Labor Day Weekend

Originally we planned to go with friends this weekend to a cabin. But somewhere along the way, packing up kids, buying food and driving to some cabin seemed to me to be a whole bunch of work for a little fun.

We decided to make our own fun instead. We let all of our close friends know that we were headed to White Water for the day and then on to Stone Mtn. for some evening fireworks and fun. Some friends joined us for the entire day while others joined us for part of the day.

We swam, slid down slides. jumped waves in the wave pool and then rode the lazy river around and around. As the afternoon sun blazed, we left and grabbed sandwiches at Subway and headed to Stone Mtn for afternoon and evening fun.

Several of the kids (and adults) did the Sky Hike and climb that is so much fun. Others of us sat in the shade to keep cool and talked. We did the indoor movie and the indoor play place. As the day started to come to a close, we made our way to the big lawn and sat down to eat our picnic dinner and to spend time together waiting for Stone Mtn's laser show to begin.

I remember looking around. This was our chosen family. The people we are doing life with and it felt so good and so right to be with them. Parents held kids that were not their own. Kids sampled food out of every cooler but their own. And as the laser show started everyone found their place. Watching the ooh's and ah's on the kids faces and hearing my girls sing the words to "Sweet Home Alabama" (which every good Southern child can sing) and leaning up against my husband made this a perfect evening.

Whitewater Fun

Abby

Maddie

Maddie and the little boys pumping water

Maddie, Brandon and Justin

Our Gang

Largest Bas Relief in the World. The Confederate Generals

Sam and Justin

The big girls. Sydney and Destiny

Our crazy family

My two loves

The Fireworks

Spectacular

I am so glad we planned our sunny outdoor day for Saturday because Monday (Labor Day) it was dark and stormy all day. We convened to Sparkles to go skating and let the kids play in the play structure. We had a great time minus the tornado rumored to be coming our way and for which, the management thought it good to separate all of the kids from their parents and put them in the play structure in the bottom. Scary stuff. All's well that ended well though and we finished off the night with pizza at Johnny's. Happy Labor Day.

Friendship

I think the thing that I have missed most since we have moved to Georgia is my friends. Friends that know you well, friends that you have shared with and done life with. It's much easier being in a military community and making friends because we all were far from home and from family and so we came together as a unique family. I miss them, Jen and Eric, Corey and Jess, Heather, Jen and CJ.

Here in Georgia, we are not part of a military community. Instead we have joined a community of people, many whom have lived here their entire lives, who have family nearby. It's been harder to make friends with our Monday-Friday work schedules, long commutes and kids that are involved in activities. I have felt lonely many times. I have called my old friends and talked for hours on the phone wishing they were nearby.

Slowly though my friendships are building and coming together. A couple from our church community group and their three little boys whom we adore spending time with. Several mom's from cheerleading who I love to hang out with and who make me laugh. Work friends that make the day go by quicker and who text me when I am on vacation (probably to find out how soon I can get back:).

One friend that I have made though is a friend of my heart. On the surface we are so different.

She is beautiful, tall and thin, well put together.

I am well, shorter, far chubbier and not at all put together.

She likes people and draws them in with her warm smile and conversation.

I hate talking to people and would be far happier to only talk to people I know (does that explain the friend thing?)

Her house is always immaculate.

Mine looks like I need the Clean Sweep people to come and cure me of having too much stuff.

I met her and didn't want to like her. I was intimidated by her. Slowly though, I got to know her and her heart. I discovered that I could tell her anything and she wouldn't judge me. She told me the truth when I asked for it. She stood by my side as my dad was dying and let me know that I was loved.

I discovered that behind that beautiful facade that there was a girl who didn't always think that she was worthy. Someone who didn't know how incredibly special and important she was. And that made me love her all the more.

Almost a year ago, our friendship hit some troubled waters. We were not as close, not as kind to each other. Our friendship got rather strained and over the summer and fall months we didn't really speak except for an occasional facebook message. I missed her so much but I didn't know how to bridge the gap.

Thankfully, she did.

