Meaning: "Told by God," "Listener"

Baby Girl Cook's due date is approaching faster than ever. We are at ten weeks and counting...the nursery isn't done and her clothes haven't been washed but she HAS a name.

Samantha Caelyn Cook: To be called "Sam" or "Sammie," whichever sticks. The story behind her first name isn't near as sentimental as that of her middle name. But nonetheless, it has a story too. Not to mention, she will have the same initials as mommy!

I'm a child of the 80s. And that means I grew up on great sitcoms, sitcoms that put to shame what is offered on current television. One of my favorites has always been "Who's the Boss." Those that grew up on 80s sitcoms, probably remember "Sam," played by Alyssa Milano. The daughter of Tony Danza on the show. I remember being drawn to Sam's character. The beautiful tomboy who had an admirable relationship with her father and was well-rounded in life. Even more so, I loved her name. I've always loved female names that when shortened are what most would consider "boy" names. Whoever was going to be sent my way to marry would HAVE to like the name...

Fast forward 20 or so years (yep, feeling old) and enter Hagie Cook into the picture. Like most couples, in the beginning Hagie and I had the "what if" discussions that included marriage and kids (how many, names we liked, gender we preferred, etc). To put a year to the story, it's fair to say that Hagie and I have had Baby Girl Cook's name picked out since about 2002-2003. It is a name we both agreed on from the beginning and one that we both liked shortened to "Sam." Now, to be fair to Hagie, I should probably say that him liking Samantha has nothing to do with "Who's the Boss," but it is a name that he loves.

Once Hagie and I were married and began discussing when to begin a family, "Sam" was the only option for a little girl. We didn't need to have a discussion. When God blessed us with Connor, we were thrilled and the name "Samantha" was put on a shelf in case we were to be blessed with a little girl in the future.

Interestingly, when I was about 12 weeks pregnant with Samantha, the ultrasound tech guessed boy but told me it was only a guess and that at 12 weeks gestation it's difficult to observe differences. I went home and called Hagie who happily accepted the idea of another son but didn't give up on the idea of adding a Samantha to our family. At my 18 week ultrasound, the ultrasound tech stated "y'all do want to know the sex right?" Well, in my head I was thinking I already knew but she could confirm. When she began typing a "g" on the ultrasound screen, I thought I would fall off the table, meanwhile, Hagie sat in his chair grinning from ear to ear. God had given us our Samantha. We both looked at her on the screen and knew she already had a name:). No debate needed.

If you combine the meaning of Samantha's first and middle names it means "listener loved forever." Samantha was loved before she was ever conceived and we cannot wait to meet her.

Samantha Caelyn Cook we await your arrival! "Sam" or "Sammie" to be determined.

"Pouty Sundays"

Well, Sunday evening has come again. I dread Sunday afternoons because lately what this means is that Hagie has to hit the road. We always have such a lovely Sunday morning grabbing our weekly Starbucks, attending church and eating at a new restaurant for lunch...courtesy of Scoutmob. We are expanding our lists of favorites!

You can feel the energy level at the Cook's shifts a bit come about 5pm. Hagie is usually packing his suitcase after taking a power nap; gearing up for his weekly drive to Jacksonville or wherever he is needed. Although Connor and I, sadly, have become used to "daddy" traveling it never gets easier watching him pull away for the week. We miss him. Our time with him consists of late Friday evenings to Sundays at 6pm. Hag doesn't like it anymore than we do. But Hagie, being the person/husband/daddy that he is,sacrifices so that his family is provided for.

I often wonder what it must be like for him week in and week out to be in a hotel room, away from his family. At least here at home, I have Connor and family and friends to call on when I need to be entertained or just need some emotional support. Hagie has paperwork, browsing the Internet and television to keep him company. Not quite the same.

September will be three years since Hagie has had this job which requires that he be gone each week Monday through Friday. He hangs on, we hang on and we cherish the moments we do get to spend together. Even when our weekends are spent running errands and taking care of things around the house its okay because we do them together.

I pray diligently that the right opportunity for Hagie will come sooner than later. The building industry is difficult right now, even when you have twenty something years experience. There's a lesson here somewhere and I'm keeping my eyes open so I am sure to learn it the first time. Maybe the lesson is patience, maybe it's making our marriage stronger, maybe it's truly understanding that things don't happen on our time clock but when God sees fit, or maybe this job is lining up Hagie for an amazing opportunity in which he can be home with us more. Time will tell.

While I patiently wait, late Sunday afternoons will be dreaded and Connor and I (soon along with Baby Girl) will "do what we do" each week. But we'll continue to miss Hagie and pray for his safety and well-being until he comes home on Friday.

We love you Hag and miss you when you're gone.