March 7

It's BABY SHOWER DAY! We ended up having about 35-40 people here! The mother-to-BEE was lovey, as always, and I think everybody had a good time. Plus, Isa and Jeremy got lots of great stuff!

The girls from work with our BEE-utiful friend, Isa.

Later tonight, some of Jack's buddies from the Corps in College came to visit, and we all went out to the Cheescake Factory. It was WONDERFUL. It's amazing how these crazy guys can get together and it's like no time has passed at all, and that they never get tired of telling the stories over and over and over and over! Friendships like these are not easy to find.

March 6

Tonight was spent getting ready for the baby shower. Jack helped me get drinks and flowers, and I put little things together like these little buckets, which will hold the cheese, sour cream, guacamole, etc. for the fajitas tomorrow. Did I mention that the love was in the details?

March 5

I was so excited to get Ellyn's package in the mail today, because I had forgotten that I was going to get some of Seth's bracelets! This family is selling the bracelets to raise money for Seth's cochlear implants (he's Deaf and it will help him hear), and I've pretty much fallen in love with all of them, especially Ellyn. What an amazing woman.

Anyway, El had asked in a note with the bracelets that we take a picture of us or our kids with the bracelets on so someday Seth could see all the people who helped him hear. Cool idea, especially if she's going to scrapbook them (I can't say no to a scrapbook!). So I thought "gosh, I don't have kids, but wouldn't it be cute if I could get Maggie to wear one for a picture all cute-like?"

She was not cooperative.
After many attempts at this, I finally decided that I'd just get a picture when Jack got home and send that to Ellyn. When Jack got home and I explained this to him, he humored me in a "okay you crazy wife" kind of way, because he loves me. Unfortunately, I didn't really think the picture-taking process through the first time around.

Because there was nobody else here to take a picture of us, I put the camera on the mantle, set the timer, then ran across the room at Jack, who was reading a magazine in his chair. I tossed him the bracelet and said "Here! Put this on and smile!" as I basically jumped on top of him and tried to simultaneously smile and look adorable despite my mismatched outfit (the husband's ridiculously ugly gray sweat pants and the blouse I had worn to work today) and the fact that I also just cleaned the bathroom. Obviously... it did not work.


Second time around got a little bit better-planned picture, but who knew trying to get one picture could be such an adventure? It's just another day with the Hornbuckles.

To get your own Seth bracelets and try to do the crazy picture thing better than I did, visit my buddy Ellyn at http://www.profoundlyseth.com

March 4

This is the lovely view I have every day from my desk chair at work. I'm really blessed to do what I do. Not only do I work for a ministry, which is way cool because I love making a difference in this world, but I'm doing exactly what I always wanted to do for a living. I realize that's not the norm, and for that I'm very thankful.

March 3

Today, Sharon and I walked outside after work to this beautiful sunset. Our first reaction? Wow, we're leaving and it's still kind of light out outside - that doesn't usually happen! But mostly, it's nice to be reminded of all the cool things God does to make this world just a little prettier.

Also, Jack went out to celebrate a friend's birthday after work tonight, so I took advantage of the time and made this for Isa's shower:

Almost done!

March 2

This week is definitely being spent preparing for Isa's baby shower, which is on Saturday. Today, I rolled plastic-ware into napkins and tied little ribbons around each one (black and yellow for the "Bee" theme). The love is in the details.

March 1

Today, after church, we went over to the Gibsons' house for an amazingly tasty lunch with Christelle, Jared, Rylan, and the whole rest of the family. It was really quite lovely (until I stuck my foot in my mouth by very passionately ranting about "idiots who text while driving" to my former band director, who just happens to do that himself. Oops.)


Christelle did me the distinct "honor" of introducing me to the book "Where's the Poop?" It's all about all these different animals pooping and telling their moms about it, and you have to lift flaps to "find the poop" that baby animal left. I'm sure it has something to do with potty-training and identifying what you're trying to accomplish, but for me, it was just way too weird.

You can also see Jack in the background holding Rylan. He's such a natural.

And... mark this day in history...


Rylan Anthony Kidd actually smiled at me! (i.e., he wasn't screaming!) Yep - those are my arms holding him in this picture. Wow. This must be the cut-off age for not hating Mandy anymore. Who knows.