Rosie and Michael came to Arlington, but we didn’t tell them the real reason why we wanted them here. I told them I have never asked them to come for a visit but I am asking now. I was going to St. Louis the next week, and I really did need their support. When they arrived, Mom gave me a gift from France she had been keeping for just the right time. It was a beautiful limogue box with the RCA dog with his ear up close to the golden microphone. Painted on the body of the box are the words, “His Master’s Voice.”

I chimed in, “Now we have a surprise for you…” (which might I add, I had rehearsed all week because she had been telling me she had a special surprise for me when she got here- little did she know…) When we announced we are having a baby, Mom burst into tears and Dad jumped up to hug me and Mike. We went for a celebratory dinner that night and it was GRAND! Mom kept saying in the restaurant, “I want to jump up and scream at the top of my lungs, ‘I am going to be a grandmother!’ but no one would really care.” We laughed and laughed – boy did we four care – our lives are about to change forever!!!

We told Kay, Paul, Stephen, and Mattie Ruth the next night over a Sunday evening meal. Mike announced the great news and Kay burst into tears and Paul was grinning from ear to ear (just like Mike). Paul said, “I knew you two were smiling awfully big tonight. If I was paying attention I would have seen it written all over your faces.” Stephen was wonderfully supportive and happy and then there was sweet Mattie Ruth. She said, “What did I hear?” She has dreamed of this baby for so long… she actually said, “I think I am the one that got this whole thing started.” (:

I called John and Michele the next day, and they were so excited!!! We love all of you and were thrilled to share the great news with our wondeful family.