Excited?

Tonight as I was on my hour walk with my neighbor.... in between conversations, I tried to think about things I was excited about. It's hard for me to use that word "excited" and really mean it lately. I always seem to go back to the negatives...and I say to myself, "but it won't be as special, fun or memorable without Mom and Dad" or, "this vacation would be so much more relaxing if I didn't have this great sadness carrying on my shoulders". But tonight I'm thinking of things that while yes, won't be as great given the situation, but they are upcoming events that I am excited for....

So here's my top ten list of exciting events or things that I am looking forward to:

1. My ultrasound is on Friday and we actually get to see the anatomy of the baby
2. I am going on a beautiful vacation to Pebble Beach, CA and staying at the Inn at Spanish Bay at the end of the month
3. Weekend of 9/19 Our pals Josh and Reagan are coming for a visit and Josh and Teddy will begin the design and painting of the baby room
4. Fall is coming
5. Everything pumpkin (pancakes, hand soaps, cheesecake (mom's was the best), candles, ice-cream...you name it...I am obsessed with everything pumpkin and 1st of October.....it will be here!
6. Our new carpet will be installed within the next few weeks
7. Traveling out to the Northwest for work one last time before I am done with air travel for a while
8. Melissa and Nick's visit to Cincinnati in early October
9. Spending time with my amazing family and friends at my baby shower (I really can't wait to have all of my favorite ladies in one room)
10. Getting a belly, this actually really excites me because when your pregnant-having a big belly is encouraged! And I get a great excuse for going out to buy new clothes for the vacation...I'll say, "sorry hun, I just simply cannot fit into anything these days-what a bummer-well, off to Gap Maternity-need anything?..."

And tonight what really makes me happy as I sit and type in Ted's office is the new picture that is in a frame on his desk. It just makes me smile looking at my Dad's face. He thought he was the coolest person ever, sitting on the back deck at our new condo in Plymouth, MA with Ted "his favorite son-in-law" he would call him (hint-he was the only son-in-law), smoking a cigar. We really miss you Dad more then you would ever imagine. Ok.....anybody got a Kleenex?