enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

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Tuesday evening, Paul got home from a run and shouted upstairs, "Babe, the sky looks amazing, want to come see?"

Always, Paul, always.

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I grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch and we half walked half ran down to the beach to catch the final moments of the sunset. The sky was amazing. Pink and blue and gold and magic. The weather was chilly but comfortable. The beach, per usual, was nearly empty.

And for about a minute I was truly overcome.


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Tuesday was a crazy day.

One of the craziest and one for the books. We had a Level II ultrasound for baby girl because a small anomaly had popped up on her first ultrasound. We waited, eyes glued to screens, in a dark room as a doctor checked every bit of her 10 ounce body for any other markers that could be a cause for concern. We listened to each chamber of her heart separately. We clasped hands as we learned that her hands were wide open and her fingers looked great. (A wonderful sign!) We learned her face, spine, kidneys, heart, feet and neck all appear to be developing completely normal. We heard that our baby girl, whose kicks are growing stronger by the day, has an excellent chance at being completely healthy.

We walked out of the doctors office grinning like fools and clutching ultrasound photos. I called my mom to share the happy news as Paul listened to a voicemail that a house we love in San Diego – truly, the house of our dreams – was one step closer to being ours.

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In the car we shared a quick moment to marvel at how this puzzle piece was fitting into place just in time for Paul to head out for his second deployment in less than a year. And then we were on the road. Him back to work to deal with pre-deployment madness and me back to my computer to sort out the 700 forms and checklists that come with buying four walls and a roof (and a killer kitchen…).

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But that Tuesday night, watching the sky, I took a minute to really feel it all. To hear the ocean. To appreciate the sky. To lean into my husband. To thank God for my opportunity to be a mother. To be grateful for the time Paul and I have together. To acknowledge this current moment of our lives where the beach is close and the sky is simply magic.

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84 responses to “magic sky.”

  1. orange gearle Avatar

    Beautiful. Extra beautiful today. Thank you.

    Like

  2. lisa fine @ vermont vittles Avatar

    Beautiful sky. Beautiful words. Beautiful story. I got goosebumps when you started talking about the moment now, since it always seems to be a challenge to balance future and present. Wishing you a wonderful day.

    Like

  3. Amanda Avatar

    Beautiful, Elise. Just beautiful. I’m smiling for you!

    Like

  4. KateinCleveland Avatar
    KateinCleveland

    That’s a lovely reminder for me! (And a reminder why I love your blog!) Thank you.

    Like

  5. Sabine Avatar

    What a beautiful blog post. I brought tears to my eyes. I’m really happy for you guys!! 🙂

    Like

  6. Rhona Avatar

    Loved this post and so happy that everything is okay with baby girl. A great reminder today to enjoy life as it happens – thank you!

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  7. AnneE Avatar
    AnneE

    That Elise was beautiful. Thank you.

    Like

  8. Rosie Avatar
    Rosie

    Oh my goodness. Goosebumps and tears. Thank you.

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  9. Michelle Avatar

    PURE magic. Gorgeous photos and even better words to accompany them. Glad to hear all is well with the little lady, fingers crossed on your house!!

    Like

  10. Lauren M Avatar
    Lauren M

    This is a beautiful post, Elise. Glad to hear baby girl is doing well!

    Like

  11. Kelli Avatar

    This is beautiful 🙂 So happy for you. That picture of you two is awesome!

    Like

  12. Catherine Daly Avatar
    Catherine Daly

    Beautiful, just beautiful. This story and post oozes beauty.

    Like

  13. Jess Ankney Avatar

    This is wonderful! It’s moments like this that makes all the craziness of life worth it! After reading your post yesterday about current pregnancy favorites, I wanted to share that I’m reading a wonderful book entitled “Mindful Birthing”…you may not be up for it currently in the midst of house buying craziness (I can’t even imagine). But it’s a great read about meditation and being mindful throughout pregnancy, birth, and parenting – though it fit right along with the end of this post and all your yoga practice!
    Good luck with the house and praise God for Baby Cripe’s healthy news!

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  14. Gemma Avatar

    I actually teared up reading this. Thank you for reminding me to pause from all the craziness and live in the moment every once in a while!
    Congratulations on the good news about Baby Crioe and good luck with the house!

    Like

  15. Sarah Stäbler Avatar

    Beautiful skies.
    It’s funny…this has been the week from hell for me and to top it all off, I’ve now got an awful cold. But last night, I also noticed the same thing and called out to my husband to look out the window with me at the pink and blue sky. Simply gorgeous. A promise that no matter what happens, there is still beauty to be found.
    Glad to hear the good news about your baby girl. Sending warm thoughts to you three!

    Like

  16. emily hassman Avatar

    Girl… tearing up in my office at 9 am. Yup. Sending good juju to you and yours today!

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  17. Ruth Avatar

    Always those small things that make up the whole.

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  18. natalie Avatar

    i always love your posts, but today was extra… magical. love it 🙂

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  19. lindsey Avatar

    beautiful sky, beautiful words.

    Like

  20. Tami Avatar
    Tami

    Wait until that little girl starts asking about the clouds and the moon…we had a moment awhile waiting for the bus this morning…it 55 here in new Hampshire and the clouds were moving fast (earlier in the morning my son spotted a deer then another and then 2 more)
    I was once were you were…worrying about ultrasounds and cloud around the babushka heart…talk if helicopter rides to a better hospital. That baby is almost 9 1/2 now and wonders about the magic sky

    Like

  21. Amanda Avatar

    Thanks for this post! It gave me chills and made me very happy. What a beautiful life!

