Snow is falling outside. Truitt sits in the big soft rocking chair lovingly rocking Arden as she sleeps. Huston and I just read his new clock books together before his nap and he astounded me with his ability to move the clock hands to the appropriate times listed in the book. Truitt and Huston had a glorious time making play dough balls and then smashing them. And Huston and I had fun with our "Tick Tock ,Tick Tock Says the Big Clock... get you" game. I say the poem and he comes running toward me with a cheek bursting smile when I say "Get You Time". I hug him and we twirl around. Pure joy.

We just got the word from Clarke that the minor surgery that Jennifer had today went well and was all very routine. They cyst was removed from her neck without a problem.

We have much to be thankful for. Thank you, Lord, for this day.

Arden is Here

Arden missed her due date by 6 days, but when she was ready to be born she arrived in a hurry ! I received a phone call from Clarke around 6:15 on Sunday morning, November 15th. "Jennifer's in labor!" he told me.

Truitt and I prayed, then I dashed to the kids house. When I arrived sweet Jennifer was in intense labor, even vomiting once, but never, ever screaming or even moaning loudly. Most astoundingly, she didn't rush Clarke who had decided to take a shower. Both mother and father calmly left the house, only to realize that Jennifer was having the urge to push even as they drove in the hospital parking lot. Our sweet, beautiful, healthy Arden was born just 25 minutes later! She rated a 10 on the Apgar scale, something the hospital had seen only twice in 7 years!

We all thanked God for His incredible provision and I took Huston up to the hospital to see his little sister. He was fascinated with the elevators and enamored with the coke machine, but paid little heed to Arden. That is what we thought....then when we got into the car on the way home, he said "Baby Arden say whaaaaa at the hospital." As he "quoted" his sister he waved his arms back in forth in the perfect imitation of her baby movements. The little guy had taken in much more than we had thought.

Truitt, Emily and Christopher arrived at the hospital later, all rejoicing in the newest member of our family. Then we all took Huston out to lunch at Johnny Carinos. Later we went to the park with the "big slide" where Granny and Papaw joined us on their way home from the hospital. Huston was very excited that he was able to go up and down the big slide and said, "Papaw do it too?"

Believe it or not, my 83 year old Dad climbed up the ladderand all over the playground equipment. Then down he went on the big slide! Huston, you have great pull!

I enjoyed staying with Huston that night at the kids house and being there when Arden came home the next day in the arms of her beaming Mom and Dad. Truitt couldn't get enough of holding the beautiful pink bundle that was our new little Arden nand he and I had a blast taking Huston to the clock store for a fun outing later in the week.

I stayed one more night and helped the kids off and on through out the week. It was a joy being with them, cooking for them and watching "Barney with the clock in it" with Huston.

We are grateful for our children. We are grateful for our grandchildren. We are blessed.

Well, Arden, we can't wait to meet you! My bags are packed and waiting in my car. I'm carrying my cell phone everywhere I go. As soon as your Mom gives the word that she's in labor I'm heading over to babysit your brother. So fun! So crazy not knowing when! God knows your birthday, though, and everything about you. Isn't that cool?

Huston, you are continuing to make our life so bright. Your Mom and Dad just told me of your first real prayer. You prayed this aloud after your Mom and Dad prayed with you one night this week...

God, Thank You
Mimi's house, go there
Miss Carol, nursery
Eat goldfish, nursery
Say, amen

No more precious words have ever been spoken.

OK...I'm in. I'm a blogger now. My days of scribbling in a journal are over and my days of electronic recording have begun. The joy of grandparenting must be captured. The experience is too incredible to allow fading memory cells the prevent me from recalling these marvelous days of Huston, our first. And soon, Arden will be here too. In fact she is could arrive at any moment, though I truly believe it will be November before she makes her appearance.

I have to admit that my world has narrowed. I am no longer as interested in going out with friends, visiting museums, traveling, etc. I now look forward to spending time with Huston each week-end. But as my world has narrowed it has also become richer and full of a new type of happiness. Truitt and I are transfixed by the beauty and perfection of Huston. We thank God for him. We pray each day that he will love the Lord with all his heart and find His purposes in his life.

He loves our house. He wants to "pay with the red door", "pay with the white door", "pay with the clock" and throw rocks in the pond. The pure joy reflected in his face at the simplest of things brings us the purest joy.

Last week after spending the night with us we took him home. He fell asleep in the car and woke only as we were getting him out of the car seat. He woke up, looked up at me with eyes still half closed and said, "Mimi's house, again!". We love that. We love him. He is our grandson. He is grand.