In Search of Myself

Friendship musings

I am once again reminded of how much I love my friends, and how blessed I am to have such great friends.  I am so very thankful for them all.

I had dinner Tuesday night with a college friend who has recently moved back to Tennessee.  She was my best best friend my first semester of college.  Second semester she transferred home to Minnesota and I was completely heartbroken.  I've seen her three times in the 6 years since.  Imagine how thrilled I was to get an e-mail telling me she was moving back to Nashville!  (Ok, she's living in a town on the northeast side and I live in a town on the southseast side, but it's Nashville, nonetheless!!!)  We got together at O'Charleys, and it was SO nice to sit and talk.  It will take us a while, I think, to get back to where we used to be -- the biggest adjustment, of course, is that I'm a mom and friendships DO change when one person becomes a parent.  But I am SO excited that she's in my life again!!! (this pic is from when she came to see me before my senior year of college -- we had just gotten henna on our hands and feet and were being silly!)

Then there's my cousin Kim, who I talk about a lot.  I just love her so much.  We're so much alike it's scary, but our lives are SO different.  It was so nice to spend 5 straight days with her on my Thanksgiving break -- and most of what we did was sit around and talk and let the kids play.  She's my one steady snail-mail pen pal, and I love that we care so deeply for each other's kids.  She's more of a sister to me than my own sisters are (except you, Sheri.)  Every time we have to end a visit, Kim and I are both in tears.  (in this picture, which doesn't get any bigger here, I was like 6 months and she was 2. [L to R it's me, my sister Mary, Kim's bro David, and Kim.  They are the first 2 of TEN children!]  My family lived in Indiana until I was 2, then we moved away and ended up in Montana.  Between then and my moving to Tennessee for college, we saw Kim's family just 3 times.  I visited them a LOT during college, tho.  I'm SO glad we're just 5 hours away now!)

And of course, Priscilla.  I haven't seen her for two weeks now, and I miss her so much!  (We're finally getting together tonight.)  I am so thankful for my "best mommy friend."  I love her girls so much.  I love that she lets me practice photography on them and that she thinks I'm SO good at that and scrapbooking.  (I'm the kind of person who needs affirmation!!!)  I love that she's just as into "Friends" as I am.  I love that she and I know we can depend on each other and that she is like family to me.  This is a scrapbook page I finished last night of her and Elauna at Jake's birthday party in September. (click on it to see details!)

Lastly, my internet friends: I missed you guys SO MUCH when I was away from my computer for SIX whole days!  (That's the longest time I've been away from my blog thus far!)  I really enjoy having someone to "talk" to every day at work to take my mind off the boredom of my job.  I love using you all as a sounding board for my thoughts, and that I get such great feedback.  I love that I have so many people who actually CARE about my child even though most of you haven't met him.  I love being able to peek into your lives and your heads through your blogs.

No matter how crazy my life is (and right now it is CRAZY), I know that I am blessed to have so many wonderful friends in my life.

Guess which song . . .

Ok, guess which song goes through my head when I look at this picture of my ADORABLE niece (ok, second cousin) Courtney! (click on picture to make it pop.)  Think about your guess, then click on link.

A little freckle story

There once was a little boy with a tiny little freckle on the back of his right ear.  His mommy thought it was the cutest freckle ever, and whenever he sat on her lap to watch his videos, it caught her eye and made her smile.  The cute little freckle made her want to squeeze him and give him a big hug and kiss.  And so she did.  The end.