Thursday, May 6

Not About Laila. Not A Bit.

Greetings, my friends!
This blog is coming to you live from my second home, the Starbucks at Knox and Henderson... More specifically, it is coming to you courtesy of my Birthday and Mother's Day present, a new MacBook, officially named "Jumanji" by Clay and Co. this very morning!

Isn't Jumanji that kind of weird movie about jungle animals, starring Robin Williams?

Hmm... we may need to rethink this one.

Let me tell you, people, I love this thing! As my sweet friend Liz so eloquently put it, "Once you go Mac, you never go back"... I've only had this computer for 3 days but I'm thinking the girl's on to something.
Here's a picture of Liz and me at my wedding... Yes, she's as brilliant as she looks...

Anyway, this is the only "new arrival" to speak of at the moment because our Sweet Laila is Taking Her Sweet Time. After all that drama, she's decided she likes it in there and is going to stay awhile. The thought occured to me this morning that perhaps she's playing a little game of Hard To Get. Like, maybe if we don't make a big deal of her coming, like, if we don't really talk about her for awhile and we yawn and say things like, "Oh, whenever, Laila... We're in no hurry out here! Just come when you like! Oh, you want to stay a few days past your due date? We don't mind a bit. Just hang out, baby...", maybe she'll decide she wants to surprise us and go ahead and come on! See? It's called "Reverse Psychology" and parents use it on their children all the time. I'm just getting started early.

Besides that, there's the whole theory about a watched pot never boiling, etc, etc... It's really not true, though. The pot always boils... eventually... and, eventually, this child must come out, right? Right!

So, as a part of my Reverse Psychology scheme, from here on out, until this post is posted, there will be no talking about Laila. None. So don't even try to bring her up. We're talking about Other Things.

I'm not ashamed to tell you that I spent some time watching country music videos this morning. Sure did. And it got me thinking...

Did ya'll know that I'm a Country Girl At Heart? I really, truly am. Sure, I appreciate the conveniences of the city. Clearly, I love the opportunity to get a perfectly crafted decaf iced grande soy americano any time I like, on the corner of practically any major intersection in Dallas. I love all the great restaurant options surrounding us and, as I've mentioned before, I love my house in our quirky little East Dallas neighborhood.

Notice my look of triumph at finding an adorable Starbucks near the water in San Fran...

But...
Nothing compares to a cool morning breeze blowing through the barn at 6am, the smell of hay and honeysuckle, a freshly opened bag of feed, sweet horse breath in your face, a welcome whinney, an open pasture of soft grass, warm sunshine on your face and fresh, pure country air. There's nothing better than experiencing God in the midst of His creation and hearing Him speak to you in the whisper of the wind. I've known this sort of bliss on my Papaw's farm in Kentucky, at the Pine Cove Ranch on warm summer mornings, driving down country lanes with the windows rolled down and, in Wyoming, as Trevor and I quested to find a band of free-roaming, wild horses.


(We found em.)

I've known this bliss in trips to the Feed Store (http://paisleyleather.blogspot.com/2009/04/feed-store.html), long trail rides through piney woods, in blissful hours spent caring for the horses I've had the privilege of loving along the way.






Cosmo Alexander as The Perfect Farm Kid.


(Because we're Not Mentioning Laila, I'm whispering this part...) I long for my precious daughter to have the joy of experiencing these things, knowing God in this way, growing up slow and free and surrounded by authenticity and Love and Grace in an environment that fosters her curiosity and compassion and teaches her to work hard and love people and nature.

I'm grateful that it is possible to both love my new MacBook and love the open freedom of country life. I'm grateful that I can enjoy my soy americano as well as my Momo's country kitchen cooking. I'm grateful that we can live in our quirky East Dallas neighborhood and still escape the city whenever we get the itch.

What a blessed life we live. There are so many reasons to celebrate! I am choosing right now to always choose gratefulness and to teach my daughter the grace of being thankful.

Laila, you were conceived out of your Mommy and Daddy's desire to share the life we love with someone else, to invite a child into the blessings that God has given us. We welcome you with open arms, Little One... but, of course, only when you're ready.

8 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 06, 2010

    Chels, you are so much fun. ;-)
    *whispers*
    (Laila is gonna be born to such a great mom and dad!)

    -Phil

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  2. I always love reading your posts. :)

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  3. I LOVE my Mac. I ain't neva goin back ;).

    When I saw your new profile pic---wedding dress, cowgirl hat & boots---I thought, "Chels really is a cowgirl. She totally didn't just pose for a pic, that like defines her." And then I come and read this post, how perfect =).

    And I'm gonna love to hold that little baby girl in a few days too =). xo

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  4. I will always love you and I am always proud of you. However, I really like it when you write because, in such an eloquent and fascinating way, you tell everyone in the world how blessed I am to be your father.
    Love,
    Dad

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  5. You remind me of the song "American Honey" by Lady Antebellum. As a matter of fact, I'm going to put that as your personalized ring tone, everytime you call me. I can't wait for a text telling me the labor pains have begun. If it makes you feel any better.....Rhett (you know how hard headed he is) waited a whole 48 hours after my due date to even start his arrival-go figure. I love you, and Laila too!

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  6. Loved this post, dear Chelsea. Laila is already so blessed. I also love what you said about country livin'. I'm in an Illinois hotel room tonight. I love traveling to the places I get to go....but there's truly nothing like driving down that long and winding country road that leads me home. I like to tell people that we live in a place where there's nothin' to do...and we have a great time doin' it. I know you and Trevor will be wise enough to bless Laila with lots of time in the country doin' nothin' ....and it will be one of her great treasures. I want Laila to come soon, but don't worry....I took your lead and whispered it. Love ya!!

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  7. When I grow up, I want to write like you, Chelsea!! ;)

    You are so precious; I love reading your blogs. They inspire me in so many directions. Keep em coming, lady friend!

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  8. Hey Chels! i have been checking in here to see if Laila has joined you yet... hope you are doing well!

    xx
    Cristin

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