Reese's Party

I'm getting antsy to meet our little girl! And though she is our third girl, the suspense and culmination of our first meeting, is just as exciting. Even so, I felt that a baby shower would be frivolous given our current economy, so I asked my friend Stephanie, who so kindly offered to give me one, for a time spent with friends instead. But, when you have friends like mine, the get-together morphed into what I like to call a baby shower. :o) I am so amazed by it all, but I do have friends who love my girls and wait expectantly, like we are, to meet our next one. The blessing of it all overwhelms and humbles me. This party was so special because I got to bring along my favorite little gals, Liv and Holland. Those of you who have girls know that they aren't always born acting like little ladies. On the contrary, such things such as party etiquette, table manners, social skills, really do have to be taught. Because of this, I look forward for occasions in which we can practice them.

Here I am with the girls. Getting them out of bed that morning was quite easy. As soon as they remembered that they were going to Reese's breakfast party, jammies went flying, dresses flew on, and shoes were squished on without so much as an unbuckle.

I can barely believe it that I get to have another girl to add to this picture soon!

A side-view is always a must.

I was so happy to have my mom there to help us celebrate. We had a great weekend together and she got to help cheer Liv on during her race the night before.

Here I am with some of my friends:

Stephanie, left, so graciously welcomed us all into her beautiful home. She also arranged the party, even though she's still in the throes of her first pregnancy trimester. She's an amazing party planner and thinks of all the details. Stephanie and I actually first met at Chili's Restaurant where we worked. Meanwhile, our future husbands were both at BSU on wrestling scholarships. The rest is pretty much history...Steph...she is my always accepting, always compassionate friend. Chelsea and I met 1 month shy of 9 years ago at our newly marrieds bible study. I don't always have to tell her everything...She knows what I mean, even when I don't say it right...which is quite often. I often wish I could put everything on paper before I say it, and she knows that about me. We were both teachers and runners and hit it off right away. We taught summer school together and have been so fortunate to live right around the corner from each other! This has come in handy for impromptu visits, a place to take my girls during hair appointments, and shared Costco trips. We also both attempted to become certified as Driver's Ed. instructors a few years back. One of us had to drop out because of a California-influenced lead foot. Apparently, Driver's Ed instructors can't have more than 3 speeding tickets in 6 months. Who knew? Anyhow, now that I've cleared the air, Chelsea brought the most yummy quiche and beautiful flowers and balloons, much to the delight of our girls.

Here's my friend Shannon.

You'd never guess that she is one of the busiest people I know. oh, okay...she's not busy in this picture, but trust me....the girl looks this calm even when she is so busy. She's incredibly talented and wise beyond her years. Shannon and I got to become moms together when our first borns were born within 2 days of each other.

And she makes an exceptionally beautiful bouquet of fresh fruit. From a distance, I really thought she was carrying in a pretty flower arrangement. Instead, I was in awe to find a head of lettuce, speared with skewers of fresh pineapple cut into flower shapes, strawberries, grapes, and canteloupe. Each skewer was laced with parsley. You can check it out in the photo below, to the right:

I really like this picture below because, in addition to the amazingly cute baby Esther, there are 4 pairs of feet in this picture. You can see Liv's bare and taut feet, pointed to allow her easier access to the breakfast goods. I must also compliment Keri's very fashionable wedges. I can always count on her to have beautiful shoes. Keri lives in my neighborhood and inspires me daily with her creativity as a mom. And you can tell all that by her shoes alone. My toe is peaking from the right. And would someone please claim the perfect-painted toes to the left?

Keri created this beautiful invite for the party. She is uber-talented with the computer, and blesses people with her generosity. This invite matched Reese's baby book perfectly, unbenownst to Keri until after it was made!

Here I get to pose with my mom-in-law, Jan. She wrote a few beautiful songs for Reese, one of which was sung at the party by Liv. Jan and I and the girls have sung the songs around the breakfast table and into the tape recorder. It's been fun having these jam sessions. She has made this pregnancy very sweet for me by relieving me of a great amount of house and yard work. It has given me time to rest, read more books to the girls, and go on more dates with Bri. I know I will look back on this time with fondness. Oh, and we have the same initials: JLW. Just a little piece of trivia for ya.

My friend Melinda, on the left, is due about 4 weeks after me. It's been fun to compare notes, since this is the third for both of us. Her laugh is contagious. I pray that her energy is, too.

This is a cute picture of my friends. Suz, left, is also pregnant and is due in December! She pretty much always has that cute smile on her face. She also has a really big heart. Miranda is the mom to adorable baby Esther, above. She also built a chicken coop. Not at the party. At her house. And my friend Katie, right, is one of the most laid back and friendly people I know. She also makes a mean strawberry shortcake.

See? And I am still dreaming about another piece!

