Showered

This is my youngest sister-in-law.

Her name is Rachel. And in six weeks, give or take a few days (or weeks!), she's going to be a mama. She is having a little girl.


She's got the whole 'glow' thing down pat.

Yesterday, my oldest sister-in-law, Julie, and I threw her a shower. Now, Julie and I are old hat at this shower business. We've thrown too many several showers in the (gulp) eight years I've been with her brother. Baby showers, wedding showers, bachelorette parties...you name it. And to be quite honest, we usually end up in a crumpled heap on the floor afterwards. Why? Because we have a problem with doing things for people who have entitlement issues...not thankful, not grateful. No. They think they deserve it. End of story.

So, suffice it to say, we've grown a bit bitter on the whole shower thing as of late.

Until yesterday. This shower yesterday? Lovely. All around. And the very best guest of honor we've had to date.

I don't expect a huge dramatic thank you, or anything over the top. It was just, I guess, the feeling, the warmth Rachel exuded throughout the day. She was just happy. I LOVED IT. EVERY SINGLE MINUTE.

And the food? Yeah, I have to say it was amazing. And, since I wasn't in charge of the camera during the food portion - I only have one shot. The cake, a five layer bad ass of a cake. Julie made it, and it was insane. We literally only had a few crumbs to sample. We ran out of cake just as I served the last guest. Whew!


If you could pan out on the table, we had some pretty fine eats. And somehow, we had JUST the right amount of food.

We had each guest decorate a onesie for the baby. So fun (and messy). We ruined a few tablecloths - whoops.

Love this one:


And these are so sweet:


But my favorite was decorated by a seven year old - we deemed this the one that will NEVER dry what with the five pounds of paint on it. Can you read what it says?

"Littel Miss Messy." I think this may have to go in a frame. It even has strategically placed orange paint in the diaper area.

At the end, we 'sisters' got together to commemorate the day. Me, Rachel and Julie. A few years ago, this whole event may have never happened. If there was a shower, Julie and I may not have been there. But now, we're together, as a family, and we're all better for it.

Yesterday was exhausting, but incredible. My heart is full, Rachel's nursery is stocked, and I can't wait for my new niece to arrive!