The Family O' Blevins

There is a lot to be said for numbers.

37 days ago Ethan and I drove in to Durham, North Carolina for the first time, a place we've committed to live in for the next three years. Thank goodness we love it here! We've met wonderful families and made fast friends. Our apartment is finally (almost) unpacked. It's feeling like our home, at least for three years.

111 is what the thermostat in the car read yesterday at 5:30pm, and it was surprisingly tolerable. What does this mean, you wonder? It means that when August and September roll around, one might find Katrina hiding in her air conditioned apartment. The humidity, much to the shock of many, is a pleasant addition to the heat. Ethan and I love the weather (at least the weather in May and June).

3 full weeks of law school have brought Ethan to further legal enlightenment, and me to the fast realization that whether or not I listen, he is going to explain his latest case. I can sing a song, brush my teeth, go to the bathroom, or write an email, and he never gets irritated that I'm obviously not listening. Is this a healthy habit for either of us to foster? Hmmm....

4 months and a day(122 days) since Chloe died. Days like Father's Day are especially hard. We both miss her so much and see children in church and around our complex that she would have loved to be friends with, and it's hard. We miss her big and little sounds, her dancing, grins, giggles, clapping, hugging and kissing, rolling, and even her crying. Our hearts are still broken, but there is

1 Savior who makes it possible for us to know where she is and that we can have her sweet little self with us again. One Savior who gave the ultimate gift and loved perfectly and completely.

7 tomato plants are holding on for their dear lives on our poorly sunned deck. Shocking, I know, that I could come from a mother who sticks a dry twig in the ground and out pops the green leaves, but there you have it. We (I) are (am) determined, though, to grow plants. I will learn!

2 completed paintings have made their way to the paper. I have a whole bunch more I'm excited to start. I've noticed I spend a lot more time looking at colors, shapes, how contour is captured, shade, distance, etc. I don't really know what I'm talking about, except that I sure like painting a whole lot and I fully intend to do a lot more of it!

I could talk about our 6 dining room chairs (one of which has been torn to shreds by your truly) that are waiting on the perfect fabric to be recovered, or the 1 cord we need to hook up our tv and dvd player so we can actually watch movies. I could even touch on our 3 bookshelves that are so packed that books are shoved haphazardly into the nooks and crannies. But I think I better stop. For now.

And a Happy Father's Day!!

To all of the wonderful fathers out there, especially the amazing man I'm married to, and the lucky (and ever so patient:)) guy who got to be my dad, I truly wish you the best. Thank you, dad, for being such a wonderful example to me. You're always so cheerful, encouraging, and good-natured. I respect so much your amazing work ethic and fun ethic. You know how to do both really well (although I always remember wishing you had more "fun ethic" growing up, and a little less drive to instill that work ethic). I'm so grateful for the lessons you taught me, some in word, but mostly through example and love. Thank you, and I love you so much, Pops!

Ethan, to steal a much-loved phrase of my mom's, you're my hero! Really, you are truly always there for me, in good times and in bad. You've proved that over the short time we've been married. I'm so happy that you're stuck to this ball and chain forever! (We'll just say that this specific ball is a bouncy, fun, round beach ball, and the chain is just... um, decorative. A little less daunting, then, right?) You are ambitious, and a great example to me of moral uprightness and righteous living. You are filled with love, and showed our baby girl how much you love her every day. You continue to show her every day. You are a wonderful father, the best father our baby Chloe could have had. And she sure loves you.



Like father, like daughter. Really, a chip off the ol' block.