She's here! She's here! She's here!

The day we have been waiting for has finally arrived!

Madison Emery Gribble was born Friday, December 16, 2011 at 12:05pm. She weighed in at 6 pounds, 1 ounce, and was 18 3/4" in length. Mom and baby are both fine, and dad has been smiling ever since.


We arrived at the hospital Friday for our scheduled cesarean at 9am to finish up our paper-work, get settled into our room, meet the nursing staff, and learn a bit of what to expect. Shortly after which, Jeff's mom and dad arrived, as well as our good friend Lesley.

Around 11:45 we were heading into the O.R. to meet our little girl face to face. With dad sitting by mom's side, we patiently waited to heat her first cry.

Jeff hadn't planned on seeing much of the delivery process, but with a little prodding, stood to see over the sheet just in time to see Madison being brought out! Since she had been in a breach position, the first sight to be seen was her little bottom, within seconds that felt like minutes of anxiousness, she was flipped over so her face could be seen for the first time...his first thought: "she's perfect!".

Madison's nurse team then went to work with Madi while mom's group continued finishing up. It was then our tears began to flow with the sound of her first cry.

By now, dad had made his way to stand by as Madison's footprints were taken, tests were conducted, and measurements taken while mom curiously watched from the distance of her table. When all the necessary measurements were taken, the nurses brought Madison over to mom and placed her on her chest...our first visit together. One of the doctors was gracious enough to grab a picture for our first family photo.

Next was Dad's turn; I finally got to hold my little girl! What a beautiful sight seeing her little face. After a brief meeting, I was able to complete one wish I'd had, to say a prayer over her before moving into the recovery room.

In recovery we were able to spend more one on one time with our girl, and watch Becka, one of our great nurses, give her first bath before leaving out to meet her grand parents still waiting patiently in our room.


Now on day three since her birth, we continue to be amazed at just how much of a blessing she is!

LaWanda is improving by leaps and bounds (most likely a testament to the shape she was in pre-pregnancy); and has been doing a super job in her new role as mom. Dad has been trying to help in anyway I can, changing diapers, helping with feeding, and giving an endless supply of kisses to those beautiful cheeks.

We can't wait to introduce her to all of our friends, see her grow into a beautiful girl, young lady, and strong woman; we thank all of you for the support you've shown us to this point, and thank you in advance for the positive influences we feel confident you'll put into her life.

With thankful hearts,
Jeff and LaWanda

13 hours, 11 minutes to go!

Well, the waiting is almost over, those once thought 'nine long months' have passed, and tomorrow, we will officially welcome Madison Emery into our lives.
At 9am tomorrow morning, LaWanda and I will arrive at the hospital to fill out paper-work, and then get her prepped for a cesarian to be completed at 11:30.
Since this is my first attempt at placing an entry mobile, and needing sleep, I'll be keeping this one brief; but be fore-warned, pictures galore are bound to show up very soon.

What are you doing in there?

It is now Thanksgiving Day at 3 am. I have so much to be thankful for as I lay here feeling you toss and turn inside my body. What are you doing in there anyway?

At first, a solid bump stretches across my stomach from one side to the other, as if you're pressed right up against my belly button (oh and thanks for pushing that out for us all to see, lol). Then a strong punch in my side and another under my ribs. Maybe you can't get comfortable anymore either. Well we only have a few more days before we see each others face.

Personally, I can hardly wait! I want to touch your little body and count all your fingers and toes. I want to look into your eyes and see your smile. You have brought so much joy into our lives already and don't even know it yet...but you will. Your dad and I will be telling you often how much we love you!

Well you've settled back down now, so I guess I'll give it another try too...good night my dear. I love you, sweet dreams.

Tick-tock, tick-tock...

Just a quick little update; as many of you know, either from us personally or the last blog entry, LaWanda has been seeing the doctors quite regularly. One appointment per week (normally on Tuesday morning) to a high-risk doctor who monitors both LaWanda's gestational diabetes, amniotic fluid levels, and Madison's size; with a second weekly appointment with her OB doctor (normally on Friday's). With this weeks visit to the OB, we received more info on the soon-to-be birth of our little girl.

