Simply Showered

This is a long overdue post about my shower a couple weekends ago...
So now that Travis and I are rested and relaxed here at Pacific Beach, tucked into our cozy oceanfront (a free upgrade!) room, I will attempt to catch up on my stories.
I am sitting on the slate stairs of our little hotel stealing internet access from the next door hotel in the cool shade of a banyan tree with a cool breeze blowing and sunshine streaming through the leaves. How's that for a great blogging spot?
My lovely mother-in-law and sister-in-law through me the most creative shower. Their theme was "Real Simple"...It was cute, classy and very applicable, as all I need are the simple basics to get started for this child.
I got the basics! Travis' family gave me the crib, and a lovely group of people gave me my car seat. We are still on the hunt for our stroller with the blessings of my DC shower...but we don't really need it right away. Other surprise gifts I received were a baby sling, spa gift certificate, swim lessons and some flannel leakproof cloths that you use to protect your gear from overflow diapers. I ran a bunch of errands the evening before last and was able to purchase with giftcards our diaper bag and other goodies to go in it: a Diapee and Wipee, some cute gender neutral sleepers, and a nursing cover. I now have all the nursing supplies I need, the home-from-the-hospital essentials and the few cute things I really wanted. God is so good to us!
My caregroup also blessed me by making some delicious cupcakes on Friday night, while I went out with the Dinner Club girls, who blessed me with endless advice about being a mother. I was so inspired by both my time with them and with the advice that was shared with me at the shower. Janis had everyone contribute a Simple Joy and a Simple Tip that applied to motherhood. And although I requested no games, she even found a creative one with Scrabble letters, which was the beyond best shower game I had ever heard! Everyone received a letter and had to come up with a creative word or quality that applied to motherhood. I'll post those later....
I was overwhelmed by the good work that God has done by planting me in such new rich soil. My friends from work commented that it was amazing to see how many people loved and supported me. I agree wholeheartedly. It is truly an amazing grace that so many people would love and support me in this next season in such a short time of building in Arizona. I love the verse from Malachai 3:10 which says:

And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Check out all the fun pictures on Flickr!