WayfaringStrangers

Back in the summer of 2014, we 5 Cathey ladies (my mom and the 4 of us daughters) all got together and spent a long weekend away. It was so fun, and we knew we wanted to go for it again. This time it was winter, not summer, but we still had JUST as much fun. Big thanks to my mom for her sweet generosity and my sister Emily who really helped with the planning. This time we ventured to Alexandria, VA on the coldest weekend ever. We started by meeting up for lunch and then shopping at the Outlets near National Harbor all day (Saturday). Being 30 weeks pregnant, I didn't buy any clothes, but really enjoyed everyone's company and watching my pretty sisters try on clothes. Later on, we got to our hotel and then took the complimentary shuttle to a fun Mexican restaurant. It was freezing out, so afterwards we pretty much just went back to the hotel for the night. Next day we took the shuttle to King Street for a long day of walking and shopping. There were so many fun boutiques, ...

The wind bore down harshly Friday night. It was the worst kind of wind, strong and from the North, bringing with it frigid temperatures and a loud howl. Our house is on a hill, our road a bit of a valley; the wind pushes hard against both our bedroom and the boys bedroom windows. I'm always awake at night now. I'm uncomfortable most of the time, and every time I use the bathroom, turn over in bed, or wake up to heartburn, I sigh and look at the clock. This time the wind woke me, though. 3:30 a.m. Two minutes later the boys come in. "The wind is scary. Can we sleep with you?" Behn and I divide and conquer. I go in with Graham and Patrick snuggles with Behn in our room. Graham is tired and tries to fall back asleep. We lay in the dark, listening to the wind pound the house. My stomach growls. After 15 minutes, Graham whispers, "Mom, if a billion is bigger than a million, what is bigger than a billion?" "A trillion," I mutter. I'm always s...

February, to me, is the longest month. March sure can stretch on, too, but at least the crocuses are coming up in March. A few things lately are helping me keep my sanity. And they are... 1. Early bedtime. Like, 8:30 or at least by 9:30. I just never know how many times I'm going to wake up for roll myself over (because, belly) or get up to use the bathroom. It's hard to feel rested, and I know it's only going to get harder after the baby comes... 2. Tea. I started drinking tea a few years ago, and have really enjoyed it this winter. The perfect afternoon pick-me-up (even though decaf) or evening wind-down. What's your favorite tea? 3. These books: A sweet friend gifted me with The Quiet Place by Nancy Leigh DeMoss for my birthday and it is a refreshing devotional. Highly recommend. I ordered Roots and Sky by Christie Purifoy recently and am enjoying that book as well. It's her testimony of the first year living in an old Pennsylvania farmhouse, and t...

From my doctor's appointment today: I am now over a week into the third trimester. Baby boy constantly reminds me of himself with his squirms, hiccups, and kicks. I found myself tearing up at my doctor's appointment today, thinking of how blessed we are to be doing this again. I've had more conflicted emotions this time around. The boys are out of diapers and in preschool. I'm a little older. We still have a very tight budget. And yet, I get to do this again: carry life. Any sadness I felt about not having a daughter has dissipated as I look forward to my son. I love, love little boys. We are not ready yet, though. His nursery has been a dumping ground for stuff we were selling at a yard sale at the kids' school. The yard sale is over, so now we need to take down the twin bed and bring in the crib and a dresser. The room was painted last year, so it's pretty much set. We need tiny diapers and to wash the baby clothes I have stored away. The carseat n...