Showered with blessings - Part 3

My oh-so-amazing (expectant mother herself) sister-in-law Rebecca, her Mom and JT hosted a shower for us. 

JT...Mrs. Donna...Rebecca

Can I just tell you how far a night of fellowship with women who love the Lord and conversation that glorifies Him will take you?  It was almost a month ago and I'm still reflecting on the uplifting words spoken and sacred thoughts written in each note.  Each woman who attended is such an example for me and I am so grateful for their prayers and encouragement.

This may have been right after Ann Forrest

sat in her pink petafore with her white pants on.

Aunt Annie made Eliza's bow hanger.

It is hanging in her nursery & Kyle and I love it!

Mom gave me Eliza's first piano hymn book...

...and wrote the sweetest note about teaching

it to her one day! 

Mrs. Polly made the most beautiful blanket for Eliza.

Mrs. Kim came all the way from Lancaster!

She gave Eliza her first ornament and piggy bank.

Love you Mrs. Kim!

   I'm sure Marie Louise is giving me some sort of

"can't live without it" advice!  She has been a huge help.

Grandmamma Ann and Aunt Annie

What would I do without them?

I am due August 25 w/ Elizabeth Childers Boyce.

Rebecca is due September 27 w/ Campbell Gene Boyce.

Mrs. Karen - AKA "Granny K" will have herself a

Granddaughter and Grandson in about a month's time.

I love this peapod hat from Mrs. Bonnie!

Thank you Mrs. Ginger for the cutest sweater!

Eliza will definitely be needing this in WV!

Showered with blessings - Part 2

Several Boyce ladies showered us with blessings back home.  It was such a sweet family time.  I was able to spend some time with aunts and cousins who I don't get to see often. 

Thank you Tiff and Marianna for

hosting such a special day!

Aunt Harriett...Grandmamma Boyce...Granny K

Eliza gets her middle name from these "Childers" women.

My Cousin Renee'...Aunt Victoria...Aunt Sue

(Aunt Sue gave Dad - as in My Dad - a tea party set to use with Eliza. How sweet!)

Showered with blessings - Part 1

Kyle and I recently joined Reformation OPC in Morgantown.  The Lord has blessed us tremendously through this church with wonderful reformed teaching and sweet friends.  A few ladies in the church showered us with lots of blessings.  I'm so grateful for our family away from home!

3 cold soups with take home jars

Homemade burp cloths from Sandra

The cutest shoes!

Kyle picked out my diaper bag...love it!

Mrs. Mary was Mom's travel bud for the 8 hour drive.

What a sweet bestfriend!

Here we are checking out Eliza's little hand

on the 3D ultrasound picture.

 "Aunt Annie" spent her Birthday in Morgantown with us.  For the first several months I had dreams that

Eliza looked just like her - dark hair and all!

It's a stretch, but I would love it!

40 days...give or take a few

I absolutely cannot believe the little ticker to the right says "40 days to go."  What an incredible journey it's been.  Sure, as with every pregnancy under the sun there have been sleepless nights and enough back pain to make me crazy, but every time I attempt to mutter a complaint I'm immediately convicted.  I have NOTHING to complain about.  This gift is so undeserved.  I know I've said that before, but every extra day I carry this little life I am more and more aware of it.  Why has the Lord trusted and blessed me to be the mother of this little girl when He knows how great my sin is?  Yes I know His grace endures forever, His blood covers all.  I am just grateful the Holy Spirit continues to remind me of my sinful state.  It makes the joy so much more precious.  I have continued to struggle a bit with guilt from "the sins of my youth." There were several years in which Christ took a back seat in my heart and had every reason to turn from me and say He never knew me, but He didn't!  Today the verse of encouragement was:

"Fear not, for you will not be put to shame; and do not feel humiliated,

for you will not be disgraced; But you will forget the shame of your youth,

And the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.” 

Isaiah 54:4

Praise the Lord!  I will forget the shame of my youth...He promised I would!

Here's the journey thus far!

And this past Wednesday I was

34 weeks...

Total weight gain/loss: +23
Maternity clothes: Hooked on cotton dresses and stretchy waste cotton skirts
Sleep: negative - and that's OK.  Feeling energized regardless.
Best moment this week: Kyle and I watched a hand or foot travel from one side to the other.
Movement: Does a GINORMOUS amount of movement mean anything in particular?  This girl does not quit.
Cravings: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners and 2 bowls of icecream
Gender: Baby girl
Labor Signs: not a one
Belly Button in our out? depends on her position
What I miss: SUSHI
What am I looking forward to?  putting a face with Eliza's name - hearing her coo
Weekley Wisdom: Benadryl is a lovely sleep aid - my favorite Dr.'s orders thus far
Milestones: all of the nursery furniture is here.  My sister is making the crib bedding and I can't wait to see it!

Babymoon? Sure, why not.

Apparently people take "babymoons" before their first blessing joins the family.  I was unaware of such a thing, but we'll say we took ours May 28-June 2.  We had a wedding to attend in Edisto.  Located at a plantation on the marsh, it was absolutely beautiful!  It was one of the most unique weddings I've attended.  A bluegrass group provided the ceremony music under the live oaks and played everything from "May the Circle Be Unbroken," to "Canon in D" - all bluegrass style.  Every element southern to the core, sweet and elegant.

Kyle's parents rented a house for everyone for a few days.

Michael and Rebecca joined and we had a blast! 

We beached it, napped it,

Trivial Pursuited it, biked it, and enjoyed every minute.

I grew up going to Edisto, but the Boyce's had never been.  I think they love it as much as I do.  Such a family beach.  No commercialization.  No bells and whistles.  Just beautiful beaches and vacationers who feel like family the minute you meet them.

Our 2 year anniversary was May 31, so Kyle extended the stay for the two of us a couple more days.  On the recommendation of our dear friends and locals - the Moredocks, we ate at Grovers.  It was fabulous!  We highly recommend it if you're in the mood to eat out at Edisto.

Before dinner - (me @ 28 weeks)

The most precious "Mother - Daughter" beach towels from Kyle.

We attended

The Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island

on Sunday.

Can't wait to take Eliza to Edisto!