These are my girls.

Every Friday, I go to lunch with these girls.

They are my “lunch bunch”. But they are so much more than just my lunch friends. These girls are some of my closest friends, my coworkers, my family. They are my listening ears, words of encouragement, arms of love. They are my prayer warriors. These girls are there whenever I need them, to do whatever I need. They are a warm hug when I feel alone. Mom’s when mine is out of reach. Sister’s to rejoice with. Crafty friends to “scrap” with. They understand when I need to vent. A source of strength when I feel week. They are my support, my words of advice, my confidants. But the thing I value the most about them is their love. I know these friends truly care for me, and love me for who I am. When you ask these girls to pray, boy do they pray. And we have seen amazing things happen in our lives that can only account for that one things.

Thank you girls. Thank you for being there for me, for loving me, and giving me the opportunity to love you back!

Friendship Friday - My BFF

Tawni and I became best friends the summer after 3rd grade. I am not sure how exactly it happened, I guess that is one of the blessings of the innocence of a child. It was my very first summer camp, Tawni’s second. There we sat on a picnic table in the middle of a VERY HOT field, waiting for our cabin number. Tawni and I naturally sat next to each other, considering we were the only two in the 3rd grade. Most of the other girls were one year older, so we clung to each other being the youngest. It was at the moment that we became best friends; like I said, the innocence of a child. There was no comparing lifestyles, interest, deciding if we were compatible together, if we would get along. We were just friends. Period. That summer camp we were inseparable. I do not remember much about Camp Emmanuel; the extreme heat that prevented us from doing anything but swimming, the crafts inside the large mess hall, the “waterslide” made out of a black tarp and a water hose. Nevertheless, I remember that Tawni and I did it all together.

Our friendship lasted like that through the 8th grade. Talking on the phone, giggling about boys, summer camps, youth groups, sleepovers, bike rides (that is another story in itself!) we did it all together. We had our plan; we would be best friends forever, go to college together, be roommates, and become elementary school teachers at the same school. We would always be there for each other.

In the middle 8th grade, my family announced that we would be moving to Sacramento. Tawni and I held each other and cried. We figured this was it; our dreams were suddenly crushed. We promised to write letters, call long distance when we could, and stay best friends. We did not really; one or two letters, here and there. Christmas cards, a couple times we saw each other at youth camp when we happen to be at the same camp at the same time, but we were not as close. Neither of us are good at long distance. I got to my new church and there was no Tawni there for me. Another girl decided to be my best friend, and made me her friend, we were close, but she was no replacement.

My senior year my youth pastor announced that we were not going to the same camp this year. We would be going to do something different. This would have been my sixth year going; I never missed a year. My friends and I BEGGED to get to go. “It’s our final year! We are seniors! We HAVE to go!” Finally, he gave in, and we got to go to camp one last year. Actually, everyone backed out except me. I was the only Senior that went. All my friends and my boyfriend stayed home. It did not matter because when I got there, I saw Tawni. When we were all placed in random groups, Tawni and I were in the same group. We caught up on everything that week! It was as if we had not been apart for those 4 ½ years. We discussed our plans now that we were graduates. Looks like our 3rd grade planning paid off, we were going to the same college, and in fact, our dorm rooms were right across the hall from each other.

After 4 years of college together, many adventures, gossiping, more giggling about boys, some studying, and too many late nights to count, we made it to graduation. Tawni went on to become an elementary school teacher, just like planned. I did not. We still see each other at least once a week. We talk on the phone, giggle about our husbands, go shopping, talk for hours, and remain the Best of Friends. Now that we both have the most adorable little boys, 5 weeks apart, we have even more reason to get together, not that we needed a reason to hang out! I hope that our boys can find the friendship in each other that their mommies have found in each other.

Wednesday night was Tawni's birthday. We all went out to celebrate together. I thought this was the perfect excuse to start my Friendship Fridays up again.

Tawni, Happy Birthday. I cannot believe that after 17 years, we are still as close. I thank God for you and the friendship that we have together. We have been through so much together. From Summer camp, to that terrible bike ride. Being a freshman in college, our weddings, out babies and so many experiences I would not trade for anything. Thank you for being my friend through it all. Love you so much, you are more than my Best Friend, you are like a sister to me. I look forward to the next 17 years as Best Friends!

Friendship Friday - The Monkey

Normally I talk about one of my friends on Friendship Friday, but today I wanted to show you Brendan's Best Friend. The Monkey. The Monkey was a Baby Shower gift from my Aunt Norma, Aunt Mary & Aunt Dar. Attached to the Monkey was a gift card that we were able to use to get Brendan's stroller. While Scott and I appreciate the stroller, Brendan LOVES the Monkey. He is soft and cuddly, with a rattle inside, and washes up nicely I might add. He is just the right size for Brendan to hold, chew on, and carry with him. Everywhere we go, The Monkey goes too.

It started when Brendan was about 3 months old. He rides in the stroller with Brendan, sleeps with him, and is even in the Family Portrait! I would like to present to you, Brendan's Best Friend...The Monkey!

