BEACH WEDDING!

i have news! BIG news! After 38 years of bachelorhood, my son has decided to tie the knot! He came home in the middle of the day yesterday and told me the news. I had been suspecting the announcement Sunday when they spent all evening with us at my friend's house. His sister and the nephews were all there and we just lounged on the deck all afternoon. It was the perfect time to announce the engagement, but apparently, he lost his nerve. No, he said he decided to tell me first privately. Could be that he was not certain of my reaction. He always dreads to tell me that he is going on a trip because he thinks that I stress about it. So he delays telling me when actually, I just need time to digest the news and pray about it. Anyhow, it is official. Plans have already been made for a beach wedding. He has always been determined to have a low-key wedding on a tropical beach, forgoing all the fal-de-ral that his sister loved so much. She had two big church weddings and did most of the preparations herself. I guess she thought she could do the same for him, but the bride-to-be was in total agreement with him. I am a little relieved, I admit. The two of them seem so happy that it is hard not to get immersed in the glow. She is an extremely striking young lady, and will make a beautiful bride. Her sister will be maid of honor and my son has asked his nephews to share the best men spot. I do not think tuxedo's will be worn because of the heat, although it is scheduled for sunset. I am trying not to think ahead to the changes in our living arrangements and the obstacles that stand in the way, and instead be happy in this joyous occasion and the marriage of my only son. Of course, I have my own fear of flying to overcome, and the fear of the unknown that has developed with age, in order to be part of the ceremony. However, a trip to the Virgin Islands and a paid vacation is hard to resist.

SHE'S HERE!

The new baby arrived to meet her family yesterday at 3:12 p.m. Her mother, my niece had been admitted to the hospital Monday night and her labor induced by an intravenous drip. The labor began in earnest around daybreak and proceeded slowly all day. I arrived around ten o'clock and tried to provide moral support for my anxious sister. After dilation reached 6, an epidural was given and there was some fear that it was wearing off around 1:00 and the anesthesiologist was called to give a little extra.. The pushing began in earnest around 2:45 and little Pateyn Brooke arrived soon after that. She weighed 8 lb. 3 ozs. She is a beautiful baby and will probably be blonde like her mother and sister. She has a pert little nose and big eyes and a sweet, little rosebud mouth. I can't wait to hold her. Her sister was hyper in the waiting room but unusually subdued when she met the baby. She was more excited to be going home with her little cousins to spend the night. It should be interesting to see if she is willing to share the limelight with the new baby. I came home exhausted. I must have pushed with every contraction, holding my breath with each one. I remember how tiring it can be to spend days (and nights ) in the hospital, with love ones. It is not the physical activity that drains one, but the emotional. I am so glad that it is over and we have a healthy baby. She is our miracle baby as her mother was stabbed on both sides of her abdomen, barely missing the baby with each wound. Now that the baby is here, her mother will have surgery on the hematoma that has formed on her leg between the three wounds there. The trauma of her mom 's attacked by a deranged total stranger while shopping in a local store is still causing her daughter to fear closed doors, all knives, and any absence of her mother. Hopefully the arrival of a sister will displace all those bad memories. I pray for health, and happiness for this young family. Thank you, Lord, for the blessings we have already received.