Showered with Love

The past 2 weekends have been so wonderful. On August 22, I had my "church shower" at Homewood Church. The church were I have have attended and worked for the past 7 years. Where Ben and I met and married. Where my Birmingham support system is based. It was a very special day for me. It was attended by so many people and we received an ENORMOUS amount of gifts for our first born son. Asher is so blessed to be born into such a loving church family. I can't wait for him to get here and meet these wonderful people!

The weekend of the 28th, I flew to Ohio for a Gift Card Baby Shower. Since I would be flying home, I knew I wouldn't be able to travel with a lot of gifts. So this was the best option. And it was GREAT! We felt like we won the lottery. Everyone was so generous and we ended up with more money and cards than we would have ever imagined.

On top of that, I got to see my friends and family that haven't seen me pregnant yet. I was spoiled all weekend long. My sweet sister wouldn't let me step off the curb without holding my elbow and she even tried to carry my purse for me. She is going to be a wonderful aunt!

I got to spend a lot of time with my family and even had a slumber party with my mom and sister. My aunt joined us for shopping and lunch the next day. It was sooooo much fun. I had a great time seeing everyone and besides missing my husband (it was our first time apart since we got married.) I didn't want to leave!

 

In the Pantry

The pantry at our apartment has been cleared out and moved to the house. This is EVERYTHING and then some that was in my old pantry and I still have room to grow. Granted I hadn't bought much groceries in the past month in anticipation of the move, but I can't wait to buy tons of containers to turn it into my dream pantry!

Catching up...

Sorry I have been out of pocket for so long. I now feel guilty for all the nasty things I have said to my not-so-up-to-date blogging friends. I have finally seen what it is like to have a life outside of the blog world. My apologies...

I am proud to announce that my baby sister, Jodie, has earned an internship with the Big Ten Network. This was no easy feat to accomplish and we are so proud of her! Way to go, Sister! Show those Big Ten guys how it's done! Go Buckeyes!Also, I designed a blog for Rachael Hamilton. Rachael is best friends with my friends Cortney and Jessa. They sent her to me and I appreciate them so much! Rachael just had a baby boy, Jackson a couple of months ago. He is precious....check out photos on her blog!


Now, I may be called a bragger, but if I am seriously going to catch you up on my life, I cannot sign off without telling you about my newest joy - my washer and dryer! We had been running on a decades old set since we got married. A set that was very generously donated to us by Camron and Martina and was very much appreciated! But unfortunately the washer died a couple of weeks ago and had to be replaced. We decided that since we were going to have to purchase a replacement, we might as well invest in a set that would last us another couple of decades. After much deliberation between brands and ratings and A WHOLE LOT of price comparing - we finally settled on a set and now I can't stop doing laundry! I have even washed clean clothes when I ran out of dirty clothes! I never would have thought I would be so excited about laundry!

The Good Wife's Guide

I was reminded of this article the other day by Martina Penter. She pointed out that it would be quite fitting for "The Happy Life of a Happy Wife" blog. Please read with as much sarcasm as you can imagine...

from Housekeeping Monthly, May 13, 1955
(It's a wonder why this magazine is not around anymore.)

• Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, in time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.
• Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.
• Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
• Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dustcloth over the tables.
• Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
• Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.
• Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.
• Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
• Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
  
• Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.
• Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
• Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone though that day.
• Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
• Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
• Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
• A good wife always knows her place.

I am convinced this was written by a man.