An Amazing Baby Gift from my Talented Friend, Sallie

Do you guys remember my post back in November about my new friend, Sallie? Well since working with her to review the cute University of Georgia wreath she sent me she has become someone whom I not only admire but consider a friend! It is people like her that make me so glad I am a blogger because had it not been for this blog I would never have had the opportunity to "meet" her. 
This girl is simply the sweetest! If you read the post than you already know about Sallie's sweet little boy, Evans, and that he was diagnosed with autism last year. As a result of his diagnosis (as I wrote about in the previous post) Sallie has gotten involved with Zac Brown's new organization, Camp Southern Ground, which is located in my home town and uses a percentage she makes from her business to help support this awesome cause.
When Sallie heard I was expecting she sent me the sweetest baby gift and I wanted to share with you all because I have gotten so many compliments on it!

It is a handmade baby announcement door hanger. Yes, she even used the colors of my nursery. I LOVE it! It is one of my absolute favorite baby gifts I have received. As you can see it shows his name and has a place for me to write in his date and time of birth and also weight and length at birth. I currently have this hanging on his bedroom door but might move it to the front door once he arrives so everyone can see his birth announcement!
Sallie sells these door hanging announcements at her etsy store, Silly Sal Gals. I think this would make a really neat accessory for the hospital as well! So much cuter than the dry erase marker on the board! She will work with you to design the announcement door hanger in any color/style if you do not see what you are looking for at her store. And trust me...once you email this girl you will quickly find out how sweet she is! 
Sallie also gave me some awesome advice as I begin the journey into motherhood that I would to share with you all to encourage everyone else because I was so touched by her words, 
"My advice is a bit unconventional and really it's something that my husband said to me along time ago. Our journey into parenthood has been unexpected and rocky. Every parent wants their child to be "ok" and having a child with special needs throws your world into a tailspin. You feel every conceivable emotions possible. But at the end if the day, your child is YOUR child, the love of your life and you will do anything in the absolute world to ensure his happiness! I can remember laying in bed night after night when we were changing work schedules to for therapy and agreeing to every possible intervention for Evans even though it meant 30 hour a week therapy commitments and I would say to Josh, " I just hope I am doing enough for Evans, I was tired today, I should have done more for him" and he so sweetly turned to me and said "because you worry about being a good mother, is the very reason you are a good mother". As mothers we are our biggest critics, we will analyze everything we do and don't do and wonder how those behaviors will shape our child. Our heart is literally walking around outside our body and we will loose hours of sleep worrying, praying, and planning for them. That attention to detail alone makes you a better mother than most.
Secondly, loving your child's father is probably one if the single most important things you can do for your son. No one in this world will love him like his mother and his father and when they in turn love one another it is a daily visual of love! It's our job to raise men who love and respect their wives and our actions as married parents speak louder than words.
Lastly, I remind myself (as unbelievable as it is) that this precious child is Gods child's first and despite how much I love him, God loves him even more. There are no mistakes! God has trusted you with his most precious gift! When Evans was diagnosed we are embarrassed to admit that we were angry with God...."why us", "why our child" but after we we finished our pity party it dawned on us. What confidence God must have in us to parent. He gave us this precious child because he was confident that we would EVERYTHING to provide for his needs. He trusts us THAT MUCH! That's an overwhelming realization! The same for you, he has trusted you with this precious baby of his because he knows your abilities and he knows your heart! He has great things planned for our boys!!!!! And how blessed are we that we are chosen to be mothers!!!! Enjoy every moment, it's a experience like no other! The hardest most wonderful job you will ever have!!!!!" 

Her advice brought me to tears and was so wonderful that I shared it with my husband. May it touch and encourage one of you the way it did me! 

Thank you again, Sallie for my amazing gift! I love it! Hard to believe I only have two more months until my due date and I can fill out my door hanger :)!!!