Showered with Love!

In the midst of our crazy weekend away from home, some sweet friends threw me a baby shower. It feels so good to be loved, doesn't it? They did a beautiful job of making everything so special including petit-fours and yummy pink and chocolate ice cream sundaes. (The baby's room will be pink and chocolate!) It has been fun and VERY different to have a baby at this stage of life (35). So many friends came into the shower and said, "It has been so long since I have been to a baby shower!" Many of my friends have kids that are elementary age and no longer in the diaper stage. BUT what fun it was to open each treasured gift and to know it was given to our family with love. Thanks again to all my sweet friends!

Mom of Eleven and Jmom (lots of scotts)

Mom, me and my Mimi, and yes, I know it, my tummy is right out there! Approaching 33 weeks, YEAH!

A bunny jacket from EMMY! I want to sleep in it, but I don't think it will even fit over my baby bump!

Enjoying time away?

This weekend we have found ourselves "camping out" at Nana and Papa's house as our entire interior of the house is being painted. Over the past week we have worked with our STRONG teenagers to move everything to the middle of rooms and belongings off the walls. Whew! We have some stuff! We are exhausted and around midnight last night, J and I finally found a resting spot and slept. We loaded up this morning and headed west to Nana and Papa's for 3 days. The paint crew vowed they would work 14 hour days to "Get it Done" as quickly as possible. Our home has 7 bedrooms and 8 baths, so I don't know if they will be done or not. Once the weekend is over, we will head home, I can't wait for the fresh coats of paint, waiting little hands to test the walls to see if they are dry? The best part about it, is that I am nesting and longing for things to be clean and put away, the fresh coats of paint will help!

First Tball Practice

J is playing T-ball this year and this was a moment captured on the way out the door to his first practice a few weeks ago. I. LOVE. IT.

His first game was this past Saturday, post to follow later!

Why I dress my kids!

I thought this photo captured enough words to let you know why I don't let my kids dress themselves!

Happy 85th Mimi!

Last month, my maternal grandmother, MIMI, celebrated her 85th birthday. The goal was to surprise her with a catered luncheon with all family members. (at least as many as we could gather from Around the World!) My mother's extended family is scattered all over the place. . including my own brothers who were at that time all out west. My cousin was even in China with his new bride, lovely girl, and did indeed make it back to the states. Anyway. . the party was planned and underway, however her birthday came and went as the luncheon was scheduled a week and a half later than her day of birth, my only female cousin and I treated her to lunch at the local tea room in an effort to play up her day as well as a huge family meal with my crew at one of her favorites, Red Lobster. (J really enjoyed looking at the wobstas in the tank!)

The day of the luncheon came and as with most surprise parties, an endless barrage of lies starts to trick the surprisee into getting to the party site! Hysterical. Here we are all LYING to one of the most devout, christian women I know! The great-grans, as she calls them loved hiding as she approached! She was perfectly surprised and we had a lovely time. After lunch, each guest at the party had to tell Mimi and the group what they loved about her, why she was special to them, just as if she were dead and gone. . in other words, what we might say at her funeral. I know that sounds sad, but what a blessing to hear countless stories of her faithfulness to family and God, to cooking good food, and her gift of hospitality. . she got to hear it while she was still living. What a lesson to me, to tell people while they are with us what they mean to us. Isn't that the goal of christian living anyway? To love one another. . that was one of Jesus' main commandments. . we indeed told her why we love her and we all do so much. Enjoy the photos from the day. And to the next 15, Mimi, we are happy you are still with us!





The kiddos hiding for the big moment of Surprise!

Four generations, watch out world, this lady has raised some STRONG women!

The ever awesome "blowing" photo. This one is GREAT! For 85, Mimi blew out those candles with more gusto than most 5 year olds I have seen!