Casa de Helwig

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Today is our anniversary. One year year ago today my lovely (patient, kind, enduring, congenial, practical, wise, diligent, and among many other things beautiful) wife HB and I slipped on over to Blanket, TX on a Friday night to “tie the knot.” With the Honorable Greggory Risse officiating and his Pee Wee there as a witness, we quaintly began our life together via an “elopement.” A year later, as I sit in a state of reflection, I affirm the truth of Proverbs 22:18. Heather is my Good Thing.

Now on to the matter indicated by title (a matter of much less significance!).

There can be little for us to do in order to one up the genesis of our life together. But “little” leaves room for a few possibilities!

When we first discovered that HB was pregnant, I was in the middle of a job hunt. My latest prospect took us to Houston (where we shacked up for the weekend with the always hospitable and entertaining T-Shawn and Stepho Jones). As we contemplated a possible job offer and subsequent relocation, the pregnancy, I began to propose the following idea to Heather. If the job was offered (and then accepted) and she was indeed pregnant, let’s not tell anyone about her condition! It seemed only fitting that we neglect to advertise the pregnancy, keeping in line with our marriage plans. The interview took place in May, so there would be no outward indication to anyone that HB was pregnant till long after we were settle in Houston.

Isn’t that the ultimate one up to eloping?!?! Imagine the first realization of family and friends of the impending child being the noticeable evidence that is HB’s ever growing belly as we visit for the holidays OR the actual birth of the child? Now wouldn’t that be the best of surprises?!?! Oh I reveled in the possibility of this becoming a reality.

Now I understand that the are health related issues that are to be considered in this process, in addition to the sharing of exciting news of such nature. But aside from that, I thought it would have been delightful to see the expression on folks faces as they realized the fast one we pulled this time.

But alas, it was not to be. No job was offered. Relocation was postponed. News was shared. And the earth kept spinning. Outside of the slight disappointment of not getting to pull that that stunt, I can honestly say (does the over claim of honesty imply dishonesty at all other points?) that I’ve had a most wonderful year with The Good Thing the Lord made especially for me.

Well, over the past couple of days Chad and I have been in Vancouver, WA just north and across the river from Portland, OR. My mom and her husband live there. Chad suggested a visit before the baby arrives; it was very thoughtful of him. We really enjoyed the time spent visiting family. We arrived late Wednesday evening and got back to San Angelo this Tuesday.

On Thursday we went shopping for baby and maternity clothes. On Friday we went to Body World in Portland. It was a good anatomy review for me and interesting for the rest of the family. Chad felt the need to quiz me on everything, but it was helpful to my mom to hear what everything was. The information provided by each exhibit was too technical for the average person with no medical background.
Each day we got to do a little bit of shopping (our baby is set for the first 6 months) and Chad got to visit some bookstores. One of his favorites was Powells in Portland. It is a humongous new and used bookstore with several levels. I think we spent at least 3 hours in there. Out of the 8 books we purchased, I picked one out specifically for me to read. It is about utilizing music in teaching; even with our baby right now. It is really pretty fascinating. I had heard about the idea previously, but now I can read about the research to back up the claims about listening to Mozart during my pregnancy. One interesting fact: the auditory nerve is the first nerve (of the 12 cranial nerves that stem from the brain) to “connect” to the brain. The books demonstrates the importance of singing and talking to your baby before they are born to help organize the brain. The book is called The Mozart Effect for Children: Awakening Your Child’s Mind, Health, and Creativity with Music.

We are moving to San Antonio soon. We need to start packing.

Sorry, no pictures this time. Our camera stopped working.