She emailed me at Christmas time and we started really talking again. How glad I am to have her in my life, how much sweeter is our friendship this time around.

Several weeks ago our pastor preached a sermon about the four friends who lowered their friend through the roof of the house where Jesus was. Our pastor asked us who our four friends were, those friends that would fight for us, that we could call when we needed something. My friend, she is one of those friends.

For me it would be trivializing to say that she is my "best friend." She has so many people in her life and so many friends. She is so many things to so many people. She is though, the friend of my heart and I am thankful for her every day.

Evening on the water

The girls and I recently spent an evening with our good friends on the the local lake while Bud was gone on a work trip. We had an incredible time out on their boat. If the girls had their way we would be shopping for a boat tomorrow!!


















The girls and I recently spent an evening with our good friends on the the local lake while Bud was gone on a work trip.   We had an incredible time out on their boat.   I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Why we need Girlfriends?

Girlfriends will bring casseroles and also scrub your bathroom or all floors when you are sick.

Girlfriends will keep your children, and they will keep your secrets.

Girlfriends give advice when you ask for it. 

Sometimes you take it, sometimes you don't.

and it makes no difference... either way.

Girlfriends don't always tell you that you are right.

Girlfriends might send you a birthday card, but they might not. And if they don't it does not matter in the least.

Girlfriends laugh with you and you sometimes need absolutely nothing to start the laughter.

Girlfriends don't talk about you behind your back.

Girlfriends help you out of jams, the dumps, and the blues.

Girlfriends don't keep a calendar that lets them know whose turn it is to do what.

Girlfriends will give a party for your son or daughter when they get married or have a baby in whichever order that comes!

And girlfriends are there for you in an instant, and truly... when the hard times come.

Girlfriends listen when you lose a job, a husband, or anyone dear to you.

Girlfriends will listen when your children break your heart, and will hold you when you cry.

Girlfriends will listen when your parents' minds and bodies fail, and cry with you.

When girlfriends are young, they have no idea of the incredible joys or the incredible sorrows that lay ahead of them. Nor do they know how much they will need each other. 

Young women today should take my sister-in-law's advice. "Get yourself some girlfriends." 

You're gonna need them. 

Tonight was one of my favorite nights of the year.  It is our Women's Dinner at church.   Every year women in our church host a table, deck it out in a theme or in their best dishes and then invite friends to come and enjoy a delicious dinner that they help host and serve.   There is also some type of  speaker or singer every year.  It is a great chance to catch up with friends and meet some new friends as well.  Tonight's them was "Why We Need Girlfriends."

The first year that I went I had such a wonderful time even though I knew hardly anyone that I decided that I wanted to host a table the next year.  I was scared to do it by myself ( I am not that talented in the decorating department) so I talked one of my closest friends Cindy into doing it with me.   We had a great time putting together a beach themed table complete with sand castle and shells.  No sooner than the table was cleaned off last year than we started planning for this year.  Our table theme for tonight?  What can no woman do without?

Cindy is so funny because she has a vision in her head of what she wants everything to look like and I am just there to help fulfill the vision.  Most of the times I bow to her expertise, only offering suggestions here and there.  Like when she momentarily got off track and tried to talk me into a blue and red fabric pattern when we had already decided on pink.  The night before the dinner when we go to set up, I usually sit back and watch her go to work and only jump in when needed.   I joke and tell people that I am the manual labor.  

I have been blessed to have wonderful girlfriends in my life.   Girlfriends that have done all the above and more and I am forever grateful.  Thank you to all those who have been a girlfriendto me.   Life is a journey and I am glad that you are sharing it with me.   I was also grateful tonight that I got to share table hosting duties with one of my closest girlfriends, Cindy and got to share the night with other girlfriends.

What no woman can do without....CHOCOLATE!!!

Our pink and brown chocolate fountain table was a hit with everyone

It looked beautiful when it was all lit up

This table had a live fish bowl in the center and a fish theme

Another one of the beautiful tables

All decked out for Spring

Our group of girlfriends