karaspeak

This weekend was Nathan's 30th birthday. Such a milestone 30 is for us as twenty-somethings...and though it's only a number, something about it seems scary and OLD! :) But putting it all in perspective, I remember being 9 and feeling like 30 was ancient. Now that we're here, and most of us are entering this time in life, it doesn't feel so old anymore. It just feels like the next step in an onwardly upward sequence of events.

One of the most frustrating things about the timing of our move was the fact that we had begun planning Nathan a birthday party in Charlotte. It was going to be grand. Great food, great party, great friends, and an overall huge celebration to welcome him into this new era. However, due to the move in the middle of peak planning dates, it just wasn't going to work. It was hard being in a new city and maneuvering the catering world, restaurant world, and attempting to get family and friends here from out of town at late notice. So out the window that plan had to go. In with the new plan.

New plan was to gather as many names and addresses (email or snail mail) and get the word out that Nate-dog was turning 30. I asked for cards, letters, pictures, collages, videos, whatever it was people wanted to send to commemorate their friendship and love of "the Nate." An overwhelming response was recieved and I compiled everything into a really awesome memory book for him to have and hold for the next 30 years. It served as a great reminder of the friendships he has across the years, places, and life experiences he has lived and I think he really enjoyed the gift.

Since his birthday was on a Monday, I had to try and find some activities for the weekend that would make it last as long as I could. Luckily, I convinced his best buddy Phillip and his wife Fran to come up to Nashville and surprise him on the Saturday before his big day. As we cleaned house Saturday morning, the knock on the door almost literally knocked him off his feet when he saw it was Phillip and Fran on the other side. We had pulled it off! :) So we spent the day bumming around Franklin, touring the Natchez Trace Parkway, and then headed out for a great dinner and fun that night. We ate at Bricktops with the two of them, the two of us, and our friends Nathan and Ben. Then off we went to Cadillac Ranch for some good old fashioned bull riding (one of the things on his list to accomplish before he turned 30). We had brunch the next morning and then Phillip and Fran headed back to Birmingham. What a great trip!


Phillip & Nate on the Natchez Trace Bridge







Lovin' that belly!



Cadillac Ranch - the only mechanical bull in Nashville - and he still has it!


Friends, fun, and CAKE! (German Chocolate...yummy!)

Monday was the big day, so we had brunch leftovers, then I surprised him with a couple's massage downtown at a great little spa. I'm telling you, it was great and if you haven't ever had one, you should definately do that thing! The only not so great part was that I had to have a "pre-natal" massage and couldn't turn on my belly or back, so it was all sides for me. But still a great treat. We had a good mexican dinner that night and then he opened his gifts - memory book included. Overall, a memorable 30th. As for the party? I'm just going to have to save that for some random birthday down the road to make up for it. Thanks to everyone who contributed...he loved everything about it and the memories he'll cherish for years to come. For more pictures of his birthday weekend, click here.

This question was posed to me today and despite the fact that I’m pregnant and I deal with this question every day, it was posed in the direction of life itself. Take it any way you like – personal, mental, emotional, spiritual…it really doesn’t matter. It all ends up the same place when we’re talking about our lives, well depending on what you build your life around. So, for me, I can take it two routes: 1) What am I hungry for in the literal sense, and 2) What am I hungry for in the spiritual/life directional sense (this is also literal, but you know what I mean…it’s more related to forethought rather than immediate gratification).

The most frustrating thing is that no matter which of the two ways I choose to take this question, it is still very difficult for me to answer definitively. I am one of the most indecisive people about what I want to eat. Unless, of course, you happen to catch me in a moment of ultimate decisiveness...and then it's usually followed by, "but I really don't care." But do I really care and just choose not to say so or do I really not care? I think most of the time it's the latter, mostly because I can find somethign to eat no matter where we end up going and I'm pretty much fine with it. What I will do, and what I think is quite helpful, is if I really DON'T feel like something, I'll at least say that. And I think that's really the best I can do in this area! :)

Now if I take it the other way, being not so literal, but more philosophical, I end up going round and round in circles, wondering what in the world I'm "hungry" for. What I'm desparate for, what I ache to have, or be a part of, or see, or do, or accomplish. I jsut end up with a big fat question mark in my head. So what do I do with that. Thus far, I've really struggled with it -what does it mean that I don't have an inkling or thought about what I hunger for in my own life (besides the obvious things of every day: love, relationship, community, Jesus, knowing him, making him known, you know what I mean).

