Full story coming tomorrow, but for now, three quick peeks from my cell phone –

(Oh, and guess who ended up staying in the room for the delivery after all?)

(I watched the entire thing.  THE ENTIRE THING.)

(Is there anything in life more beautiful than life itself?)

Darlings, this is my best friend from middle school.  Her name is Ashley.

You might be wondering why I have a picture of Ashley looking for something to wear in her closet.  This would be because, when I went to visit her a couple of weekends ago, I was so overcome by how adorable Little Miss Pregnant is, I couldn’t help but take a lot of pictures.  Even in her closet.

And she just let me because she knows it’s just who I am and what I do.

Ashley’s going to have a baby today, her second.  She checked in at the hospital a couple of hours ago and, as soon as I finish writing this and throw my bag into the car, I’m headed her way to photograph baby Landon’s arrival!  About three weeks ago I kept feeling like I should email Ashley and offer to come take pictures of the baby but I kept hesitating because I wasn’t sure if she’d like that or not (after all, I’m not sure if I’d want a camera anywhere near me when I’m in the labor and delivery ward).

But I kept feeling that I should ask her, so I finally sent the following email –

“My little pregnant pumpkin:

When it comes time for little Landon to arrive, would you want me to take some pictures in the hospital?  I am, of course, referring to before and after you give birth, not in the actual moment (unless your heart desires that but I just have this feeling that it does not desire that).  I was just thinking that it might be a nice thing to have later on… I’m totally not offended if you don’t want me to do it, but if you do, say the word and I’ll be at the hospital before you even arrive.”

I was waiting for her polite response of “no, thank you” when I received this back:

“ABSOLUTELY.  That sounds amazing!”

So I’m using some comp time and taking today and tomorrow off from work so that I can be in Knoxville for two blessed events, both the birth of a child and the death of my innocence also known as my mother’s lingerie shower which, in case you’re keeping track at home,  begins in approximately 24 hours.

And with that, it’s time to go load the car and put on my brave face.

My mother’s lingerie shower is taking place this Thursday and, after weighing my options, I’ve decided to attend the shower based on the following reasons:

Actually, now that I think about it, I can’t come up with even one reason as to why I’m attending.

But since I am attending, we (and, oh yes, I’m most certainly bringing each and every last one of you along with me for the ride because you cannot expect me to experience this on my own, now can you?) can no longer ignore the elephant in the room: I need a gift.

Typically this wouldn’t be an issue for me as I have had plenty of experience in shopping for lingerie shower gifts given the fact that Starlite had hundreds of college-aged volunteers over the years who have invited me to their lingerie showers (and weddings and baby showers and baby dedications, but that’s another story for another time).

I’ve got the art of lingerie-shopping down to a science by now — I walk in a store, see something perfect for whichever girl I’m shopping for that day and wrap it up in black paper with a hot pink bow. I would have contended with anyone for the title of Best Lingerie Shopper but then the church ladies sent me that invitation which, frankly, I believe was their own version of throwing down the ultimate shopping gauntlet: lingerie for my mother.

I set out last Thursday evening when I got off from work because I knew that I needed ample time to find just the right gift. I began in my small town where I went to each and every store that carries lingerie only to walk out empty handed. I then drove to Chattanooga, our nearest big city, and began going through their stores. I’ll have you know that I went to every darn department store in that mall, left no corner of Victoria’s Secret untouched and even went to Target in a desperate attempt to find something, anything. I mean, I saw a lot of pretty things but this is my mother we’re talking about here.

Forget the babydoll negligees; could someone please direct me to the flannel pajamas?

I love Mondays. A big part of that is probably because I love my job, but an even bigger part? It’s the night I get to see my college girls!

When Starlite ended, I got to “keep” my group of program leaders, also known as my college girls. Each Monday night, they come over to my house for something we call “Life Group.” We eat dinner together, take turns talking about what’s going on in our lives, pray together and then just spend time together.

It’s ridiculous that it’s been going on for a good two months now and I haven’t mentioned it yet on the blog — and trust me, the girls haven’t let me forget! So, in an attempt to make up for my neglect in mentioning them, I shall now present an illustrated presentation of what a night with them is like.

Dinner begins with our dear Honour attempting to open some spaghetti sauce in my kitchen. Speaking of Honour, here’s a little peek at how my mind works: we have two Anna’s in the group, so I naturally decided that the best way to distinguish them from one another was to pronounce one as “Anna” and the other in my best British accent which, coincidentally, sounds like the word “honor.” Seeing as we were going with the whole British thing, I added in the “u” and, ever since, she’s been Honour.

And then there’s Joy (that’s her real name). Joy was in my bathroom one night admiring my glass bowl sink when she pulled out a drawer underneath it. Get this: I have lived in this house for months now and never knew there was a drawer there. In other words, MORE ROOM FOR STORING HAIR SUPPLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On this particular night we had fruit and brownies for dessert. Except we ate our dessert before we ate dinner. Just because we could. Do you like my little white dishes? I adore them.

After we’ve done our sharing and praying, we just hang out together. Here’s SarahRuth, Anna, Joy and Mary in my living room. I don’t have any curtains yet, so I drew some in for you.

The girls also happen to enjoy hanging out with my boyfriend whilst they’re at my house, especially when they get to dress (or in this case undress) him. Girls, keep your hands to yourselves. He’s all mine.

Of course, there’s always adventure to be had, especially when I’m attempting to cook something. I’m not proud of what you’re about to see but, as you’ll hear me say in the video, surely this will be enough to convince you that I am not joking when I talk about frequently setting my food on fire.

Bon appetit!

Guess who is spending the night with her “Amy Beff” on this lovely fall Sunday night?

In related news, Cuddles would like to know if he could come spend the night with one of you tonight.  Something about being held too much or something ridiculous like that.

I hate to be the one to tell you this, Cuddles, but you’re going to have to suck it up and take one for the team tonight.