Showered with Love

Last Friday Stephanie, Catherine and Rachael hosted a 'diapers and wipes' shower for me...what a fun reason to get a bunch of ladies together! Exciting to think that #4 will be joining us soon :) And now we're all stocked up, thanks to a wonderful group of women.

And look at this spread! Oh, my...delicious. I'm getting hungry now just looking at it all.

By far the sweetest part of the evening. My friends prayed for me, the baby and the rest of our family...such a powerful and moving thing to hear their requests being lifted up for us. These were little prayer cards Stephanie made up. Truly our prayer for all of our children, that above ALL ELSE they would love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, and then love their neighbor as themselves. That is what Josh and I are seeking to teach them...as it says at the top of this blog...Love God, Love Others, Looking to Christ as our Treasure...

Sweet Stephanie...such a precious friend.

What a blessing these ladies are in my life! I was looking around the room at one point, overwhelmed by the fact that even just two short years ago, I only knew Stephanie and Catherine out of this whole group! And in the time we've been here in WF, the Lord has been so gracious to allow me to meet and develop sweet friendships with so many special girls that sharpen me and love me well.

Catherine. Love her. And check out the cool monogrammed basket she gave me! I can tote all kind of stuff in this!

Here I am with the beautiful hostesses, about to partake in a race to see who can drink the bottle of apple juice the fastest...

It was way harder than it looks! And it's especially hard to drink out of a bottle when you can't stop laughing...and by the way, Catherine won!!

Such a treat to have Megan at my shower! Her family just arrived stateside from India not even two weeks ago. I have loved having her so close by...definitely spoiled now!

These ladies bless me in so many ways...Thank you doesn't seem nearly sufficient to express the gratitude in my heart for them and how they have loved us.

Making Progress

Just a quick pregnancy update...

I'm 37 weeks now, officially full-term! We are so excited that we will be meeting our new baby in just a few weeks (maybe?!) I went to the doctor this morning and I'm now dilated 3cm!! Big change from last weeks appointment when I was 1 cm. The baby's head is down and ready, and I'm 50% effaced. So, making progress :) The doctor said it looks like there is a big baby in there! Not surprising...considering Kate, Carter and Hudson were all around 8 1/2 pounds at birth. So we are just plugging away at our to-do lists and waiting! We'll keep you posted :)

Playing in the dirt

I've got that Pike Nurseries commercial about playing in the dirt again stuck in my head after the fun day we had with Josh and Paige Williams (a couple from our small group). They have a big vegetable garden in their backyard and invited us to bring the kids over to help them plant some more seeds today. Needless to say, our kids were more than happy to take them up on the offer!!

Receiving instructions and learning about the different seeds from Josh.

Getting started

Once they finished with the vegetables, Kate moved to the front yard with Paige to help weed around the tulips.

Look closely and in Kate's left hand you can see the little worm she found in the dirt (it's close to her wrist). Can I just say, I love that earlier this afternoon she had me painting her fingernails, and then mere hours later had the dirtiest hands from digging in the dirt and it didn't even phase her.

No puddle is too small for Hudson...he was having the best time stomping with his frog boots!

Planting some wildflower seeds

And then the boys discovered the water. Josh collects rainwater to use to water the garden. We had several inches of rain last night so it was nice and full, and the boys thoroughly enjoyed splashing in the bucket of water!

Such a fun way to spend an afternoon :)

Spring has sprung!

Easter is my very favorite celebration of the year! I try to keep the gospel front and center throughout the year, but it is especially sweet to set aside a day to celebrate the awesome display of God's power in the resurrection of Christ, and the hope that we can have because of it!

So it was a big disappointment that both boys randomly threw up the night before, and couldn't go on Easter morning. Kate and Josh did go, and what could be a sweeter daddy-date on Easter morning...worship with the church and then out to lunch. Here they are in their Easter finest :)

Here's our goldfish Sparkles. It was a party favor from a birthday party a few weeks back. She only lived two weeks, but made a big impression on the kids. They are still asking for her, and now Kate has expanded the requests to include a hamster and a gerbil. Our answer? "NO! We have a pet already and her name is Bailey." Sparkles dying did present a good opportunity to share with the kids about life and death though...

