oh, baby!

congratulations are in order for our friends, the johnsons.

they've been going through the adoption process, and just

the day before their dinner/silent auction fundraiser they met

with a birth mother who surprised them with this sweet card

telling them they are going to be parents of a precious baby girl

in a few short months.

we were all on the verge of joyful tears most of the night.  to tell

the truth, my emotions were heightened for a few reasons...this

was my first experience with a silent auction, and i was in a major

bidding war that had my heart a-racing.  i was a little worried that

richard wouldn't be thrilled when he found out how much i was

bidding, but he unknowingly gave me the go-ahead, so i did what i

had to do to win this amazing giant candlestick.

jenkins scored some pretty sweet booty, too.

richard provided the entertainment for the evening while we

all dined and spent.  he's really not in pain in this picture...i just

caught him mid-lyric.  he was thrilled to help our pals out.

my mom's family even came to enjoy the festivities.

my mother herself was m.i.a. because she was on the cougar prowl

congratulating the high school wrestlers that she's hunted all season.

her folks must have raised her right.

i'm a lucky girl to have friends like these gals, and i couldn't be happier

for mj...she's gonna be the hottest little mama on the block.  how lucky

is her little girl going to be to have two aunt rachels?  i know.