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Eden

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Birthdays, babies, and books, oh my!

My husband Ray and me on his 50th birthday

My husband Ray and me on his 50th birthday

There’s a lot going on in our family right now. Birthdays, babies, and books, oh my!

My husband Ray had his milestone 50th birthday this week. In the picture above, you see him wearing the “Champ” t-shirt I bought him.

I also made him breakfast (yes, this is quite a feat for me as I hate to cook!), baked him a home-made lime pie (he loves limes), and bought him the t-shirt and work socks. I’m also hosting a birthday bbq for him in August with his friends.

Our daughter Heather bought Ray a new grill and a set of grill tools- an amazing gift! Of course we had to immediately try it out, so last night our kids and grandkids (except for our grandson Jacob, who was in AR) came over for his birthday bbq. Ray grilled his infamous Cajun chicken and corn on the cob.

Heather & Ray with his new grill for his birthday

Heather & Ray with his new grill and grill tools for his birthday

For the birthday bbq, Heather and Eden made home-made, orange-cranberry cupcakes with orange-cranberry frosting and I served Ray’s lime pie. Here’s Eden frosting the cupcakes with her cool baking frosting tool.

Eden looked so pretty in her purple sundress. She’s now about 34 weeks pregnant with her little girl, Piper. We’re all excited about meeting Piper soon!

Eden frosting Ray's cupcakes

Eden frosting Ray’s cupcakes

Aren’t the cupcakes beautiful? Leah said I need to invest in this tool, because mine do NOT turn out this pretty! Eden would like to have her own bakery business one day. Eden added an orange candy slice on top and a moustache as a joke, because I don’t like Ray with moustaches or beards. 

orange-cranberry cupcakes

orange-cranberry cupcakes

Here is Ray about to try one out. He gave his stamp of approval!

Ray and his cupcake with an orange slice and a moustache

Ray and his cupcake with an orange slice and a moustache

The grill works just great. The chicken and grilled corn on the cob turned out delicious! Everyone loved it and had fun.

Ray's Cajun grilled chicken

Ray’s Cajun grilled chicken

grilled corn on the cob

grilled corn on the cob

Everyone digging in! Left to right: Leah, Heather, Heather's boyfriend Matt, Ray, & part of Eden

Everyone digging in!
Left to right:
Leah, Heather, Heather’s boyfriend Matt, Ray, & part of Eden

Our granddaughters (Heather’s girls) Violet and Annabelle and I sat at the kitchen island to eat due to table space in the dining room (above). Annabelle (pictured on the right) is a picky eater, but she loves her papa’s grilled chicken!

Violet and Annabelle at Ray's birthday family bbq

Violet and Annabelle at Ray’s birthday family bbq

Here is a great family picture of us after we ate. I love it!

Our family, Ray's 50th bday Left to right: Heather, Eden, Ray, Leah & me

Our family, Ray’s 50th bday
Left to right:
Heather, Eden, Ray, Leah & me

Eden is eager to have Piper, but Piper doesn’t need to come yet! Eden is supposed to be 34 weeks pregnant, but she and I both think she is further along than that. Eden has already dropped and is dilated 1 cm. Of course, you can be at 1 cm for weeks!

I’m having a baby shower for Eden in late July, but Eden and I have both had dreams that she had Piper early and we don’t think she’s going to make it to her due date in August. Eden has an “owl” theme for Piper’s crib. 

owl theme for Piper's room

owl theme for Piper’s room

owl theme

owl theme

Finally, I’m about to “birth” my new, first ever fiction book, Storm Tossed. It is launching Monday, July 13, 2015, at Amazon.

Storm Tossed

I’m so excited about this. Ray and our youngest daughter Leah have been encouraging me for YEARS to write a fiction book! I had all kind of excuses WHY I couldn’t do this: I’d never written a fiction book before, I’d never taken fiction writing classes, what does plot mean, etc.

I had to tell myself what I’ve told my writer coaching students: “Just do it! No excuses! Write!”

To my surprise, my beta reader reviewers have liked (even LOVED) the eBook, and have given me very positive feedback!