My friend Anna (AKA former college roommate) is a gem of a friend and actually drove up to Boise from Twin Falls...even though she had to drive up the weekend before....and told me she wouldn't miss this event. Ah. I'm so glad that God allowed our paths to cross. She's encouraging and joyful and made my first year of college so fun. She's priceless when I need conversation. She also got to be a mom for the first time in 2009. I think it suits her quite well.

I like this picture, as it shows my friends mingling in the backdrop, while I steal a moment with my girls. Fifth from the left, is my sweet sister-in-law Amy. I'm so happy to have her in my life. Once upon a time she spent hours helping me get my first classroom together before the first day of school, we set up shop in our living room right before her college graduation to crank out a bunch of announcements and did the same a few years later with her wedding invites. We also endured teasing from our husbands as we seriously talked of establishing our own invitation business. Apparently, they thought it was funny that at the end of the card making session, we had forgotten all of our frustrations and trials. (We needed them to rescue us from printer troubles on more than one occasion.) The girls got to spend the night a month or so ago at Amy and Chris' house. Amy had organized many fun activities for them and they are still talking about the time they had.

Liv would like to thank whoever brought the croissants. She ate 3-1/2.

My friend Sarah is talking with my mom on the left. She and I met in the 7th grade in Journalism class. She is one of the smartest women I know. Seriously. She also made high school so fun for me. Brian always makes fun of me because when he had met me, the worst thing I had ever done (as in breaking-the-law type stuff) was spray paint graffiti in a tunnel and pick roses illegally in a state park. Sarah was my partner in crime in both instances. I didn't tell Brian, though, that the words we spray painted were "Jesus Loves You". ha ha!! Thankfully, we were let go with just a warning after being caught red handed with the roses, (bad pun intended) and not the suggested $250.00 fine.

Here I am enjoying some conversation with my friend Christi. Christi and I go way back. Back to the 6th grade that is, when we met in Honor's Band, thankfully seated right next to each other.We then started junior high and experimented with cooking in a class called Foods and Nutrition. We also attended the same youth group. Celebrated half birthdays. Played butt wars on the trampoline. Made music videos. Played hooky during PE runs. Got my car stuck in her yard. TP'd cars together. Sung in the same music group. Directed a Vacation Bible School for kids in Mexico completely in Spanish together. We both attended different colleges in Idaho, then became elementary teachers and located permanently in Idaho. We have some really embarrassing pictures taken together. We also share some really special memories. I adore her. Oh, and if you want some tips for raising lady-like girls, just let me know.

Liv was so incredibly sweet. She made a present for Reese, put it in a gift bag, and brought it to the party. Here I am with her, posing with the oh-so-practical umbrella for Reese....made from a Dixie paper plate, and two straws.

Again, if you would like some tips on teaching party etiquette to your little girl, I would be so happy to share what I've learned.

I wish I had gotten a picture of my friend Jonie, who made this beautiful bib and a matching blanket, but the bib will have to do in this case. :o) She is metilculous in all areas of life...her family, her child-raising, most importantly--her relationship with Jesus. I find it interesting that you can see the same level of order and care in the stitches she so carefully places upon fabric. She and her husband Cyrus are expecting their third baby in December! The girls have picked up these bibs on numerous occasions and in their squeakiest voices said, "OOOOOOOH! These are the CUUUUUTEST little BIIIIIIBS!"


My friend Katie made this beautiful nursing cover. The fun of it was that she and I got to make a visit to my favorite fabric store a couple of weeks prior to pick out this beautiful material. I. love. fabric. stores. Thanks Katie for keeping me in style...even while nursing. :o)


Miranda made this charming little bonnet for Reese, and convinced Esther to model it for us. She did so with such poise. Isn't it absolutely adorable? Yes...this is the same Miranda who built the chicken coop. She also sews. And is bilingual.


When my sister and I were young and went to birthday parties, my mom would let us pick a basket for our friend and we would load it up with fun girl stuff....like bonne bell chapstick, a pack of gum, and a carefully selected nail polish. It was so fun. My mom still does that for me. :o) She's so sweet in that each item placed in a "basket" or "bag" or "purse" is carefully selected, very random, and most often things that I would not dream of buying for myself...simply out of frugality. This beautiful bag, from my mom and sister, is without a doubt the nicest bag I have ever owned....and it gets to be my new diaper bag...without actually being one. :o) She loaded it with socks, a few rattles and teething toys for Reese, a preschool book from the 1970's, beautiful flowers from a soap factory in Yakima, wooden salad tongs, etc. I had to put the picture of me pulling salad tongs from the bag. That is SO my mom. And I am SO happy that's the case. :o)


Thank you God for my amazing friends and family. Thank you for the unique delight and enrichment each one of them brings to my life.

And now...all we need is Reese to come. 4 weeks and counting!