My Mother's Visit and Baby Shower Fun

It was so wonderful to have my mom visit for 5 days this week! We spent a great deal of time talking about what matters most, our faith and family. We celebrated Nate's 30th Birthday with his family, watched some great movies (Has anyone seen "The Ultimate Gift"?), spent time with family, browsed some shops, served a couple of our dear friends, and enjoyed each others sweet company. She also helped me complete several nursery projects. I can't wait to show you the progress we made. Thanks to my mom, I now have all of the furniture painted and in place. It was sad to see her go, but as always I am very thankful she was able to visit.

On Sunday, my church family hosted an awesome baby shower in my honor. It was a very special night for me and I was so thankful my mom could be there with us. Everything was so beautifully put together. They even kept a vintage theme to match Judah's nursery. Good friends are truly a blessing. Here are a few pictures from the occasion.

My beautiful mother.


We can hardly believe that I am already 30 weeks. Only 10 (or so) weeks to go!

A couple of the sweet hostesses.


Sweet shower decor.


This is the awesome quilt my mother had made for Judah. It perfectly matches his bumper and crib skirt.


My sweet friends made this delicious cake.


I was so happy that our Aunt Denise and her daughter-in-law Erin came to the shower.


My sister-in-laws made me this fabulous sign for Judah's nursery. What a great surprise!

Precious Judah Benjamin in the Womb

Isn't ultrasound technology incredible? I will never forget our first ultrasound of Judah. I remember coming home that day and writing in his baby journal that I felt like we had met for the first time. It was breathtaking to see and hear his little heart beat. The love inside of me for our growing child was overwhelming!
Yesterday, we were able to take a detailed look at our Creator's work. There is nothing like seeing the face of your child. Even though it is semi-distorted, it wells up such strong emotions inside of you. We both left the ultrasound appointment just thanking God for Judah! I feel so blessed to carry this precious child. As I think about how much love Nathan and I already have for this child, I can't help but then think how much more our Father loves him! I pray more than anything else that Judah will come to know how vast his Father's love is for him. I know God has big plans for him.



"For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11


I just came across this song by Kari Jobe and I had to share it with you all. His love is overwhelming!!!




"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19

Pregnancy Update: 23-26

23 Weeks

25 Weeks

I am currently 26 weeks pregnant and am fully enjoying my pregnancy!

*It seems as though my belly doubled in size from week 22 to week 24. It might have been all of the tasty cruise food I ate during week 23 ;).

*I am definitely noticeably pregnant at this point and have experienced an increase in comments and questions about my pregnancy from complete strangers.

* Bending over has become more of a challenge (I am sure that as I get bigger, this will become even more difficult), but I am still able to walk hills (I am definitely moving slower) and lift light weights. I am thankful that I am still able to enjoy light exercise.

* I have days where I notice that I am very hungry, but other days my hunger level seems about normal. I just try to eat according to my hunger.

Time seems to be passing so quickly. It is so exciting to think that baby Judah will be joining our family in just 14 short weeks! We continue to pray that God will fully equip us for parenthood.