First Gift

     After telling the news to everyone, we received our first gift from a very special lady.  My great aunt Maxine is very special to Colby and I.  She is my mama's aunt and the sister to one of the greatest ladies I've ever known...my Maw Maw also known as "Maw."  Colby and I have grown really close to "Aunt Mack" over the past few years.  Maw passed away on March 28, 2008 so our connection to Aunt Mack makes us feel very close to Maw.  Aunt Mack crocheted a beautiful white blanket and gave Baby Engel it's first Susan B. Anthony coin.  These were two hobbies Maw and Mack enjoyed together...collecting coins and crocheting.  The gift will always be very special to us.  My Maw will not be able to meet Baby Engel on earth, but what an amazing guardian angel he/she will have (along with Maw Maw and Paw Paw Mosteller as well as Colby's Grandmother Engel and Grandmother and Grandfather Laughridge).

My brother and I with Maw

Will post pictures of Baby Engel's first gift soon!

Our Teacher's Having a Baby!

    Monday morning came and I was so anxious to tell everyone at school.  Everyone mostly found out throught Facebook. If you know anything about Facebook, you know it's the biggest gossip media ever! Anyhow, I chose to read a book called "My Teacher's Having a Baby" to my first graders.  The book is about a first grade class and it shares the changes to expect from the teacher such as a bigger belly or being absent from school.  After reading the book, I told them there was a reason that I shared this book with them because THEIR teacher was having a baby!  There eyes lit up and one child said "You mean you?"  It was so sweet!  One child even said, "Well, you're still skinny!"  Oh my! That was music to my ears! I was already beginning to look like I had ate too much turkey at Thanksgiving, so I was ready to hug that child! The next day, another student said "Whoa! You're really sticking out today!"  All I could do is laugh!  I can't wait to hear what they say in the days to come!

The book that I read to my first graders.

Tell the World!!

     Thanksgiving had arrived and we were FINALLY able to tell EVERYONE!  OH BOY or girl! It was the hardest secret we've ever had to keep! The first stop was on Thanksgiving Day at my house and then we were off to share the good news with Colby's family the next day.  We were going to give everyone the Christmas card, but it was going to be difficult to get everyone to read it at the same time. As we were standing in a circle, blessing the food, I gave Colby's arm a squeeze to let him know I was about to tell everyone. My heart was pounding so hard, it seemed like everyone could hear it.  Uncle Jimmy always says the prayer so after the final Amen, I said "Wait! We can't wait any longer!  Baby Engel will be here in June!"  The whole house hollered!  (Yes, we say "hollered here in the South.) Many hugs, tears, and cheers were shared. It felt so good to finally tell everyone!

     The next day, we traveled to Colby's hometown in Hendersonville, NC.  Usually after everyone finishes eating, we pass out gifts. Colby and I decided to pass out the cards last.  We slowly watched each person's expression as they read the card. It was so exciting to see their eyes light up as soon as they read the card. Everyone was really excited for us!

      After telling our immediate family, we mailed the Christmas cards to the rest of our family to reveal the good news. We also posted it on Facebook and called some of our closest friends on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. If you know anything about the Engel household, you know that this day is one of the biggest days of the year!  We are house divided...USC vs Clemson!  The day was even sweeter after the Gamecocks won 34-13!  I texted my brother to tell him that the baby was no longer a secret.  He announced the news to everyone at his tailgate.  If you know my brother, you know that's A LOT of people! He's a proud Uncle!  I also kid (this means "tease" Northern friends) Colby and tell him that our first child will be named "Williams Brice." This is the name of the Gamecock's stadium!  He kids me back and says he/she will be named "Dabo Watkins" (Clemson's coach and a wide receiver). Haha!

     Finally it was no longer a secret!  We were ready to shout the news to the world!

Mommy and Daddy

Brandy's family

Colby's family

Mimi and Papa calling everyone on the way to the USC/Clemson game. They couldn't wait to tell  everyone!

The cherry on top!  34-13 Gamecocks!