London

I know that many of you have heard this story before, but I want to write it down so that one of these days London can read it and see how it all came about...

I can remember the evening very clearly. I was ironing my clothes for work the next day, and Jeff was lying on the bed talking to me about where I would want to go for a vacation. I was at the end of the school year, and I was looking forward to the summer. He asked me if I wanted to go anywhere, where would it be? Catching me off guard, I had no idea what to say. He then told me that we were in fact going on a vacation. He had the flight booked, the hotel ready, and it was all planned! Excited, I begged him to tell me...he said, "We are going to London!!" I couldn't believe it! London! WOW! We were leaving in two weeks, and we were both so excited!

Two weeks came pretty fast. We were packed and ready to go! I was thrilled to be going on a vacation. I never thought we would be going to Europe! The flight was a very long 9 hours. About half way there, though, I started to feel dizzy and sick. I never get car sick, or plane sick, or anything. My worst fear was that it was food poisoning, and it was going to ruin my vacation. I can remember the flight attendant bringing me a little stool to prop up my feet and that did help. The sickness slowly went away, but I still didn't feel right. Jeff had said,"Well, I know what it is. You are pregnant!" I told him there was no way! We had JUST started trying. It was too soon, and I wasn't quite prepared yet.

When we finally arrived in London, it was perfect. It was what I imagined New York to be like. People everywhere. It was morning when we got there, so people were going to work. They were getting on the subway, walking fast, talking fast, and it was very different from the slow Texas pace. I was in love! I love the way they talk, and I just loved the city the second we got there!

It truly is another world!

I can remember our cab driver was talking about our president, the war, and Toni Blair. He was very friendly, and I could have talked to him for hours...I just love that accent! When we got to the hotel, it was very fancy. (It pays off to have a husband who travels all the time!) The hotel was very contemporary and beautiful. But once we got to the room, we were out. Jet lag had finally caught up!

We spent the next several days sight seeing and taking in everything. We shopped, ate at cute cafe's, went to pub's, relaxed, and really enjoyed it. We saw Big Ben, and rode the world's largest Ferris Wheel (The London Eye). We also walked through a gorgeous park to see the queen's castle. We saw the guards, but never saw her. There were so many people! But my favorite thing was seeing the play Les Miserables. That play was amazing, and I loved every second of it! Jeff even liked it too! It was excellent!

Shopping!

These were so cool!

We actually had Mexican food at a place called the "Texas Embassy!" Not too bad either!




This was in front of Buckingham Palace. (I can remember not feeling well in this picture!)

I love Les Miserables!

In between all the food, sight seeing, and entertainment I still didn't feel right. I knew it was something. Maybe a stomach bug, the flu, or something? Finally, we headed down to the local convenient store and was hoping to find some kind of pregnancy test. (Meanwhile, back home, I had just purchased a whole box of tests waiting to be used!) We spent $30 on Clear Blue Easy. (I couldn't even believe they had that brand!) We went back to the hotel nervous and anxious.

I took the test and let it sit for 3 minutes. I think we were both feeling like we were in a dream. Jeff said he would go and check. He walked in the bathroom........I was like, HELLO! WHAT DOES IT SAY!? I can remember Jeff saying, "I think it's positive!" I finally go in and there it is. Positive! I can remember feeling so full of emotion--happy, scared, confused, joyful, uneasy, apprehensive... But there it was, very positive! I wanted to call my mom and sister immediately! Jeff let me call them both, and I think the phone calls combined cost about $50! But it was worth it.

London was such a perfect place to find out our wonderful news. When we knew we were having a little girl, her name was pretty easy for us to figure out. We couldn't decide on anything, but London. I know her name is very different, but we do love it. I can remember telling our family what her name was going to be and so many of them were very negative about it. We kept hearing, "Why can't you name her Elizabeth or Sarah?" But we stuck with it and now even they can't see her being anything other than--London.

London,
I hope you realize how special you are to us. Finding out about you in Europe was one the most special days of our lives. You are our gift from God and we love you more than you will ever know. Thank you for making our lives brighter. We are so happy that you are our daughter. Never forget how special and loved you are.
We love you with all our hearts,
Mom and Dad