V-Day

It's a little strange to be celebrating Valentine's Day as a pregnant woman. I am in a completely different frame of mind now, than when celebrating as a newlywed a year ago. But I'm glad. I actually feel a lot more, TONS more, in love with my husband this year than I did then. He's been so patient and helpful as we navigate my crazy emotional waters. Hurrah for supportive and loving husbands!

Found the sweetest bassinet on Craig's list. Craig's list is awesome. It was so cheap and looks barely used.


I was in Target yesterday and saw so many women scrambling for last minute goodies for their kids to take to class (at least, I'm assuming they weren't buying the Ninja Turtle Valentines for their husbands. Actually, I'm surprised I didn't see more men in there buying last minute chocolate hearts. Well, maybe that's today). It is truly amazing how hoildays sucker us in to buy, buy, buy... And even though feeding the corporate giants isn't my idea of a true celebration, I still don't mind the fact that almost every month they've created a holiday for me. I love an excuse to reflect, to appreciate, to love, to throw a party...Would we come up with reasons to come together with family and friends if we didn't have the excuse? It may be a strange source to credit for community gathering, but I am thankful in a small way to Hallmark and their friends' gimmicks.

slavery in the movies

I'm glad somebody's getting busted for this.

As I am reminded that the children in those videos were probably part of the slave trade that is still alive and well today (albeit in a different form now than in the past), I could easily be overwhelmed and disheartened. But just as quickly, I realize that I know plenty of people who are working so hard to bring this evil to light. Awareness is the first step. And what better way to get the American people's attention than movies? There are two movies coming out relatively soon that I'd like to see.

Almost 200 years ago, William Wilberforce succeeded in leading a parlimentary campaign against the transatlantic slave trade. The movie about his life, Amazing Grace, obviously takes place in the past, but I think it will serve as a good prompt for opening up discussion about our current problem with slavery. Yes, this movie is brought to us by Walden Media, the same guys who did Narnia and more recently, The Bridge to Terabithia. So, I have a feeling that Amazing Grace will be very friendly and tame. Nothing wrong with that; it's just that if you like a little edge in your movies, I doubt there will be much edge found here. I'm sure it's definitely worth seeing and then doing some research on it for historical accuracy and all that. What's the quote..."those who don't know the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them..."?

Trade, will probably be a bit grittier than AG, but no less worth seeing. It deals with slavery in our day and age. I'm just hoping that it's not so sensational that it doesn't get taken seriously.

I'd like to write more, but I'm afraid I have to wrap up this post and get to work...

family fun

I woke up earlier than I normally do this morning--I should probably always be getting up at this time--and couldn't go back to sleep because my head was filled with thoughts of the upcoming day. As I watched the quality of light shift and change and felt my girl moving around inside me, I thought, I am pretty much perfectly happy in this moment. Thanks Lord for the opportunity to be still.

I've been wanting to blog about Pan's Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno) since last Sunday, but haven't gotten around to it yet. And since I've been reading a lot about vaccinations (the pros and cons), I've been meaning to post about that too.

I've been teased about having "pregnancy brain." I can't seem to focus on much else other than the baby. It was always a little awkward for me to sit through a conversation where all the other people did was talk about their kids. But now I'm afraid I'll be the worst of them all. I suppose I should just relish it and let this time in my life be exactly what it is--preparation to be a mother. There will be time to be thoughtful, to get in shape, to be a "real" writer, to be whatever it is I think I should be, in time. I'm not sure what time that will be, but there's time.

It makes me thankful in a new way for the women in my family, the mothers, who came before me, strong and beautiful, nurturing and caring, who knew (and know) what it is to be absorbed by new life.

Aren't they great...

My mom's mom. Wasn't she a dish? Her name really was Queen Elizabeth. Pretty presumptuous of her family, huh? I still remember her singing "Wade in the Water" as I watched her cook in the kitchen.


Dad's mom. This picture was taken at my wedding...the last I have before she died. We both shared a love of Tony Bennett (she got to hang out with him once too).

Me and mom! We're both rockin' the 'fro. She claims that I was always happy like this picture...let's hope I have a happy baby too.

It seems to be something of a tradition in African-American families to revere your mother above all else--men may or may not be around to be strong daddies and husbands, but the women are there, and they can handle whatever needs to be handled, still praising God along the way.

Where would we have been if God didn't create Eve?

(I just realized that question could have so many different answers...I'm not sure I want to hear what some people might come up with. And no one better dare say, "without sin," because you know that Adam was standing right there with her when she ate that fruit. I think one of the reasons why he didn't stop her is because he was curious too--he wanted to see if she was going to drop down dead like God said. He just didn't have the guts to eat it first.)