A Baby Room

Shane's mom and stepdad came to visit and help us put the baby's room together this weekend. What a blessing! Lee is quite the all-around handyman and he put the crib together much quicker than we could have. All three of them painted as I sorted through clothes and toys and did other projects around the house. We loved having them here and can't believe that the next time they come will be for a delivery!

Pekin Baby Shower!

The weekend after Wes and Brooke's reception we took a quick trip back to Pekin for a baby shower. Shane's aunts and grandmother planned an exceptionally sweet shower, complete with a cake decorated to match the bedding in our baby room. It was adorable! Shane and I continue to sit back in wonder at all the "things" we have been given for our little one. Each and every little item from blankets to clothes and bath toys to swings are reminders of how much not only we, but everyone around us is looking forward to the birth of our son. I hope and pray that he treasures these relationships over the trinkets as much as we do.





You have to appreciate a family that let our dogs come to our baby shower, too!

Congratulations, Wes and Brooke!

Shane's brother, Wes, got married this spring to Brooke in the Dominican Republic. Their wedding was gorgeous and we were sad that we didn't get to travel to be there with them. But we finally got to celebrate at their reception. We are so happy for you two!

Shane with Chuck and Susan, two of his dearest friends from growing up in Pekin. Susan, who just had twin girls and Chuck's wife, Karry, who has a little girl, had all kinds of baby tips to share with us! It was so much fun to get to see so many friends and family all at once.
Can you see the family resemblance in this picture? This is Shane's dad, Mike; sister, Tara; and brother, Wes. Thanks to Tara, we actually remembered to get a picture of them all together this time!

Our First Baby Shower

Shane and I looked forward to the past weekend for a long time. We went back to Missouri to visit friends and have our first baby shower. We stayed in Bolivar on Friday night, spending time with some of our favorite college friends. Saturday was the shower and more friend time. Then on Sunday we got to visit Second Baptist and see many friends and the students we worked with there. What a joy to see all of you again. It was far too quick a trip and we wish we could have spent much more time with everyone. We miss you!

The baby shower was fabulous. I was completely overwhelmed at all the friends who came, and everyone's generosity. It will be fun to think of so many different friends when our little guy is using all the things given to us!
Alisa Martin planned some cute games for the shower. Here she is leading the group in a game. Vince and Alisa also hosted us in their home Saturday night. Thanks for having us!
I got to open lots of fun gifts...everything is so cute!
My Aunt Sharon and cousin, Mindy, got to come to the shower. I was so glad to have family there since my Mom is far away.
This is my dear friend, Denise. She planned the shower and had us all in her home. What a treasure to have a friend like her! While we talk on the phone a lot, there's nothing like seeing a good friend face-to-face. Many thanks to you, Denise, for giving me a day to remember! And I do expect to see you on our doorstep soon...

After 4 Months...

After four months of living in Louisville, I finally got to see one of my dearest friends from Missouri! Alisa and I went to graduate school together, then worked at a hospital in Springfield together until we moved in January. She is the kind of friend that will never be replaced, no matter how many new relationships I form. I miss seeing and talking to her just about daily, like we did when we were in school and working together. Alisa's family is from a small town just north of Lousiville in Indiana, so when they came to visit this weekend, I was more than thrilled to make the short drive to see her!!

So here we are...me at 30 weeks and showing! Maybe someday I'll fit back into jeans the size Alisa's wearing!!

Illini Basketball

I meant to put this on a while back, but just didn't get around to it. Chuck got Shane and Tak tickets to an Illinois game in Indianapolis. Illinois pulled out a win, and the guys got hang out. We love living closer to so many of Shane's friends!

30 Weeks

I took this picture myself. Oh, do I look as tired as I felt that day after a long day at work?