Shower Surprises

Here are a few snapshots of the surprise showers I've been blessed with in the last couple of weeks. Yep, that's right, showers plural...there was another one just yesterday! Some of Kory's employees at Chick-fil-A decided they really wanted to do one for me...which was SO incredibly generous and kind!

First, some glimpses of the church shower (the theme was "Teddy Bear Picnic"). Photos courtesy of Barbaranne:


Adorable cake, courtesy of Kate and Rebekah.

Precious cookies made by Sharon.











Moment of surprise!

Singing "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," with Elizabeth at the piano and Melissa (mastermind behind the shower) next to me.

Here are a few from the surprise shower at Chick-fil-A yesterday:

Lidia (far left) did all the decorations and little favors.

Lidia had me choose between 2 chairs to sit in.  I chose the "fork" chair, which means I'm going to have a boy!

Opening gifts.

Close-up of my "New Mom To Be" tiara. :)

Reading the "Baby Kaye Predictions."  Everyone had to guess the gender, name, and weight of the baby, as well as delivery date and time.  Almost everyone thinks we're having a boy!  (Winner will receive the grand prize of holding the baby first...as well as a year's worth of free babysitting on their part.  Haha).

Serving cake.

Adorable outfit from Daysi. :)

I continue to be blown away by the Lord's kindness and generosity through so many people.  We are so undeserving!

BK

Snapshots, Ready for Baby

In preparation for our coming little one (or perhaps just using that as an excuse?), we recently used our generous tax refund to invest in a Nikon d5000 camera and 50mm f/1.8 lens. Photography is something I'm really interested in, and as you can see...I have a LONG way to go! But playing around with it and experimenting has been fun so far...and has given me an opportunity to snap some shots of our preparations for Baby Kaye in the nursery, etc. Enjoy!


Mama Bear.

Papa Bear.

Crib, pre-bedding.

Crib with adorable green and brown bunny meadow bedding.

Peeking into the crib at the adorable bear from Will and Rebecca.

Changing table.

All ready for baby.

Our awesome bouncer...which actually took more work to put together than our crib! Go figure.

I just love these little guys...too cute!

Baby's bag all packed and ready to go to the hospital.

I'm officially 2 weeks away from our due date (beginning week 38 tomorrow), so the baby could literally come any day now! It's so odd to be counting down to a day which could be today or 4 weeks from now. It's still surreal that we're going to have another little person in our family within a matter of days or weeks, Lord-willing. Kory is just giddy with excitement, and I am just feeling more and more ready for it all to transpire. Just waiting on the Lord's timing!

Stay tuned... :)

BK

New Beginning in Sight

I was going to title this post "The End is in Sight," as we look forward to ending this season of pregnancy within the next few weeks (Lord willing). However, upon further reflection I realized it's more appropriate to consider it to be a new beginning...a new baby, a new lifestyle, a new transformation for our family. It's surreal to think about!

As I am now finishing week 36, I am often asked questions like "How are you feeling?", "Are you ready?", etc. In the last few weeks I have experienced a transformation of sorts in my feelings/thoughts/readiness. I was getting to the point of being quite overwhelmed with anxious thoughts about all that will soon transpire...labor, delivery, recovery, a new little one to take care of, etc. Quite a lot when you think about it all at once! But the Lord has graciously and kindly calmed my anxieties in the last week or so and given me a peace about it all. I've read a few more books to practically prepare myself for everything, but not in an over-obsessed, anxious way. More in a preparing me and giving me helpful expectations way.

I also have spent a good bit of time in the Word, reading through (and writing down) scriptures that remind me of God's promises, that provide comfort and strength and assurance. Those scriptures have not only reassured my troubled mind and heart for right now, but I am confident they will provide me with peace in the midst of labor (and after) as I go back through them and have Kory read them to me. It's always the Truth of God's Word that comforts me most, that is the most effective in battling my anxious thoughts.

So now I am truly, by the grace of God, at a place of peace...and of increased excitement! While I had already been looking forward to meet our little one, I can now say that I am more ready than ever (well, as much as I can be--what can really prepare you for parenthood?). While I am still a bit unsure of what to expect and feel rather inadequate for the role that awaits me as "mommy", I have a new bolstered confidence that the Lord will equip and strengthen us each step of the way. He has sovereignly planned for this little one to enter our lives at this specific point in time, and we know He will be at work for our good and His glory.

I was incredibly blessed this week by a surprise baby shower thrown by the women of our church. I was so taken aback and in awe of the huge number of women present and their generosity toward us and our coming little one. I just kept shaking my head and felt so undeserving of such kindness! My heart is just filled to overflowing with joy, awe, and gratitude for the ways the Lord graciously provides and blesses His children. One of my favorite moments during the shower was when we all sang my favorite hymn, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," with my dear sister Elizabeth at the piano (the fact that she too was there was the absolute icing on the cake!). What a pertinent song to, really, each season of life...but particularly right now. I am always so comforted by His unchanging nature...the fact that He doesn't shift, turn, or lessen in any part of who He is. And verse 3....mmm!

Great is Thy faithfulness, oh God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

So stay tuned, dear loved ones. I think as of next week the baby will be "fully cooked" and ready to come any time! Please pray for a healthy finish to an already healthy pregnancy (praise the Lord!) and that the Lord would deliver our precious little one safely into our arms.

BK