72 Hours and Counting

(Jamie)

(Loren)

   It's finally come! We're down to 3 days till we'll have a new member of our family. Last week at our doctor's appointment they told us that our baby isn't growing anymore so to keep her safe they will induce me on Thursday. We'll go to the hospital Wednesday night to start the process and then hopefully have a new little one sometime Thursday! I can't decide if knowing when she's coming is better or just waiting. It feels weird to finally have a date set. I'm all a bundle of nerves and have no idea how I'll keep myself sane till Wednesday! So exciting though! 

  My parents were originally coming out next Friday, a week after she'd be born, but my dad pulled some strings and was able to get my mom on a flight out here this Saturday! I'm so excited and grateful. I was a little worried about being alone with her while Loren's at school the first week so my mom's coming is a great blessing. 

  Speaking of Saturday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDSAY!! We hope you have a smashing day, we love you!

   This past week was a good one. Loren stayed busy with school and was happy to find that he's getting into a "groove". He's finding how he can speed up the reading and briefing he has to do for each class. He is still studying 10+ hours a day but feels better about the process. 

Loren in the 2016  W&L "facebook."

Haha, funny note here.  With all that studying, I get the craziest dreams! Someone will happen in my dream and suddenly it's -- Am I trespassing? Did they just commit a tort? If they did, could a suit qualify for federal jurisdiction?

Really. Weird.

   Primary went so much better this week. They split our class so now there's five instead of seven kids, which actually helps a lot with classroom management. There's still a couple of kids that give us a run for our money, but I'm slowly starting to understand them and finding a love for them that I didn't think would ever come. It's the most difficult calling I've had so far but I feel like I'm learning so much. Loren is so good to help me and is so good with the kids. He's going to be the best dad.

  It's been amazing weather! The high has been 73 or so and I'm loving it. Today we took advantage of it and Loren took some belly pictures of me while I still have one. 

   

What's our favorite part about Lexington?  The history!  (This is our favorite historical marker)

Its a little hard to see, it says, "N.O.N. Historical Marker. On this spot February 28, 1876 (i think) absolutely nothing happened"

Saturday was another beautiful day so we set out on a walk. We could hear an announcer's voice a ways off so we decided to see what was going on. We found ourselves at the VMI (Virginia Military Institute) football field with 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter of their game. It ended up being super exciting as VMI tied the game with 1 second left and sent it into overtime. After double overtime, they ended up losing but it was so much fun to watch! I've really missed watching football this year and hopefully we'll get to see another one.

If VMI hadn't missed this kick in OT, they would have won the game!

I don't know who keeps all of the hanging baskets of flowers looking good in Lexington, but they do a great job!

On my way to the law school in the mornings I walk past lots of old oak trees. The acorns are falling and squirrels are running everywhere with nuts in their mouths.

Yesterday, the members of my law school small section (20 first year students) got together for a barbecue.  We have all our classes together, so we've gotten to know each other really well.  After the dinner, they had a surprise baby shower for Jamie.  Everybody started getting diapers and baby clothes out, and I was stunned that many of the guys in my section had made a card and bought diapers.  They are a great group of people and they are a great extended family for me at the law school.  There's all types -- a former pro tennis player, a guy who taught English in Columbia, a composer, a military man who served in Russia. I just can't believe how nice everybody has been.

We've been truly humbled by the generosity of the people here in Lexington. People I don't even know gave us so much. It's made us want to be better and reach out more to those around us. We've been so blessed! Thank you all for your prayers and love. I guess we'll see you "on the other side"! (As one of Loren's classmate's said). We love you all!