Weekend in W.V.

Well, we just got back today from a wonderful weekend visiting with Josh's family in W.V.! We arrived on Saturday, and came back today (Tuesday) in time for Josh to work this evening. We were able to introduce Joel to his Great-Grandpa John McCloy, and his Great-Grandma Evelyn McCloy! He has now met all of his grandparents and great grandparents. Great-Grandpa McCloy thought it was a great thing that Joel resembles Josh so much, seeing that Josh resembles Great-Grandpa McCloy! He was sure to tell Joel what a handsome man he was going to grow up to be! :)
We received many blessings this weekend as well! Josh was invited to preach the morning service at his home church, and Josh and I sang a special for the same service. We were able to go out to eat with Tammy's sister, Carrie, who hadn't met Joel until then. (Carrie is expecting her first baby, a girl she plans on naming Annabelle, near the end of December.) Josh's younger brother, Matt, was invited to preach the evening service, and Matt, Josh, their Mom (Tammy) and I sang the special for that service! Their Dad (David) was able to make it to both services to hear his sons preach, which was a great blessing! And, of course, everyone told me how beautiful my sweet Joel is!
We were also able to see a lot more of Josh's Dad this visit. We went over to Grandma Esther's each night, and spent the evening with her and David. She cooked us a couple of WONDERFUL meals, including homemade fried chicken one night, and pork chops the other night! (Those can be counted as blessings, right?)
This weekend, when we left, we weren't thinking anything about our birthdays later this month. Josh's is the 15th, mine is the 30th; too far away to make a big deal out of them now, right? Apparently, wrong! Our last evening with David, he presented us with a couple of great birthday presents (cash is always a great present!), and when we got back to Tammy's, she had a birthday cake waiting for us, and a present for me! (I tease Josh that I'm the favorite...I think she's trying to prove me right! J/K, she said she hadn't found the right gift for Josh yet, but I think she's just itching for a reason to see us again soon. ;) She had the pastor's daughter-in-law, who is gifted at jewelry design, make me a pendant and earrings set that includes Josh's and my birthstone color, and Joel's birthstone color! They are just beautiful.
And if those blessings aren't enough, God provided, through several different sources, the money we spent on the trip, as well as a bit more! (An added blessing, because the Altima is needing new brake pads before we make any more trips in it.) God is so good to give us the family and friends that we have!
Quick Amazing Baby update: Joel is now puckering his lips when I blow a kiss to him, and he is beginning to grasp things like books with one hand on either side! His hand-eye coordination and hand dexterity is amazing. He seems to be developing by leaps and bounds every day. Also, as of this past Sunday, November 2nd, Joel is 4 months old! He weighs 15.5 lbs, but I haven't gotten an accurate length yet. He curls up in his sleep, and wiggles too much when awake! I'll have exact stats after his 4-Month well-baby visit on the 14th. It was put off a bit, due to a busy cold season at our Dr's office.
Oh, and I wasn't able to mention it to the whole church up at Calvary Community, but a great big Thank You for all the baby gifts! And please forgive an extremely busy college-wife and stay-at-home mom for not sending out all my thank-you cards after the baby. The gifts I received from you all, and from my other three baby showers, were much too generous, but SO appreciated! All the baby blankets and quilts, toys, diapers, wipes, keepsakes, and clothes have been and are being put to good use. God has used each and every one of you to provide for us and be a blessing and an encouragement to us while we've been down here at Crown College. Just wanted to express our thanks again for everything. We love you, and we hope to visit again soon! ~Jennifer