A Shower For Johnny and Balloons For Catherine

 Yesterday, we had gathered together with friends and family at our Baby Shower. I must admit, although being in the spot light is not when I seem to shine, things went incredibly smooth, although I was the hottest woman in the room, literally. I was sweating my tootie off the entire time and when I asked everyone else if they were hot, the only one that said it was a sauna in there was my husband. Yes, I made him stay for the shower, and contrary to popular belief, he did not die of embarrassment. He survived, and I didn't even have to tell him not to check his phone for the football game scores. I have to say, when he commits to something, he really commits. Never-the-less, we were both nervous. Me for being the center of attention. Him for being the only male in a group of 60 females. At the end of the day, we both had a real nice time. My MIL did a great job and for that, we are grateful. Here is a picture of *me* as I opened baby gifts.

Here is a picture of the awesome homemade candies on the table and one of the table settings:

We played games, but I was in such a zone that I have no idea what we played. Something with cotton balls and animal babies. I'm sure the games were awesome!

The "thank you" had me in tears. Expecting that to happen, I wrote down what I wanted to say and had a friend ready to come up and finish reading it for me for when the waterworks started flowing. It took me all of 30 seconds to start crying. My friend jumped up to my rescue, read two words and had to stop because she was crying too. Somehow I finished on my own. This is what I had written down;

As most of you know, this little guy was five years in the making. Our cross of infertility has been challenging; to our marriage, with our relationships with friends and family, and definitely spiritually. All of these gifts you brought today have been amazing, and we truly feel blessed. But the greatest gift of all has been of your prayers. You have written letters to the Poor Clare Nuns asking to add us to their intentions. You have held relics of saints, begging them to intercede on our behalf for a child. Your children have come to me telling me that your family prays for us in your daily rosary. When I felt safe to tell the world that we are pregnant, many of you started crying tears of joy because you have held our intentions for a family in your hearts. This child is no doubt a miracle, and a true gift from God, not only to [DH] and I, but also to you, for we all prayed for this child, and the Lord granted our requests.

I was crying and I just couldn't control it. Typical MHE.

By the end of the night, after the guests went home and I was waiting for my ride, I was speaking with this beautiful blogger friend about what to do with the balloons that were left behind. My idea was to pop them, but she had a far better idea. "Why not release them for Catherine Grace?" So when DH came back to pick me up, we released the balloons into the sky. They floated away, the sun reflecting off the blue and white balloons against a dark rain cloud. My only thought was: How symbolic. What a perfect ending to a perfect day.