the good with the bad

This has been such a bitter sweet couple of days for me and my family. On Wednesday I shared with my Dad, Grandparents, and the rest of our extended family and friends that I was expecting. The amount of congratulations we got from everyone was completely overwhelming, and made the whole pregnancy so much more real and exciting. Throw in the fact that I'm 12 weeks today, and that Will and I both had great weeks at work, and you've got a happy Brittany.

Unfortunately, when I called my Grandma on Wednesday, she let me know my Grandpa wasn't doing well. He's suffered from Parkinson's Disease for many, many years, and it has been a rough road lately. Rough for my Grandfather experiencing the disease, and rough for my Grandmother to take care of him and watch him suffer and deteriorate. I cannot imagine the pain she's experienced watching her husband of 56 years lose everything that made him him.

I'd planned to drive the hour north after work yesterday to hopefully get in one last visit with my Papaw. Before I could leave for the day, my Dad let me know that he'd passed.

I debated about whether or not to share this news here, but it seemed like the right thing to do. my Grandpa was an amazing man. He was all of the best things a man can be really. A devoted, caring husband, father, and grandfather. A provider. A strong Christian and an active member of his church. An educator (High School History). A veteran. A semi professional athlete. A Master's degree earner. A coach. A person who sent me emails every week of my freshman year of college with an inspirational quote. The most frequent will stay with my forever:

"Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better, and you're better is best."

This quote encompasses so so much about my Grandparents and their attitude. They are extremely loving and supportive, and would always let us know they were proud. But they would remind you that there is always room for improvement.

Thats me in the amazing red hat. My cousins and I with our Papaw.

About 10 years ago we had a huge birthday party for my him. So many people came and shared stories about how he'd changed their life. About how him encouraging them to be a better student, or athlete changed their view on the world. About how he'd provide his or my Dad's suits for people to borrow or have to attend job interviews. It was a remarkable day and I am gad he got to hear how many people loved him. Many tears were shed by all members of my family. Even though I was just a teenager then, I knew it was moving.

All of this happening as I announce my pregnancy and enter the "safe" zone is so surreal. I know my Grandpa is looking down on me and my little family, and that he and my Omi (my maternal Grandma who I lost 11 years ago) will keep us safe over the next 7 months, and for the rest of our lives. Life and timing has always astounded me, and this is no exception. My family is now convinced I am having a boy, and that I'll bring back into the family the great man that we are losing in my grandpa.

Papaw was so proud of me and Will and I am glad they had the chance to get to know each other, even if it was at the end of his life when he'd seen much better days. Everyone loves and knows my Grandpa around their town, and his effect on Will was just as happy and positive.

My grandma was able to share the news of our baby with him the day before he passed, and I hope he was able to comprehend the news and have one final moment of celebration before he took his last breath.

We will miss you Papaw. Praying my family, and especially my Grandma, finds the strength to deal with this the best we can.

Party of 3, Coming Summer 2014

You guessed it :) Baby G will be joining us late this Summer, approximately August 22, 2014.

I was originally planning on waiting until 13 or 14 weeks to share our big news, but I just couldn't wait! After two positive ultrasounds, and a great report from the doctor, I decided to go for it. I feel so at peace with this pregnancy, and I know whatever happens is part of God's plan. I am really out of control at this point, and we are ready to celebrate.

At dinner celebrating Christmas and the big news with our families while my mom and sisters were in town.

We've known since a couple of days before I was four weeks (serial pregnancy test taker over here), and it has been a tough secret to keep from most of the world!

Not the best picture, but we don't have any digital ultrasound shots yet! I can't wait to report back on all things baby and first trimester.

We are so excited to welcome our little peanut to the world! Feeling incredibly blessed.

getting to know me

Joining Leslie today for this "getting to know you" edition of Confessional Fridays. I love reading "about" posts, so I knew I'd want to participate in this fun link up.

I think it’s human nature to have a hard time describing ourselves. It’s like hearing your voice being played back to you on a recording. Everyone will tell you it sounds just like you, but to you it sounds like a stranger, am I right?

If I had to tell you a little about myself, I’d probably start with what I am. I’m a daughter, sister, wife, and dog mom. I’m a Christian who doesn't consider herself a member of any particular church (my husband is very Catholic), former sorority girl, graduate of the University of Cincinnati, and corporate recruiter. I’m a Gemini, a smart ass, a book lover and TV junkie. I’m a designer handbag freak who rarely spends more than $30 on any other article of clothing, and I’ve been 6 feet tall since I was 13.

What would my husband say about me? Probably that I’m funny. That I’m a good wife and his best friend. That I get loud when I've had one too many drinks, watch too much HGTV and Investigation Discovery, and that I talk too much through movies. He and I have childhoods and personalities that could not be more different at times, but in many ways we are really the same.

What would my best friends say? Probably that I’m loud. That I’m a good friend and a good partner in crime for any adventure they want to try. That I am the talker, the silly one, and a bit of a klutz.

All of the above would be true.

If I had to write a brief bio on my life, it’d go a little something like this.

Once there was a girl named Brittany. Her parents were high school sweethearts, but unfortunately (or fortunately) they divorced when she was 7. Brittany and her Mom moved from their home in Ohio to the suburbs of St. Louis to start over. There her Mom met a new husband, and soon after Brittany’s two sisters, the lights of her life, were born.

At 14 Brittany decided to switch things up and move back to Ohio to live with her Dad, and has lived in the good old OH ever since. High School was a bumpy road for Brittany, but she spent most of her time competing in track meets and spending time with her best friends (who are still her besties to this day), so there wasn't too much to complain about.

For college Brittany ended up going to three different schools, and really had a bit of trouble finding a place that felt right. That didn't stop her from having fun along the way. You can read more about that here.

When she was 23, and finishing up her “Super Senior” year of college, she met Will. And the rest as they say, is history. Just two and a half short years later they’re married and living their happily ever after. You can read more about all that here and here.

And that’s about it folks! My life isn't anything too particularly out of the ordinary, but it is precious and special to me, and I wouldn't trade it for the world! I hope you’ll stick around!