Over the past few weeks, there has been a slight decrease in the amniotic fluid levels surrounding & protecting Madison. The OB now expects that there will be a 50% chance, with her Tuesday's visit, that the high-risk doctor will keep her in office & schedule Madison's birth that day based on what those readings may be. The chance during the next weekly visit would rise to about 85%; and if everything held out past that, the third week would be the limit & Madison would meet us face-to-face that same day!

So to put it in much easier terms...Madison will be here as soon as 3 days from now, and now longer than 2 weeks, 3 days. :D

 I know this is a short post, but I just had to share. Ok...now...time for me to get back to work - I now REALLY have to get everything ready!! Lol.

What's going on?

Some time has passed since the last blog entry...this isn't because its become any less important, or that we haven't had anything to say. However, I'm sure you can understand how our schedules have sped up in these past few weeks as we prepare to welcome Madison Emery into our lives.
We, of course, have been keeping our normal schedules with work, church, and family time, and are now including things like getting our house somewhat prepared, prepping for baby showers, and LaWanda has now reached the time for multiple weekly visits to the doctor.

Speaking of LaWanda, she has been doing really well overall; her energy levels have decreased a bit with the onset of her third trimester, but still aren't as draining as during her first. She hasn't been plagued by heartburn, or many of the other symptoms, of several others we've heard have faced, and is currently below her personal goal of not gaining more than 25 pounds! In fact, about the only challenge she's been dealing with (although not minor) is that she was recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
The first attempt at controlling this came with a visit to a dietitian; after reviewing her eating patterns (which they were impressed with) a few changes were made with less than optimum results. The second attempt came with a prescription for glyburide. The results were better, but even with higher dosages, fluctuated often. Currently, she has been placed on insulin injections four times per day, along with continuing to monitor her sugar readings to gauge its results. Even with this, her numbers will sometimes range from slightly elevated, to periodical drops.
So along with her weekly OB visits, she also has a weekly visit to a high risk clinic who performs weekly ultrasounds to monitor Madi's growth. This said, we now know that Madison's birth will be a scheduled event rather than a surprise arrival.
Still yet, Madi has become quite the kick-boxer...a sign that we've been told let's them know she isn't stressed. To be sure of this, the OB will also conduct non-stress tests weekly as part of our visits as well.

On another note, we're currently in the process of refinancing our home. This may seem like a simple statement, but the implications behind the statement deserve some explination.
Several years ago, we purchased our current home; at the time we knew it wasn't the ideal structure, but the price was right, and the property would allow us to build on-site. Several things have changed since our project began that have prevented its completion. Now that Madi is on the way, completion has become more of a must.
With the current economy, it may seem counter-indicative to seek refinancing & get money in return, but through this, we are seeing a blessing. Currently, the banks are offering really good financing rates; at this rate, we will be able to refinance our payoff, get the funds needed to complete our building project, and pay off a credit card that was used during my surgery last year, all while decreasing our monthly budget by more that $150! I suppose the only thing left to say is: God is good.

Lastly, we recently had our first baby shower. It was hosted by our small group, and included members of our church family & a few close friends. It turned out amazing! The entire event was beautiful and Madi ended up with several cute outfits and several necessities to welcome her home. What a great group of friends we have.

We can't wait to introduce our daughter to you all!

To my baby girl...

It's nearly 11pm; the power is out, and with windows open behind me, there's a slight breeze cooling the air. I hear thunder in the distance, the sound of raindrops dance outside, and by candle's light, I sit here writing, thinking of you.

Twenty-four weeks and two days today...nearly 18 weeks ago we learned of you. Now somewhere around 15 weeks more until I see your face,  I do not feel prepared, but can hardly wait for the day!

Every day this becomes more real to us, with each step I feel more awake. I've reckoned every kick, motion, and beat of your heart a blessing and memory I never dare forget; each one being an early kiss to my cheek from your own little lips.

I've thought of a thousand things I want to share with you, so many wonders for you to see; but greater still, to see your happiness is more important than them all. I am enamored by your presence, but have yet to hold you near.

I'll not be a perfect father to you dear, this is a thing I know true, but in whatever you need of me, I will be here for you. With every laugh, every tear, every bump and bruise along the way, I'm proud God allowed me to be your daddy, and I'm always here to stay.

Abba, Father!

