My Palette

My Dearest Wee Weber,

You can't imagine how many hours I have already been thinking about you and praying for you. Since first learning of your presence weeks ago, I can't help but wonder who you'll be when you get older. Will you have brown eyes like your dad or do I have a chance to slip some blue/green influence into the mix? Are you going to like spicy food or will we have to tone down our Thai pepper influence in our cooking preferences? What interests will you have- cooking, reading, science, art, language, sports, travel?? Will you follow Jesus? Will you get your parents' punny sense of humor or groan each time your dad or I make a joke (dad's betting on the former, so let's hope for your sake he's right)? Will you be sensitive to others? Are you going to enjoy fishing and being outside? Who will be your first crush?

When we saw you on the ultrasound three weeks ago and heard your heartbeat, I couldn't help but smile. You're so tiny right now and your heart is beating at an extraordinary rate. Your little arms are waving and your legs just kicking away although I can't feel anything you're doing yet. I'm sure you're enjoying all the room in there right now. Make all those flips and acrobatic feats now- it's going to get kind of tight. It's exciting to know that you're growing so fast and readying yourself for a debut in November.

You're going to be incredibly spoiled, but we're going to try our best to keep you grounded. You're the first grand-baby on either side. Did you know that your Papa Duncan has been saving gold and half dollars to give you for years now? And your Papa Weber is already scheming on making you a rocking horse. The question he's expressed is "real versus fake horse hair?". Your grandmas both cried like babies (hey, that's you!) when they first heard the news. And to be honest, your dad and I cried too. Your aunts and uncles have already bought you presents, including bibs, booties, onesies and books. Your dad and I haven't even set foot in a baby aisle yet! Although, I'm sure that will change soon.

Although this world seems to be darkening, I know that you will provide some light. My prayer is that you will be a lover and not a fighter. That you will hear about Jesus and discover him for yourself at an early age. That you'll be someone whose heart yearns for others to be comfortable and who responds when someone else needs an encouraging word. I hope you are never bullied or become a bully. I pray that you will see the needs of the world and respond with hope, courage and joy. I hope you embrace traveling and getting outside your comfort zone. You'd be amazed at what you can learn by doing that and who will touch your spirit in ways you never imagined. Be creative, make mistakes and learn from them, find contentment in the small things and embrace who you are.

For you, my baby, are a precious gift and we can't wait to meet you.

I love you,
Mom

It's been a busy two months as I've squeezed in celebrations in NC, DC and West Virginia. I've been so busy with traveling and work lately, that tonight is the first night I feel like I can take time to not only relax, but actually share what's been happening!

Over the holiday weekend in January, I carpooled down with my friend Manida to our wonderful friend, Melody's place. Mel (my bff and roomy from college) had her baby shower and a small group of us ladies all got together to celebrate with her and her hubby, Jerry. They really did their shower up right and it made it into my "top list" of baby showers I've attended.

Really, I have two favorite baby showers- not just one. The first I attended last year for my friend Juliene. She had a super relaxed outdoor party where women AND men attended. It was more like a cookout than a baby shower. There were hamburgers, hotdogs, BBQ, chips and LOTS of beer. I mean... who has beer at their baby shower? Apparently, awesome women. (Disclaimer: the mom-to-be did NOT have any beer) Also, another reason that was one of my favorite showers, there was no opening of the gifts or playing shower games. Just tons of food, conversation, fun and drinking. Melody's party was super sharp too, that's why it ranks in the favorites as well. It was held at a wine bar/micro brewery in this adorable place with a huge ceiling and fabulous loft space. Again, women AND men attended. There was a pool table for fun and we did this really cute arts and craft idea for the baby. Each person (well, each woman there. I don't think the men participated in the crafting) who attended made a home made card for the baby's first birthday and another year (whichever number was drawn from a hat). At the end of the day, Melody had some super cute cards to take home that she can one day give baby Jasper.

Melody and Jerry

Check out Jasper's cute cake!

Manida, Melody and Me

Over Superbowl weekend I drove up to DC for a weekend of festivities. The first night was Mal's birthday, so I arrived in time to participate on her 30th birthday. Mal, in her awesome hostess style had a huge spread of food. We all ate, chatted and played Apples to Apples which is one of my favorite big-group party games.

The next day, Mallory and I both celebrated our friend, Ghia, as she was promoted to Lt. Colonel in the Air Force! The ceremony was held at the Pentagon, which was very memorable. In my six years as a DC resident, I'd never visited the Pentagon. So, it was a treat to go and see Ghia promoted as we sat in the Joint Chiefs of Staff room! After the ceremony, our small group took a tour of the Pentagon memorial, which was very moving. They have a beautiful chapel there and in the halls there are walls and walls of handmade quilts and drawings done in remembrance of the passengers and crew of of flight 77 and the staff killed in the Pentagon. Just outside the chapel is a beautiful area where there are 184 benches. Each bench represents one of the victims. The area is open year round and anyone can go and sit on them to reflect and take time away from the everyday hustle. It really was a beautiful scene, especially since each bench had a light dusting of snow on it.

Me, Ghia and Mallory in the Joint Chiefs of Staff Room

Dave, Ghia and Mallory

A Wall of Donations to the Pentagon Memorial

Apparently, hundreds of quilts were made and donated.


This quilt had envelopes with letters in them for each of the victims of flight 77.

Beyond this window was the chapel.

Later that night, we went to a little place called Evening Star in Del Ray, VA, to celebrate Ghia some more. Mallory had planned the decor and had a Mardi Gras theme, which was perfect for two reasons: 1) Because it was for Ghia (who's from New Orleans) and 2) It was the start of Mardi Gras. Mallory brought beads, strung balloons and even made praline cookies that were like straight up sugar but SOO delicious. It was a fun time had by all!

I finished my weekend in DC by watching the Superbowl and cheering for San Fran since my bro-in-law, Dave, is from there. Good times (as always) in my home-away-from-home town.

A couple weekends later we celebrated Mal and Dave's combined 30th birthdays in Davis, West Virginia. We all gathered at a house that we rented and celebrated by eating, drinking, hot-tubbing and enjoying the snow. One afternoon our group went tubing, which was a lot of fun. There was snow all over, not just on the slopes, which also set the tone for the perfect winter celebration.

Mike and a horse standing there for carriage rides (which we did not do)

Marie and Mike

Ghia, Thomas, Mike, Me and Marie waiting to buy tubing lift tickets

The Tubing Group: Ghia, Thomas, Mal, Marie, Mike and Dave


Mal and Marie

My turn to pose with the horse!

Mike and Me. It was really bright outside.

It was Tempe's first long car trip and she was a trooper! She provided entertainment for the crew once we arrived and enjoyed being on vacation. She even broke some (personal) house rules. She got to sleep in the bed (it was a king size and our bed at home is a queen) AND Tempe got to sit on the couch. She doesn't get to do either of those activities when she's home or visiting her grandparents. Needless to say, she liked being on vacation!!

There was a really pretty state park there that Mike, Tempe and I visited while we were there: Canaan Valley State Par k. While we rode and walked around, we counted over 150 deer! There were deer EVERYWHERE. On one hill alone we counted over 60. It was awesome and so beautiful with the snow dusting the ground. Tempe enjoyed running in the snow (and once) chasing some deer.