Top of the World

All You Get is Sound

"Jenna, Hunter, we are so happy for you." Lynette said, her arms outstretched on the front porch. Tears welled in her eyes.
It was Labor Day weekend and we decided to drive down to Breaux Bridge with the kids, I was just about ten weeks away from my due date. Leo helped Hunter take our bags as the kids and I followed Lynette indoors.

"Jenna grab a seat, get comfortable." Leo said kindly, "Sutton, Easton - how about I get you guys a soccer ball and we can go play in the yard." The kids bounded behind him, antsy from the long drive.

"I'm so glad you were able to make the trip down. How are you both?" Lynette asked, pouting water into glasses.

"I'm feeling good," Hunter said, "stepping back this year has been just what I needed to refresh and recharge. I think it's the most laid back I've ever been."

"I am feeling in a better place than last year now. We were so busy, I felt like I wasn't even parenting. I was just there. This break has given me a chance to get to know my kids, to refresh like you said," I put my hand on Hunter's knee, "that miscarriage really shook me." Lynette nodded, her eyes sympathetic.

"That must have been so incredibly hard for you two and the Lord works in the most mysterious ways..."she sipped her water, "Is this one going to be a surprise too?" We nodded, few things in life are as surprising as the birth of a child and Hunter and I liked the anticipation. Regardless, we are happy to have our third child to complete our family. Eventually the kids were worn out by the fall heatwave and came inside to relax. Leo caught up with us as Lynette made dinner.

"Easton, how were the first few weeks of preschool," Easton smiled, saying he liked playing there, "and you Sutton? How is SK?" I still couldn't handle that Sutton was in her senior year of kindergarten. She showed Leo how she could print her full name and she talked about some of her friends that were in her class. Leo beamed, he was such a character and I saw where Hunter got his humour and quirks. The kids winded down quickly after dinner and Hunter and I sat on the back deck as the fireflies fluttered in the brush.
"Remember the first time I came out here?" I smiled, toying with Hunter's hand. "Gosh I was so freaking nervous, and you handed me that guitar."

Hunter laughed, "How could I forget? It was thanksgiving. And look at us now, almost seven years later, expecting our third child. I couldn't be happier Jen." He squeezed my hand.

"I sometimes still pinch myself. I'm so fortunate to be your wife, living this life with our children..." my free hand rubbed my belly, "Let's sing a sing and see if our little miracle baby is awake." Hunter smiled and placed his hand on my belly.
"There I was again tonight
Forcing laughter, faking smiles
Same old tired lonely place
Walls of insincerity,
Shifting eyes and vacancy
Vanished when I saw your face
All I can say is it was enchanting to meet you.."

Hunter smiled as I readjusted his hand to the right spot, "Someone loves when mommy sings." I continued, feeling elated by the little life I felt inside.

"This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you."

A gentle applause disrupted us as we turned to see Lynette and Leo coming outside to join us. "Jenna your voice is lovely." I gestured for her and Leo to put their hands on my belly and As I sang the chorus once more, their smiles beamed. "Oh how precious," Lynette whispered.

"Easton and Sutton were the same," Hunter smiled, his hand in mine, "I don't know if Sutton told you she is practicing piano."

"That's fantastic." Leo smiled. The weekend wrapped up incredibly fast and all too soon, we were driving back to Nashville. I was pumped to get the nursery ready for our newest addition to the family. Hunter and I opted for a natural theme with light grey paint and a forest green accent wall. Amongst all the commotion of doing up the nursery, Sutton begged that we repaint her room. She wanted a light pink "fairy theme"; I loved the idea and couldn't say no. I probably went above and beyond with the light pink and grey decor, twinkly lights and all new white dressers, but she loved it.

With both kids in school, I found myself in the nursery a lot, rocking, thinking about all the sleepless nights in the past and new ones to come. Hunter had been writing with Dann and a few others to finish up the five songs for this "project" that I agreed to. Amidst all the chaos and excitement in our personal life, I was excited to be looking toward new music.