I love music and quite often find myself riding along in the car, music blaring, singing away with whatever notes I can hit in reason...and sometimes even those I can't. Ever now and then, I'll hear a lyric I've never noticed before, or hear another I'm familiar with, that strikes amazement in an entirely different way based on what's going on in my life.

A few days ago I found myself in yet another one of those moments; riding along, great song on the radio, singing out loud. The song that was playing was 'How He Loves' by David Crowder.

Knowing my appreciation for any song by David Crowder, and my fondness for this song in particular, I've probably sang it a hundred times over. Singing during the pinnacle bridge of the song, the familiar words rang out: "and Heaven meets Earth like an unforeseen kiss and my heart beats violently out of my chest".

From out of no where my tears began to flow; tears of happiness, tears of amazement, and tears of understanding. I suppose this stems from the timing of things, but it was a welcome lesson I don't want to forget. At that moment, the thought of my soon to be daughter showing her love to me through unexpected kiss crossed paths with the thought of God's love toward me as my Abba (daddy) Father - the same pattern of though mentioned in the song...Heaven meets Earth...He approaches us.

At the same time, the thought of turned to me being an example of God to my little girl: the way she will view God as father depends greatly on me...oh my!

All the while, God was speaking to me through this, as David continued to sing: "He loves us, oh how He loves us; He loves us! We are His portion, and we are His prize, drawn to redemption through grace in His eyes, if grace is an ocean we're all sinking!"

My praises began to flow!

My daughter, whom I've yet to meet, has already grabbed my heart in a way I can't explain. I know she'll need to learn discipline, but for now, she has done no wrong - she doesn't need forgiveness from me in any thing; but God, who is aware of every wrong I've ever done (or thought of doing) has justified me through His son, and loves me in a way that I can never comprehend.

Oh how He loves us!

Who wants cake?

I've been pretty slow at posting anything lately; just in case you haven't heard the news...WE'RE HAVING A GIRL!


A couple of weeks ago, we had our second ultrasound; as my wife, mom, and I looked on, we were able to see the healthy progression of our daughter's vital organs, see the measurements of her growing body parts, see her peek around at us a couple of times, and (of course) see girl parts.


This has made everything that much more real to us. No longer are we having a 'baby', we're having a little girl. Even now, we're no longer having a 'little girl' we are now going to welcome Madison Emery into our lives.


This weekend we've been busy registering for gifts and products to give her a great start to her life, and while LaWanda has been nesting in our current home, I've been trying to make progress on finishing the one we started some time ago.


There's lots to do, and such a short time to do it in. LaWanda is currently at 21 weeks, 2 days, which leaves us only 18 weeks, 5 days to go! Just typing those words in give me a sense of urgency I can't explain.




The day of our ultrasound, we were able to share the news with some friends and family in a special way to us. Our plan was to bake a cake with a blue or pink inside, and reveal our news to everyone by cutting the cake and serving each one.


So after the ultrasound, we stopped by to pick up cake supplies, decorations, and ice cream. Later on, LaWanda and I went to my parents house where my mom had already began baking our yummy strawberry cake. LaWanda and I then began making the icing from her recipe for butter-creme icing. After I took the reigns on the cake decorations; finishing up just in time, our guests started to arrive. After introductions, and just spending time together, we gathered everyone in to cut the cake.



We let the crowd pick sides to decide if they thought we were having a boy or girl - when it was all done, six said girl, nine said boy!

Well...how about if we just watch the video for the rest of the story? Enjoy!

Click here to watch!

Been thinking about...

Since completing substance abuse rehabilitation in 1992, I find myself genuinely interested in the subject of family dynamics. How the family functions based on its makeup, how each member produces their own roles, and how all involved are affected by the past, present, and future decisions of those around them.

I won't go to deeply into my family's own personal journey, but I will say that my family, like yours, would fit into the mantra of dysfunctional, while in the same breath, admitting that the term is far too often used to have any implied meaning of families at all.

As said, I won't go too deeply into my own family's dynamic (each person has their own story to tell), I want to give a thought on why I'm even writing this at all.

While talking with my wife a week or so back, we were discussing the lyrics of a song written by Shane Williams, a dear friend of mine who was the voice of Beggar's Promise, a band I was amazed to have the opportunity to be a part of for over three years.

