Showers of blessings!

Yesterday, I had a baby shower, and we were so blessed by the wonderful time together, all the great food, and the many wonderful gifts that we received. I don't think that I have ever seen so many adorable, pink, frilly clothes in one sitting! Lily is definitely going to be a little princess! All I can say is that I hope the ultrasound was accurate!! I am thrilled about getting Lily's room ready, and the boys and I are taking on the challenge tomorrow. Along with all the clothes, we received many items that we will use to decorate her room, and make it really girly. Josh and Jonathan are really getting into all the fanfare. I have to say that they were most thrilled yesterday, because, after unpacking a stroller/carrier combo given to us by my parents ,brothers, sisters and a couple ladies from church, the boys played for hours in the huge box that it came in! Ahhh...gotta love kids and their imaginations! Here's some pictures that Marybeth took, showing some highlights from the shower. Thanks again to all who participated. We enjoyed every minute of it, and you helped to make us feel so special.

Trophy night

Here are some pictures from tonight's trophy night for Hampton's Little League baseball. Josh had a great time this season with his cousin, Matt, Uncle Robbie, and friends. They were the champions for their league, and received a special trophy with a plaque.


Uncle Robbie giving Josh his trophy


Josh, Sunnie and Tory

34 weeks...

We went to see Anna, one of my midwives, today for my 34 week check up. All things are going well. I lost two pounds...it seems like one week, I gain two, then the next I lose them again. Overall I have gained just 6 pounds! YAY! Josh especially loves going to my doctor visits...not because he is overly enthusiastic to know how much my belly has grown, or hear his little sister's heart beat(although, he does like to hear her), but I believe he has developed a crush on Anna. He was pretty pathetic today, and milked Anna's attention for all it was worth. She probably should have charged me for 2 visits! She is so sweet, and all I can say is that Josh has good taste! Hopefully Anna can put up with us for a few more weeks!!

I have another appointment in two weeks, then I begin going every week...home stretch! I am so thankful to the Lord that I have really felt pretty good throughout this whole pregnancy. I am looking forward to my baby shower this Saturday...I really wasn't expecting to have one, since this is our third child, but between my Sissy and our Church, they decided to throw one! Such a blessing!

School is scheduled to start on August 17th, and Josh will be entering second grade. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of his textbooks and my teacher's manuals. I was thrilled to find a homeschooling association that is almost exactly the same as the one I was using for the last two years, yet charges $200/year less for tuition! I am learning how to be frugal on only one salary...it's not always easy, but Luis and I have such great goals of being debt free in a couple of years, and I know the Lord is helping us find places where we can cut back here and there.

Well, those are the tidbits for now...love to all!

R.I.P.

As of Friday, July 31 at approximately 11:15 am, our air conditioning unit bit the dust. Complete with a boom and hissing for 5 minutes, our treasured unit sighed it's last breath, much to the dismay of those it was leaving behind. It lived a short lifespan of 10 years, performing it's best under the watchful eye of the previous owners, who now reside in Florida, and probably have no air issues whatsoever. It was a tumultuous relationship, marked with annual check ups from the air doctor. Official pronouncement of death has not been made, as the a/c MD has yet to grace us with his presence. Cause of death is unknown, however a suspicious chicken seen at the site is leading to a speculation of fowl play. The case is still under investigation, although there is little hope of closure at this point. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sweaty Arm Pit Society of Luray, South Carolina.

Shake, rattle and roll...

Today, I decided it was time to officially hang up the lawn mower keys, at least until after Lily is born. Luis had to work today, and also tomorrow, so I decided to cut the grass. I knew he'd be tired after work, but he'd still cut the grass, so I thought I would get it done so he could just rest. As I got to the back yard, which is the bumpiest part of all, I started thinking maybe it wasn't such a good idea for me, at nearly 34 weeks, to be doing this anymore. Is there such a thing as shaken baby syndrome in utero?? Well, just in case, I'll leave the mowing to Luis. When Luis pulled in, I was only halfway through. He said the same thing I was thinking, and asked me not to mow the lawn anymore...I kind of freaked myself out afterwards, because I didn't feel Lily moving like usual. I went in and drank a big glass of water, and lied down on the sofa....sure enough, after a few minutes, there she was again. (Phew!)