“GOD HAS GIVEN US THESE TIMES OF JOY.”                     Nehemiah 12:4

Our family and Suzanne’s family have all been watching the little miracle that is Levi as he grows and gets closer and closer to coming to be a part of our lives.  God has blessed us so!  Now, finally, it’s time for the celebrations to begin…as in Baby Showers.    Joy, Tara, Lori and Patty gave the first shower. 

 And, they decided that the Creek House was the place to hold it…which was just fine!    I did not have to lift a finger.    BUT…’having’ to and ‘wanting‘ to are two different things.  So, I set about doing a little sprucing up.  I worked on the mantel to make it more baby friendly.  I made a banner with Levi’s name in her nursery colors.

 And, I made a wreath for the front door.  But, I classify none of that as ‘work’… it was fun!  And the other stuff..the real work…wasn’t mine to do.  So, at the shower, I could sit down and enjoy watching Suze open her gifts and talk with the guests.  It was nice!  And, then….THEY did all the clean up, as well!   My kind of party!!!

She got some wonderful gifts, lots of the things she had registered for, and other sweet surprises!  These are just the gifts that arrived ahead of time!  Our friends are so kind and generous!

 And, it’s always such fun to welcome them into my home.  Some of those attending  were friends of Mom’s as well.  When they are here for things such as this, it makes me feel as if a part of her is here.  She did love to throw a party!  I know they loved her and they love me and my family.  Their support is like another hug from my sweet Mom!  Thank you my friends!

 Joy and Tara were at the house on Friday evening  getting a few things done ahead of time, and Suzanne came over to see everything.    Here is that sweet boy, John Thomas.  We were working on trying to slice 4 yards of brown and 4 yards of blue netting down the middle so we could make 2 bows for the front porch.   I finally handed this project off to Suzanne.  And, once she spread it out on the floor…John Thomas decided to plop down in the middle of it!  He was so funny!

Sweet girl did allow me to make a picture of she and Levi before she left.  Oh, and a little bit of JT, also.

OK…Don’t you think this is a cute outfit?  A little orange polo style romper, and cute little shoes, with orange stitching!  Too cute!  But, why is Suze cutting her eyes at me like that?

Don’t you love orange?  Well, there is a big rivalry between 2 of our universities, Alabama and Auburn…red and orange…she is Alabama red.  But, that’s not the reason.  I don’t even understand football.  Actually, I was thinking of all the orange highlights in my kitchen.  And, wouldn’t a picture of that sweet, sweet boy wearing that bright orange romper look great in my kitchen!?!!!  🙂  Just thinking  ahead, people.

And, look at this……

…the next gift she opened was this colorful ORANGE lion…from her mother, Mary.   Serendipitous, wouldn’t you say?   So I’m thinking Leo should definitely be in the picture with Levi in his cute ORANGE romper!!!  I’ll be sure to share it when it comes to pass.

Here is a picture of the table and the mantel decor.  OOPS!  I think the cloth has a little wave in it!

And, look!  Here’s the New Mommy and the New Grand Mommies!

And, so the gifts were all opened and displayed and ‘oohed and aahed’ over.  The friends were greeted and hugged and time spent ‘catching up’ with their news.  The cute duck cake (which had a serious molting problem…which Tara fixed) was cut…yummy!  the other party goodies were enjoyed too…along with the blue punch with 3 little ducks swimming happily!  Such a pretty table they set!

Time passed and Suzanne began to pack up the wonderful gifts.  The girls all did the clean up, and I took down the banner and wreath and sent them home with Suzanne.  Hugs all around…and then…it was over.   Suzanne took the gifts and spread them all out so that Adam could see them when he came home.  You know, I remember doing the same thing after my baby shower for Adam. 

It’s wonderful, bringing a new life into the world.  Despite the odds, God decided that Adam and Suzanne would be parents…and they will be fine ones.  I’ve thought often about the children that are born into the world that are not wanted, not looked forward to, and not held and cuddled and sang to.  It breaks my heart.  We are so blessed that God has chosen to send another baby to grace our family.  He is wanted by so many family and friends…he is looked forward to by the same…and, oh, how held and cuddled and sung to he will be.  God is good…and all praise goes to Him!

