And ye shall name him Jack

We've finally named the puppy. He really looks like a Jack, or as much as a dog can I suppose.

Puppy Windham

Still no name. Hopefully he'll be called something other than "puppy" tonight.

It's official

It's official, I survived my trip. About half way through the week I thought "Hmm, traveling with three guys is a lot harder than it seems." Not that I didn't love hanging out with Jonathan, Matt and Michiel, but a little more estrogen would have be nice! But even without an extra girl, the trip really was awesome. We went to a Yankees game in NY and ate a Philly cheese steak in Philadelphia (which was so yummy, but not too good for the stomach!). D.C. was just the way I remember, overwhelming. For an area that is relatively small there is so much packed into it. We went to three different musuems and saw all of the monuments we could. Matt and I visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Very appropriately the weather that day was very sad and dreary. This was the second time I went there, and I must say that the second time was more heavy then the first. Perhaps it's because of all the classes I took in college, but I think I cried the whole time I was there.

It's official, we got a puppy. We drove up to Calmar last night with Joshua Abdo and picked up our puppies. The Abdos named there little guy, Copper. Jonathan and I haven't fully agreed on a name just yet, so I will wait to announce it later. Once we have all the pictures uploaded I will put them up. It was interested, because it was a really bitter sweet time last night. There was the part of me that was so excited to be getting a puppy and then there was the part of me that still misses Judah. Judah will never, ever be replaced, and he will go down in history as one of the single greatest dogs ever (and the best I have personally ever known). But last night, when we were visiting with all the puppies, I knew this is what he would have wanted. Sure, he would be so jealous if he were still around, but I know he would be happy to know we're happy.

And now, the part that most every one has been holding their breath for...

It's official, Jonathan and I are pregnant! I am about ten weeks along. We went to our doctor's yesterday morning and everything appears to be going well, and Baby Windham seems healthy. We were able to hear Baby W's heartbeat. That, I think, was the coolest thing I have ever experienced. There is something about the swish-swish noise that makes my heart fill with joy. God has really allowed Jonathan and I to experience some amazing mountain tops in the last month, and it continues to point to His worthiness of all the glory. I am humbled by God's desire to bless us, and grateful for the times that He has carried me through some very low valleys so that I can more fully understand His wonder and grace.

Southern Living

I was born and raised in the South. I hold several love/hate feelings about my experiences there, but am slowly growing to love it more than hate it. However, part of me wonders if I haven't just come to idealize what I want the South to be. A place where people sit on their front porches drinking iced tea, listening to good music, watching the kids play baseball all day and saying hi to everyone that passes.

But the South I really know is scarred. We have a past that has not, and I fear, will not, leave. One of prejudice. One of hate. One of division. I can remember seeing the signs of racism from an early age. Seeing "KKK" emblazened in a neighbors yard. Or having the confederate flag hanging in someone's truck. I, in all honesty, could not tell you one person I knew who didn't "look like me" until I was started working in high school. Granted, it's not because I didn't want to have a variety of friends, it's just that where I lived and where I went to school, there was no variety.

I took a civil rights course in college that made me ashamed of what took place in my land. It made my heart break to think that my ancestors, as I'm sure they did, judged others based on the color of their skin. I came across this article today. While I want to believe that the images captured are skewed, deep down I know they aren't. I know that Greenbrier, TN still has a divide, even if it is "invisible".

It makes me sad. Just when I begin to think of the South as a beautiful and pure land, I am reminded of not only it's past, but it's present and likely future.

Eat mor chikin

I love Iowa. I have been here just over two years now, and would rate Iowa City as my second favorite place I have ever lived. And for those of you who know my love of Texas, that's saying a lot. However, there are a few things that I just can't get adjusted to. Like, having people get upset when I say ma'am/sir. Or not understanding me when I say I want a coke (ok, ok, I'll give that one to you Iowans, "coke" can be confusing). Or looking at me funny when I say I'm having meat and two for lunch. But what pains me the most is not having good ol' fashioned southern food. Sure, I cried myself to sleep when I realized that Hy-vee wasn't HEB. And then again when I realized I would have to drive for an entire day, literally, to eat at the best taco shack known to man. But about two months ago, a glimmer of silver lining came streaking into my world.

Chicken like you have never tasted is coming to Coral Ridge Mall. Chik-fil-A happens to be one of my all time favorite places to eat. I would pass up a steak dinner, homemade pie and tea just for a bite of Chick-fil-A. Yes, yes, that seems quite extreme, but oh man, is it worth every warm and buttery bite.

And the best part of all: the creater/owner is a Christian. Truett Cathy is a hardcore Baptist who believes his store exists "to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A". Yep, that's pretty sweet stuff right there. Also, as a means to further my love of this chicken place, they are closed on Sundays to allow their employees "an opportunity to worship, spend time with family and friends or just plain rest from the work week".

The store opens up at the Mall on April 19th. I regret to say that Jonathan and I won't be here for the grand opening. Although we did consider coming back two days early from our trip just to be the first in line.

Yep, I love me some chikin.