In Good Company.... The October 20, 2012 Baby Shower

Saturday.  Was.  Amazing. 

I woke up at 3:30 a.m. so bursting-full of anticipation, there wasn’t enough sheep in all of Scotland for a sleep-inducing enumeration.  Jason woke up with the same problem, so we resolved to just get up and have breakfast.  Ironically, two bellies full of peanut butter oatmeal put us back into a stupor suitable to the hour, and we slept again.

The sunlight inching its way into the room made its joyful announcement around 8 a.m.: It’s Mini’s baby shower day!!!  I was aghast to discover that Jason not in the woods with every other muzzle-loaded, red-blooded Southern gentleman, but was instead snoozing peacefully by my side.  I made coffee and settled in with a book, and there we remained quite contentedly for a good long while.  Honey Boo Boo Dog then loped into the room, stretched her enormous frame across the foot of our bed, and our picture of weekend tranquility was complete.  

 

We finally surrendered the comforts of home to the clock, and by one o'clock we walked into Ann's house where the shower was staged.  We were absolutely astounded by the presentation that greeted us.

 

 

Mini's Auntie Angela posing with her masterful tablework.

 

Ann's house had been transformed into the most elegant tea parlor I could've wished for.  There were shelves of delicate dishes, cups and teapots, and the refreshments were nearly too beautiful to eat.  With help from our moms, Ann & Angela also took prints of me and Jason's baby pictures and recast them in black and white, then displayed them amongst the chintz-printed china and candy-tinted glass.  

 

 

Jordan almonds compliment my pimpin' baby bonnet.

 

 

The element of the day dearest to my heart was the guest list.  As the doorbell announced one arrival after another, I was increasingly grateful for the effort our hosts put into inviting the gaggle of people we requested invitations for.  The exuberant horde that showed up to celebrate this occasion with us was populated with so many dear, familiar faces -- some we hadn't seen in much too long -- whose presence was an occasion in itself!

 

 



Honorary grandma Pat Lightfoot & my sweet maternal grandmother Aleta Mullins:

the two wildest chicks at the party.

 

 

Sean, Melanie & Layla Rock modeling what a hip young family looks like.

 

 

  Amber Austin Bell & Jessica Oden Lain: the trendsetters every party requires.  They even have three names like real career socialites.  Cool.

 

 

Mommy & Daddy with "Auntie" Kendall Loy... every time we give her happy baby news, she cries!  Bless her tender little heart!

 

 

There is no one with more class than Buddy Johnson.  No one.

 

In the midst of all the h'orderve-fueled hubbub, we managed to wade over to the enormous Mt. Everest of gifts and get to rippin'.  I don't know how our group managed to share a collective mind and generously provide us with so many different items to meet Mini's needs without a single gift being given in duplicate (other than diapers, but who cares?!), but they certainly plugged into each other subconsciously and pulled it off!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To think that this outpouring of thoughfulness was fueled by the love that awaits our dear daughter....

That she will have more "Aunties" and "Uncles" and "Grandparents" than she will be able to keep up with.... 

 

Augh.  There are no words.

 

I thank God for our friends and family, present that day both in body and in spirit....