Sunday, April 11, 2010

Sweet Southern Comfort

The south land has claimed my daughter as her own.
Yes, she's the one, who as a kid, always said she'd live in Alabama someday.
And so she does. And we visit....and we always leave in tears. It's going to get worse. It's bad enough now!

And...she's totally enmeshed, even traced her genealogy to prove that she's a Daughter of the Confederacy. And so there with the group she can join other descendants of the south: something I can claim no connection to. It's only through her daddy.

We just got home from a week-long visit. I have my pictures and the sweet memories. But let me say this: I love the south. I have gone for thirty years now, being married to my homegrown southern boy, we've always made the trip and visited. But now things are going to change.

My grandson is there.


Yes, in case you didn't know it, our daughter and her husband are having a baby!
The first week of June!


We saw him this week; that precious little face, something that seemed impossible has happened, and a dream is about to come true. Through American invention, genius, and pure ingenuity, Jamie was able to be treated for infertility problems and now because of that great American spirit and innovation, we have the ability to look through the womb and see the precious baby inside!

Here's the first picture of our little fella's face...distorted maybe just a bit by the amniotic fluid and the way he's all squished up in there...but what a joy to see him! They even could tell us he has lots of hair...the shadows showed it sticking up all over his head!

We went with the other set of grandparents and our youngest son and we all saw him at the same time. What a special moment that was...the whole day sparkled.




I was able to be there for the baby shower...in a little town nearby at the old "Freight House", a really neat historical building--now a restaurant-- that once held freight from the train that still rumbles through town many, many times a day. Three trains went through during the baby shower alone.

I was so happy to be able to be there for the fun....


and to see friends and family...

And to see my grand doggies....first there's trusty old Bryant, the super hound.


And his little girl, Daisy.
(She's so EEYORE-ish!)
Just can't get enough of those forehead wrinkles and sadder than sad eyes!



And we got to see my little grandpug, Josie.
I tried her out in the crib.
Cute.
But not quite as cute and sweet as a real live baby.
(She did well for the tryout but didn't make the cut...sorry Jamie!)

She wuvs me, can you tell?


We made a few short road trips, while there. We always have to go one day for an "adventure"...so we did.

And...I wanted so much to stop and ask...
"WILL YOU PLEASE SELL ME THIS HOUSE?!"
(But I'm a chicken!)


And...did I mention I got to see DAISY?!
Well...I did!



Oh...and we worked on the baby's nursery:
It's retro cowboy themed.
I think you'll like it.

Here's a few teaser pictures...

I have more! Oh yes, I do!



And. Did I tell you that our family loves John Wayne? So much that he's in our grandson's nursery.
We wish there were more men like The Duke.
Politically incorrect, I know.
But we really don't care.
It's the American way.


Oh, while we were there, I stalked some real estate. And I talked Lem into a new project...our second home. Picked up fer cheap on a nearby mountain.



Sweet Home Alabama....
Stars Fell on Her.
She's the HEART of Dixie.

And she's where part of MY heart lives.


(And, I am JUST KIDDIN' about the house. So stop thinking about how crazy I am!)






More details coming on all that took place last week during our visit. For now, this is just an update because I've got a busy week coming up. And on top of that, I'm a little loopy from being on the road so much this week, eleven hours just today!

My niece's wedding shower is coming up Sunday, got to get busy on that!

But from my count, I've got at least SEVEN STORIES in me from this little trip.
(One big story from the trip is that our eleven-year-old Suburban, Dixie, made the trip one more time!)


I bet you can't wait to hear those seven stories, can you stand to listen? And to look at a million pictures?

Okay, but don't say I never warned ya!

And...I'll be by this week or next...to catch up with all of you on your blogs!
I've missed you!








16 comments:

Donna said...

Congratulations!!! Sounds like you had a grand trip and visit! You're going to be knowing that road pretty well after the grandbaby comes. Love the nursery theme, how fun!

And I see you went to Lynchburg, LOL! Did you see the statue aboutside of the Jack Daniels' store? I featured a closeup of his face on a blog post last year sometime.

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your little Bubba--because you know being in the South and in Alabama to boot--he's gonna be called Bubba sometime! We have one in Louisiana. I feel your pain on being so far away. Get a webcam and download Skype. It's free and is a wonderful way to keep in touch. It's made all the difference with our little grandchildren.

★Carol★ said...

I think your grandson will get a kick out of seeing himself on your blog! He's famous! And the nursery is sooo cute, and that fabric is just adorable. That room is just magical!