In a conversation Shane and I had about the song, he had been hesitant to sing the song publicly due to the fact that the song had/has a great deal of personal meaning to him. As we talked, I explained to Shane that, I feel, this was the single thing that made the song so important...I believe I, as well as anyone who heard it, could feel the depth of where the song was coming from.

Needless to say, the song still touches me to this day, and it's by this same reason that I decided to write this post. These thoughts have been quite personal to me over the past few weeks, but somehow, I believe most of you will be able to relate.



One of my favorite bands goes by the name of Decypher Down, a Christian band, that writes lyrics in the style that I like...ones with depth. A particular song of theirs has been crossing my mind lately, the name of the song is Best I Can. In the lyrics, the author begins each verse with the words: "Been thinking about...".

You might say (understated sarcasm) that I've 'been thinking about' more lately knowing that I'm soon going to be a father. All the normal thoughts have been in there, names, finances, nursery items, etc; but there have also been some things I wouldn't have so easily expected to come to mind.

Thoughts of how am I going to console my child when they not only have scrapes or bruises externally, but those that are on the inside? How can I build into them a healthy sense of self-worth without them becoming self-absorbed? How am I going to discipline without hampering their sense of adventure? How am I going to foster in him or her an active imagination, while helping them to see things realistically?

Of course these are the ones that aren't that personal to me...so call me a hypocrite if you must, but its thoughts such as these that have also lead me back to the examples I've seen through my parents and, again, have been leading me in another study of our own family dynamics. Without needing to be said, I've been giving more thought to 'what would my dad have done' when answering many of my questions.


Naturally we've been spending more time with my parents lately, after all, in their eyes, we're about to give them one of the greatest gifts we could ever give. During this time, I've seen things through a different set of eyes. Goofy things that might not mean as much to you, but things like my dad getting agitated at a poky driver, or mom mentioning her cat's prissy-paws...things I've never noticed before, but things that sound just like me (or, maybe when I say them, I sound just like them?). 

My dad and I would have to tell you (especially during my teenage years) that we didn't have the closest of relationships. Like most teenage boys and their fathers, we didn't always see eye to eye, and there were a lot of times I really pushed his limits to maximum. I'm also happy to say that we've developed a much stronger relationship, especially over the past ten years or so.


Back to the song by Decypher Down; he tells that he's 'been thinking about' the lies someone has seen that he's told, the mistakes someone has seen that he's made, wondering what that someone sees in him, and how things just didn't turn out the way he thought they'd be.

Just as I've seen my parents do things over the past few weeks that have made me think 'oh, that's where that comes from'; I'd almost bet that I'll be thinking some of the same thoughts the lyricist has used in this song...just as I'd bet my dad has also.


Now, let me share just a bit about how well my dad has done.

As a child, my dad lost his father to a flood at age 3; and I've thought several times about how that affected the answers to the same questions I have now. My grandmother, after my grandfather's death, remarried twice before my dad left for the Air Force. The second of those two marriages yielded what my dad knew as a dad; I've wondered what that must have been like.

On the flip side, my dad and mom have been married for 40 years. My dad never willingly skipped out of work, but supported my mom and I in any way that he could. I've never seen my dad willingly hit my mom. He supplied me with my first car (and didn't kill me when I got my first ticket running 90mph). My dad asked every bass player he had the opportunity to meet to pray for me while I partied it up, staying intoxicated for almost two solid years, prayed daily for me, and welcomed me with open arms when I did stop that maddening lifestyle. My dad has accepted my wife as a daughter and, I know, would protect her almost as I would myself. My dad is willing to help us in any way that he can, calls me often, never hangs up with saying 'I love you', and now treats me as an adult son with adult priorities...and still gives me a kick in the pants when I need it.


Since finding out we were pregnant, I have not been able to find the 'All Inclusive Guide To Parenting' book...and believe me, I've looked. Chances are, my dad never found it either.


The writer of the song starts with 'been thinking about', and tags each with 'I'm living the best I can'. I've felt much in common with this song, I've been thinking about a lot...the mistakes I've made (and will make), the incorrect things I'm sure my child will inevitably see me do, and I'm sure it won't turn out exactly how I think it should be.

