Christmas 2006

Christmas was different this year for the Fletcher families. Mom Nette, your paternal grandmother decided that she wanted to spend Christmas somewhere special this year. She decided on one of her favorite spots, The Dillard House in Dillard, Georgia. Here we are, Mommy, Daddy & You (in utero) at the Dillard House just after Christmas day lunch.

We, Mommy, Daddy, Papa Fletcher & Mom Nette, left on Friday the 22nd, with a stop over for lunch at the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle, Georgia. We arrived in Dillard later on in the evening, unpacked, had dinner at one of the local restaurants and then we all had a great night sleep. We woke the next morning, had breakfast then went out shopping in Dillard and Clayton, Georgia. Clayton's downtown was very quaint and Dillard has many antique shops.

We had a great time together shopping, looking, and walking around all these unique little places. By the early afternoon we all needed a nap, plus the Gator basketball team was playing the Ohio State Buckeyes! Of course it was an awesome game - we blew them away. The next day was Sunday, so we headed to church, the Rabun County Church of Christ. We worshipped and fellowshipped with some of the nicest people...we even knew some of the same people... As you grow you will come to find out just how truly small this world really is! That afternoon we relaxed once again by taking in the mountain air with a quick trip to Tallulah Falls, absolutely beautiful & picturesque. Here's your Daddy in this picture, the falls & gorge were so immense, I am afraid that this picture doesn't do them justice.

On Christmas Day we celebrated with sleeping in and then opening presents before eating lunch at the Dillard House. Mom Nette, Papa Fletcher, your Daddy & I each gave each other a few gifts, nothing extravagant, but each given with much love. I gave your Daddy the book The Boys From Old Florida: Inside Gator Nation, which I had personally signed by the author, Mr. Buddy Martin. Your Daddy loved it! Here is our Christmas morning picture taken in Mom Nette & Papa Fletcher's room at the Dillard House.

After lunch we headed to Alpharetta, Georgia to spend that evening with your cousin Ryan Ashton and his Mommy & Daddy, Anna & Kenyon. We all had dinner together, exchanged presents and then they all went out to movies. Your Mommy was too tired to go to the movies so she stayed in the hotel room and went to bed early. We got up the next morning and headed to Whole Foods to do some light shopping. I found this great baby rattler. It is a hand crafted wooden piece perfect for you. After that we headed back to Social Circle for another lunch at the Blue Willow Inn. This time we ate in the Lewis Grizzard room. This is one of Atlanta's most famous authors, and he just so happens to be one of your Daddy's and your late great grandma Bell's favorite authors. We'll have your Daddy read all of the Lewis Grizzard books to you when you get a little bit older. He has quite the Lewis Grizzard collection.

After a delicious lunch, we headed on down the road. We took all back roads because the interstate was too hectic and insane. We got home late that evening to a very hungry Bubbies aka Clarissa Jane. She was SO very excited to see us, she missed us just as much as we missed her. I believe Bubbies loves you almost as much as your Mommy & Daddy do. She loves to snuggle up to my belly and put her paws on my belly too. She's quite the snuggler. Needless to say, Mommy & Daddy were very happy to be home again, there's nothing quite like being home. All together we had a wonderful Christmas. We even found a few presents for you along the way in some of the antique shops.

Psalm 139: 13-16

For the past several weeks Mommy has been reading a wonderful book to you called Before You Were Born, by Nancy White Carlstrom. I haphazardly found it while at the Alachua County Public Library in the Children's section. I wasn't really looking for anything in particular, but when I came across this book it seemed rather appropriate to read to you while in utero.

To my pleasant surprise the story is lovely and the pictures so beautifully illustrate it. On the very last page of the book the author added this psalm, which has been one of your Mommy's favorites for the past few years. It has brought me much healing and great comfort knowing how much our Lord loves each of us.

