anticipation, indeed

First of all, to completely digress from the Sunday Scribblings theme, I must thank all of you for you sweet, hippity hoppity birthday wishes.  I've had a wonderful birthday, and today will wrap up all the celebratin' that's been going on.  I think I've finally had more birthday cakes than Husband, so I am completely satisfied. 

Right now I'm listening to Husband's birthday gift, the Over the Rhine Christmas album, Snow Angels.  It's completely fabulous, and as I told someone, one of their CDs is NOT just a CD - it's a magnificent musical experience that wraps around your soul.  The collection doesn't really include any traditional Christmas songs, but original music in the context of the season.  I just want to state right here and now that Tori Amos has been shoved off my personal favorite musician throne and replaced by Karin and Linford.  Now if they would just bring their little musical genius selves down South so I could experience them in person -

As I pondered over the Sunday Scribbling theme of anticipation, a song came back to me - a simple, obscure praise song that our music minister wrote a new Advent verse to - we always teased her because she found a way to stick the word "anticipating" in there, which is a delicious word to sing. Anticipation, what the season of Advent is all about, the expectant waiting for a tiny, earth-shattering baby.  One thing I really adore about being a Methodist is that we get the opportunity to truly sink our teeth into the whole Christmas season, and trying to keep each day that marches by as not a reminder that all the Christmas presents are bought, but another opportunity to welcome Christ into our lives.  It's a reminder to make a little room for wonder and mystery.   To marvel over the idea that one small child held the keys to redeeming a big dark world.   As we perch on the branches of our Christmas trees, we can let go of the tragedy that we know comes later, the heart shattering story of the cross, and take joy in imagining Mary and Jesus, in the rough shepherds that show up to crash the party, blinded by starlight.  In the strange foreign kings who appear with their scented gifts, their tickets out of Israel to safety in Egypt.  Even if you don't so much believe in Jesus, you have to appreciate the fact that it's,at the very least, a great story.   

Of course, this Advent season we're experiencing another kind of anticipation, another world changing event.  One very much hoped for in my heart. 

Beaux and I are overjoyed to announce we're expecting a baby, to change our lives with its goodness and tiny grace, in July.  We are very happy, and hope that you will be, too. 

Comments

[christina]

Yippeeee!!! Congratulations. And what an awesome post, Sam.

[lizardek]

What a super super super CHristmas present to us all!! CONGRATULATIONS!! I got chills! I'm so thrilled for you guys :) :) :) YAYAYAY!

[Marilyn]

Sending big smackety smooches and vice-gripping hugs through the blogosphere from granola-land. That will be one blessed baby indeed. Congratulations to you and Beaux...I couldn't be happier for the two of you! xoxo

[ren.kat]

Wow, what a gift for your life this Christmas- anticipating AND expecting! Congrats!

[Rebekah]

I'm all giddy and quietly awed at the same time. Your wonder-filled oberservance of Advent - and your wonder-filled announcement, all rolled together bring the happiest of bubbly joy in my heart!!! I can't say it enough - CONGRATULATIONS!! I'm sending great bundles of love to hang all over you, sweet Beaux, your precious tiny Treasure and your home!

[rookiemama]

So sneaky- hiding the news in your post...

You have no idea how excited I am. No idea at all.

But I love you both dearly and know that I will love this baby as my own...

now I have to come up with what I want her/him to call me.

love you oodles.
RM

[Sheryl]

AHHHHHHH! You are going to be the awesomest mother in Awesomeville. Boy, are you all in for the ride of your lives!

[carrie]

I am tee-tee in the pants excited, Sambelina! Can I tell people now, pretty please!!! I want to shout it on the rooftops so bad my TEETH hurt!!!

I love you and that petit YA-YA growing in there... Imagine the laughs that she and Isabella Rose and the big "sis" GBK will have together!! Three little peas, all in a row.
I'm so happy.

[Lori-Lyn]

Oh beautiful, sweet, Sam!!! I am so happy for you!!

[Stephanie]

Oh HOORAY! Congratulations and what fabulous news to share in addition to birthday news! I'm so thrilled and excited for you, and I know you will have one blessed baby.

Looking forward to reading all about your pregnancy adventure!

Hugs!

[cloudscome]

Oh congratulations! I am so happy for you! And what a wonderful post to share the news with... anticipation and advent and baby news all together! :)

[AJ]

Sam, I am so happy for you and Beaux. You two are going to be wonderful parents. I am so jealous of you in some ways, because you have so many people who love and adore you around while you are waiting for your little one to come. Don't take that for granted, you are so very special, and so very loved, your baby will be too. I will be praying for you.

[tinker]

What wonderful, fantastic news! I am so very happy for you two - I mean three! Congratulations to all three of you in your new little family, Sam!!!
BTW - I love how you wrapped us all up and took us to the stable manger to tell us the joyous news. Beautiful post! xo

[kristine]

Oh my goodness! My eyes bugged open when I read that last line! I am so excited for you! You two will be amazing parents! Your love for the green bean kid is so sweet and special and now she and Rookie Mama will have a new little playmate when they come over and watch Tivo'ed shows... You are incredible. I am so excited for you. Happy Birthday and Congratulations!

[Bethany]

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhh! Oh my gosh! You cannot imagine how thrilled I am for you. I'm screaming and dancing around the living room saying, "Sam's gonna have a baby!" and my kids and yelling "yay!" right along with me!!!

Oh my gosh! I'm gonna cry! Yay for Sam! Yay for Beaux!!!! I can't wait!!!

[Teri]

I AM WEEPING OVER HERE AS IF I JUST HEARD AN INDIGO GIRLS SONG. (lol!)

As soon as you suggested I read your latest post, I hoped (and somehow knew) this is what I would find! I can't tell you how happy and excited I am for you!!! (But of course I'll try!) YAY!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited to hear all about it for the next seven months! Please, spare us no detail...

Much love....xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

[Beth]

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't even read it, because I knew what was coming and couldn't wait.

Congratulations!

[Chris]

I am SOOOOOO happy for you guys! Congratulations!!!! :-)

[Reggie]

How exciting! Congratulations to you both! Can't wait to see y'all again!

[Hope]

I am so very thrilled for you both! You have so much fun and wonder and excitement ahead of you that I can't even describe it! Much love and kisses from Jeremy and me!

[la vie en rose]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[la vie en rose]

i can't even speak for the tears, the tears, the tears, the tears!!!! oh my friend!!! i am so excited for you...so overjoyed...so speechless...so,so,so...

i have so many blessings i want to heap on you right now but i can't even compose myself...

my dear beautiful friend, i am truly moved to tears...

congratulations....

[la vie en rose]

did i mention how overjoyed i am???

[la vie en rose]

...and how happy!!!

[la vie en rose]

and to think when i first started reading this i thought it was about how i was giving away my christmas joy and wonder over to the god damn glue gun...

...oh but there was this miracle at the end that made me totally foget about the god damn glue gun...