A lot of it has to do with our move to Nashville. Though it has been so apparent in so many aspects of our lives that this was the right move to make, and to see God honoring our steps of faith in incredible ways, we both still have this desire to know why we are here. Yes, God called us to move, but why? What is our purpose to be here in Nashville? It doesn't make sense in some areas - take for example the fact we've moved away from our families and then found out we were pregnant. So now we're 7 hours away from family and don't have a friend base to lean on in a time in life when neither of us have a clue about what to do next as far as this game of parenting a child is concerned at least. Not that I doubt we were to be here becuase of that, but it's one of the few things that really doesn't make sense about our move. I know know know that it will all be clear soon enough, and I will look back on this period of my life and say, "OH, so that's what we were doing that for!" As if entering a light bulb moment. But in the meantime, it still begs the answer to the question, "Why are we here?" and "What am I hungry for?"

Maybe the answer to the question isn't supposed to be answered quite yet. Our timing is often so immediate and God's is so eternal. As with everything, I am confident his purpose for me will unfold - in only a matter of time. Until then, I will keep asking the question, seeking the answer, and anxiously awaiting to see what it is I discover along the way.

As for right now, I'm hungry for ice cream. Then again, what's so new about that? Go ahead, have a bowl, and listen while you eat...you might be hungier for more than you think.

So, if you are anything like me, and apparently 90% of America, you get caught up in the drama of reality television at least a little bit every now and then. I don’t really watch that much TV, so when I do, it’s shows I really find interesting and entertaining. More recently I have been watching American Idol and the fan base that seems to flock to it. It’s quite remarkable that our public is enamored by these kids who can sing…and spend nearly 6 hours a week (during the weeks narrowing down to the final 12) watching them so intently we know what shoes they wore. I, myself, am one of these addicted. Yes, sad, I know. Part of it for me, maybe most of it, is the music that draws me in. I love hearing what they choose, how they arrange it, seeing whether they play an instrument or not, etc. The other 30% is the contestants – their stories, their lives, their road to Idol, their personalities, etc. All in all it’s a very people-oriented show with lots of entertainment value. My point…what is my point, really? I don’t know that I really have one, other than that it amazes me we can be drawn in, sucked in, to a television show about teens who are trying to make it in the music industry and waste so many hours of our “busy” weeks instead of spending time with the ONE who created those individuals and gave them the voices they have.

I guess in all this maybe I was a bit convicted for 1) not using my own gifts as often as I should and 2) wasting time not seeking Him and instead watching these kids (who yes, are entertaining, but who do not add any value to my life other than a few moments of entertainment). Regardless, I do have favorites, and I’ll continue to watch the show, but I’m committing to DVR it rather than spend 2 straight hours a night sitting there watching it pass by. At least I have convinced myself it will save a few minutes of my time for me to spend elsewhere…perhaps writing this. But I hope it makes me think a little bit more about how I can use my gifts, explore the talents God has placed in me, and a little less about how much less I am compared to so and so who can sing like a dream. I wonder what will be uncovered in my own life. I don’t know, but I’m anxious to find out.

And after all this…what contestant do you think will win? I have my favorites, and I have my not so favorites. It will be interesting to see the dynamic unfold.

It's kind of odd thinking this is going to be our last Valentine's Day as a childless married couple. This time next year, we'll be having to worry about leaving some 18-year old high school youth how his but a child himself and who charges too much for babysitting with our seven-month old baby. What if they don't do the right thing with them? What if the baby cries all night and the babysitter gets frustrated and calls us and we have to come home in the middle of dinner (or whatever it is we have sneaked out of the house to do)? Am I even going to be able to wear normal clothes by then? These are the things that keep me up at night. 

But that's next year. 

Today is this year. 

Today is today, and I'm living in it. 

Luckily, work was rather slow for me today (which is a very much appreciated break from the normal course of the past few weeks), so I decided to tag along with Nate to one of his business meetings in Nashville. I had a nice relaxing morning walking around the mall window shopping, looking at overpriced baby clothes, and trying to get ideas for Nate's b-day which is right around the corner. It was a nice morning. 

I headed back to pick him up and off we went to lunch at Panera - one of our favorites - where we just sat and talked about all things non-work that were going on in our lives. Something we often don't get a chance to do being that we work at home and often that portion of our lives consumes our conversation. Then next door to get my toes and nails done - something I don't do for myself as often as I would like...but always such a nice treat, especially as my feet start to expand along with this belly of mine. Quite a nice afternoon. 