    Like

  22. Krys72599 Avatar

    So glad baby girl is okay! And so happy a new home is falling into place… Fingers, eyes, toes – all are crossed for you and Paul and baby girl Cripe!

    Like

  23. Rose Avatar

    Beautifully written post with the backdrop of a beautifully perfect sky. So happy for you two.

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  24. Kat G. Avatar

    My thoughts exactly!

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  25. Fiona Avatar

    Such a beautiful sky! I’m glad everything is alright with baby girl. Thanks for the reminder to really live in, and enjoy, the present moment, something that’s relevant to all of us. That self portrait of the two of you together is so sweet!

    Like

  26. Karina K Avatar
    Karina K

    Congrats on the good news about Baby Cripe and for getting one step closer to your new home! I loved this post! The sky was so beautiful on Tuesday (I live in San Pedro), thats when you are so thankful to live in Southern Cal!

    Like

  27. TaraMcK Avatar

    You truly are blessed – and the CPC usually resolves itself from the studies we’ve been doing in school. My cousin’s daughter was diagnosed the same abnormality and she is just fine – happy and busy toddler now.

    Like

  28. -Michelle Avatar

    sigh
    It’s 12 degrees here. And I haven’t seen the sun in a week.
    Just waiting for spring…

    Like

  29. Kris N Avatar

    This is a lovely post, Elise. I’m such a sap, I teared up reading the last paragraph.
    My husband was in the Army for the first four years of our marriage (in the mid-late 90’s). He was sent to Germany and deployed to Bosnia three months after we were married and I didn’t see him for a year. I lived with him in Germany for a little over a year and then came back to the states when he was deployed again to Bosnia for the last year of his time in service.
    I think that’s why I am drawn to your blog and enjoy reading your story so much. I understand what it’s like to be a military wife – strong and supportive and patient and brave (your word!).
    Thanks for sharing so much of your life on here. I’ll be praying for you guys!

    Like

  30. Jillian Avatar

    Beautiful. This may be my favorite post.

    Like

  31. Kiki Avatar

    Beach sunsets are my fave. I’ve only captured one in my life but that evening was full of some amazing memories with family. I’m glad to hear all is well with your little one!

    Like

  32. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    This is an absolutely beautiful post. I think most people can relate with having those moments of awe and wonder in the midst of everything craziness. I’ll be praying that all continues to go well with your baby girl.

    Like

  33. JillT Avatar
    JillT

    Beautiful. One of those moments for you two to “pull up” when you are having a bad deployment day. And again 25 years from now. . .recording the stories is soooo important.

    Like

  34. Claire Avatar

    what a heart warming post. sending support, strength and happiness your way 🙂

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  35. creole wisdom Avatar

    Sending lots and lots of love and prayers. What a scary moment for you!

    Like

  36. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    My 3rd child’s ultrasound did NOT show that he’d be born entirely healthy, but he’s still with us and a joy to our family. It’s amazing how every single ultrasound photo is a treasure; as if someone is printing out a little piece of your heart and soul and your love for each other that can be seen with the eye. Truly, truly amazing.
    So happy to hear that you are enjoying the NOW. 🙂

    Like

  37. Debie Grace Avatar

    That’s a wonderful news, Elise! Wishing you and your family the best in life! 😀

    Like

  38. Jessi Avatar

    Oh man, hearing things like that during ultrasounds is so unnerving! I have been in your shoes. I will be praying for you and baby girl, that the Lord would have His hand over her as she continues to grow and that she is just absolutely perfect!!

    Like

  39. laura Avatar

    love, love, love.
    my youngest had “a sparkle on his heart” from the get-go. we were getting sonograms every few weeks. everything else checked out, but the sparkle was still there at birth. he’s fine, and literally tries to climb the curtains, and fingers crossed that sparkle does nothing more. xoxo

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  40. Lynley Johnson Avatar

    Just beautiful! Thank you for sharing:)

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  41. Pidgen Avatar
    Pidgen

    Wow, I started crying. This was beautiful and heartfelt and real.

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  42. Pidgen Avatar
    Pidgen

    “as if someone is printing out a little piece of your heart and soul and your love for each other” … oh my, this was breathtaking.

    Like

  43. Maruša Avatar

    oh, Elise… I’ve got goosebumps! pure magic! enjoy 🙂

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  44. Carlee Avatar

    That is so awesome! I am so happy everything is falling into place for you two. And the sky looks loving I bet it was a great moment.
    Carlee
    http://almostendearing.blogspot.com/

    Like

  45. Sena Avatar

    So excited and happy for you guys that’s things are coming together and that your baby is growing healthily!! Fingers crossed that things continue to go well for you and your family.

    Like

  46. Lisa Goren Avatar

    This got me all choked up- what a day it was! Thanks for sharing as always

    Like

  47. Beth Avatar
    Beth

    Glad to see I’m not the only one who got teary-eyed at this post. Absolutely magical. Your baby girl is so lucky to have parents like you and Paul.

    Like

  48. amanda fair Avatar
    amanda fair

    Amazing Post. You have such a great way with words!

    Like

  49. Debbie Avatar

    Beautiful. Your appreciation of Life, your life, is beautiful. Much Blessing to you.

    Like

  50. Holly Costello Avatar
    Holly Costello

    What a sweet post! So glad you were able to share it with your man! They thought my little girl had a hole in her heart and we were OVERJOYED when it was really nothing! So happy to here your little one is developing well!

    Like

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