Bloggin bout my Boys said...

WOW What a great update on the little guy and Jamie and all the great stuff you did ..just in this post!! That nursery needs to be featured in a magazine and my Dad would go ga-ga himself that the Duke has a starring role in there! Whatta an amazing pic of the baby...hard to believev it is possible to see all the detail these days. Glad you are home safe. Joni...I was scared for a minute about that house...really I was!!!That is what my folks looked like when they bought it!!!

Kathie Truitt said...

The culmination of your musings, pictures and the music thrown in made me wanna cry. Some of the tears are because I've grown to love you and I am so happy for you and what you are about to experience. And some of the tears are because it sounds like your little boy is going to have the same start as my William. He LOVED John Wayne and all of his movies. He'd act out the part after watching one of his westerns. He also loved 'The Man From Snowy River.' After watching it he'd mount his stick horse and run as fast as he could around the neck. He'd stop and kiss me and say "I love you, Jessica" (the name of the heroine).

I'm so happy for you and can't wait to read your 'seven more stories.'

As always, Joni you entertain.

Simple Home said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful time. Congratulations on the new baby coming. I'll bet your daughter and her husband can hardly wait. The baby's room looks so cute. I love all the vintage fabric.
We love John Wayne around here too!
Blessings,
Marcia

FHCS said...

Congrats on your sweet grandbaby....you can already see he is going to be a cutie! Your girl is just glowing too! I'm happy you had such a wonderful time seeing your family.

I've never been to Alabama, but my hubs sure keeps talking about moving south and heading out of NJ....maybe someday. I Love the babies room, too cute! My son's was also a cowboy theme previously, everything looks so cute and the furniture is beautiful! Love the new project, so exciting! Happy you're home safely and back to your posting!

Patty said...

Looks like you had a great time ;) visiting family is always so much fun isn't it?

Donna said...

Rut Rowwww!!! Well, there's not much for it Girl...MOVE!!!Hahaaa...
GrandSon will NEED YOU!!
Great photos and We love the Duke as well! American Patriot, true!
Congratulations...
And that house on the hill has possibilities....Hahaa
hughugs

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I lived in Alabama for nearly a year and loved it! We live in Atlanta now. I love the song as well!

Kathleen Grace said...

Congratulations! How wonderful to have a new little babe on the way. Isn't it amazing to be able to see that dear little face? Like magic. I LOVE the cowboy fabric in the room. How adorable:>)

Vicki's Bit-o-earth said...

Congrats Joni!!! And we're just leaving to be present at the birth of our second grandchild/first grandson! Isn't it AMAZING what these kids get to have these days? A 3D picture and all!? Wow! He's a doll! I'd move... (: xxxVicki

Valerie said...

Joanie....so lovely to visit again!!!

First off, CONGRATULATIONS on your first Grandbaby...a boy! And I love the retro cowboy nursery; what a beautiful room to welcome such a special fellow!

I laughed when I read your post about how your daughter always said she'd live in Alabama...and she does. When I was home over the weekend, I was just mentioning how Chris and I said we really needed to start vacationing in Charlotte or Charleston instead of Gulf Shores, and my mother said, "You're still talking about moving to NC/SC." She laughed...b/c she knows we will too!

Can't wait to start working on our nursery. I still have got some packing to do. We only have a 3-bedroom house so two of our kiddos are going to have a shared bedroom/nursery. Our home has a finished attic space so we are converting it from playroom to bedroom, but I've got lots to do!

Fortunately, due date is the end of July so I've got 3.5 months to get things accomplished, but with vacations/holidays/camping (ugh!) trips planned I know the time is going to fly! (Hoping my poor back can handle tent camping over Memorial Day weekend...we made reservations with folks from the Fire Dept. a year ago and my paramedic husband is insisting that I can "handle" it! HA!)

Blessings,
Val

Lucy said...

What a precious grandson....so excited for you:-).
I like you daughter do love the deep South. If I was not in Central Georgia, nothern Alabama or Southern Tennessee would be my next choices.

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Hi JONI! I am stopping by to catch up on what you have been up to and YOU HAVE BEEN UP TO A LOT!
Your daughter and baby boy to be are just beautiful. LOVE all of the photos you shared, too. LOL about the old house on the hill. Alabama is beautiful. Someday I will take a trip there.

((hugs))
Becky

mary your sis said...

Great pictures, looks like you had a good time, best wishes to Thad and Jamie and little Levi!