Some people have turkey...

...others prefer string from their cousins!

Happy Thanksgiving!

same door, different angle

Outside Independance Hall

Independance Hall

Give me Jesus

It didn't take us long to figure out that Melodie Joy was appropriately named. On the first night of her life, I had her with me in the hospital room and she began to cry. I didn't know what to do, so I tried to sing, sway, and feed her. Nothing seemed to work, until I turned on the light, and she instantly calmed down, staring into the bright light overhead. It was a "poetic" moment of sorts, that I'll never forget, and I think it was a God moment, where he was speaking to me much more about her life than I understood then, or even know now.

Since that time, there are a few things that we've found that calm her down. The first is feeding her (which I suppose is quite obvious). Other than that, singing, holding her, and turning on the light generally seem to calm her down the best, especially when it's her Daddy that does it. She loves it when we sing to her, and she often tries to sing back. At church she lights up during the worship, and often follows up the songs with her own melody. I love watching her grow and learn, and sing and talk. It's really neat to watch her, pray for her, and see what talents and gifts the Lord has put in her, even at this young age.

One of my favorite things to do though, when she's particularly upset is to go upstairs with her, wrap her in her blanket and rock with her singing her whatever song comes to mind. I've found that my favorite to sing to her, and one that she seems to like the best is "Give me Jesus". It's been one of my favorite songs since high school when I heard Fernando Ortega's rendition of it. It reminded me of where my foundation rests during great times and very difficult times in my life, and I love watching Melodie listen and become restful when she hears "Give me Jesus".

Yesterday, as I was listening to Revelation Song and others on the computer, Fernando Ortega's "Give me Jesus" popped up on the Youtube list of songs. It happened to be the Ruth Graham tribute version, and it instantly has become one of my favorites. I love hearing her kids talk about their love for their mother, and knowing that they'll see her again with the Father. I also love listening to her husband say that he wished everyone was able to look at her in the casket because she was so beautiful, and he knew that she had a great reception in Heaven. What a neat testimony? I can only look forward to the day, that once my days have been spent on the earth, and my purpose if fulfilled, I am called home to be with Jesus and see him face to face. And what's more, that my entire family would be able to say the same.

"You can have all this world, but give me Jesus".

Perfect Day

Since starting my new job I have feel like a new person. For the first time since Melodie was born, I feel like I get a chance to be a mom to her, which is amazing. I also have found that I'm a lot less tense, and that I enjoy life more. It's simply amazing what a "perfect job" can do for you! I love labor and delivery. It's been filled with both amazing and incredibly scary and sad moments, sometimes all at once. But most days, I get to go home knowing that I've been a small part of a day that most families will remember the rest of their lives. It's pretty cool.

Today Melodie and I went out to vote. Our voting station was down the road a couple of blocks, so I strapped on the Bjorn and we walked. It was simply the perfect day. I let her pick out a toy to bring along, and pick out her clothes. She doesn't talk quite yet, but people seemed to think she was hinting at something when we were voting! :) Afterwards we went for a long stroll around the neighborhood, looked at a couple of houses that were for sale, and tried to get ideas for our house. It was fun, but I quickly grew tired from hefting 20 some pounds around with me, so we headed home, where my peanut fell asleep on my chest for the first hour of her three hour nap!

I also was able to catch up with an old friend who's in her final year of med school. She's one of those rare friends that you can call up after six months and start up where you left off. She's simply an incredible person, and I can't wait to see what unfolds over the next few years for her. She just returned from an elective in Honduras, and is planning on doing an internal medicine rotation in Malawi this February. It was really fun to catch up and chat with her.

Tonight Ryan and I may be able to catch a walk before it gets too dark, and then we'll be settling in to watch some election coverage and spend some time together. I can't wait. It really has been the perfect day!

(Oh, and maybe off to Starbucks for some free coffee!)