Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Starting All Over Again | personal

Why is it that I do so good with my blog posts for a while and then all of a sudden I don't?  I know you have been finding me boring these days because I find myself boring.  Blah, nothing to talk about.  Well, actually, I do have plenty of stuff to talk about but the problem is that I'm no good at talking about things when there is only one thing that sits at the front of my mind each day.  And I wasn't ready to talk about it yet.  But, I have decided that now it's time, because really, it's something great!

So, the real reason I have been missing so much from my blog and facebook is because I've kind of been in hibernation for the last couple months.  And, hibernation is my nice way of saying that I've been feeling like pure crap, tired and sick most days.

I'm happy about it though!

That's kind of strange, right?  Well, no.  Not this time it's not ...

Here's why:


Yep, that's my little baby you see there!!!  I'm pregnant!

We are going to have another little one in the house and the whole family is pretty excited about it, including Gracey.

The back story:
The week before Christmas I started getting suspicious that I might have a little baby in there.  We had a LOT going on that week so I pushed off getting a test until the day of Christmas Eve when I knew I would have the house to myself for a little while.  It was so close to Christmas that I didn't want to take it sooner and then not be able to keep the secret from everyone until Christmas Day, because really, wouldn't that have been the best Christmas gift EVER??? !!!

And it was.  When Brian returned home from bringing Brandon and Sarah back to their mother I told him.  He was just as happy and excited as I was and he agreed that we should wait until Christmas morning to tell everyone.

So that's what we did.  It just so happened that Gracey asked Santa Clause for a new Christmas bell (you know, one of those bells that you wear as a necklace around Christmas time to show your spirit) and Santa decided that would be the perfect gift to include a nice letter to her telling her about the baby.  (We could hear it ring when the box was moved so we knew that one had to be opened last).

The letter read:
Dear Gracey,
I know that you asked for a kitten this year, and you are a very good girl and deserve to have everything that you ever wish for, but your mommy and daddy have a bigger surprise for you than a kitten and they asked me to tell you.


Your mommy is going to have a baby and you will have a new brother or sister!


Because there will be a new baby in the house, there will not be enough room for a kitten too, so don't think that I forgot about your wish.  I'm holding on to it for another year, just like the real live horse.


With love,
Santa


When Gracey opened this gift that morning she only read the first couple lines out loud and then wouldn't read the rest to us because she knew it was big ... and all eyes were on her.  It just so happened that Stephanie was standing close to her and offered to read it aloud to everyone.  While Steph was reading it, she burst into tears and had to read it again to make sure she got it right.  At that point, the whole family started crying and every one of us were so happy.

I know I told you before that we had a good Christmas, but now you know why it turned out so wonderful, given that it was our first one without mom.

But, she was there.  I could feel it.


The baby is due August 31st so, this is going to be a long and hot summer for me, and Gracey is eight now so it's going to be like starting all over again, but I'm going to enjoy every moment of it.  This is truly a blessing that we all needed.

Now that I've got that off my chest, look forward to more frequent blog posts from me.  I will be working on resuming the Rising Stars interviews as well!

Love,
Jess

14 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! How incredibly exciting! Congrats to you and your family :)

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  2. Tears, tears and more tears! I love you and am so thankful for the blessings you and Brian bring to our family.

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  3. I already knew & this still made me cry!! I am so sappy!! LOL Since Gracey & Braden share the same birthday, I think that you should shoot for August 21st instead of the 31st! ALOT of great people were born on that day!! wink wink Love you guys & am sooooo happy for you!! XOXOXO

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  4. Even knowing i cried reading this! What a wonderful Christmas gift! I know your Mom was there and I think that was her gift to you and your family! That's an amazing story thank you so much for sharing!! Love you girl! I wish you and your family the best!!

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  5. congrats, again! so glad you are sharing this wonderful news (it's been hard for me to keep it a secret, too!). i know what a blessing this is for your family, and i am so very happy for you. i know that you mom was there that day - and will continue to be by your side in spirit, during the days that come. i love you and can't wait to meet my new cousin!

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  6. @ Damaris: Thank you so much!!!
    @ Crystal: Love you bunches!!!
    @ Michele: You? Sappy? lol If I feel at the end anything like I felt at the end with Gracey then I will be hoping for the 21st instead too! =)
    @ Jeannie: Thank you, sweetheart! Love you too!

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  7. @Stacy: Thank you! I hate secrets!!! I'm horrible at it! Love you!!!

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  8. Jess-

    I cried reading this, what a special story that you shared!! I am sure that your mom was there and was smiling with tears in her eyes overwhelmed with happiness. I am so happy for you and so happy that Gracie is so excited. You are an awesome person and starting over again for aomeone like you will be a breeze.

    All The Best
    Mirgie

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  9. i have been missing your post's! Glad you liked the cookies for your bday. congrats on the baby! PLEASE let me know if there is anything i can do to help!!!!!

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  10. Thank you!!! You are all too sweet and good to me!!! I'm sorry for making you guys cry! It wasn't my intention!!!! =)

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  11. So happy for your family! Since Crystal told me I have been checking your fb regularly to see if you had announced it so I can congratulate you so here goes.. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! =) Wishing you a healthy, enjoyable pregnancy!!! But you did get one thing right tho, it's going to be a long hot summer!! haha! In the end tho, it's worth every hot, sweaty second!

    Love you guys!! Jenn

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  12. I am so excited for you! You have a way with words, and even though I already knew the story-I was Crying like a baby! Baby Swatts Due date is 2 days after Tys Birthday Just like me and you XOXO Love You so Much! XOXO
    Cindy

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  13. Excited that you are posting this! Can't wait to see photos of this little one :) "Starting over" will be so much fun! Aleah

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  14. I love that story. I'm sure your whole family is beyond happy and excited to meet your new little one. Congrats to your family!

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