“THE LORD HAS DONE THIS.  IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES.”       Psalm 118:23

The beach is wonderful!  Wonderful! Wonderful!  What beauty God has made for us to enjoy!

Really and truly this is THE most beautiful sand…anywhere!  Shirley and Tina and I went down for a quick weekend stay…here at Shirl and Sue’s (her sis) beach cottage!  They have been doing some decorating and it looks fabulous!

Now, Tina and Shirley are dear to me and I love them, but frankly, I’ve been a little disappointed in them.  The 3 of us went on the ‘ultimate girls trip’ to Maui in 2007.  I had such a wonderful time and came home and made a scrapbook just as soon as I could.  They, however,  have yet to finish theirs!  Can you believe that?   So, that was their plan to do while at the beach.  Shirley had 2 more books she wanted to do, and a project for a couple in her church.  So, they pulled out all that stuff and worked and worked and worked.

I watched and offered them my completed book and other valuable tips and techniques.  But, they were all over the place!  I just got in bed and tried to connect to the Internet and check in on my friends around the country.  Never could connect, so I read a while and then went on to bed.  Don’t even know how long they worked.  But, the next thing I knew, they were saying ‘ come on, we’re going to get some do-nuts.’  I told them I would be ready in a minute.  But, no!  They said ‘we are going just like we are…..pajamas and all.  And, we did!  Stood in line 20 minutes, but finally got some of the wonderful do-nuts.  This place has been here since I was a little girl…and it only gets better.

This picture HAD to be cropped…for modesty”s sake.  But, I DID have on my undergarments!

After we got back to the cottage, we dressed and went out to see what treasures we could find.  Lots of treasures in those parts, and we needed some.  And, so we shopped for a few hours at an outdoor mall, Pier Park.  Then we had lunch/dinner…and we were able to eat outside.  Such a nice day!

Did a little more exploring, then back to the cottage.  The 2 Princesses continued working on their scrapbooks.  And, I worked on Shirls’s project for her friend’s anniversary.  I finished it up for her…and they still did not finish the scrapbooks!

Off to bed;  then, early, early I heard them stirring around.  But, I pretended not to.  Besides they had no business being up so early, anyway!  They were packing up their UNFINISHED scrapbooks, and we washed sheets and swept floor nd packed car.  Time to head toward Dothan.  We needed to leave early enough that Shirl could drive the extra 2 hours to Moultrie.  And get there before dark.  We had spied one more shop that we wanted to check out.   So, that was figured into our plans, as well.  Found some really pretty things there, but stayed a mite too long. 

I said, “Shirl, since you didn’t feed me any breakfast this morning, and it is past luch time, do you think we could stop andget something to eat before we leave?”  Y’all she turned around and gave me the evil eye.  And, she drove right on past the food places till she got outta town.  Then she turned back around and said, “Did you say you were hungry?  Well, I’ll be happy to stop when I see a place.”  And, she knew good and well it would be all the way to the city limits of Dothan before she saw anywhere to eat.   So, here it is…my lunch!

I know, isn’t this terrible?  Not a bit of nutrition anywhere in sight.  But, I made do, and soldiered on.  That’s just the kind of girl I am.  But them…they just laughed maniacally in the front seat.   At least…through my chocolate-induced haze…that’s what I THINK happened.

It matters not.  I love these girls.  And, I love the time we have together!  Our quick trip was fun and refreshing to body and soul!  And, Shirley?  She made it home before dark.

Could you just walk right into this painting?  Me, too!

And reading this, just fuels the fire!

And, since I also believe the following statement is true…

…I’m outta here!  Heading toward the sand and sun and water in Panama City.  Tina and Shirley and I!  Can’t you just see us now ?!!

I’ll catch back up with you on Monday!  Have a wonderful weekend!  I will, for sure!

Just a few in my collection of ‘heart’ pictures.  Today, I choose to give these to you.  Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day, and know that you are loved and appreciated by this blogger.