Showers of Happiness!

It has been a busy time since my husband and I arrived in Colorado nine days ago! The moving truck came, and all went well, with the exception of a few frantic moments where I thought my cat had run out of the house (he was hiding in a closet).  Thankfully, everything arrived intact from its long journey from New York, and we have been busy unpacking, with many boxes still left to open and items to put away and organize. We have also been trying to buy necessities, fill our pantry, and decide on some new furniture pieces that we need. One of our first priorities was a new mattress set, as we did not move our old ones.  After sleeping on an uncomfortable futon for a week, we were very excited to finally have a king size bed to rest on! 

The very best event that happened this weekend was my daughter's baby shower! It was held at my son and daughter-in-law's home, and she, along with her Mother and sister, did a wonderful job decorating, planning the brunch menu and preparing the food. The cupcakes you see, in the top right of the photo collage above, were from Denver's gourmet shop called Happy Cakes Bakery. They were so delicious! I made the "diaper cake" as a centerpiece, using newborn and size one Pampers that are rolled up to form a two-tier "cake," which I then decorated with small baby items. I topped it with the cute stuffed monkey from the Babies R Us "CoCaLo" theme, which my daughter has chosen to decorate her baby's nursery.

Most of those that attended the shower were co-workers and local friends, while our New York, and other out of state family, had sent their gifts ahead of time.  My daughter felt very loved, and received so many delightful gifts! My grandsons had fun helping her open some of them. A couple of the gifts made me smile, so I included them in the collage above. (Click on any photo to make it open on a new page and then click on it again to enlarge it.  Use your browser's back arrow to return to this post)  I especially laughed at the book a friend of mine sent called The Baby Book of the Boroughs," so that my granddaughter would learn the proper pronunciation of "noo-Yaww- uhk," (New York) and the word that always gives me away as a New Yorker-- "Kaw-fee" (Coffee)

One of the special things that were done at the baby shower was that everyone was asked to send or bring a special bead for a "Motherhood Blessings Bracelet," that my daughter-in-law strung together during the shower. Every person wrote on a card for my daughter to keep as to why they chose the bead(s) and what blessing it represented for my daughter and her expected baby girl.  You can see the finished bracelets in the collage above.  My daughter will wear the bracelets while she is in labor as a reminder of all these wonderful blessings and messages of support from those who love her.

One of my life's greatest blessings has been my children. To have a daughter, now expecting a daughter, is a circle of life that fills me with such joy!  I am so happy to be living close to her now and to be able to enjoy all these special moments. Please keep her in your prayers as she awaits the birth of her baby girl in a few weeks. We can not wait to meet her!

Before I leave I have to show you who I saw when I looked out my kitchen window last week!

This beautiful young buck was passing through my backyard!  I'm sure he wanted to sample some of the bushes that are growing there, but he was such an amazing sight I really didn't care. There is a lot of wildlife in my area, and it is nice to live in harmony with them, even if I now know I probably won't be able to plant tomatoes in my backyard like I did when I lived in Brooklyn, and have them survive. It will be a small sacrifice to see such wonderful examples of nature!

Later that evening, as dusk approached, I saw this gorgeous sunlit cloud hanging over my neighborhood.  Colorado is so beautiful! I can't wait to show you more of it after I get settled. Please be patient with me as I try to catch up!