Dear Baby, Some Days Are Better Than Others.

Some days are better than others. Today has been one of the upside days of my pregnancy, though it isn't over yet. Josh's dad is coming over tonight for dinner. I went to Cookeville this morning with Mama to meet Mamaw. We always meet in the Penny's parking lot. I remember meeting Papa there, too. I especially think of my late-grandfather whenever I go to places we once shared together. I grieved tremendously following his death. I still do, though I tried to enjoy today's visit without him.

Mamaw sent my unborn baby a letter this week, at my request. I am working to write and collect cards and letters for my child, in hopes that he or she will know how much love abounded for him or her- even before birth. Writing the letters helps pass the slow days. I typically write a "Dear Baby" letter on Friday since each one marks the passing of another week. I like Fridays. This coming Friday is tomorrow. Tomorrow is 14 weeks. "Baby" will get two letters tomorrow- one from me and one from Josh.

I yelled at Josh this morning, though he did not take me seriously. He seems to be adjusting well to my unpredictable mood swings, thus my needlessly angry tantrums are rarely headed by my sweet husband.I don't like not feeling in control of my emotions.

Everything I've read validates the normality of my emotional roller coaster but I am not a patient passenger.

I got home from Cookeville only to begin cleaning the house. This event resurfaced my this-morning-feelings of animosity towards my husband.

The house was particularly messy this morning.
I had gone to McDonald's to bring breakfast back home.

I arrived to see Mama's van in our driveway and my pit lab outside the confinement of our fenced backyard. Halle is a big dog. Mama was semi-wrestling/petting her, trying to keep the dog close as I exited my vehicle.

"Where's Josh?!"

I ask Mama, as if I don't already know the obvious whereabouts of my husband.

"Oh, he's inside getting ready. Halle just got excited so she jumped the fence."

I then learn that my mother knows what Josh is doing because she has been...
inside
the
house...

Now, this shouldn't have been the huge deal I made it, buuuuuuuut...,
I am a psycho pregnant woman who has zero patience for anything I disapprove of...

REASONS WITHIN MY PREGNANT BRAIN TO EXPLAIN WHY I FELT SO MAD THIS MORNING...

#1. Dogs should not be left in backyard without owner supervision.
#2. Halle is fat and will jump fence when left unattended. This could hurt her.
#3. The house is MESSY. NO ONE should be admitted into house when it is in this-morning-condition.
#4. Mama should NOT have to deal with our dog.
#5. Halle got Mama muddy.
#6. Josh is not present at scene of crisis.
#7. Backyard still only half-mowed, due to yellow jacket stinging-husband incident that occurred nearly a WEEK ago.
#8. I brought Josh coffee from McDonald's. (why this is a factor, I don't know...it just...was.)
#9. Josh unresponsive to pregnant temper tantrums.

and
LAST,
but not least...

#10. I realize I am being completely ridiculous, which perpetuates cycle of anger since I appear mean and feel entirely foolish.

ANYWAY...

Today got a rocky start but improved significantly. I am glad to have spent time with Mama and Mamaw. I'm thankful for new- bigger- clothes that FIT. I'm blessed beyond measure to have people who love me even when I'm at my WORST.

Thinking of how Josh smiled at me as he sipped the coffee I got him- all the while enduring my rantings about the importance of cleanliness and responsible pet-ownership/accountability - -

All these things make me smile. They are the little moments you can laugh about later. The simple ups and downs of a day...
Those are what make life worthwhile.

I won't be pregnant forever.
(even though it feels like it sometimes!)

Might as well enjoy as much of it as I can while it lasts.

Like I said before, though-

Some days are better than others and
Today was a good day.
:)

My Sister's Wedding at Opryland Hotel - A Pre-Wedding Snapshot Tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Holt

 My sister has four names now.

Tracie Marie Cannon married Jesse Lee Holt on Monday at Opryland Hotel in Nashville.

 I cried. I would have cried anyway because weddings make me all sentimental, but being pregnant guaranteed that more tears would be shed when my little sister recited her vows.

Tracie and Jesse dated for seven years before tying the knot this week. The couple chose Opryland as their venue and this matron-of-honor thoroughly enjoyed being part of such a beautiful wedding!

I stayed with my sister the night before her big day. (BIG THANK YOU, TRACIE!!)
Anyway, I took some pictures.

As we all anxiously wait for the professional shots to be revealed by Bethany Ann Photography, here are a few snapshots I took, pre-wedding...

The day before the wedding...

Mamaw Rose.

Tracie Marie.

Tiny, Mamaw, & Tracie.

Tiny II.

Daddy.

Bridal Updo by Angeline.

"Jesse, this place is AWESOME." Tracie called her hubby-to-be from the parlor suite to assure him they'd picked the right place for their wedding. The view from the room overlooked the Garden at Opryland Hotel. GORGEOUS! I especially loved opening and closing the curtains by flipping the switch off and on more times than I could count. (This sort of thing truly amazes and delights me.:)

The hotel elevators have mirror ceilings. Another little thing that impressed me. :) I found it difficult to resist taking pictures every time we rode one.

The necklace Tracie wore is special. Our Papa Jim had given this to Mamaw, many years ago. I wore it when I got married and it has been passed from Mamaw to her granddaughters for special occasions, over the years. In this photo, Mamaw holds the blue sapphire necklace so I can snap a picture. This is our favorite "Something borrowed, something blue".

Architecture at Gaylord Opryland. Skylights provided perfect lighting for the ceremony.

Tracie's engagement ring, resting on a personalized "Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Holt" envelope that hotel celebrity services gave us upon our arrival. It was awesome being V.I.P. :)

One of my favorite photos EVER. Here, my Mamaw Rose passes the sapphire necklace to Tracie. Some pictures really say more than 1,000 words. This is one of them.

An iPhone shot of us. Tracie calls this an "us-ie", thereby modifying the infamous selfie with a more appropriate name. :) Tons of other snapshots were taken on the day before Tracie and Jesse's wedding. Even more beautiful photos were captured on the couple's big day. I'm just glad to have been a part of such a Lovely Love Story.:)

Much love,
Regina.