Special Announcement!

What is the most exciting and joyful news that comes to us?  News that causes us all to gasp, then cry, then cheer, then crush the tellers with exuberant hugs?

WE'RE HAVING A BABY!

(No, heaven's!  Not me!  My name is Sheri, not Sarah!)

It's Meagan and Nathan!!

Sometime in October, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Smith will become proud parents for the very first time!

And the GRANDPARENTS on both sides couldn't be happier!

As soon as I could after they shared the news, I was on the phone with Becky so we could squeal and congratulate ourselves on raising such brilliant children who knew we needed grandchildren just as soon as they could possibly see their way free to produce them!  (Sometimes a run-on sentence is merited!)

We really are so very happy for them!

It was determined that the church families should be told yesterday.  So while John was making an announcement, they brought Spencer up to the platform. (That never happens on a Sunday morning, so they had everyone's attention right away.)

On cue, Spencer said, "I a cousin!"  And when John explained that Meagan and Nathan were expecting, the church burst into joyful applause.

(Sadly, I missed that part because I was speaking for a church in another town.  But I got the full report and replay at lunch. Besides, I made the announcement at the church where I was speaking which made that congregation cheer and smile and applaud.  Babies just have that effect!)

Both Meagan and Nathan are surprised, but excited.  They have a good working knowledge of what's ahead because of the year they spent living with John and Joy. 

We're especially thankful that Meagan had already established herself as a hard worker with the school where she teaches.  They, too have cheered and congratulated her!  And when some morning sickness hit, other teachers gladly covered until she could get back to her room.

Nathan smiles and seems to have this way about him that lets you know, "Yeah, I'm pretty pleased about all this!"

His quiet confidence has become even more of a bedrock for Meagan.

They do have some obstacles to overcome and a few uncertainties ahead.  But when Meagan talks about these, she quotes Nathan, "Babe, we're going to be okay!"  "It'll all work out!"  And so on.  (Deep contented sigh from the mother-in-law.)

Several years ago, my sister gave me a great quote in a frame as a gift.  At the time she gave it to me, it was just that - a great quote.  But now that it is becoming the truth of my life, I find I love it.

"Our Family is a circle of Strength and Love.  With every birth and union the circle grows.  Every joy shared adds more Love.  Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger."  

My baby is having a baby!  Oh the joy!!


If you'd like to leave comments of congratulations and tidbits of advice here, feel free to do so.  Meagan routinely reads Embrace the Grace.  AND if you want to keep smiling today, go to  http://smithellaneous.com/ to read the report from the other amazingly exuberant grandmother - Grandma Smith!