My suggestion before reading this post: grab a comfortable seat, world's largest cupcake, cup of Mt. Dew coffee, or a box of tissues, because there is a lot to cover with a range of emotions.
My 29th Birthday was WONDERFUL!!! For starters my boss took us out to Chili's for lunch, and I found out that the name of the day at the cupcake shop, Sweet, was "Katharine." NO WAY!!! It was spelled differently, of course, but I pranced out of there with a free cupcake nonetheless. They'll have a lifelong customer in me.
Ryan went above and beyond with his beautiful and heartfelt gifts. He gave me a new CD I wanted, iTunes gift cards, a handwritten card, and the SWEETEST necklace from Handpicked with mine and Emerson's initials, along with a monogrammed "I love you, Mom!" frame for a future picture of our little girl and me.
And he picked out everything by himself!!!
Small rant: If you take nothing else away from this topic: "his self" is not a word. It drives me NUTS to hear that phrase. Finished.
Then Ryan treated me to dinner at my MOST favorite place where we did the Outback Shuffle.
What's that, exactly? It's when you're heading into the restaurant and start a brisk, wide stepped walk in an attempt to beat the other families in the parking lot to the front door.
My Birthday was so special!!! ...and mostly because of the greatest gift we're about to receive:
Whoever said that you slow down in your last weeks of pregnancy obviously doesn't know me. On Saturday, October 5th, I decided to throw a Halloween party/ one last event before Emerson's arrival. Naturally I had to turn the house into a wonderland of festive decor...
My new name for this decoration: "The Smashing Pumpkins." They fell every time I put them back on the door...
I adore my Halloween countdown calendar. Does anyone else find it hilarious that there is a broom on Ryan's Birthday? (October 11th)
Clearly no Halloween hostess is totally prepared without THIS shirt:
I was so thrilled that several of my friends were able to make it!!
After devouring a Chick-Fil-A tray and playing several games we took the party upstairs where they were most intrigued by the Halloween dolls that Jay & I had when we were kids, particularly this Dracula with the bad toupee...
One size fits all...
We finished our evening in only the most fitting way: an Are You Afraid of the Dark marathon. I LOVE that old school Nickelodeon show, and of course I have three seasons of it on DVD.
Watermelon belly or not I dragged out the disco light, blew up balloons, and decorated the loft.
"It's your Birthday! GO WILD!"
I also wrote a message to Ryan on the refrigerator:
I've got news for you. Anyone who thinks I'M the high maintenance one in this relationship is sadly mistaken. Between Ryan's specific instructions on how his clothes must be folded, his back scratch requests, and "while you're up, will you please...." remarks I can safely say that we're on the same playing field.
The morning of Ryan's Birthday we had a United Way meeting at work, complete with Chick-Fil-A biscuits. I sent him a text saying I'd bring him one and emphasized that it was free, so why not? ...But when I went to get one on my way out every single one was gone.
What was I to do? I couldn't let the Birthday boy go without breakfast, so I decided to swing by Chick-Fil-A, buy one, and open the wrapper during the ride home so he wouldn't get suspicious that it was so hot and fresh. Don't I make things a million times more complicated than they need to be?
Imagine my shock when I pulled up to the window to pay and was told that the car in front of me had paid for my meal, and the children in the back seat wanted to make sure I knew that Jesus loves me.
I absolutely cannot make this up.
How unbelievably sweet. That absolutely made my day. Ryan's meal was free after all, and in the sweetest way. I'm so glad that happened to me, because I can hardly wait to return the favor to an unsuspecting person.
That afternoon I couldn't wait to give Ryan his gifts and unveil the rest of the plans up my sleeve. Sweet Ryan waited patiently outside as instructed for a few brief minutes while I got things in order.
This year's card: A broom, king's crown, garden shovel & rake, Nilla Wafers/candy corn, and Scrubbing Bubbles. Only appropriate.
There's no use in crying over spilled milk...but spilled Nilla Wafers? That's a sob story.
In his Birthday card was a special note sending him on a hunt for his next gift...
"Dearest Ryan,
To find your next present, here is your clue:
What's something in the house that I rarely use?
Love,
Katharine"
"But there are so many options!!!" he claimed, as he racked his brain. He finally figured it out: the oven.
Ryan was so thrilled with his new iphone that he needed as much as your average human needs water to survive. His current phone might as well be on life support. Now if he can only figure out a way to get this phone to operate through his company's plan. UGH.
There is also another joke with Ryan related to this kid named Terrio that dances on Vine. Ryan is obsessed with the video clips, thinks they're hilarious, and has literally asked me 100 times to please, please find a way to get a Terrio shirt made.
Have I ever let him down?
Thank you, customink.com. You absolutely MADE Ryan's Birthday. He was so surprised and ecstatic.
Iphone, who???
