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Words of Affirmation and Parties in the Sunshine


Showers are such a special celebration.  All anticipation and excitement.  Lots of advice and gifts.  I really soaked up our baby showers that happened a few months ago and tried to remember these are the moments you hold dear.  When all your people rally around you in support and encouragement.  When you know life is about to change in ways you cannot even fathom.

We held a large shower at our home on a Saturday in April.  Tons of family and friends came through our house and enjoyed tacos and margaritas and brought so many gifts for baby my eyes welled up with tears multiple times.  Everywhere I turned people were laughing and chatting.  Neighbors mixed with family.  Friends from different circles collided.  It was so amazing to see so much bonding taking place in our home.  People offered to host the shower, but I selfishly wanted the memory where we live, because now when I look into our backyard, I think of our baby shower, and my 30th birthday party, Faith and Joshes 25th birthdays, Friendsgiving, Chase’s 30th Birthday, Mikaela’s bridal shower and all the times we have had people there.  Our home is special and as often as possible, I love to be the person who is hosting. 

When I woke up the next morning and everyone was gone and the cups and plates and balloons remained, I could not help but feel so happy.  So happy that so many people could feel hugged by our home.  So happy that I was able to enjoy time with so many wonderful friends.  SO happy to have sat on a blanket with women from different circles of my life and laugh together.  So happy my sweet dog was running around greeting everyone who came in the door.  So happy my husband loved showing people our home and the nursery (pictures of that will be posted on Thursday).  What an honor to host people and make them feel welcome, because in our home, they always are.








My sister’s and dear friend Mikaela threw me a small shower on a Friday night in Mikaela’s beautiful home.  They had a huge spread of delicious food and the small group of women spent time going around affirming things they saw in me that will make me a good mom.  Emotional? Yeah, you could say that.  It was humbling.  My sister’s bought me this beautiful flower crown with cream colored ribbons that fell down the back, and I just felt really beautiful.  Not in a conventional way, but in a soul touching way.  These women said the most amazing things to me, things that I could only hope people see in me.  I am so thrilled to have people such as them in my life.  People who get me and love me and know me and are encouraged as much by me as I am by them.  They gave me a beautiful journal with words from people who could not be there - my mom and best friends from home.  It is such a special keepsake and will continue to be where I write all about the beginnings of motherhood.

When we transitioned into prayer for me and baby and our little family my heart felt peace.  Peace that this baby was being born into such an incredible group that would love them no matter what.  Peace that the Lord already knows baby so deeply and they have not even emerged yet.  Peace that while I know this will be difficult and a transition, I will never be in it alone.  I left that night knowing my heart was understood and cared for, and who could ask for anything more?






Not sorry for the picture overload, because I could not limit these wonderful memories.  My lovely sister Faith took most of them, and these images alone are such a gift.  They are memories I will carry with me as our baby grows up and we learn more and more about what being a parent really is.  I can’t wait to tell you more about this lovely adventure ahead of me.



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