Showered

This morning didn't start out all that well.  Luke didn't want to go to church.  Didn't want to eat his breakfast.  Didn't want to wear his rain boots (it's rained all day).  Didn't want to put together his toy bag to play with during service.  Didn't want to go to bible class.  By the time we pulled into the parking lot I was a tad irritated. Sometimes doing all this alone is a giant test of patience.  It didn't help that it was freezing (didn't get above 52 today!) and stormy. 

But the good news is it got better.  Church was good, lunch was good, then home to put the boy down for a nap.  I laid down for, what I had planned to be just an minute, an hour.  I didn't mean to sleep for long because today was the day for my shower!  I have been so looking forward to this- in light of all that's been going on lately, feeling the love of so many people was exactly what I needed.  And boy did they bring the love. 

When we got there, I was blown away at how pretty everything looked.  Sara hosted it at her house, and she let (made?) Jenn take over the decorations.  Jenn is the one that made these pictures (among other things for me) for Evan's room.  Sara came over yesterday to borrow things from the nursery for today, and it all looked fantastic.  Here are most of the hostesses from today, I'm thinking there are only 3 missing.

And then I got a picture with the ladies of my family:

(cousin Courtney, aunt Patty, Mom, Ashley, Grandmother)

Do you see that banner on the window?  Yeah, Jenn made that.  The "e" and the "a" are printed fabric swatches from the room.  It looks awesome.  Also, I promise it was coincidence that both pictures happen to have the guest of honor hiding behind flowers.  I promise I'm not ashamed of her and I'm pretty sure she's not going to be shy.  Just so you know she's still there, here's a good shot of her while we were still visiting. 

Two of my favorites:
  

Here are a couple more shots of the decorations:

After a little chit chat, a little cake and punch, it was time to get down to business.  There were so many gifts, my girl was so blessed today!  Among all the presents were a pair of pink Converse (to go with brother's navy ones he just got!):

and my very favorite thing, a pearl and swavorski crystal bracelet.  If you know me personally, you know I'm a jewelry fanatic, and I was just telling Mom a couple of weeks ago that I had wanted to get her a little bracelet.  This was just what I had in mind!

Best of all is that it was hand made by one of the ladies at church.  Such a sweet thought!

When we got home and unloaded everything, I was shocked by the mess.

But after a few hours of organizing (only my favorite thing to do.  Seriously) I now have a fully functioning nursery  that's  pretty much completely done.  There's a diaper bag, a nursing cover, a sling, a diaper pail, a side table by the rocking chair, books, a high chair (after Luke and Kayden have just about done the one I have in. My girl gets something fresh and clean to dirty up as she learns to eat!), clothes upon clothes, and much much more.  Just need a couple of baskets and a little pack of newborn diapers, and my girl is good to go!  I am so blessed by the friends in my life, so thankful that I have people who voluntarily go up and out of their way to show me and my kids love.  Thank you ladies from the bottom of my heart!