While work was slow, it was not non-existent, so we headed home to do some quick work only to find I arrived to the most incredible pair of house shoes I've ever encountered. Yes, you're right if you're thinking, "She got Ugg house slippers." And seriously, they are the best thing that has ever happened to my purple feet with bad circulation. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Here's my new found love...if you have cold feet or if you just like walking on pillows go buy them now!

After the mild afternoon, and a lovely flower arrangement from my boss, we were off to the movies - another thing I love and don't do enough of. Fool's Gold was the flick of choice by the best husband ever... and surprisingly it wasn't as predictable as I would have anticipated from the previews. It was filmed in Australia and when exiting the theater to 35 degree weather, I knew we had to get to the beach as soon as possible. Before we have to find a babysitter for that, too! 

I did get the boy some gifts, too, don't you worry. He was well taken care of with White Chocolate Crunch, lots of his favorite chocolates, some clothing, and humorous books on his impending fatherhood...of course his gifts to me were way better, which is why I  spent the time to spill. All in all it was a great day. Full of love, laughter, and good solid memories. These next few months will fly by and I have set in my mind to enjoy every minute of it while I can as I know it will change forever before I know it.  I'll take a day of love to a day of ordinary any day of the week. 

So I spent some time in the kitchen this week...baking cupcakes. And baking always lends me time in the kitchen to ponder the going's on in my life and gives me the time to be as analytical about it as I want. It's been a rough week. Just a series of difficult events one after the other and it feels like it's going to last forever. I took a clue from my sweet hubby Nate who had been spending a lot of time in Hebrews lately (which I love). I stumbled upon a favorite passage in Hebrews 10 that reminded me of how for some of us, when we first become believers we endure a lot of hardship and persecution for what we believe...and as we grow into our faith, for whatever reason, we forget the real reason behind enduring it. We lose heart. I guess that's what happened to me amidst all this pain and struggle I've been facing. I know the way I should feel about it, I know the confidence I should have that Christ is the victor and He's going to get me out of it in His timing and methodology, and I know that the reason I am suffering is because I love Him...so why don't I remember that in the face of persecution?

I love how the writer says, "Do not throw away your confidence...you need to persevere...for in JUST A VERY LITTLE WHILE, He who is coming will come and will not delay."(v. 35-37) That little phrase appears in various places all throughout scripture, and no matter how many times I read it, it strikes me how different our view of time is than His view of time is. How perfect his timing is and how imperfect mine is. These things I am suffering (we all are suffering) are just so temporary, and they will be RICHLY REWARDED (v. 35) if we will just hold on for just a very little while.

Last but not least, the end of this passage lends this incredible encouragement...reminder to us of who we are and what we are capable of. "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."(v.39) Wow. So all those things I know to be true when I am not going through hard times, I just need to convert to I believe in the middle of hard times. Hard? Yes. Impossible? No. Even though it feels that way when I find myself stuck in a jungle of weeds that seem to perpetually get wrapped around my neck, I am of those who BELIEVE and are saved. Now if I can only get that to stick! The confidence will return and that confidence will cut through any "impossible" thing I'm facing.

Please note: If you do not want to know the sex of Baby Tabler, it is suggested that you skip this blog entry and come back another day. The sex will be revealed...there will be pictures, though, so if you ever change your mind the blog will still be here.







B-O-Y!!!

Surprise of all surprises...

We went to the doctor today for the 18-week visit and ultrasound and were able to take a nice sneak peak at this child I'm growing inside my belly. After a nice 15-minute journey around the baby's body, inspecting all the ins and outs, we were able to catch a nice (and rather obvious) glimpse at the tell-tale sign of our child's gender. It is definitely a boy! Which is really funny because just about everyone in our world has told us that it's a girl in one way or another...be it the OB/GYN who could tell from my crazy skin and the baby's wild heartbeat that it was going to be a girl, or the guessers who just knew it was going to be a girl, to the genie-like friends who'd rub my belly (what belly there is to rub) and noted it would be a girl. So I guess they were all wrong. Not that we care...I think once we saw the baby in there...the four valves of the heart, the two chambers of the brain, two legs, two arms, 10 fingers, and 10 toes, we didn't really care one way or the other what it was. But I will say it's kind of nice to put a gender with the "it" that he has been for the past few months.

I have a video of the ultrasound and some pictures that I'll upload later...but I'm in Charlotte and can't upload the video or scan the pics quite yet.

Now comes the fun part - the names. At least our choices are narrowed down. And we have a good jump start on this list, it's just a matter of getting down to the last few and picking one that will be the fun. Any ideas are most welcome.