Highlights from Baby Shower #3!

This weekend we were spoiled with another baby shower in our hometown. I spent Sunday afternoon with dear friends who have played different roles in my life over the years - Bible study friends, college friends, work friends, neighbors, adoption friends, even several former students of mine! What an absolute delight to share the day with these special girls who have supported us in more ways than I can even count through this adoption process. Thanks to Ana, Janet, Jenna, Emma and Kim for making me and the girls feel like absolute royalty. Your friendship is a treasure to me.

We were overwhelmed with gifts - again! - at this shower. We were thrilled to get some of the "biggies" - including our double stroller and our single stroller! Getting a few of those big ticket items was a total blessing given that those things are so pricey. We also got loads of toys, books, clothes, bath stuff, and even a membership to our local zoo! Special gift highlights included handmade "Mommy and Me" aprons for cooking (my friends know my love for cooking!) and handmade butterfly coat racks with the girls' names on them. We continue to be amazed at the generosity and thoughtfulness of all those who have partnered with us in this adventure. Our girls are so loved already.

One other fun shower highlight was getting to share with my friends about why we are adopting. It was special to have a total of four adoptive families represented at the shower. Two of our "inspiration families" (some of the people that got us thinking about adoption) were represented at the shower. Our neighbor Lora has 5 adopted kids from Korea. Shelley, our friend from church, has a precious little girl recently adopted from Uganda. Christy, a new friend we met in the area, has two on the way from Ethiopia and so do we! It is amazing to see how God is moving in different families to provide homes for His children.

Other weekend highlights included Davis finishing the last of the closet construction. He has now built custom shelving in the girls' bedroom closet and the playroom closet. What a guy! He even felt inspired enough to make custom doors for the playroom closet - one has cork to show off the little ladies' artwork and the other is a chalkboard. These are seriously cool. Thanks to Daddy Davis - AGAIN! Also, our dear friends Larry and Kim surprised us with handmade adirondack chairs for our patio in small sizes for little behinds! Larry does finish carpentry and he took this on as a special surprise project for the little ladies. He even put their names on the back in pink sequins! Thanks, Uncle Lar! The girls can't wait to go surfing with you.

We have been blessed beyond measure in our friendships and for that we are so grateful. We are truly rich in what really matters.

Only 9 days left until our court date....Please pray for us on 12/17!

(P.S. I was teased at the shower for making the same "shower face" in every picture. I acknowledge this is a problem. I honestly tried to think of a new face to make in the pics of opening gifts but came up blank!)