The Baby is here!!!

Last night Gloria had her baby!

Elayna Vaye Mabry
September 19, 2008
6:42 PM
9 pounds 13 ounces
21 1/4 inches

Pictures will come later when I get some, but for now, those who know her blog can get on there an see them. Yesterday was a hard day for all of the Mabry family...and Jess. Gloria's water broke about 7pm on Thursday night and she was in labor for a total of 24 hours before a c-section was decided upon. Gloria had stopped dialating and she had a slight fever making the Elayna's heart rate go up. Long story short, she had the c-section and Elayna showed her mommy and daddy just exactly why she was unable to come out any other way...she was almost 10lbs! Mom and baby are doing great and I hear daddy is so proud. Jess was such a great friend. She kept everyone so well informed to which I am so thankful. She spent all of the same long hours at the hospital keeping Glo and Ryan company. Thanks so much Jess! I'm so excited to go see them in October. It can't come soon enough. See you soon Elayna!

This weekend's adventure...

Saturday Mark and I went hiking. We hiked almost 12 miles, which was just a little too long, but we had a lot of fun. We passed a lot of little waterfalls along the way. The trail took us along a creek and wound around up to Raven's point and then back down along the creek again. It was nice to spend the day talking and walking in God's creation together. It was a beautiful hike and really fun except for two things: We had to walk over a bunch of sharp rocks for 4 miles straight which made our feet hurt really bad, and we ran out of water. You would think that as pretty experienced hikers, we would have thought to bring more water than two small cups from Waffle House, but no. I tried so hard at the end of the hike to enjoy the beautiful creek flowing beside me, but there is just something about aching feet and dehydration that takes your full concentration. Seriously, I enjoyed the hike, but we should have been better prepared.


Thankfully Steve and Margaret had us over for dinner afterward and we ended up staying and watching the football game. It was really nice to spend some time with them and enjoy some great company, not to mention great food.

A visit from Aiden

Baby Aiden came to visit his Aunt Marlee today! Andrea needed to go to Walmart for some much needed groceries, so I got to watch Aiden for a while. Apparently getting groceries without trying to watch a 4 week old baby is easier, a fact which I will learn later I'm sure. We had so much fun sitting around together. He slept mostly. What did I do you ask while he slept?...watched him the entire time! It is amazing how many different faces he made in about a 45mim time period. He would go from the worst, saddest little expression to a huge smile, and then back to very sad again in about 5 seconds. I was worn out just watching his little face. It must be hard work to go though that many emotions in that short of time. I wonder what he actually thinking about...
I can't wait to be able to spend time with him again soon. Thanks for coming over Aiden!

Walnuts and grapes...

Today I discovered that grapes and walnuts together taste unbelievable! Apparently the entire rest of the cooking world knew this, but me. I made California Chicken Salad (never done that before) for small group this afternoon which called for...you guessed it...grapes and walnuts! I just happen to put one right after the other in my mouth and had one of those, 'oh my goodness that's good!' moments. I immediately called my friend Andi who said, "I know," with a sweet voice. 'Cool!' I thought. Then I called my other friend Andrea M., and her response was exactly the same. I instantly felt pretty much stupid. What was I thinking...of course they knew...they are stinkin' awesome cooks! So, I just thought in case anyone else in my little blogging world wanted to know, walnuts and grapes are heavenly together! Yum Yum!

A weekend in Cookeville

As we usually do, Mark and I decided last minute that we would go see Matt and Lori in Cookeville this weekend. As a wonderful brother and sister-in-law, they welcomed us with literally a moments notice. They are pretty popular people...we were lucky! We arrived on Friday night. As usual Mark and Matt stayed up talking until the wee hours of the morning about 'God stuff.' Lori and I kept our eyes open as long as we could, but at some point your body takes over and you are unable to keep your eyes from shutting. We finally gave up and went to be without our husbands. Saturday morning we got up and Matthew made a big, delicious breakfast. It turned out we needed that big of a breakfast. We went to Burgess Falls for a short hike. At the bottom of the falls, we found a fun place to swim...note the pictures. From there, the boys went on to hike some more and Lori and I went to Fall Fun Fest downtown followed by some shopping (thank you for my gift cards Lori and Gloria!) We ended up staying again Saturday night also. After worship on Sunday morning, we left for home. I recommend to everyone to go hiking and swimming at Burgess Falls. Thanks Matt and Lori for a really great weekend! I can't wait for our camping trip.