We are so grateful to have another year to celebrate our Birthdays together. After all, we are never promised tomorrow, which leads me to my final subject for the evening as I write with a heavy heart.
Last week one of my greatest influences, my school and private music teacher, my family friend, my advice giver, my heart, Lori Jones, ended an eight year battle with cancer.
Our piano student picture from 2001 in Mrs. Jones's living room
My Mom and I visited her in the hospital three weeks ago for about 45 minutes of tears, laughter, and last words. I knew in my heart that it might be the last time I got to see her. And it was.
We told her how much we loved her, and she told us how much she loved us, too. I told her that I have prayed on my knees for her so many times. Through the tears we also recalled some good times and funny stories, and she had been given some heavy sleeping medication just before we arrived.
"I should have known that Katharine was stronger than Valium" she said as she burst out laughing.
One of the last things she said to me was asking if I would play the organ- if possible - at her funeral. Through sobs I told her that I would absolutely be there unless I was in the hospital. There was nowhere else in the world I'd be. I knew the end was near, but I also didn't know what the Lord's will was and how much longer she'd be with us.
As a dear friend of mine pointed out: "God will heal her; the question is whether or not it will be on this side of Heaven."
The Lord knew how deeply I wanted to be a part of her service and pay tribute and honor to such a remarkable Christian woman with whom I share numerous memories. When I got the call last week that she had passed I had a doctor's appointment the next day and basically told- not asked- him that I needed to be in Dillon for two days for a funeral. After an examination, and by the grace of God, he determined that I was fine to travel and that "nothing should happen." Thank Heavens those didn't become famous last words, because thanks to Jay and Ryan's chauffeuring I was able to be there for the visitation, Wake, funeral service, and gravesite ceremony. I wanted more than anything to be by her only daughter, Brittni's, side and her husband, Jim. And that's exactly the opportunity for which I prayed.
Her funeral service was such a testimony and tribute. It was one of the best services I've ever attended and ever will attend. It was more than amazing and heartfelt; it was inspiring. Everyone in that room walked away desiring a deeper walk with the Lord and a stronger witness. Mrs. Jones accomplished exactly what she wanted to do, and as her soul now rests in Heaven her testimony and legacy will live on forever.
About two hours before the funeral I got a call that she wanted the "Hallelujah Chorus" played at the end of the service. One book search and Jay's copying assistance later, I added it to my music book, and I couldn't have been more thrilled to play something that she specifically requested in her final days. What a triumphant way to honor her.
To give you a glimpse of how wonderful she was I wanted to share it with you:
You will never know just how many lives you've touched,
Everyone who knows you loves you oh so very much.
You laugh so easily with a smile so sweet,
You brighten the day of everyone you meet.
Your outlook on life is an inspiration to all,
You get back up each time you fall.
From the hours of laughter to the hours of piano lessons,
I will forever owe you thanks for any musical successes.
None of us are promised tomorrow,
But one day we'll all be together in a place with no suffering or sorrow.
Thank you for everything you mean to me,
In the hearts of everyone you will forever be.
Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Sometimes you have to look for the blessings in life to recognize them. They don't just jump out at you. I have tried and tried to look for something positive in situations where loved ones are taken when there seems to be so much life left to live, and here's what was laid on my heart: Cancer is a horrible, life taking disease that has affected millions and millions of people...but the worst thing that can happen to your earthly body doesn't matter when you are promised a new, eternal body in Heaven. Cancer, in a sense, serves as a warning for your loved ones. It gives you a chance to say your goodbyes. Furthermore, it gives all of the people you've touched throughout your life the opportunity to thank you and tell you just how much you meant to them. It's not like a car wreck or deadly accident. You have the opportunity to leave nothing left unsaid. That is the only positive thing I can say about this, or any, disease.
"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14
We can question the Lord all we want, but He already has all the answers and has a plan worked out. His Will is going to be done regardless, even though experiencing it unfold can be both confusing and heartbreaking. I don't know how many years will be represented by the dash on my tombstone, but in the mean time I can do everything in my power to make those years count and be the best possible witness. Will I fail sometimes? Absolutely. But Jesus doesn't expect perfection; he expects our best efforts.
As we were packing up to go back to Columbia after the funeral a bird came out of nowhere and began singing on top of our roof. Could the Lord have sent this bird to give us a sweet song as a reminder of Lori and her musical life? You be the judge:
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After MONTHS of anticipation I officially have THREE DAYS left of work. Three days is a significant amount of time in history.
Think this would make a pretty effective 'out of office' message?
Ryan convinced me to use a week of vacation before starting maternity leave, so starting this Friday afternoon I will be out for THIRTEEN WEEKS of absolute bliss.
Approximately 2 1/2 weeks are left until I trade my princess crown for a queen one, and something tells me that things are about to get a LOT more girly around here.
Stay tuned for final updates before little Miss Emerson graces us with her presence!
