An Aunt's Love

I became an aunt for the first time when my niece, Adeline, was born on January 16th, 2008. This was just two months after my giving birth to my own daughter and I truly wondered how I would feel about being an aunt - would it compare to my feelings for my child, would I love my little niece unconditionally, would the love just come? I was amazed the first time I held this sweet little girl. I fell in love with her immediately.

My sister Lauren (she is the sister who is right under me) is expecting her first child and is due next week. I have been elated about Baby Girl Brownfield's birth because I know I will love this little one instantly too. Sadly, her mommy and daddy live all the way out in Dallas, Texas, and it may be Christmas before I get to meet her. I was determined, though, to make her something special for her arrival. Thus, the dress and bonnet you see above.

This was a labor of love and the first smocked piece I have put together. I can't wait to see her precious little self all dolled up in her little gown and bonnet - if she looks anything like her mother did at that age she will look like an angel. So, Baby Girl Brownfield, I hope you know that I love you already and I can't wait to be your Aunt Alison - even if I do have to live so far away from you.

A Summer's Eve

If I have never mentioned it before, dusk is my favorite time of day. There is just something about the sun dropping behind the horizon, the cool breeze (especially in summer), the dimming of the light, the restfulness of the surroundings as all readies itself for sleep.

On this summer's eve Charlotte and I found ourselves out in the backyard with Jemison and Moe. This is a normal occurance for us after Douglass Charles goes down at 7:00. Doug normally is out there with us but he did not feel well this evening so he opted to stay indoors. Charlotte played while I made lists - what clothing the kids need this fall, ideas for The English Pea and so on. After a few moments Charlotte grew bored of her little games and asked for bubbles.

This is a favorite activity of she and her father. I normally get the pleasure of watching - which is always my choice. Tonight, with daddy inside, I got to take the honors.

We have a large bottle of bubbles with a "bubble wond" that is much longer than the little thingy in the small bottle you find at the store. I casually started waving the wond letting the bubbles fall as they may. Charlotte giggled with delight as she tried to catch them. Occasionally I would grab a bubble with the wond and offer it to her. She would immediately try to pick it up and it would quietly pop in her hands.

She began to grow tired of this so I decided to try something different. I dipped the wond into the bubbles, counted to three, said go and took off running with the bubbles falling behind me. Charlotte squealed with delight and came a running after. This went on for quite some time as we giggled and laughed and did it over again.

As I was running through our back yard feeling like a child myself I wanted to relish in that special moment with my little Charlotte. Watching her delight as she ran behind me winded, that precious smile plastered over her face, a look of joy that only a child can have, and the sun setting in the background with bubbles dancing about - I knew I wanted to remember that moment. It was a priceless ending to a summer's day. Who knew that something as simple as a bubble could grace a summer's eve in such a beautiful way. I love you, my sweet Charlotte!

Professional Photos

A new friend of mine recently offered to take some pictures of my stationery line. Laura is a professional photographer and is a good friend of my sweet friend Joy Derrer. Joy boasted of her talents after Laura had taken pictures of her percious family and suggested that I look into using her for some pictures of my sweet babies. So after some emailing back and forth Laura and I have become "work" friends. We both try to promote each other and she was so gracious to take these great photos.

If you are interested in her photography it is worth a little gander over to her website at www.lauraalvisphotgraphy.com. If you decide you just have to use her talents please tell her that I sent you her way. She offers a referral credit to you as well as me - so it is worth it for both us. Enjoy the photos!

Above the Clouds

First, let me just say, Honey, thanks for talking me into this. When Doug first mentioned whisking me off to the mountains for three days it sounded nice, but I was not too sure about leaving my little ones. I knew we needed it and I was reminded of my own mother's words telling me to make these times a priority. Man, was she right.

I have not been away from both of my children at all and let me just say, leaving them on Sunday was hard. I cried when I put both of them down for their naps knowing that they wouldn't wake up to my being there and I cried as I walked out to the car. My mother says that the pull is like a magnet. It is hard in the beginning and once pulled apart much easier to be away.Very True. Let's just say, I also cried on Wednesday morning when I had to come home. :)

Our little cabin "Above the Clouds" (what it is actually called) was a beautiful, quiet, very serene spot. Doug not only made a great choice - yes, he did all the research, booked the place and found all of the restaurants we went to (I know, I am impressed too). He made me feel very special. We mainly slept, read, I smocked while he watched t.v., We ate breakfast out on the porch looking at the views shown in the pictures above, and we sat for hours and just talked.

We had a whole laundry list of things that we needed to discuss and so many things that we didn't. It was just nice to have uninterupted conversation, great food, and a quiet spot to be alone. Needless to say I felt like we reconnected and recharged for the months ahead.

While this was a splurge for us, we discovered that it is much needed. I truly believe that my first priority - other than my relationship with God - is the relationship with my spouse. Our children come second. While that may seem weird to some folks, if Doug and I don't take care of us then we don't have us to give to our children - what they truly need most. So, thanks honey, for a wonderful time. I hope you know how dearly I love you!

See Rock City

Anyone from around here or anyone who has ever traveled through Chattanooga has seen the signs for Rock City. It is definitely a tourist destination but Doug and I both had a good time going through the maze of beautiful scenery it provided. The whole time we were there we talked about the kids, what they would have liked there, and how we would have to bring them back (the kids were honestly the topic of conversation the entire trip - funny how you get away from them and then all you can do is talk about them).

These are just a few of the photos we snapped of our visit there. It was a beautiful day and it was nice to have a day outing with the hubby that didn't invovle the kids and all the stuff we have to take for them (even if we did speak of them the whole time we were there).

We Heart Chattanooga!

While on our little getaway Doug and I spent two evenings in Chattanooga for dinner. It was a thirty minute drive from our cabin on top of the mountain and we wound up falling in love with the city. I don't know if it was the river running through the heart of downtown, the old homes in the historic disctrict, the beautiful clean parks, the eclectic, bohemian restaurants and shops, or the lack of traffic. All I know is it made a great impression on us.

Honestly, this city surprised me. I have driven through there many times but have never had the pleasure of stopping. Isn't it interesting how different a place can be when you don't just drive through it. So here's to you, Chattanooga, thanks for suprising us with your beauty and charm!

Grandma Piano

Doug's grandmother, David's mom, passed through Birmingham with Doug's aunt and cousin on Sunday before we left for the mountains. The story goes that Grandma and Grandpa Piano got their name strictly because they had a piano in their home. I am guessing Andy (Doug's older brother) was able to remember them by that piano. Funny how family members get their names.

Thankfully, my grandmother has met Charlotte, Doug's grandparents, Susan's parents, have met and spent time with both kids, but David's (my father-in-law) parents live in Ohio and have not gotten to meet either of the children. It was nice for the kids to meet their great-grandma English and it was special for me to snap this photo of them both with her (not the greatest of pictures. It was during dinner). We are grateful to have so many of our grandparents still with us and to be able to watch them with our own children. It is such a blessing!