Fun things about the weekend...Mansfield Plant. edition

Being with the bestest at Bubba's Love Shack ~ blue cups & all!



Enjoying the beautiful and serene Mansfield Plantation



Practicing ~ "by the window" shots



The beautiful Bride-to-Be



Capturing and enjoying moments



Feeling the "history"



A lovely room, good roommates & my OWN Bed ~ made up for the "tricky" bathroom :)



Enjoying the beauty of the Georgetown waterfront ~ getting my 1st gift for Ella



Good food, Good women & lots of Good laughs ~ a most memorable time



ps. Apes, you're welcome again for saving you from that may-fly that was about to gnaw away your left shoulder - isn't that what good friends are for?! :)

Dear Ella,

Hey there sweet girl...

I've felt I would be typing that for a while - the 'sweet girl' part. We went to the Dr. again today & they made some pictures of you. We had to wait a lil' while to go back & your Deddy & I were both getting a lil' anxious for them to call my name. We finally got called back & when we got to the ultrasound room, I hopped right on up on the table. The tech gooped up my belly and I made sure to find your Deddy's hand. She asked if we wanted to know what you were - followed by a unanimous "Yes!" from us both.

I squeezed your Deddy's hand as she started looking around. You were a WIGGLE WORM - you didn't stop moving the entire time! We saw your lil' face, your lil' arms, your lil' legs and then she stopped between those legs...oh my. Definitely no boy parts there! The tech confirmed with, "It's a girl!" I squeezed his hand harder - wow, a little girl!

She took a lot of good looks at you - we saw all 4 chambers of your heart and at one point she stopped on your face...your mouth was opening & closing, almost like you were talking! Too neat :) She said everything looked/measured as it should & you're still on track for October 16th, though sooner will be just fine with me!

We hurried through our time w.Dr. Roche...we were anxious to be alone w.each other & your pictures to just revel in that moment. She said you looked great & everything seemed fine - one of the "normal" appts that we just can't thank God enough for. After she left and continuing to the parking deck - lots of hugs, smiles & thanksgivings were exchanged. What a blessing that you seem so healthy and that your Deddy will finally be getting his "lil' sweet pea"!

When I left the Dr. I pulled down the street and parked to make my phone calls. My Granny Worley was the 1st person I called. I will tell you about it one day, but her "ny-ello (hello)" she always says when she picks up the phone will be something I remember all my life. I said "Hey Granny - I wanted to make sure you were the 1st person I called..." her response, "Oh my, is it a lil' Ella!?" me, "it sure is!". She followed with some "I think I'm gonna cry" some "God bless you Traci" and some "I love you with all my heart" - she said that last one a couple of times! Your name, Ella, is her name too. She has been one of my best friends my whole life - I'm honored that you will carry her name. From what a pistol you looked like on that ultrasound, I think you will surely live up to it!

Your middle name will be Rebecca after your Deddy's grandma, better known as Meemaw. As much as Granny Worley is fire & spice, Meemaw's much more sugar & all things nice :) I pray that bearing their names you may become the best parts of them both. Certainly big shoes to fill on either side ~ we're so excited for you to carry the names of two of the most important people in our lives.

So, sweet baby Ella...we are just tickled that you're a little girl. I think you'll be Deddy's ~Lil' Sweet Pea~ and your Mama's ~Lil' Wildflower~. We are still trying to get our feet back on the ground after this exciting news (somewhat confirmation, since it would have been a surprise if you were a boy). We're excited for all the new & challenging things we'll experience and we're so glad that you have such a great & fun big brother waiting for you. We're busy putting his dinosaur room together & I promise your room is next. You'll find your Mama always has a plan, so the wheels of redecorating your room have already been spinning for a while!

I read a verse this morning that I want to pray for you today. It's Matthew 5:16 and it says:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

I pray that your life will continue to be a blessing - your mere presence in my belly is already touching us in ways you can't imagine. I hope you will always "let your light shine" and know that you have a loving and faithful Father in heaven who has many good and wonderful things in store for your life. Your Deddy & I are blessed to be your parents & we will continue to thank God for putting your precious life in our care.

We love you sweet girl ~ continue to grow, thrive, kick, wave those arms and "talk" ~ we look forward to all the ways your light is going to shine in our lives!

Love, Mama & Deddy

Happy Mother's Day... again

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.

- Abraham Lincoln

I used a shortened version of this quote for something I gave Traci on her first Mother’s Day in 2008, when she was 8 months pregnant with John. I still can’t fully comprehend the profoundness of the words, but parenthood with Traci has helped me start.

Partnering with her during this awesome journey has been the most blessed days of my life, so I decided to list a few in honor of this much deserved holiday: I’m blessed to have Traci beside me… I’m blessed (as are Traci and John) to have a mother that loves me and prays for me the way that only mothers can… most of all, I’m blessed to see God’s awesome love and power in an unmatched earthly form…

Mom: thank you for all your prayers and guidance over the years – you’ve put in close to 30 years now, but I thank you for not relenting (I’m as sure of this as the air I breathe).

Traci: thank you… for everything, but in honor of this day, thank you for showing me what to appreciate and what to strive for.

So, in honor of all they do, every day, be sure to hug a Mother this weekend, preferably your own – or at least someone you know…

- Seth

Happy Mother's Day...

already counting my Mother's Day blessings...

Remind me one last time that you won't ever go
Oh the whales can't swim without the tide,
And birds won't fly without the stars in the sky...