Apparently, Sophie still doesn't like cameras!
Live action proof!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Being an Aunt
Andrew William Stuart
February 19, 2007
6:07am
6:07am
7lbs 12 oz
21 inches
Some people would call me a fanatical or camera happy Aunt. I am not denying those accusations at all. I certainly have taken enough pictures of the little tyke to make even a full album and he is only a week old!But how do I really feel about being an Aunt? I am absolutely thrilled. I was even asked at one point before Andrew was born about how I was coping. Coping? Coping with what? My brother and sister-in-law having a baby before me? No need for coping as I still don't even want kids. How do I explain that to regular people? I just nod and smile and say, "I'm great."
I could fit the role of mother well, I just don't want to be. Well, technically, I am a bird Mom. The real question is how do I feel about my brother being a Dad? That's a real loaded question! It is still surreal to me. I can hardly believe it. Now, his life fully revolves around his baby and taking care of his wife.
What do I think of my nephew? Well, me being the biased Aunt that I am, I think he is the most beautiful baby ever. But, that's just me. Now, I am not discounting the 6 nieces and nephews that Rodney came with. Andrew is just the first "blood" baby that we have in our family. For that, he will be the most spoiled rotten (being the first grandbaby for both sets of grandparents).
I will say that it is amazing to me that God made Andrew. I could just sit there and stare at the beauty of His creation. In fact, the other day I just sat there and stared at the little fella for a hour. God is good!Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Grief Share
What is grief? When/how should you experience it?
I'm sure you are probably wondering why I am writing a blog on grief; especially since my Grandmother passed away at the end of last September (not that long ago, but long enough to some). Well, because it is a part of our lives. I'm going to come out and say it: I am grieving right now, and it is okay that I am.
What? Me? Grieving? Yes!
It's amazing. I never realized this, but I have never truly grieved, at least in a healthy way, until recently. Thus, I am grieving for almost every loss I have ever had in my life right now. It is a process that I must go through and unless you are grieving yourself, you won't truly understand me.
But wait, Tamara, I have been around you recently and you seem so happy.
Well, yes I am happy. I am happy with life. But, that doesn't mean that, inwardly, there is nothing I am dealing with. Obviously, it is grief as I have already revealled.
So, let me explain.
My immediate family hasn't really lost anyone in about 10 years. However, we have dealt with losses. Whether it be a loss of a job, friend, mentor, church member, trust, and even debt and loneliness can be considerred a loss. When you combine all of these things, it is no wonder one might grieve in life.
Starting in about November, I joined a GriefShare class at church. I forsook my other Bible study to discover what I really needed. It was people who understood loss and could relate to me. As I started to study the books and videos, I realized that I was grieving more that just in the loss of my Grandmother. I always knew that I have a tender heart and tend to grieve when others grieve. Even with my choleric personality, I still feel sadness when others do, especially with my close friends and extended family. In fact, it is Biblical to rejoice when others rejoice, and grieve when others grieve.
Now, don't go feeling sorry for me. I am not wallowing in grief. My daily life isn't worse because I am grieving; in fact, it is far from being anything out of the normal. Mostly, the grief is in my head and heart.
I have gone through, probably, the hardest two years of my life. Whether it be through loss, finances, family matters, etc., I still have dealt with more than I ever have! But, I am inwardly peaceful about it all. It's just a matter of dealing with it emotionally. My faith struggled only minutely and waivered in a few instances (in terms of maturity), but overall, God has been good to me.
The healthy way of dealing with grief is not only associating yourself with people who understand (for example in GriefShare) but also with people who aren't dealing with grief (aka happy people kindof like my business partners). I move on in my daily life knowing that I, perhaps, will get over my grief faster than others, and that I can be an asset to my friends, family, and church through it.
It's the little instances that show me that I am moving on and recovering from the process of grief. I dreamed about my Grandmother (and she was healthy in the dream though she appeared momentarily). In my waking hours, I still tend to remember/picture her when she was sick. Thus, I still have a little bit of a ways to go, but it is better.
However, I am on the tail end, moving through the journey of grief!
I'm sure you are probably wondering why I am writing a blog on grief; especially since my Grandmother passed away at the end of last September (not that long ago, but long enough to some). Well, because it is a part of our lives. I'm going to come out and say it: I am grieving right now, and it is okay that I am.
What? Me? Grieving? Yes!
It's amazing. I never realized this, but I have never truly grieved, at least in a healthy way, until recently. Thus, I am grieving for almost every loss I have ever had in my life right now. It is a process that I must go through and unless you are grieving yourself, you won't truly understand me.
But wait, Tamara, I have been around you recently and you seem so happy.
Well, yes I am happy. I am happy with life. But, that doesn't mean that, inwardly, there is nothing I am dealing with. Obviously, it is grief as I have already revealled.
So, let me explain.
My immediate family hasn't really lost anyone in about 10 years. However, we have dealt with losses. Whether it be a loss of a job, friend, mentor, church member, trust, and even debt and loneliness can be considerred a loss. When you combine all of these things, it is no wonder one might grieve in life.
Starting in about November, I joined a GriefShare class at church. I forsook my other Bible study to discover what I really needed. It was people who understood loss and could relate to me. As I started to study the books and videos, I realized that I was grieving more that just in the loss of my Grandmother. I always knew that I have a tender heart and tend to grieve when others grieve. Even with my choleric personality, I still feel sadness when others do, especially with my close friends and extended family. In fact, it is Biblical to rejoice when others rejoice, and grieve when others grieve.
Now, don't go feeling sorry for me. I am not wallowing in grief. My daily life isn't worse because I am grieving; in fact, it is far from being anything out of the normal. Mostly, the grief is in my head and heart.
I have gone through, probably, the hardest two years of my life. Whether it be through loss, finances, family matters, etc., I still have dealt with more than I ever have! But, I am inwardly peaceful about it all. It's just a matter of dealing with it emotionally. My faith struggled only minutely and waivered in a few instances (in terms of maturity), but overall, God has been good to me.
The healthy way of dealing with grief is not only associating yourself with people who understand (for example in GriefShare) but also with people who aren't dealing with grief (aka happy people kindof like my business partners). I move on in my daily life knowing that I, perhaps, will get over my grief faster than others, and that I can be an asset to my friends, family, and church through it.
It's the little instances that show me that I am moving on and recovering from the process of grief. I dreamed about my Grandmother (and she was healthy in the dream though she appeared momentarily). In my waking hours, I still tend to remember/picture her when she was sick. Thus, I still have a little bit of a ways to go, but it is better.
However, I am on the tail end, moving through the journey of grief!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Baby Time
So, when do you think Andrew William will be born? Rachel's belly is so healthy (aka Huge!). I still think it'll be February 10th, even though her due date is not until February 23rd. I am ready for a little boy to cuddle and hold. Oh wait, that's Rodney. Hehe!
Anyways, post a comment with the date you think Andrew will be joining us on Planet Earth.
Anyways, post a comment with the date you think Andrew will be joining us on Planet Earth.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
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