getting organized...

With Eli's arrival just two weeks away, Andy and I have busily been readying our home and cars for this very special transition. Driving now with a car seat in my peripheral vision is quite an adjustment as well as is the beautiful cradle that Andy's father built for us that now takes occupancy in our bedroom! While we are anxiously awaiting Eli's surprise birthday, we are also trying very hard to simply be patient with God's plan during this very special time in our lives. We will be just as thrilled to welcome our sweet boy tomorrow as we will be in only two weeks...or longer.

Be still, and know that I am God. -Psalm 46:10

there's just one "special someone" missing...

What fun Andy and I have had painting and decorating our little Eli's nursery! We can't help but stop each time as we pass it and just "take a peek" to simply smile. It truly is such a bright spot in our home that is only missing a "very special someone". While Andy and I both anticipate Eli's arrival with joy, excitement, and yes, lots of nervousness, we can't wait to meet our little boy for the first time and bring him home to his special nursery! We love Eli's room and hope that it puts a smile on your face as well!

cute.

A few weekends ago, Andy flew to South Carolina to enjoy his annual golf vacation with his family! What a cute, cute wintertime outfit he picked out for our little boy! We can't wait to see how handsome he looks while wearing Dad's adorable reigndeer set!

a baby shower brunch

This past weekend, my great friends, Whitney and Jessica, hosted a baby shower for Baby Eli and I here in Louisville. Not only was it so special for me to be surrround my sweet Louisville friends, but also that my mother and Danielle could be a part of this wonderful baby shower brunch. Again, our little boy is so blessed to have so many special friends awaiting his arrival! Thank you, thank you Whitney and Jessica for such a thoughtful and sweet shower!

...love you both...

a shower of blue

During the second weekend of October, my wonderful friend, Denise, and my sweet sister-in-law, Danielle, hosted a baby shower for Andy, Baby Eli, and myself. What a great, great shower it was! Our soon-to-arrive baby boy received so many special gifts from so many of our thoughtful friends and family! Andy and I are so blessed to have such wonderful and loving friends and family in our lives! We definitely can't wait to use all the wonderful goodies for our sweet baby!

Denise & Danielle set baby pictures of myself and Andy on each of the tables, along with polka-dot pumpkins, and "Devon's About to Pop" popcorn boxes...


...elephant diaper cake, by Danielle...

...sweet hostesses...

...My college roommate, Tara...

...Sharon & Aunt Kay...

...laughing at Baby Eli's new "pee-pee tee-pees"...

...Andy arrived at the end of our shower with a cute surprise for Eli and 3 Pandora glass beads to complete my Pandora bracelet. What a sweet, sweet husband...

Getting some practice holding Denise's sweet Nathan

gattlinburg get-away

A few weekends ago, Andy and I took advantage of some pre-baby "together time" out of town exploring Gattlinburg, Tennessee. Since moving to Louisville, it seems as if so many of our friends have traveled to the Gattlinburg / Pigeon Forge area. While our weather was quite rainy, we still had so much fun browsing the many little "mainstreet" stores, shopping at the outlets, buying Christmas goodies at the Christmas Inn, and indulging in delicous, but filling breakfasts of chocolate chip pancakes! While our weekend was short, Andy and I had lots of fun together and already look forward to another out-of-town trip together......someday!

Yummy, yummy breakfast at the famous
Pancake Pantry

...rain, rain go away...

look out etsy

After what feels like months and months of searching for the perfect lettering (that also had to meet specific height requirements and had to have a non-girly feel), artwork, or personalized goodie for above baby Eli's crib, I grew quite frustrated that I was unable to find exactly what I was looking for. So...I decided to take matters into my own creative hands! I decided to create my own gingham and brown polka dot 12 x 16 personalized canvases, using fabric, three-dimensional lettering, craft glue, and a heavy duty staple gun. I love the finished product and am super excited for Tuesday's baby furniture arrival. Slowly, but ever-so-cutely, things are coming together in our nursery!
...Look out Highview craft fair and Etsy...

a full evening of gospel

Andy's mother, father, and brother, Rick visited with us this weekend! We were so excited to spend the weekend with them! On Friday evening, Andy and I went to the National Quartet Convention at Freedom Hall with both Rick and Dotty. Listening to famous quartets such as The Hoppers and the Gaither Vocal Band was a great treat for us all. While the evening proved to be very, very long (over 5 full hours of gospel music), it was also a nice time spent with family during Rick's first full visit to Louisville!

here comes fall

While we are so thankful to have had such a wonderful Summer, I decided two weekends ago to redecorate our home with our Fall decor. While this was a little premature, I made this decision for the sheer fact that our Fall things would soon be placed back into the attic only to be replaced by our Christmas decor at the beginning of November! It appears that our family will celebrate November and Thanksgiving with the new addition of our Christmas tree and Christmas decorations this year. Because of our very special "new addition" arriving in late November, I am determined to have our Christmas decorations and presents completely bought and wrapped by the first full week of November! I feel quite certain that shopping, wrapping, and making my wired-ribbon bows will be the least of my worries after our sweet baby arrives! Let the Christmas shopping begin!

We love our new decorative addition, an antique sewing machine table that belonged to Andy's Aunt Lillian. Thanks to Jim and Dotty's handy work and refinishing, our sewing machine table looks great!

a few goodies

While I have not gotten too crazy with buying baby things, I have picked up a few special items that catch my eye here and there. One weekend ago, Whitney, Caleb, and I browsed our church's wonderful fall craft festival. We were also so happy to run into and walk around with Jessica and LeeAnn. Wow! There were so many cute, cute baby things, however; while I had to pass up the tents of hairbows, headbands, and specialty jumpers, I was able to find a few baby boy goodies. What a great morning we had exploring the crafts and visiting the bake sale with Mr. Caleb!

non-spill "sippy cup"
& baby wipes case with matching burp cloths

Caleb was so content with his delicious rice krispie treat...
I would be too!