When Best Friends Visit

Molly came to visit over the weekend. I was sooo excited before/during/after her visit. The only thing missing was our other girls. Because even though our visits are amazing with each other, we can't help but think of the rest of us.

When one of your best friend visits, AND your kids play together, it's close to perfection, because...

Your daughters are playing together! This is something we planned out when we were 18 years old in the APU library when we were supposed to be studying. "We'll marry guys that are best friends so we can hang out everyday, then we'll have our dream jobs, and our kids will be best friends..."...

But we don't really live next door. And we don't really see each other even close to everyday. But when we do hang out, and our kids really do love each other like we knew they would- hearts melt in Atascadero. Sure there was a 24 hour flu with vomit everywhere, a baby with a ginormous bruise from four immunization shots, and a swollen foot from a bee sting, but hey, that's just kids. Right?

Our girls. Just playing a little dollhouse in Ella's almost done room.



The Mamas. (We're smiling because we're happy, AND because we just finally put the kids down).

A Gap Ad? I know. Beautiful Mom and beautiful kids.

Vienna. Or you can call her gorgeous, your choice. 

Baby Ben. Whose family doesn't really think he's a baby anymore, but anyone under the age of 3 at my house is called 'baby,' ...because we love babies. And because he's the cutest thing ever.

My girl. And Moll's girl. And I swoon because this is what I dreamed of.

And then the boys...ahhhh, our boys!!!

And for the closer, there they are. (Side note: what is it with barbies always being naked? Maybe they could just sell them naked and they'd be cheaper?)

 

Pics from the rest of the weekend...poor Ella got her first bee sting. But a camera arrived and I was all smiles and forced my poor kids to pose...

I think this is where I heard V and Ella say, "Wait, should we get one for Isabella and Hadley?"

And then Ben was like, "I got one for Griffin." 

And clearly, Maxwell chose the perfect for Keenan, because it was his birthday!

And a special thank you to my husband for being that husband.  He watched all four kids for us one morning. He cooked for us two nights in a row. And he was just...good to me. And that made me happy.

 

Seattle Trip, Part Two

I'm kind of mourning the fact that our girl's trip is over. If I sound dramatic, you would too if you had these women as your best friends.

Our five days were spent as follows:
Laugh
Eat
Drink
Talk Talk Talk Talk Talk
Laugh
Eat
Drink
Talk Talk Talk Talk Talk
Confide
Cry
Encourage
Laugh
Eat
Drink
Talk Talk Talk Talk Talk  
Repeat...

In between we cuddled baby Griffin, who is the perfect six week old. Truth: I kept forgetting his was there because he is such a good baby and Hillary is such a good Mom.

We watched the Olympics, danced til our feet hurt at a concert, shopped and enjoyed being friends without the responsibility of being Moms. The only problem with coming home was the fact that I was so tired. How was I tired after having a five day vacation with no kids? I guess that's what you get when you stay up way too late every night with best friends and bottles of wine. We all imagined taking naps and reading books, but when it came down to it we didn't want to miss out on talking. AND I booked horribly early flights each way, so the girls had to be up at 3 15 a.m. to drive me to the airport...sorry. Thanks for being an amazing host Hill! Can't wait to have you all at my house next year!

I missed my babies and Mike, but I knew they were having fun. As always, it feels good to be home. The kids gave me huge hugs and it's like I was never gone. Thanks to all our husbands and families who give us away for this week each year. It's the best gift you could give us.

 

 

 

Well aren't we shinny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a choppy video thrown together before nap time ends. Nothing special, but makes me smile because of each memory. I LOVE YOU GIRLS.

I'm Giddy

Tomorrow I leave for FIVE nights to see my best girlfriends. We lived together all through college and last year we started an annual summer girl's trip. For every phone call that was cut short by a screaming toddler, we always would end it with 'see you soon,' and now it's finally here. This year we are going to Hillary, who lives near Seattle. We've been looking forward to this weekend since last year's visit. I am giddy with excitement.

 And...it just so happens that my family lives around the area as well. So tomorrow I get to spend the day/night with Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. Mike and the kids are going camping for the weekend. They are heading in to the beach in the RV and the kids can't believe they finally get to spend the night in it. It's been almost a year since we did an overnight in the motor home. So everyone here is excited. I'll be back next week with too many pictures.

xoxo.

 

I miss my friends

Yesterday I laughed harder than I have in months. I met my friend Molly in Santa Barbara- how did I forget how good it feels to be around a best friend? Either we are both the funniest people around, or we get so delirious that everything we say is hilarious!



I met Molly (and other girls below) my freshman year of college at Azusa Pacific University. We instantly bonded and spent the next four years living together and creating all those memories that make people say, 'College was the best years of my life.' You know those people you just instantly click with? That's these girls: Molly, Hillary, Stef, and other Megs.

We somehow thought we were cool by spending our days playing laser tag and dancing to the Pretty Woman soundtrack. Together we went to our first real college party. It was Halloween, so clearly we wanted to show up in the best costumes ever. Our superhero costumes were superior as we sported painted faces, bathing suits, towels for capes, and weapons (obviously I carried a torch of terror). We were slightly embarrassed that we were the only ones dressed up. Note to self: college parties mean dress like a slut, do not carry around a fake weapon. We sold and performed singing telegrams to raise money on Valentines Day and danced it up at APU's annual lip sync contest. Fortunately, as we got older we graduated to slightly more mature activities such as daily happy hour at Acapulco and ALIAS marathons (I am aware that doesn't sound much cooler, but trust me...it was an improvement).

During these years, the girls became my family. We were all raised in Christian homes and we were on our own for the first time. We were silly, but we had such meaningful relationships. We talked for hours about our faith, friendships, and families. We would dream about what our lives would be like in the future: What would our careers be? Who would we marry? Where would we live? What would we name our kids? Would sex hurt? (I know, this question in college... amazing.)

Our conversations haven't changed much. There is such a comfort in being completely accepted by best friends. Nothing is forced and it is OK to just be. As I get older, I'm finding that these friendships are rare. When I leave these girls I feel uplifted and happy. I am proud of each of them. We are fulfilled in our jobs and we love the new families we've created.

I miss my friends.

Apparently we thought this looked cool

Molly and Megs x 2

Our trip to Laughlin

Molly's wedding: our first time together with all of our husbands

Hill's wedding: Favorite reception highlight was when Matt burst the champagne bottle during the speeches

My wedding, the last time we were all together