It is my prayer for you, Baby Jube, that you know right from the moment of your conception that you were formed by God - in His mighty and infinite love. That He is our creator, and your Mommy & Daddy are just His instruments. We are here to love you, support you, nurture you, guide you, and most importantly let you grow and flourish into the being that God created you to be.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mothers womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me were written
in your book before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139: 13-16

Sunday December 10, 2006 ~29 weeks

This picture was taken just one day before Mommy's 34th birthday. We had just come home from our small group when your Daddy took this picture. If you notice the painting behind Mommy, your Great Uncle Charge painted this picture for us and your Grannie Nette gave this to us last Christmas. It's a painting of the Baughman Center. This is where your Daddy & I were married on May 21, 2005. We have a story for that night, but will share that at another time. Right now, your Mommy's just thrilled that she's still feeling great, still has lots of energy and still fits into one of her favourite dresses, her dragon fly dress (notice the silver pin). Your growth & development is beginning to progress rapidly in your last trimester. I am sure we will both gain a lot of weight during the next few months, then it will be time for you to make your grand entrance! We can't wait to meet you - face to face!

The SEC Championship Game 12.2.2006

What a Fabulous game! Gators v Hogs...
A great win for the 2006 Gator football team!

We are in Alpharetta, GA in this picture, w. your Uncle Gooze (aka Kenyon), your Uncle Ricker, and Mommy & Daddy. Your Aunt Anna was taking the picture while Buddy Goo was asleep upstairs.

The game was AWESOME - we had great seats (thanks to my tutee Mike Knowles), the atmosphere was intense, and of course, the end result was awe-inspiring! Plus, this win sealed the deal on the National Championship Game - Gators v Buckeyes 1.8.07.

Last but not least, you, Baby Jube, are approximately 28 weeks along in this picture. At the game, you enjoyed the cheese pizza & the apple cobbler a la mode! I believe, after a full season of Gator home games you will know by heart all of the following songs upon arrival into this world: We are the Boys of Old Florida, The University of Florida Alma Marter, and the Orange & Blue Fight Song.

Go Gators!

Thanksgiving 2006

Thanksgiving is always a special time of year for the Fletcher & Bell families. We typically celebrate it each year out on the farm, but this year Uncle Charge & Aunt Nancy had dinner at their house. After a wonderful turkey dinner with all the fixings we all drove out to the Forest Grove Cemetery to honor our ancestors. In this picture your Mommy & Daddy are standing in front of your Great Grandpa Bell & Great Grannie Bell's headstone. They were both famous in their own right, Martha for her cinnamon buns & fantastic cooking and Curtis for his watermelons & sweet potatoes.

You've come from a long line of Forest Grovers. We pray that you will come to love this time of year as much as your whole family does, especially how much your Great Grannie Bell loved this day and how much she reveled in feeding everyone to their hearts content.

We also celebrated your cousin Ryan Ashton's 1st birthday. We had a great time all being together, singing Happy Birthday to Buddy Goo & seeing him dive into his homemade one-of-a-kind birthday cake!

One final celebratory note, two years ago, on this very special day, your Daddy asked for your Mommy's hand in marriage. He asked me on our walk down to the cemetery, on the steps of the Forest Grove Baptist Church. Your Mommy said very excitedly with a great big smile on her face... "Yes!"

The Fletchers & Bells have so many reasons to be thankful!

25 weeks... and growing

Daddy & I have been enjoying your movements... You squish & squirm around in your protective little home. You are especially active after Mommy eats, which is usually every 2 - 3 hours. Mommy & Daddy both love food & it's apparent that you are already taking after us. You have lovely sleep/wake cycles - you typically sleep most of the way through the night, but are usually stirring by 5am. Every day that passes we get closer & closer to when you will enter this world. We pray for your growth & development every night. Daddy & I read to you at night too. Mommy loves reading several books in a row and Daddy loves reading one book and then talking to you, praying over you and kissing my belly and you good night. Sweet dreams beautiful...
Ps. This picture was taken during the first week of November, 2006 - just around the same time as your Daddy's birthday (11.03).