The Girls

8 years ago we were newlyweds, new to the Marine Corps, and we got carded everywhere. We did book clubs and coffees.

We've added these little ones to our number. Now we do playdates at Chic Fil A, read board books, and only get carded at Walmart:).

From book clubs to playdates, I've treasured every single memory, and though these chapters are closing, new ones are yet to be written together again someday!!!

My Cup Runneth Over!!!!

We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over.

-James Boswell

Sad Goodbyes

I remember the day we moved to Florida for flight school, crying into my handsome genuis' chest on the deck of our Florida apartment saying "There is not one person in this whole town who knows my name, not one but you. I have no friends, and I want to go home to Colorado." He lovingly reminded me that my home was with him now, and that happened to be in Pensacola Fl. In a matter of weeks one by one some of the best friends a girl could ever have entered my life, and I haven't been without them since. From Florida, to California, to North Carolina, every move we've moved together.

We've seen more of each other in these past few years than we have our husbands. We've grown from newlyweds to seasoned mothers. Laugh lines, gray hairs, much prayer and so many precious memories have woven us together.

To say goodbye seems impossible. But I'm packing up these precious memories as treasures from God, knowing there's a promise in every memory: a reminder of how good our God is and always will be! I'm thanking him for the the amazing friends I have here and the pain. The pain is a reminder that he planted us in such rich soil that our roots couldn't help but grow deep and flourish. He's transplanting these roots to another pot with soil that will be just as rich, because that's what he does: tending, fertilizing, and sometimes making painful cuts to grow us even bigger, bear his fruit and bring him glory.

My Friends Rock!

I've been under the weather for the past 7 days with a body aches that convince me I've been run over by a truck, a sore throat, headache, fever, and well you know you've been there. Meanwhile, this appeared at my house around dinnertime. Those meatballs are made from scratch and so was that french bread. I was on the phone with her when she was rolling it out.

After a dinner like this, and a drink like that, plenty of motrin, a heating pad, and the best friends ever I'm feeling as good as new. . . well, pretty much.

Like the song that I have listed on this blog... you find out who your friends are... My friends are the kind of people who would do anything for anyone in need. And that would be why, my eyes tear up at any thought of leaving this place.

Growing up with Friends

I was recently sitting in the hairstylists chair talking with a very young stylist... about her friends. She was referring to her closest of close friends. Talking about how important it is to be around those friends you've known for life, and how those are the friends that can complete your thoughts for you and know you better than you know yourself. I was telling her about you all. I said "We may not necessarily have known each other since we were little, but we've grown up together"

College
Marriage
Flight school
The first, second, third deployment
Having Kids

We've weathered it together

I was just laughing with Tammy, a dear friend, as we realized.... It's almost like now, we might, just maybe might have a little inkling of a clue what we're doing, finally.

So here's to all of you, the growing up we have left to do, and the unfinished chapters ahead.

It's pouring!!!

Sometimes rain comes from out of the clear blue sky, completely unexpected blessings begin to pour. Just when you think you could use some refreshment you look up and it starts pouring. '

Precious friends asked if we'd like to go boating on Monday. Tammy had an OB appointment, so Brad took the day off. She went to the doctor's in the morning and the rest of the day was spent out on the water.
Peter spent most of his time assisting the "Captain"
Tink cracks me up. She picked up this arms-behind-her-head thing from her dad. She does it when she's super relaxed.
The life preserver was not Kate's thing at first. She screamed all the way to our first stop... lunch. After lunch, it was smooth sailing!

As we sailed back to the marina, the sun went down and Ospreys flew overhead. There's nothing like a sunset to draw God's blessings into focus. As I held my girls close, tears of joy streamed down my face. Just because there's no rain in the forecast doesn't mean it won't rain. Today God's blessings seem torrential! Great friends, good times, and God's creation all around. A memory for a lifetime, and on a Monday no less!!!

Labor Day Weekend

Somewhere between the Pakistani relief effort, Dan's parents plane crash, and dad's chemo beginning next week. I was beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed. One of the things that is the hardest for an independent minded Marine wife to do sometimes is admit that you need something. This weekend I needed ... to laugh... to get away... and to celebrate my little boy who just turned 5. And that we did, with our precious friends in Virginia!. 4 late nights, 2 birthday cakes, 1 Rennaissance festival, and 14 happy kids later, and my heart is full. Sometimes God loves us through our friends. I feel very loved!

Camp Christy and Mary

Some more precious friends are moving, along with their 8 beautiful children, soooo I decided I'd be helpful. Instead of unpacking every box they pack (which is really what I'd rather do), my friend Mary and I held a mini day camp at my house... 2 days, 12 children and 2 adults. Toooottallly safe! We baked cookies, brewed sassafras tea, played starwars, ran a beauty shop, made a waterslide, watched movies, popped popcorn, and we only went to the ER once. Anna dislocated her elbow; that's all.:) We had a blast! Anna did too. 4 lollipops later, and she's good as new. As one friend said... "long live the lollipop."

Best Friends

I have friends! Beautiful, wonderful, precious, thoughtful friends!
They've shaped me, taught me hobbies, cared for my kids, door bell ditched cakes and flowers, and made me a better person. I love them like crazy and now 5 of them are moving. I knew when I married into the military WE would have to move, but I didn't consider the heartbreak of watching moving van after moving van haul my closest friends away to different parts of the country and the world. I think I want to go throw up now!

Rewind . . . junior high, greasy haired plain jane desperate for one friend. I remember a day in my living room praying with some close family friends for God to give me one friend. The man who was praying finished his prayer with light in his eyes, and said. God is gonna give you so many precious friends. Ohhhh and how he has!!!!!!!!

So this post is dedicated to those girls moving or not, who have shaped my very soul and made me a better friend and person. I treasure each of you!!! You all are an answer to a prayer that I prayed so many years ago. God does immeasurably more than we could ever ask for or imagine. I have the best friends in the whole world. And a message to the rest of the world: If you live in Virginia, Florida, California, or Taiwan I have great news for you..... the best friend you ever had is moving to a town near you.... snatch her up while you still can.

And now I want to thank God for email, blogs, unlimited phone minutes, and my friends who aren't moving!

Friends

There is nothing like good friends. A friend showed up at my door today when I was feeling sick, watered the thirsty plants on my porch, traded me my kids for these flowers, and sent me back to bed. She brought the kids back bathed, fed and ready for bed four hours later! I have the most precious sisterhood of friends here, and they are one of God's biggest blessings! I could go on and on and on about the girls and their thoughtfulness. My friend, Kelli made me cry today, and just like the mess that is hiding behind the flowers in this picture, she made a hard day, beautiful.

A new revelation

A precious friend's husband just confessed to marital infidelity . . . earth shattering news for her, her family and all those who know and love them. So in my quiet time this morning as I was reading yet another story of Jesus healing the sick in Luke 5 suddenly it resonated to my core. Jesus didn't just heal them; he forgave them. We serve a God who can take the worst betrayal: Christ crucified and turn it into the best thing that ever happened. We have no guarantees in this life except for that. I pray my friend doesn't only find healing, but much more packed in these moments ahead with her God.