The water was cold at first...
demonstrated well by Matt.

On our way down to the falls...love you Lori!

Husband and wife

Boys will be boys

Lori and I did get in the water and swim beside this little waterfall that the boys played on. We did get out though and enjoy watching our husbands jump off the ledge over and over and over and over and...well you get it by now.

Cookin' with Marlee...

So today I made some cornbread. Baba gave me a new castiron skillet for my birthday which I LOVE! I decided today would be a perfect day to use it and make some cornbread. As you can see I ate the first piece. It was good I think...maybe a little dry. ANY suggestions for improvement are gladly received. Mark still hasn't had any yet, but I'm just sure he'll want one as soon as he comes home from work. I love to cook, but sadly I am not that good at it, so any recipes would be greatly appreciated! Please not too many chicken recipes....I do live with an Adams.

...so much fun!

Lasagna...bread...beans...PRESENTS!

Mom cookin' in the kitchen...

Raich playin' the piano...she is very good!

Just some of the Adams' women

(Jenny Lynn, Jenny, Joann, Baba, Mom, Amy)

Abby and Marlee enjoying coffee Sunday morning

Last weekend, Mark and I went home to Kentucky for our birthdays. We got there on Friday about 4pm, just in time for me to get my hair cut/highlighted. Sarah picked me up from my hair appointment and we went to Olive Garden. I highly recommend the endless soup, salad, and bread sticks....very good! Mark's Aunt Rachel came to stay for the weekend, it was fun to see her! If you have never met Mark's aunt Rachel you should, she is so much fun. I have to warn you though, the combo of Jenny and Aunt Rachel is the funniest thing I have ever seen. You literally will laugh until you hurt.

Saturday morning(Marlee and Raich's birthday), Baba and I went and picked beans together. I love talking with her about anything really, but most of all I love hearing about 'how things used to be,' when she was younger. After bean picking, I spent some time with Mark and Jerry at the barn working with horses until dinner time. Mark and I went to mom and dad's house for a birthday dinner and presents. I love just being at my house when my mom is making dinner, Rachel plays the piano and dad is studying. It reminds me of when I was little; of course the only exception was that I would be at the kitchen table doing homework.

Sunday morning (Mark's birthday) we worshiped at Melber. One of my favorite things about worshiping at Melber is sitting in my seat looking at all of the people around me singing and worshiping God. I just love closing my eyes and hearing those that I hold most dear to my heart singing as one, glorifying God. During the Lord's supper I looked over at Mark and we both whispered to each other that we were thinking of Team Arequipa who would also be taking the Lord's supper that morning. After worship pretty much the entire Adams' family gathered at Jerry and Jenny's for 'the birthday's.' It was so much fun and sweet of everyone to come! Sunday night we went with a bunch of people from church to a corn maze. Everything was going great and we were having fun weaving in and out of the corn trying to find our way out when we got a phone call from Crystal who said that everyone had made it out but us. Mark and I, Randy and Renee, Alex and Lauren and Christina Hays had entered 'The Labrinth," and didn't know it. This apparently not a good thing. The Labrinth was a maze inside of the maze. Naturally when we finally came out everyone was waiting and cheered...how embarrassing. So much fun though.

Monday morning started with breakfast at Baba's. The usual bacon, eggs, AWESOME biscuts, gravy and endless bowls of peaches. It is almost sinful...notice I said almost! Then is was off to the barn. Mark and I and Jerry rode for a while, and then sadly had to pack up and leave. The long weekend was so much fun, busy, but so much fun!

I heard from Megan this weekend as well. Team Arequipa has finally made it to their destination. Language school has started and I think they are finally starting to settle in for a while. I miss them terribly, but I am filled with excitement every time I read an email about what they are doing! Keep praying!

As everyone knows, I think, Gloria is due to have her baby very soon! I am so excited for her and Ryan and I can't wait to see Elayna. Keep them in your prayers while Gloria tries to keep her sanity in the last few weeks.