Homesick

Glimpes of Home
Frederick Buecher: The kingdom of god is where our best dreams come from and our truest prayers. We glimpse it at those moments when we find ourselves being better than we are and wiser than we knew. We catch sight of it when, at some moment of crisis, a strength seems to come to us that is greater than our own strength. The kingdom of God is where we belong. It is home, and whether we realize it or not, I think we are, all of us, homesick for it.
My Grandmother is always there for me, throughout my entire life, giving her unending love, care and support. She is an extremely empathetic person and a role model in my life. She has a passion for prose. She shared the poem, above, with me recently, after Lydia's unexpected death...

I was able to visit Lyida's grandfather, 'Papaw', last weekend, and check on him. He is a very strong man of God--I am so glad I was able to visit with him; when I came away, I felt as though I had been encouraged and cared for, instead of the other way around. It is clear where Lydia got that from :)

Her life ended suddenly due to the rare disease of bacterial meningitis. Please keep her family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

Until We See You Again

Lydia Denise Gosnell

February 20, 1980 - May 20, 2007

Lydia and I were extremely close friends in high school and the type of friends that could go 6 months or so without seeing each other, post-college, and pick right back up where we left off. We'd meet in Gastonia when we were in town for coffees and book shopping, post school days...and laugh, reminisce, catch up, connect - she was an important part of my life and made a lasting impact on who I am. Lydia was a rare and genuine person. She is so loved by so many.

I know I am not alone when I say that she brought so much light to my life - she was just a unique, precious person. I knew her almost 15 years, and I can honestly say that she was a selfless, thankful-to-be-alive kind of person. Beautiful, inside and out. She made a forever impression on my heart, and I cannot wait to see her again one day.

Lydie-Bug - smile down on us now. We cannot wait to see you again...

Yo Diddley!

The lil dood:)

First Things 1st: Easter, Meeting Family...

Learning to roll over - pretty jazzed about this simple new skill! Oh, the things that now reach 'big time' on the excitement scale!


















Many firsts this month:

* First time meeting Grandpa Bates, Grandma Leanne, Uncle Cody and Uncle Cole - it was love!
* First time in Annapolis, meeting friends, hanging with the boys! -->See last pics in this thread...yeah, I know I have WAY TOO MANY pics on this thread.<-- A whole lotta beer-drinkin' for dad...a whole lot of coffee, straight-up for mom. Good times (for the most part!)
* First time I think Mr. Noah has slept SO LITTLE in a 24-hour period - a different kind of all-nighter folks...where's the coffee?
* First time Noah has rolled over! Although Dad swears that his son rolled over at 2 weeks of age....hmmmm, pediatrician was a little skeptical (so was mom)
* Our very FIRST Easter!
More Easter Photos

As for Mom...
You know, this whole thing used to be all about me. Now, it's just not anymore. How very true, actually, for most of my life. The leap from personhood to motherhood - it is a forever change. I like this Chinese Proverb:

"A Wise Man adapts himself to circumstance as water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it."

Back to work has had its definite highs (adult time, typing with both of my hands) and lows (I don't know if I've ever been so tired in my life). It's only been the first two weeks, though, so it is certainly too early to launch a major life evaluation. Step by step...