Friends...

Today I am overcome with emotion as I think about the amazing people in my life...

When my brother died an amazing group of women came together and supported me as I worked through the most difficult time in my life. These women offered their prayers, positive thoughts, hugs, emails, phone calls, texts, cards, and their friendship. They listened to me, they cried with me, they helped me remember the happy times.  They delivered meals, they collected money to donate in Brent's name to Nelia's college fund, they bought me a beautiful 'B' necklace and a tree to plant in his honor.  They stood by my side at Brent's memorial. These same women were there on the one-year anniversary of Brent's death, sending me cards, texts, phone calls, and emails all day long.  I am so incredibly blessed to call these women my friends.  They are spread throughout the world, from Italy to Hawaii to New York to Washington. They are a crazy talented group of women, ranging from stay at home mamas to lawyers to dentists to business owners.  At the end of the day though, they are just a genuine, caring, amazing group of women that I absolutely adore.

Today I am reminded again at what an amazing group of friends I have - one of our friends lost her baby boy a few days ago, and once again, we are all coming together to support her and her family - the same way that everyone came together for me when I needed it the most. And again, I am amazed by these people in my life.  The ability to come together quickly to be there for someone is incredible - it is completely selfless and generous.

I can only hope that everyone has a support system like this in their lives - and to think that my support system even goes beyond this is just so lucky. I am truly blessed!   Beyond this I have other friends, some who I have known my entire life and some who I have only known for a few months, who all make my life so much richer! And again, they are spread throughout the world, they are teachers, writers, a personal trainer, bankers, and a social worker. But again, all of that aside, they are just incredible people and amazing friends.

Life gets so busy and every once in awhile I like to just stop for a few minutes and really reflect - and today is just one of those days for me. So friends, thank you for being in my life - I love all of you so much!

Here are some pictures from the last few weeks taken with the camera on my phone...enjoy:)

After Nelia threw the mother of all tantrums (yep, good times) in Top Foods a few weeks ago, I decided that I needed to visit Brent for a little bit of perspective.  Luckily Miss Nelia pulled through and was cute as can be at the cemetery, filled with lots of smiles and kisses for her uncle:)

She loves putting on my shoes and walking around the house, it's super cute!

Over the last few weeks Nelia has become quite the little snuggle bug, and I LOVE it!!!

My friend Lindsey and I went to an 80s party a few weekends ago celebrating Kim and Casey! So much fun!:) We danced to some great music, had some yummy drinks, and just had a really great time.

Ethan and Nelia driving the car in Top Foods. Oh wait, this was the day of her major tantrum. Again, good times.

Mr. Potato Cat - seriously, Roary is the most patient cat ever.  Nelia torments him all day long. I am actually quite amazed that he hasn't tried scratching her or something.  He acts all annoyed by her, but I think he secretly loves her (otherwise he could just run away from her, right?)

Nelia loves putting on her makeup with me every morning.  On this particular morning she was putting on moisturizer, which was pretty funny. She had globs of lotion all over her cheeks.

Picking "pretties" at the park.  "Orange pretties". Everything is orange to her right now.  Uncle Brent must be laughing up there:)

This was a fun trip to Petco! She especially loved watching the mice run in the wheels and looking at the fish.  She insisted on bringing in her little puppy (which she is holding in her hand) and kept trying to feed it different food in Petco.

See, tormented all day long.

Nelia with her boyfriend "Huneeee" at the Puyallup Fair...so cute!

In the petting zoo, not quite sure what to think.