I love the fact that Kate and Carter just enjoy being together. I am blessed to hear the sounds of my children's laughter so often throughout my days (don't get me wrong, there is plenty of whining and crying too, but I much prefer to focus on the laughter)

We went to Carter's friend Sebastian's pirate birthday party. Here's Carter saying "Arrrrgh"

And Hudson's attempt...

Don't stand between this boy and his cupcake. He'll take you down.

Since I couldn't get a shot of the kids on Easter, here's one from the next Sunday. Sometimes I wonder how I could be so blessed that God has entrusted these precious children to me. My heart is so full. Can't wait to see the 4th!!

Kate and Jane Lourcey. She is a little mommy through and through. I love the nurturing spirit God had placed within her. Kate waited all evening to get to feed Jane her bottle, and was obviously very happy when it came time for it :)

Our precious friends Paul and Miranda. They are moving overseas this summer...sad to see them go, but so thankful to call them friends and see what the future holds for them!!

Carter enjoying the Davis' swingset with Phoebe Rhino, one of our small group friends.

Kate and Lana Davis having a big time swinging in these cool chairs. So wish I had an audio for the laughter that went along with this picture...precious.

The Preedy's are here!! You may remember that we stayed with Paul and Megan last summer when Josh and I went on our mission trip to India. They are here visiting for a few weeks as they begin their stateside furlough. It's been so good to see them, and have them in our home. Precious, precious friends. Here is Megan with her youngest son, Levi (4.5 mo). Isn't he a doll?!

Josh reclaimed our porch from the nasty yellow pollen that had completely covered every square inch of it. The boys are so excited they can play out there again!

And here's the latest on the pregnancy...I'm 36.5 weeks and have already started dilating. And I swear I can see my belly growing by the minute :) Doctor said everything is looking good and baby is in position. Won't be long now!! We are beyond excited to meet our newest member of Team Reed!!

Funny story: Kate came up to me this morning and said "Mommy, I like your necklace...and your belly button....it looks like you have a ring on your belly under your shirt." I love my girl :)

Spring Break 2010

Kate and Josh were on Spring Break last week. My mom made a spur-of-the-moment decision to fly up and see us, which was very exciting and most helpful because Josh had a PILE of school work to do over the break. So grateful for how she loves and serves us...she really was a huge help to me, and freed Josh up to get lots of studying done. Plus we had FUN :)

There is a great childrens' museum in downtown Raleigh that we took the kids to one day. It was a whole different experience this time with Hudson running around with the big kids...he's almost technically a big kid now himself!! Last time we went to the museum (last year for Kate's field trip), Hudson rode in the Ergo the whole time. But he was definitely in the mix this trip!! Thankful Mom was with me to help keep tabs on them!

Carter found these crutches in the dress-up section and said "Hey, Mommy, look! I'm like Daddy!!" Guess it reminded him of when Josh had his ankle surgery last fall :)

On the way home. I'm thinking they had fun :)

We try to take each of the kids out on a date as often as we can, but it was an extra special treat for Kate to get to go on a Mimi-date to the Tea Room!! They had so much fun and did a little shopping afterwards. Great way to end a wonderful visit! Love you Mimi!!

Cherry trees in the N. Main median. GORGEOUS.

It wouldn't feel like Spring Break without a trip to the beach, right?! Our sweet friend Rachel Babb invited us to join her mother and Justin at their family place on Sunset Beach for the weekend!! It's a short 3 hour drive and we jumped at the chance to get away! Could not have asked for better weather...it was absolutely perfect.

I wish this picture showed how much sand was all over Hudson. He was covered from head to toe, literally. And didn't mind one bit!

Mrs. Babb let Kate and Carter "clean up" the beaters after making homemade 'cookies and cream' ice cream...yummo!

Kate didn't mind the frigid ocean temps...she was in the water a good bit. I love this sassy girl :)

Love this man so much! (oh, and I'm 34 weeks here)

Rachel was so good to go jump waves with Kate...now that's a true friend b/c the water couldn't have been any more than 60 degrees...brrr...

We had such a great time!! So thankful we got to go...