If you are reading this Aunts Norma, Mary & Dar; Thank you so much for The Monkey, Brendan just LOVES him!

Friendship Friday - My Husband

This probably will not be the only post about my husband on a Friendship Friday, mostly because, he is my best friend. At times he may drive me crazy, but I still want to be around him, experience new things with him and grow old together. I love watching my husband be a father. Since I have worked with young children practically my entire life, many things I have experienced with motherhood have been expected (not all, but many). I know the basics of baby care. My husband on the other hand, has not been around many babies for extensive amounts of time. He knew how to change a diaper, bathe and feed a child, but many other things he had never experienced before . He he trying hard and love Brendan very much. I love that we are growing together as a family.

Last weekend, we took a drive and went to Long Beach. No special reason, just because. We walked around, looked at shops and enjoyed our time together. Here is one of the pictures of Scott and Brendan that I just love.

Another reason that I wanted to mention my husband today was for yesterday evening. Yesterday I came home from work, Scott and Brendan were sitting together on the couch, and there were roses on the table. What a sweet and thoughtful husband I have!

Friendship Friday - My Neighbor & Handyman

Every time Scott and I start talking about moving out of our apartment, my mother reminds me; “You know you can’t take your handyman man with you.” “My” handyman man is Dave. Dave lives below us with his wife and one of my best friends Jenni. Dave is the one I call when I need help, although I love my husband to death, he is not very good with tools, fixing things or common sense of how to fix things. (I love you hunny!) Dave on the other hand, has installed ceiling fans for me, driven to my work after my car died and replaced my car battery while I was at work. Dave has fixed so many things for me; I can not even begin to count them. Part of it is his job, Dave works for the apartment complex that we live in and so many things he does for us are part of his job, but they get done right away for us! Many other things that Dave does for us are NOT part of his job, he just is so giving that he helps us out. It has also been nice that Scott and Dave get along so well. Jenni and I introduced our men Valentine's weekend 2005. This was the first time we all hung out as the four of us. After that we hung out all the time, we went places and did things together. Aquarium of the pacific, Balboa Island, Dave & Busters, Disneyland and so much more. After Dave & Jenni got married and lived next to us we were more than just neighbors, we were close friends.

Our friend and handyman is leaving me! They are moving to a house, yeah I know, good for them. But sad for us! Losing Dave is sad, but for me, losing Jenni is worse! No longer will I have a friend just downstairs to run to when I get upset, or borrow oil as I bake a last minute cake at 9:00 at night, or to stop by just to say hi after work before I go upstairs, or have someone check my mail when I am out of town. Just a couple weeks ago Jenni called me to say "your baby has been screaming for an hour and a half, do you want me to take him so you can have a break?" She then watched my screaming, teething child for two hours as I got my house clean and went to the grocery store. Have a close friend is good, but having one as a neighbor is wonderful! Jenni tells me that they only moved a couple miles away and it wont change much, but I am sad to see my friend leave. I know I am being selfish by wanting them to stay next door forever, but for the past 3 ½ years, that is where she has been. Good luck in your new house Jenni & Dave, I really am happy for you!

Friendship Friday - Erin

A friend of mine has really been on my mind lately, I just thought I would share with you all.

Erin and I have been friends since 8th grade. We have kinda been on-again-off-again friends. We have had our differences, had our fights, and had many good (and stupid) times together. We were part of a group of friends that we named ourselves B.E.E.R (Brittany, Erin, Elizabeth, Rachel) and at almost every gathering, we would have a six pack of IBC Root Beer to celebrate. To this day I can't drink an IBC Root Beer from the bottle without thinking of those girls.

Our "gatherings", were usually held at Erin's house because her parents didn't really mind us being loud, obnoxious, high school girls. We had a lot of fun times, and as I mentioned before, did some pretty silly/stupid stuff (that will not be mentioned here). I really wish I had a picture of the four of us together from freshman year to show you. But I have gotten off topic a little.

Erin and I went to the same high school (Folsom High) and had a few classes together. Although we were both stubborn leaders and wanted things our way, we managed to tolerate each other through all four years. When I left for college to Riverside, and Erin left for Seattle, we lost touch a bit and had a falling-out of sorts. But no matter how many times we decided that we fought and I decided we weren't friends anymore - she always came back.

Erin (who has an amazing voice) sang at my wedding, I flew to Sacramento to go to hers, because despite our differences, we were still friends. (She was a VERY beautiful bride, just ask her husband :))

Last month when I went to Sacramento, I got to spend just a short amount of time with Erin. Although it was brief, it made me realize how much I miss her and the fun times we used to have. We sat and talked about how stupid and innocent we were in high school, we talked about life and what was going on. We talked about her coming to visit sometime, perhaps going to Disneyland together. But it was nice to just sit and have a nice conversation with an old friend.

I know most of you probably don't know Erin, especially not like I know Erin. But like I said, she has been on my mind lately and so I wanted to share a bit about my friend. I hope that her and her husband are able to come and visit sometime soon.