Pumpkins and Tornadoes

     It is officially fall here on the mountain. It smells like fall, feels like fall, and is certainly acting like a typical Alabamian fall--sunny and gorgeous outside with schools closing because of tornado watches and all that jazz. Naturally, UAH refuses to close and remains open for the remainder of the day (despite the severe weather and tornado watches from now until 5pm). I don't think they'll have the satisfaction of seeing my face at school today. A curvy drive down the mountain and 30-minute drive to school doesn't seem worth the risk--I've already driven off the mountain in inclement weather and into a tree before, I would really rather not experience that again--personal preference, I suppose.
     My entire kitchen smells like pumpkin--oh yeah, it looks like pumpkin too. Food processors aren't 100% mess-free no matter what they say. In my attempt to cook more meals despite my pregnancy related hatred of the kitchen, when I do actually feel like cooking I try to make the whole batch instead of cutting it in half in effort to eat some and freeze the rest for a busy, rainy or pregnant day. Last week I tried a pasta dish. Note to self: make sure you LIKE the meal before cooking alot and freezing it. Anyways, this pumpkin apple soup is one I saw on a friend's facebook. I've been obsessed ever since. My only complaint is that I am still on the quest to think of a perfect side dish. Pumpkin muffins? Is that too pumpkin-y?
    In effort to ignore the wind, I will start talking about my baby (which could take awhile!). Did I ever mention how absolutely wonderful it is to have a daughter to shop for? Now I can spend even more time in the store--time in my section and then time in the baby section. I think that thing about moms only caring to spend their money on their children may have some truth to it. When I first heard it I was very skeptical (being an admittedly selfish shopper). But now I find myself squeezing my budget just to get what I actually need instead of want because I'm so infatuated with making sure the baby has a good first-year wardrobe. I may even go to Plato's Closet next week--wait a minute! Did this Anthropologie-Belk/Dillards only shopper just mention the store Plato's Closet??? I can explain, I can explain--there's this line of clothes that I LOVE that can only be found at baby boutique stores. Little Girl really must have some Zutano (the brand) clothing or I'm sure she just won't be quite happy!! But in order to afford it, mommy has to go a little cheaper than usual. See? It makes sense.
     Okay, Little Girl has a name now. A name that's special to my husband and I for a variety of reasons. It is Eva Therese Hobbs. I think it has a completely beautiful and elegant flow to it. The name Eva is Hebrew in origin--important to me because of my Jewish heritage that I never want to forget. Also, Eva means "giver of life." She sure has brought such life to John and I already. We continue to be absolutely thrilled about her. Do you know how much fun just lying on the couch and watching your stomach pop up and down can be?! She is my entertainment, everything I care about, inside every prayer request of mine, and the life that I cannot wait to see in just 3 1/2 short months. Our prayer for her is that she would give life to others as well--true life from the Life Giver. Therese is my middle name, as well as my mom's middle name. Words can't express how much my mom has impacted my life by her love for me and her joy in the Lord--and if I can impact little Eva's life somehow, the desires of my heart would truly be fulfilled. I knew I wanted to pass down the middle name to my first daughter. So Eva Therese it is. John was the first to think of it, surprisingly! He can't be more excited either--he asks about "his girls" all the time. :)