New pics and stuff

So...Sunday was actually a pretty busy day, as you may have gathered. Here's my best buddy on the way back from the airport. I think the camera made her a bit uncomfortable :)

Julie with her birthday flowers; we aren't attaching any symbolism to these blossoms, since they got baked in the car and kinda flopped over later that day.

So the bugs were kinda pesky at first, but must have realized we wanted to be left alone for a bit. I think here she's just trying to get a few feet away from the camera without falling off the cliff in back of her. A few minutes after she said yes.

Julie 'n' me.

Not to downplay little Lucy...

But, we are engaged!!! Peter proposed to me on my Birthday:)

Yesterday afternoon we went for a hike to Raven's Rock, (something I love to do with him), we returned to a cliff we'd found last time we were there. After talking for a bit, chasing some pesky gnats away, and admiring the view of the valley, he pulled out a letter and began to read it to me. It was amazing, and at the end there was a big question, and....drum roll please....I said, "yes!" Haha, I laughed and cried at the same time.
Peter's love is something that has caught me by surprise, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. He's my best friend, and I'm thrilled to take this step with him!

We will get pictures up soon. I don't have any close shots of the ring yet, but it is absolutely beautiful!

I feel like the most blessed girl in the world right now.

After we left Raven's Rock, we went to Winchester to see my mom, (who is enjoying her grandbaby very much), headed back to Purcellville to my house, where there was much giggling and rejoicing, and then we headed to to the LaRock's! It was kind of funny because I'd been there earlier in the day to celebrate my Birthday--Laura, Pete's sister, made an amazing cake, and I showed up later engaged.
If you haven't guessed, I'm really excited!

Pictures, soon.

J (and Peter)

Little Lucy

Jeanette's got this photo up, too, (I did steal it cause I didn't get the e-mailed pics:-(. She be pretty no?

J (for P&J)

Lucy Elizabeth

I held her yesterday, and she's beautiful! I don't have any pictures yet, but we took some, and I'll hope to get some up soon.

I spent most of my afternoon and evening at the hospital yesterday hoping to get my chance to at least see little Lucy. The NICU has specific visiting times, and during the afternoon visiting time they were closed because they had to stabilize a baby that had just come in from UVA. I talked to the new parents, ran some errands in Winchester, and headed back to the NICU last night.

Not only did I get to see her, but I was able to hold her. She's sooo tiny! She has dark brownish hair, and her eyes seemed dark blue, but I couldn't quite tell. She weighed 6lbs and 6ozs at birth and was 19 inches long. Jessica and I noted that she appears to have a Cole nose, and the trademark curled Cole toe:-)

Her arrival was a bit traumatic, (doctors are saying that it was a serious situation--Lucy's cord was pinched which caused her to be without oxygen for a while), but God was and is so good! She's alert, looking around, yawning, and very contented. It was fun to watch Jessica with her little girl. I know not being able to hold Lucy and be with her for a couple days now, has been hard. Lucy looked so contented in Jessica's arms. She would look up at her mommy, then start to drift off, only to wake up again. She had quite the grip on Jessica's finger, too! Jeremy is also thrilled with his little girl. What a special time for them. Praise God for His faithfulness and for this new life.

Julie

I'm an Aunt!

Lucy Elizabeth Cole is here! Woohoo! Mother and baby are doing well.

Jeremy seems pretty darned happy and proud.

I'll update soon!

J

Random-er Stuff

Hiya, everybody!
Not sure if Julie told you yet, but we went to a minor league game Friday afternoon - the Frederick Keys vs. the Salem Avalanche. The Keys get their name from Francis Scott Key road and Francis Scott Key stadium, which in turn derive their name from the relative of some city planner, I guess. Anyhoo, no one really made it past second until the 6th inning. It wound up tied at the bottom of the 9th, and then the Keys scored the winning run on a VERY questionable call, and both the coaches from Salem got up close in the ump's face - it reminded Julie and I of a couple of roosters squaring off :)
We got to see some lovely fireworks afterwards, but it was getting pretty chilly. Have you guys ever noticed that Julie gets cold sort of easily? Sheesh.
Julie (and the rest of our worship team, I suppose, and the church too) led us in "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)". Chris Tomlin took some verses of Amazing Grace that ordinarily aren't sung in the hymn, but are still very beautiful, and put them to some slightly faster music. We both really liked it, and she's going to try to get ahold of the sheet music. Have you guys heard this?
Last night we watched a Bollywood movie - Bride and Prejudice (There is no life without wife!) - a really goofy movie with fantastically colorful sets and costumes, and the only Indian movie I have ever seen to incorporate a southern baptist choir into one of their musical numbers. I've never seen Pride and Prejudice (and I don't really want to, either, this may be my loss but it is one I am comfortable with) so Julie filled me in on who was who.
We both miss you guys, and Julie Really Really Really misses you, so I hope we get over to see you sometime soon.
And if Julie thinks it's pathetic to miss me, that's ok, it just makes me extra pathetic :)

random stuff

Here is a cool picture. Mr and Mrs Wilcox have taken time to talk with Peter and I on several occasions. They have been a mentor couple to us, and we thank God for them. We go to their home on Wendesday nights for a Bible study. Our group is fun and full of colorful personalities. Right now we're working our way through the book of Matthew. I love going to their home--it's charming! The people in it give it the charm. They love the Lord, and they always encourage us in our walk with Him as they help us wade through the waters of a relationship and life in general:-)

All in a Day's Work:
What does HSLDA stand for?

Last I checked it was the Home School Legal Defense Association, but my most recent call changes all of that. Today I was asked if we could help annul a man's marriage. wow, nuff said.

In other news:

Peter is off in Norfolk, Virginia explaining to families what HSLDA is and what HSLDA does. heh, I am rather pathetic, but I miss him

He'll be back in time to wish his mother a, "Happy Mother's Day."

And last, but not least:

Happy Mother's Day to my amazing mom, and to any other moms who read our blog. You are precious women, loved by God, and I'm so thankful for you!

Mommy, I love you bunches. Thanks for all of the phone conversations of late. I've enjoyed taking more time to just talk to you. Love you bunches!

J