Shower Time!

Virginia, Missouri, Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, Kuwait, Korea, Canada, Thailand and believe it or not Saudi Arabia. What on Earth could this list of destinations be describing? Definitely not "Most Glamorous Vacation Spots". These places might not be on your Top 10 list however, they are all addresses I'd need to send a baby shower invitation to if I could be so fortunate as to include my closest and dearest family and friends from growing up years to my international adventures over the last 3-4 years. Of course I knew this wasn't possible and had come to the realization that having a baby shower just wasn't going to happen. Was I sad? Sure, but at the same time what a problem to have? I've been so fortunate to have met, made a strong connection with, and still be in contact with such extraordinary people. How could I be anything less than happy?

There was one detail I was forgetting. Not growing up with any sisters I am not aware how great and crafty then can be. Lucky for me Ben has 3 of the sweetest, considerate, and wonderful sisters who are now my sisters too! In fact, the way he described them and told me about them when we were first dating was one of many great things that attracted me to him. I thought if he loves his sisters this much he must be a great guy! So, to make a long story short there was a baby shower on the calendar for DEC 29th and it was going to be in Ohio. When I first heard this I have to say I was really ecstatic. Lily was going to have a shower after all! YAAAAYYYYY! This was a chance for me to meet a whole new group of wonderful people. Most of the ladies in attendance had watched Ben grow up or grew up with him. Most were part of the extended church family Ben grew up with and I don't think I could have imagined more gracious or generous people. The group pic above is our family in attendance. Ben's mom Terry (far left) is holding grandaughter and on towards the right is Charla, myself, Jami (Ben's sister) holding her daughter, Jamie (our new sister-in-law) holding niece and Bridget, (Ben's older sister and mother of 6). Seated is Ben holding one of our nephews and standing next to him is our beautiful niece next to mom in the stripes. Does that all make sense? Not using children's names b/c of the internet. Trying to be safe. Everybody was so happy for us and it was great to put so many faces with names I've heard a 100 times. The shower was absolutely wonderful. We are so fortunate and very blessed. This holiday season has been filled with so much overwhelming generosity it's been hard to feel like you're thanking people enough. There were several people at this shower, but gifts were pouring in from many far off places. We received a baby care package all the way from Thailand. This was from our friends Steve and Pue. It included some of the most precious silk pajamas I've ever seen, as well as, wall hangings to bless and bring good fortune to the baby, and other silk dresses that are too nice to think of really putting on a baby for more than 5 minutes. Our friends in Kuwait OJ & Caronda managed to make a fisher price swing appear on our doorstep. Our friends, Joe, while back to the US for 12 short days & wife Michelle snuck into our house (yes, we've given them a key) like Santa Clause and set up a glider and ottoman for us to discover when we returned from our MO trip. Then there's Candice and Shawn from MO, my mother who's gone nuts with presents for the 1st grandchild, outfits from Aunt Katie, the GIANT box of oh I'd say 100 hundred little girl outfits from friends in Georgia. I know I've not named everything and don't mean to leave anyone out, but things just kept coming to us. Have we been really good this year? We all know the answer to that. Seriously, we are humbled, we are so thankful, and Ben and I can only hope to repay these deeds as we travel our path together.

Before I end this I must also share what Ben's office did for us. Last week they took us to lunch and before I knew what was happening we were having a full blown "man shower". His boss, CW4 Milligan, was standing up and making a little speech and then the sheet came off the gift to reveal a solid oak cradle handcrafted by fellow instructor, Mike Garvin. The cradle is beautiful as you can see and was made in a way so it comes completely apart with wooden pegs at the ends and on the bottom. The cradle was filled with diapers, blankets, gift card and other baby necessities. Except for 1 wife that joined us there were 9 men sitting around table. I attribute this display of maturity to the fact they are all Sr. level officers or retired civilians who all have children of their own and are so excited for Ben to be experiencing his 1st baby. We were really really shocked, surprised, and again truly grateful.