3 a day for another week. I was only 9 or 10 DPO, so it was super early to test, but I just knew something was different. And also I'm the most impatient person around, so I knew I was never going to be able to wait 2 full weeks.
I did finally talk to Christian that night, around midnight my time as I just had to tell him!! He finally woke up and heard his phone :). He was over the moon.
PREGNANT! WOOHOO!!
The last phrase in my journal that night...
"The human body is amazing, but I know without God this never would have happened. He is taking such good care of me. I pray this pregnancy remains viable and that I have a healthy baby. Please let the baby be healthy."
Tate was 9 or 10 days old and on his way!!!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Babymoon - Tate's Birth Story Continues.....
Saturday and Sunday morning Christian and I repeated our baby making. And each morning we spent an hour on that bed getting to know each other :), laughing, talking and just becoming in tune with one another. Christian still holds fast to the belief though that we didn't need to 'do it' again because he knew I was pregnant after Friday. But I'm glad he obliged me.
Sunday was the big Wings over Houston airshow down at Ellington Field. After a yummy breakfast at Avalon, Christian, Raik, my friend J and I headed down to Ellington Field on that gorgeous Sunday morning for the show. It was absolutely amazing. I cannot wait to take Tate someday. It was a beautiful day, and I'm so blessed to have been surrounded by some amazing people :)
I worked on that Monday. Christian and Raik spent their last day in Houston together before Raik was returning home to Germany. They came up and had lunch with me, then Christian took Raik on to the airport and then did some shopping while waiting for me to get off work.
Before he had arrived Christian had told me he wanted me to totally and completely relax during the week after our insemination. He wanted me to be calm, as free of worry as I could be and just be present in the moments. We had decided to drive down to South Padre Island to spend a few days at the beach. I think this is one of the best decisions he has ever made with regard to helping me get pregnant.
So we packed up my car and headed for Corpus Christi (along with plenty of fresh pineapple to help my implantation along!). A dear friend of mine lives with her family in Corpus; we met on the first day of school in the 4th grade. And we have been friends ever since. Though A and her family moved to Corpus when we were in 7th grade we have remained in touch as have our parents. Amazing isn't it? 32 years later and we were all still friends. Yet we talk very rarely, very rarely. But when we see one another it is like we have never been apart. Never been apart. Our friendship embodies true kinship. Our hearts are intertwined. Our love for one another is never ending.
We arrived in Corpus Tuesday afternoon and I introduced A to Christian. Her daughter came home and hung out with us a bit. She was such a sweet, sweet young girl...pre-teen :) They are an amazing Christian family, full of love for the Lord and it just emanates from them. A's parents stopped by to see me as well and their hugs and love just made my day. I am so glad that Tate's first moments on this earth were full of such love, joy and the love of God. (Because I was pregnant after all!!!) We stayed the night and left for South Padre Island the following morning, taking our time to not rush or hurry. We got checked into our hotel and spent the next few days, including Halloween, enjoying the beach, the quiet and one another. Saturday morning we left the beach and headed back to Houston.
I suppose you could say I did indeed have a babymoon.
Sunday was the big Wings over Houston airshow down at Ellington Field. After a yummy breakfast at Avalon, Christian, Raik, my friend J and I headed down to Ellington Field on that gorgeous Sunday morning for the show. It was absolutely amazing. I cannot wait to take Tate someday. It was a beautiful day, and I'm so blessed to have been surrounded by some amazing people :)
Before he had arrived Christian had told me he wanted me to totally and completely relax during the week after our insemination. He wanted me to be calm, as free of worry as I could be and just be present in the moments. We had decided to drive down to South Padre Island to spend a few days at the beach. I think this is one of the best decisions he has ever made with regard to helping me get pregnant.
So we packed up my car and headed for Corpus Christi (along with plenty of fresh pineapple to help my implantation along!). A dear friend of mine lives with her family in Corpus; we met on the first day of school in the 4th grade. And we have been friends ever since. Though A and her family moved to Corpus when we were in 7th grade we have remained in touch as have our parents. Amazing isn't it? 32 years later and we were all still friends. Yet we talk very rarely, very rarely. But when we see one another it is like we have never been apart. Never been apart. Our friendship embodies true kinship. Our hearts are intertwined. Our love for one another is never ending.
We arrived in Corpus Tuesday afternoon and I introduced A to Christian. Her daughter came home and hung out with us a bit. She was such a sweet, sweet young girl...pre-teen :) They are an amazing Christian family, full of love for the Lord and it just emanates from them. A's parents stopped by to see me as well and their hugs and love just made my day. I am so glad that Tate's first moments on this earth were full of such love, joy and the love of God. (Because I was pregnant after all!!!) We stayed the night and left for South Padre Island the following morning, taking our time to not rush or hurry. We got checked into our hotel and spent the next few days, including Halloween, enjoying the beach, the quiet and one another. Saturday morning we left the beach and headed back to Houston.
I suppose you could say I did indeed have a babymoon.
 |
| This is the first picture of me, Tate and Christian :) Halloween, Friday October 31, 2008 |
Thankful
I'm so very thankful that all of our family on the East Coast came through Hurricane Sandy safe and sound. Though some suffered property damage (some severe) and power loss they are all healthy and unhurt. Mother Nature is on the warpath and we are in her path. Katrina, Rita, Ike, Sandy....we need to treat our home, this gorgeous Planet Earth, much better than we are. Thank you Mother Earth for sustaining us as long as you have. I vow to do my part to do better by you.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
A Month of Thankfulness
I'm going to get Tate and myself on the bandwagon here and we're going to celebrate Thanksgiving all month long.
Today I'm thankful that my sweet little boy still loves to be rocked with his mama. Every night since I brought him home I've rocked him. Unless I'm on call, there are no phones, noone else in the room, nothing else except some lullaby music spilling out from the CD player in the background...it's just the 2 of us in the dark, his sweet head on my chest. Even when we're out of town in a place with no rocker I gather him close on the bed and cradle him while rocking ever so slightly back and forth. And each night I say these words ....
Night Night Tate Tate
I love you.
As big as the sky.
As far as the moon.
And as long as time.
Today I'm thankful that my sweet little boy still loves to be rocked with his mama. Every night since I brought him home I've rocked him. Unless I'm on call, there are no phones, noone else in the room, nothing else except some lullaby music spilling out from the CD player in the background...it's just the 2 of us in the dark, his sweet head on my chest. Even when we're out of town in a place with no rocker I gather him close on the bed and cradle him while rocking ever so slightly back and forth. And each night I say these words ....
Night Night Tate Tate
I love you.
As big as the sky.
As far as the moon.
And as long as time.
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