November has been a month of tremendous blessings! Andrew and I can't even begin to thank our family and friends for their generous outpouring of love, support and gifts for our baby boy on the way. We have been so very blessed by three (wow!) beautiful baby showers thrown for us by sweet friends, my sister Lisa, and Andrew's Mom Marilyn. Each one so thoughtful, special and memorable.
I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to be surrounded by so many loved ones, hearing their words of encouragement, prayers, and heartfelt wishes for our family. God has truly blessed us so abundantly! This baby is already loved so much, by so many. Thank you, Lord!
Looking at these photos of each group of women, family and friends makes my heart smile. Here's a glimpse into each special day.
Christy, Kimi, Susan and their Mom Lucy, have become dear sisters to me. I am so thankful for their family. These ladies put together a beautiful baby shower at the home they grew up in. A warm, cozy fall theme with fresh flowers, delicious desserts, my favorite brunch foods, pretty decorations - it was absolutely lovely. So many sweet friends, some that I've known for years and years, all gathered together. Some even made food and helped put on the celebration as well. I love these girls so much! They sure know how to make me feel special. I'll be looking to many of these experienced moms for plenty of advice.
My sister, Lisa, her sweet Mother in Law, Mary, and my niece, Emma, put together a beautiful baby shower at a local restaurant for our family and dear friends (who basically are family to us). It was a perfect setting with breakfast and the most delicious cut-out cookies (yum)! I was so touched that so many drove from out of town to celebrate with us. It's been an exciting year for our family with engagements, graduations, weddings, bridal and baby showers. It's been so nice catching up with aunts and cousins. I'm so thankful for family! I only wish my Mom could have been there (she lives in Arizona). I know how much she wanted to be here and would have enjoyed it. I was truly blessed by the thoughtfulness, love and generosity in every detail. Lisa, Emma and Mary made it such a special day and showered us with so much love.
We traveled to Pennsylvania to celebrate our annual early Thanksgiving with the Ohl's on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Marilyn threw us a baby shower Sunday afternoon at a darling tea room. It was so charming and the lunch menu was delicious - including a strawberry cream cake! I especially enjoyed my own pot of freshly brewed tea and drinking from an antique cup and saucer. It's the little things. We were so blessed to share this special day with our extended family and celebrate a new soon-to-be member of the Ohl family. I was overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and generosity of Marilyn's sweet friends, many of whom I was meeting for the first time. Everyone was so kind. We truly are blessed, abundantly.
I still can't get over the outpouring of love for us. I loved opening every gift and reading every card. I wish I could have spent more time talking with each guest. I like hearing everyone's words of advice and wisdom and memories. I know there is so much ahead of us on this journey into parenthood. It helps to know that there are so many women I can talk to and so many people that are excited for us and looking forward to meeting our baby boy, our gift from God.
I have been organizing all of the adorable clothes and tiny onesies and imaging dressing him in them. I love sitting in his room and daydreaming about holding him in my arms. It still seems surreal and I'm so excited to meet him! A little over 2 months to go!
Andrew and I want to thank everyone, from the bottom of our hearts, for showering us with so much joy. We love you and thank God for placing each of you in our lives. Your love and support means so much to us.
"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34
We truly have so much to be thankful for.