I'm also sure I won't win the true world's greatest dad award; but I have made up my mind to live the best I can...and the best that I can, is to follow wise examples. Fortunately for me, I've got two of those...one earthly...one a little smarter.

I'm glad to say that, I can see a little bit of both of them shining out through me from time to time.

She built a legacy.

I love art. Especially when it involves Photoshop.

Whenever I have the chance to work on a project, and Photoshop is involved, as the art board opens, I cease to see a program and begin to see an empty canvas; begging to be improved upon. Looking towards its designer as conformable clay, knowing that it can be much better than its current state.

While creating my art, I begin to feel an inner, unexplainable connection with my work, as if it is an extension of myself.

I've recently had a desire to learn more about photo restoration. Taking an image that once was a new, crisp photo, that has been weathered and beaten with age, and returning it as closely as possible to its original grandeur.


Yesterday my wife and I had the pleasure to spend time with my parents on my dad's birthday. We ate hot dogs, potato salad, and finished things off with blackberry cobbler and ice-cream. We talked about everything from the weather to the baby, to movies... whatever were to come up. We also mentioned an image I had recently created; afterward, my mom asked if I thought I could enlarge an image of my grandmother and her dad so that her face could be more easily seen.

I explained that I would do what I could, but that scanned images are sometimes very difficult to work with, but I also felt that same inner excitement at the challenge to get started!


I scanned the 2.75" x 4.5" image at the highest resolution possible so that I could work with the most detail available to me. The resulting image (after some waiting) came into the computer at almost 36" tall! Naturally I'll have to reduce the resolution to work with it at any efficiency at all... but I remembered my mom's original reasoning was to see my grandmother more clearly... so I decided to make a 4" x 6" image of my grandmother alone.


Now I know there are many automated things that can be done with Photoshop; I even have some 'quick-fix' actions I've recorded myself for anything from basic color corrections, to HDR-ish transformations; but most times I prefer to do things the hard way, taking the longer approach. This allows me to focus more greatly on details that I may not have even seen before when using the click-of-a-button approach. Another thing it does is gives me a great connection to the image, more of an extension of myself if you will.

As I began working with my grandmother's photo, I really began thinking about what she must have been like as a child. In this original image, she is climbing on a contraption beside where her dad is working. She had brothers and sisters, but none of them are in this picture. I wondered about the relationship she must have had with her father; and already know about how much my mom loved him.

I thought about how that relationship must have made an impact on her relationship with her children and grandchildren; and while I'm sure she made her share of mistakes, what parent doesn't? It reminded me that, I'm sure to make more than a few with my soon-coming child, and that (hopefully) they'll still hold the love that I do for my parents and grandparents.

I was able to, yet again, have a time of connection with my grandmother and reflect on the legacy that she and my grandfather were able to build in, not only me, but their five children and spouses; their five grandchildren (two of which have spouses), their three great-granchildren, and countless others in our family.


I had many, many thoughts cross my mind while working on this one, because it is close to my heart. I didn't mind taking the long way around doing the work, because 'she' deserved it.

To my knowledge, my grandparents never saw a computer; outside of a few pictures I was able to show my grandmother on my iPod. If I had spoken Photoshop, she would have listened intently, giving me all the attention she could at what I was saying, and never spending time telling me she didn't know what I was talking about; but I think she could have understood exactly where I was coming from.

You see, she didn't look at us as simply members of her family; she looked at us as an empty canvas... as one, who with her years of knowledge, who might could encourage us to be more than what we were. I believe she felt an unexplainable connection with us that, gave her the desire to take her time, instead of taking one of those 'quick-fix' actions.

I believe we were all close to her heart in a very special way, and that she didn't mind taking the long way around working with us, but took her time, because in her eyes... we were worth it.

April Fools! (not.)

In some ways, these first several posts will be playing catch up from not having started this blog sooner.. hopefully you'll cut us a little slack; after all, we have been getting accustomed to the idea that we're moving from a DINK family, to 'Gribble, party of three'.

Some of you have seen the little video I'm posting today, some have heard the story behind it, some have not; so I wanted to give the full account of what happened when we delivered the news to my parents.


Being married 18 years, you can imagine how mom & dad could have possibly mentioned, maybe once or twice, us having a child... yeah right... let's just say they've moved from mentioning 'grandbaby' to, 'we've lost all hope of ever becoming grandma & grandpa!'

