Dear, Adeline,
Happy second birthday, sweet girl! It seems like just yesterday we were waiting (impatiently) for your arrival—and two years seem to have passed in an instant.
From the moment I found out you were on the way, I loved you. You have to understand that your mama was my first baby. At 8 1/2 years old when she was born, I took pride in helping raise her—choosing her name, hearing her heartbeat on an ultrasound, skipping school to sit in the waiting room the day she was born, and then watching with joy as she grew up.
There were a few years in your mama’s childhood where she didn’t seem to want a sister. But she came through her teenage years, and then we became closer than ever.
So when your mama told me that you were on the way, it was truly the biggest blessing I could ever have been given. I thought that at the time—and I have thought it every single day since then.
You, baby girl, are my pride and joy. You are my constant reminder that life does have happiness in it, even when days are so hard. You never fail to put a smile on my face.
As you hit this important milestone of 2 years old, we’re going to begin teaching you some of the most important things in life. Like how to sing Rocky Top and love the Lady Vols…but also to always stand up for what’s right, to treat every person with kindness and dignity, to never tolerate hate or racism, and to stand strong in your power as a woman.
Of all the lessons we will teach you, I hope the one you always carry with you is that your YaYa is always here for you. No matter what happens in life, I am one of your biggest fans—and I will always, without exception, love you with every bit of my heart.
So today we celebrate you. I loved you before you were born, but I had no idea how much I’d love you now.
Love,
YaYa
(Addie’s birthday is Saturday, Oct. 27.)
Best bite
Each week, I’ll drop in a pic and description of my favorite sip or bite—and a recommendation, too!
When my mama was in town a few weeks ago, we discovered that the dip sampler at Abuelo’s comes with these delicious house-made pork rinds. I will not pretend to know how to pronounce their Mexican name, but I will say that they are quite yummy. Combine them with a bowl of shrimp chowder for perfection.
Favorite Reads
Right now, I’m reading Elin Hilderbrand’s latest book Winter in Paradise. It’s light and fun, so it’s an easy read for me. Next up will be To Shake the Sleeping Self, a memoir that’s a little out of my norm!
Currently in the middle of listening to Jodi Picoult’s A Spark of Light. It’s intense and delightful! Just like every Picoult book I’ve ever read, so no surprise there.
Auntie’s baby
Now surely, you didn’t think I’d create a blog without my baby love in it, right?!
Questions I’m pondering…
These things are on my mind—if you know the answer, please share! Sometimes these will be light-hearted, other times they will not.
- I’m hearing God more these days. In your experience, how do you know when it’s truly God’s guidance you’re hearing?
- Where did fall go? The 35-degree temperature when I got in the car to go work out this morning is for the birds!
- How do you celebrate something that was terrible and life-shattering at the time but turned out to be a turning point in life?
Quote of the week
Wrapping things up
This past two weeks has brought tall boots, jeans, and sweaters out here in Chattanooga. Now if the leaves will catch up, it’ll seem like fall. My favorite season—a reminder that everything changes and that it’s a good thing.
See you next week.
Grace Always Wins 