This pregnancy has brought with it lots of physical pain during the last few weeks making it very difficult for me to sustain my usual routine, much less add all of the additional preparations needed for birth, especially a home birth.
So, this weekend, Andy's mom and step dad came down to help us out. They were quite a working team! From taking care of the boys to literally cutting my mile long to-do list in half, they served us so selflessly.
Ever since we got our deep freezer from Andy's dad and step mom I have been dreaming about the day we could go berry picking and pick until our hearts content. We picked about 20 lbs and I'm sending Andy back next weekend with Samuel to pick some more. Andy was gone in Lynchburg for the USMC for most of the weekend. I am so thrilled we have the space to store fresh fruit so we can enjoy it the whole year through.
I can't say strawberry picking at 37 weeks pregnant is super comfortable, but boy were lots of memories made.
A trick for berry picking: wear red shirts - they don't show the stains as easily.
The boys were able to learn their first major lesson in hospitality. They let Gigi and GranRan sleep in their beds when they came to visit and they slept in their old room. We kept their cribs still up so they could sleep in those, but as you can see, they chose the floor. I thought it would be an utter disaster getting them to calm down, go to sleep and sleep well with them laying next to each other like this, but it turned out to be no problem at all.
When they came, they brought us the family cradle that has been in the family for over 100 years! It gets passed around throughout the family as someone welcomes a new baby. Andy and Julie used it and we had it for Samuel as well. Now, we're getting it back for Annabelle.Robbie surprised me and bought me new bedding and a mattress for it since the other bedding was gender neutral and not very 'pretty' and the mattress was just getting old. Andy's Aunt Weezie always makes a monogrammed headboard for each child that uses it too. Look at this, isn't it amazing?! I am so thrilled to be able to use it again.
But, when they brought it in for us it was completely filled with gifts. She said this was her sprinkling for Annabelle :) She got all of her essentials, in pink, of course! Bath towels, wash clothes, burp clothes, pacifiers, nursing pads, boppy cover, car seat snugly, a stuffed bear that makes sounds from in the womb, the softest blanket ever made and some diaper covers!
When all is said and done, I could care less how adorable Annabelle's clothes were, or how perfectly her accessories matched, but what I am most concerned about is her heart and how she will respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that sure takes a village. She will not only be learning about the love of Christ from us, but it will be and already is being demonstrated to her by all of you. So, thank you! Thank you to all of you who have blessed us during this season in our lives! We know the Lord is using each one of you for kingdom purposes, not just meeting the temporary needs of a growing family. You are lightening our loads so that we can better focus on the most important things in life.