I’m having a Facebook Virtual Book Launch Celebration on July 13, 2015. You can see my video about it by clicking here

Like I said, lots going on with our family right now. Very exciting! What is new with you? Leave your comments below. 

 

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Baby Piper: it’s hard to wait

It’s hard to wait. I’m not much of a waiter. Like a racehorse rarin’ to go out of the starting gate, I’m not real long on patience. Yet patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. “So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.” ~ James 1:4, TLB

My stepdaughter Eden is now 32 weeks pregnant. Like most moms-to-be, she wants everything ready ahead of time to prepare for her baby girl, Piper. (I LOVE Piper’s name! Very prophetic!)

Eden is all baby. She looks so cute! I think pregnant women are just beautiful. 🙂

My stepdaughter Eden, pregnant at 32 weeks

My stepdaughter Eden, pregnant at 32 weeks

We’ve been praying for God to provide everything Eden and Piper’s dad Craig need, as Eden already gave away all of her baby items for her now 7-year-old son Jacob. Recently God answered a HUGE prayer – a crib for Eden’s baby.

Eden’s godparents Gary and Sandy Peters had a crib that they used for their grandkids when they were babies, and they blessed Eden with it. Yesterday I went to pick it up to take it to Eden at her apartment. I’m so thankful Craig was able to put it together right away. Eden wants to paint it white for Piper’s room. 

Craig putting baby Piper's crib together

Craig putting baby Piper’s crib together

Piper's crib

Piper’s crib

After I picked up the crib at Gary’s and Sandy’s house, I went to Walmart to buy Piper a new car seat, their other great need. I bought this pretty purple and black one by Evenflo. It is impact-tested for safety and is for newborn size. Another huge answered prayer! God is Jehovah Jireh, the Provider!

 

Evenflo, newborn car seat

Evenflo, newborn car seat

I also bought Piper some more little things: an owl and hearts onesies, fitted crib sheets, a package of 4 receiving blankets, and a cheery yellow owl wall deco for pictures and notes (Eden wants an owl theme for her bedroom).

Gifts for Piper

Gifts for Piper

Receiving blankets

Receiving blankets

Owl wall deco

Owl wall deco

About a month ago, I bought a “care package” for Eden to have some things ready for when Piper is born and she comes home from the hospital. I love doing this for new moms: Pampers diapers, pacifiers, a soft owl blanket, hand mitts, and pink cupcakes onesies (Eden used to work in a bakery and loves baking and eating cupcakes).

Baby-going-home care package

Baby-going-home care package

Cupcakes onesies

Cupcakes onesies

Soft owl blanket for Piper

Soft owl blanket for Piper

Our oldest daughter Heather bought Eden an owl diaper bag. Eden has packed it with the diapers, wipes, pacifiers, outfits, little hats, etc., to be ready to go to the hospital. I’m so glad that now Craig and Eden have the main things they need for Piper: the crib, her car seat, the diaper bag packed and ready to go, and of course everyone’s prayers for Eden’s pregnancy, an easy delivery, and a healthy baby! 

Owl diaper bag for Piper

Owl diaper bag for Piper

Heather also bought Eden this nice baby swing from a mom at church. These can be life-savers when babies are fussy! (other than rocking the baby or snuggling with her, of course!)

Swing

Swing

After I dropped off the crib, car seat, and the gifts, I invited Eden and Craig to eat lunch. There is a Mexican restaurant across the street from their apartment, so we went there. I could eat Mexican every day! It was delicious! I think Eden and Craig enjoyed it, too. 🙂

Eden & Craig at Mexican restaurant

Eden & Craig at Mexican restaurant

Eden and I both have had two dreams each that Piper came early. Eden’s son Jacob came early and labor with him only took 5 hours! Usually in second, third and subsequent pregnancies, the baby comes faster. We think Piper will come early, but we’re praying she won’t be premature. Please keep Eden, Craig, and Piper in prayer. We all are very excited to meet her! It’s hard to be patient!

Is it hard for you to be patient? What is something you’ve been praying about, but your prayers haven’t been answered yet? Keep praying! Leave your comments below.