I'm getting married!

To my Pete:

I think I'm pretty much on cloud nine right now, babe. There was a time that I really wanted to get married, then came the time when I was afraid to get married and swore I never would, and then there's now--a time when I can't wait to be married. I guess God had something else in mind when He introduced me to you.

You were worth the wait, and I love you more every day. With wedding plans and crazy busy schedules, thanks for reminding me each day of your love, and your support.
You're my best friend!

And for the other blog readers: Some pictures:)











Julie

Engagement pics

Let me know what you think! Kelly, a friend of ours took these for us. Aren't they beautiful? I have some more I'll add soon.

Julie

The ring (didn't he pick a pretty one?)

New pics and stuff

So...Sunday was actually a pretty busy day, as you may have gathered. Here's my best buddy on the way back from the airport. I think the camera made her a bit uncomfortable :)

Julie with her birthday flowers; we aren't attaching any symbolism to these blossoms, since they got baked in the car and kinda flopped over later that day.

So the bugs were kinda pesky at first, but must have realized we wanted to be left alone for a bit. I think here she's just trying to get a few feet away from the camera without falling off the cliff in back of her. A few minutes after she said yes.

Julie 'n' me.

Not to downplay little Lucy...

But, we are engaged!!! Peter proposed to me on my Birthday:)

Yesterday afternoon we went for a hike to Raven's Rock, (something I love to do with him), we returned to a cliff we'd found last time we were there. After talking for a bit, chasing some pesky gnats away, and admiring the view of the valley, he pulled out a letter and began to read it to me. It was amazing, and at the end there was a big question, and....drum roll please....I said, "yes!" Haha, I laughed and cried at the same time.
Peter's love is something that has caught me by surprise, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. He's my best friend, and I'm thrilled to take this step with him!

We will get pictures up soon. I don't have any close shots of the ring yet, but it is absolutely beautiful!

I feel like the most blessed girl in the world right now.

After we left Raven's Rock, we went to Winchester to see my mom, (who is enjoying her grandbaby very much), headed back to Purcellville to my house, where there was much giggling and rejoicing, and then we headed to to the LaRock's! It was kind of funny because I'd been there earlier in the day to celebrate my Birthday--Laura, Pete's sister, made an amazing cake, and I showed up later engaged.
If you haven't guessed, I'm really excited!

Pictures, soon.

J (and Peter)

Little Lucy

Jeanette's got this photo up, too, (I did steal it cause I didn't get the e-mailed pics:-(. She be pretty no?

J (for P&J)

Lucy Elizabeth

I held her yesterday, and she's beautiful! I don't have any pictures yet, but we took some, and I'll hope to get some up soon.

I spent most of my afternoon and evening at the hospital yesterday hoping to get my chance to at least see little Lucy. The NICU has specific visiting times, and during the afternoon visiting time they were closed because they had to stabilize a baby that had just come in from UVA. I talked to the new parents, ran some errands in Winchester, and headed back to the NICU last night.

Not only did I get to see her, but I was able to hold her. She's sooo tiny! She has dark brownish hair, and her eyes seemed dark blue, but I couldn't quite tell. She weighed 6lbs and 6ozs at birth and was 19 inches long. Jessica and I noted that she appears to have a Cole nose, and the trademark curled Cole toe:-)

Her arrival was a bit traumatic, (doctors are saying that it was a serious situation--Lucy's cord was pinched which caused her to be without oxygen for a while), but God was and is so good! She's alert, looking around, yawning, and very contented. It was fun to watch Jessica with her little girl. I know not being able to hold Lucy and be with her for a couple days now, has been hard. Lucy looked so contented in Jessica's arms. She would look up at her mommy, then start to drift off, only to wake up again. She had quite the grip on Jessica's finger, too! Jeremy is also thrilled with his little girl. What a special time for them. Praise God for His faithfulness and for this new life.

Julie