Hello, My name is Auntie M!

On September 8, 2010, the day after my birthday I found out that I was going to be an aunt to my sister's baby! This past Tuesday I was giving my 5th graders their Science End-0f-Grade test. I had just finished giving the test and my principal told me that my mom had called the school during the testing session and my sister was at the hospital in Labor & Delivery. I jumped and cried and hugged my principal all at the same time... I was SO excited & surprised that she was going in a week early. The ladies in the front office at VanStory quickly got my class a substitute for the rest of the day and I was off! I came home to get my camera and then stopped by our family's favorite florist to get some flowers for sister & baby... then I was off to the hospital.

pink roses for mommy & baby E

Arriving at the hospital, I was surprised to find Sister doing so well. She was happy and upbeat despite constant contractions and her husband, Will, being halfway around the world on his way home from Afghanistan in Kuwait. He did not even know yet that she was at the hospital. He finally got a message from me on his phone, and called us. He was sad that he had not made it on time for the birth.. but God was in control, and everything turned out just fine. We got Skype set up on my phone, and Sister & Will were able to video-chat with each other before the birth. During the birth, Will got to be on the phone and hear everything going on in the room. Of course we wish he could have been here, but at least he wasn't in an airplane and couldn't talk or hear anything!

Shortly after the Skype session, nurse Lex from Trinidad & Tobago, came in for Sister's check. She was dilated enough and said it was time! We were so excited the time had finally come. After about 30 minutes of work on Sister's part, Eleanor Lee Canda was born at 6:05pm. She was 7 pounds 11 ounces, 20.5 inches long, and absolutely perfect! 

We are all so excited that Eleanor has graced us with her presence. She is such a good baby, loves to sleep and to nurse with her momma. JB and I are loving being Auntie M & Uncle Johnny already and it's only been 4 days! What a blessing from God to have this special little lady in our family! Thankful that she is happy & healthy baby girl :) 

Remembering Mom

As Mother's Day approaches tomorrow I find myself reflecting on fond memories of my mother and I. Memories of her leaving notes in my lunches growing up, my senior spring break with her to Savannah, playing basketball & going on bike rides after dinners, lemon cakes on my birthdays, shopping for back to school clothes, coming to basketball games to watch me cheer, teaching me to drive her bmw convertible manual (when I was 14) in her school's parking lot, fighting about curfews, helping me with homework, and always cooking dinner during the week days so that our family could eat together. I cherish all of these memories and I look forward to so many more to come. Some of which are here to come soon. The other most important woman in my life is my sister, Laura, who is expecting her first born within the next couple of weeks. She also is going to be a wonderful, caring mother who will make memories of a lifetime with baby Eleanor. I do not yet know the love that a mother feels for their child, but I can only imagine how amazing and fulfilling it is! God has truly blessed me with my mother and my sister who is a soon-to-be mother who are both such wonderful role models of what a mother's love should look like. 

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you! 

The Reading Mother

By: Strickland Gillian

I had a Mother who read to me

Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea, 

Culasses clenched their yellow teeth, 

"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath. 

I had a Mother who read to me lays

Of ancient and gallant and golden days; 

Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe, 

Which every boy has a right to know. 

I had a Mother who read to me tales

Of Gelert the hound of hills of Wales, 

True to his trust till his tragic death, 

Faithfulness blent with his final breath. 

I had a Mother who read to me the things 

That wholesome life to the boy heart brings- 

Stories that stir with an upward touch, 

Oh, that each mother of boys were such!

You may have tangible wealth untold; 

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. 

Richer than I you can never be-

I had a Mother who read to me. 

-love this poem about one of the best gifts a mother can give their child, 

reading to them, and being together during that time-

Feeling Blessed...

For the past few months I have been dealing with foot pain, which I know now from my Podiatrist, as Hallux Limitux - hyper-mobile metatarsal joint. (A completely different blog to come!) Anyways... this foot pain has caused me to not be able work out or really doing anything that is too active, making me not the happiest camper when trying to shed a few pounds and go on walks with JB & Bay. So, when JB went for his morning run on Saturday, I sat feeling sad that I couldn't enjoy a sunny day's exercise with him. Upon his return, I mentioned the idea of getting a bicycle.. JB has had a road bike for years, and though it has kind of taken a backseat to his workout routine he is anxious to make an effort to get back on. He was for the idea of me getting a road bike, for exercise and to spend time outside with him doing something productive. So, we were off to find a road bike. Stop #1 - The Bicycle Shop in town. First stop was a success. I got a Trek Alpha Lexa road bike in a beautiful blue color. It is Trek's beginning bicycle for women, and a perfect fit. We spent Saturday & Sunday riding through neighborhoods, and Sunday we even went about 8 miles. Which I thought was pretty good for my 2nd day! My third day wasn't as happy.... 

On Monday, we left the house in the afternoon after I got home from work for another bike ride. The ride was going well, until the trek home. On the way home, I got broadsided by a Jeep and I was thrown off of my bicycle. The driver claims she did not see John and myself, which I think is crazy, but oh well. A good family friend saw everything happen as he was one or two cars behind the driver of the Jeep.  He stopped and helped JB and I get emergency things taken care of. What a blessing to have him there. He saw me fly off of the bicycle and land on my left side. I AM SO THANKFUL to GOD that I was not hurt worse than I was. My left hand and arm are scraped up and I landed awfully hard on my tailbone/buttocks. The EMS, fire truck, and police all came to the scene & it was determined that was not broken... so I did not go hospital. My head also hit the ground, and the helmet that I was wearing actually did pop off. If anyone takes anything from this accident, it is to ALWAYS WEAR YOUR HELMET!!! I cannot imagine what would have happened if I had not been wearing mine. 

Like I said earlier, I am just so grateful that nothing worse happened. I still cannot believe that I was hit by a car, but I know God was trying to teach me something to do with His plan. Maybe it is for me to tell my story and talk about God's grace in my life, maybe it is to share His perfect plan  for everyone's life who believes in Him, or maybe it is simply to spread the world for more people to be cautious of "sharing the roads" and to wear their helmets. I don't know exactly why... but that doesn't matter, it happened, and the glory goes to God that He ultimately saved my life. I am blessed beyond my belief and so thankful I am even able two days later to type my story. Thanks be to God! 

Thank you to those that have prayed and are still praying for my recovery. I am grateful for your thoughtfulness during this time. I have been back at school since the accident, and I actually do feel a little better. My body is still recovering, but my heart and mind are there and thankful for this miracle. 

This week is also Teacher's Appreciation Week, and yesterday I shared my accident story with my class. Today as one of my little gifts from a sweet student was a framed picture of a flower and above it read, "Miracles Happen Everyday." I will cherish that and remember that miracles happen all because of our Lord and Savior's gift of grace. :)

Don't forget to count your blessings and give thanks for them all!

I honestly do not think that I will go a day for the rest of my life and not give thanks. 

I hope you do the same!