Many years ago, my sweet little wife decided to play an April Fool's Day prank on my mom - you guessed it already haven't you? Yes, she called my mom to say "I'm pregnant".

Mom immediately through the phone & began running through the house jumping and screaming!
LaWanda? Well, she was on the other end of the phone gasping for air. Needless to say, she got in a little bit of trouble over that one... and never attempted that little prank again.


Another bit of background; mom once had a dog that would sometimes get itself into a bit of mischief. Mom's quickest solution to divert Sarah's attention, was to offer her a treat; so (again by my dear wifey) the joke was that if we ever had a baby, and said baby began getting into something they shouldn't... 'oh come here baby, let nanny get you a Little Debbie'.


Now, how does this stuff fit into the video?!?

Well, LaWanda & I wanted to give the news to mom & dad in a unique way; we thought of every thing we could, and surfed the internet for ideas, but finally decided to try to make things personal.

We waited until just before Mother's Day so that it wouldn't be quite as odd with us just popping in to deliver a gift (hence my dad, the grand-poo-pa, concentrating more on the tv than the gift. lol). After a quick trip to the store, we picked up a box of Swiss Cake rolls, two baby bottles (one pink, one blue), and grabbed one of LaWanda's positive pregnancy tests (absolute proof for doubting, gun-shy, April Fool's recipients).


After emptying the Little Debbie box (contents saved for you know who - also to keep away from my diabetic dad), adding a few bits of tissue, and wrapping in gift paper, we were satisfied with what we'd came up with... donning the video camera, we went to give them the gift they'd wanted for some time.


For those of you about to see this for the first time, we hope you enjoy it as much as we do; for those of you who have seen it before, give it another take with your new knowledge of what it means to us. We hope you giggle as we do each time watching the genuine look on dad's face as he quietly ask if we're serious (he really does have  a soft nugget-y center), and mom at the end, checking to see if the neighbors are home so she can call & tell someone.

Yeah.. they're going to make cool grandparents...

*Note* We've had feedback that some browsers may not be displaying the video correctly; if you are having this problem, please use this link: Click to view!

Baby On Board

Our first Ultrasound!
Our first baby!
An entirely new experience for us both...

Today officially puts us at 15 weeks; while there's no doubt that we're excited, we have SO much to do... including trying to clean-up and sell our existing home, and try to purchase another within the next few months.

Our official due date is December 24th; and don't tell anyone, but we're actually hoping the event will take place a bit sooner (we really don't want to cheat the kid out of their birthday grandeur!)

When folks ask us, "what are you hoping for?", our response, courtesy of my wife, has become... one. Ultimately, we are both hoping and praying for ten fingers, ten toes, and health; but between you and me, I think we both day-dream about having a baby girl a little more often. :-)

We just wanted to share a bit of what's going on with us & our little peanut as we start this blog - we'll post more as time permits & new 'developments' occur with us both. Thanks for reading & sharing with us in our next great adventure.

Baby-bump - 14 weeks, LaWanda's 41st birthday!

  LaWanda has had so many people ask her about a 'baby-bump' photo. A couple of attempts yielded very few pleasing results; finally, one afternoon, I came home to find my lovely wife donning one of my shirts and camera on the ready - she'd had enough - it was time to get that picture she wanted to complete!

So we stepped outside, snapped a couple of quick pics, and after a quick run through Photoshop, the winner is shown to the left.

My wife is such a lovely lady, and she even makes this picture look good!

Thanks for visiting our little spot on the internet.

Obviously the biggest news in our lives right now has to do with an upcoming addition to our lives... a baby!

For a little background (for those of you who may not know); we have been married 18 years, are both right around 40 years of age (more AND less), and are now expecting our first child. Needless to say, we were a bit surprised to find out the news ourselves! Nonetheless, we are growing quite anxious to begin our lives with our soon-coming bundle of joy.

As with any set of expectant parents, there are many preparations to be made, and with our current stage of life, many, many changes that need to be made before the first birthday occurs! So come along for the ride, and hold on tight, it's going to be fast!


Be sure to check out all our pages above for more detailed info of all the facets of our life. :D

LaWanda's Page

Stay tuned!

Jeff's Page

Test