Texas A&M Family

There was a news story of a tragic accident in the news this week. A biker was hit and killed by a drunk driver at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning. The driver was a 21 year old who had just celebrated his birthday the night before. The woman, I found out a few days later, was the wife of a Texas A&M alumni.

What I found particularly compelling about this story is the compassion the woman's husband has shown the young man who killed her. "I feel bad for the guy. I was young once, and I remember getting [drunk] before. I don't think it was at 11 a.m., though."

I am sad for this fellow Aggie - his wife seemed like a very smart, caring, involved woman. And I'm sad for the driver who took her life away. To live with the guilt of this tragedy the rest of his life...I can't imagine.

I think about how life can turn on a dime often. We've all been there, going along our merry way and then the phone rings, or you make the wrong turn or you lose concentration for just a second...or you decide to have just one more drink and get behind the wheel of a car. And this is where faith comes in. I'm a huge believer in everything happening for a reason. And I find great comfort in knowing that God has his hand in all the goings on of this world. And that often times, amazing acts of love, depth, and a deep sense of connection come out of the worst of times. And that we may not understand it all now, but one day we will.

So my prayers go out to both the families and friends who have been affected by this tragedy. God bless and strengthen you in the days to come.

Road Trip

Brantley and I hit the road last Saturday. My good friend Abby is having twins. This is amazing in and of itself - bringing new life into the world. The fact that Abby weighs as much as my big right toe is what really makes this feat spectacular. Anyhoo - yeah, I know anyhoo is really spelled anywho but I like it this way better - we hit the road and it was so fun. I won't brag about how perfectly perfect Brantley was...but she was pretty perfect. The girl loves a party.

3 Months

Time is a flyin'! I can't believe Mini McGee is already 3 months old. I wish I could stop and start time at will.

Brantley found both her thumb and her voice this weekend. She babbles like no one's business. We just crack up which makes her smile, laugh and give us even more.

It's been raining and/or cloudy for days now. It is much needed and giving us some relief from the drought. But, I really would like to see the sun shine, even if just for an hour or two. We're all going a bit stir crazy. Lola and Gunner did get a trip to the river this morning and are acting like perfect angels curled up on their beds tonight. McGee is tucked safely in. Life is good.

Par for the course

I've been fighting it for years but it has come time to accept the cold hard truth - my intentions are admirable, my follow through, well, it sucks. It's been 5 months since my first and only entry on this blog. I guess I should cut myselft a break since I do have a 3 month old and have just recently gone back to work full time. I'm reminded of my dear friend Monica's wise words when we just young college students - "Do it, then talk about it." I guess she had to learn something in her 8 years of higher education (sorry Mon!).

On to the good stuff - we love our Mini McGee. She is such a happy baby and we have both been pleasantly surprised at how easy she has been. Don't get me wrong - it has been an adjustment, a major adjustment, but every day is easier and just when we think we can't love her any more. we wake up and we do. Love, love, love it!

Lola and GG are digging her too. Lola never passes up the opportunity to steal her socks right off her feet. This is especially entertaining for Lola and I - Brantley is not too sure what is going on. Gunner is still our gentle giant. The first few weeks of Brantley's life, he would lay outside her nursery every time I fed her. Very sweet. He still needs to practice sharing his bed but he'll get there.

Do other new moms feel like they're on crack or is it just me? We've been blessed in the fact that Brantley started sleeping through the night at 8 weeks so it isn't that I'm sleep deprived. It's quite the opposite. I feel like I'm more efficient now than ever before. Maybe as a mom you know you have to be thinking at least 3 hours ahead, and when you're working full time, it's more like 24 hours ahead. And at least have a vague idea of what is in store for the next week. I'm waiting to crash but will ride this out and thankful for it as long as it lasts.

Speaking of crashing, I need to get some shut eye. Early call tomorrow...