I want to share a story with you guys because we have been waiting for this little fella since finding out the gender in May! Tuesday night I got a text message from my Aunt Jane letting me know that she was at the hospital with soon to be daddy, Ben. The first thing I did when I woke up yesterday morning around 7am was sent Ben a text asking for an update. I knew Jane would be busy of course, so I stalked Ben all morning with text messages! Haha. I felt kind of bad for Ben because he was bombarded all day with Aunt Jane's 100+ cousins/friends/coworkers [including the worst one...ME! Haha] PLUS his side of the family too. I give Ben major props for not just turning off his phone on all of us. He definitely has patience and Ben rocks!

Throughout yesterday morning I felt a bit frustrated at the fact that I was 6 hours away in Birmingham and couldn't be with my Aunt Jane during this special moment in her life because she is one of my best friends! I eventually cooled down with stalking Ben though because I turned into the next domino that had to fill everyone else in. Karma is real! Haha. While waiting around, I tried to stay optimistic and knew that if anything were to happen, someone would fill me in. Ben came through though because while I was sad and alone sitting in my living room watching a sappy Lifetime movie, all of a sudden I get a picture message of this sweet and adorable baby boy! I burst into tears immediately because I was so incredibly happy! I'm horrible at holding back my tears when the emotions start rolling. Haha.

I talked to Ben after I got the picture and he told me Jane was doing well. He also said that after Jane was fully dilated, Jude didn't give his mama any complications and came right into this world with ease. Ben did also tell me that Jude already has one heck of a personality already. I mean, look at the picture! He wasn't even more than a few hours old yet and there he was looking all cute and posing with his eyes open for the camera! :) I will definitely be going home to South Carolina this weekend! I honestly wish that I could leave right now, but I can't! I will take pictures and give precious Jude many hugs and kisses! OH, I can not wait!!!

Just a thought -- You know guys? Life is so good to us. How can we ever complain about it when miracles like this occur? Why do we take for granted something that is so precious and fragile? I know not taking things for granted everyday is probably out of the question, because we are human and we like to complain. You know it's true! Instead, let's take a detour from the norm to embrace and exercise our individual miracles! Let's appreciate our capability to even just appreciate anything! Let's love-love and live life! Keep that beautiful smile on because someone is going to have a better day because of it. Peace, love, happiness!