Like most parents, we taught Mya to call us "mommy" and "daddy" or "mom" and "dad." Although she calls Tim "daddy" she will not call me "mommy." She only calls me "mama." Every time she says it I smile and think of times long past. You just don't hear that word very often anymore. She wasn't feeling well yesterday and said, "Mama, my belly hurts...you fix it? It needs a bandaid." After I helped her for awhile, she turned, cocked her head and made her devilish smile and said, "I love you mama." And of course, I said, "I do too."
While Mya may be stubborn and hard to read sometimes, she really is something special. My mom once said, "I feel like she has an old spirit inside that little body." I believe that is true. She does more and grasps more than most 2 1/2 year olds I know. And I am not talking about knowing her letters or her numbers (although she knows them in order not by sight), I am talking about compassion and understanding. Mya can look at a person and genuinely care for them. She frequently asks people if they are okay or if they need a hug. She watches people and sees what some may not notice. We are alike in this way. We are alike in many ways. But this way in particular.
I listen to people define themselves as this or that, but I just want to be known as a person who cares about others. Respects them for who they are and for who they are not. I want to be known as a person who inspires people to be a little better and try a little harder. As I get older and have children of my own, I understand and recognize the little personality traits people inherently have from birth. I don't think I have taught Mya to be the way she is, well, not in actual words, but I do think she watches me. And she watches Tim. She watches everyone around her and absorbs it all. And boy, that little girl is learning how to be amazing.
Descent into madness
First, I posted two other posts about the girls so scroll down if you are interested in seeing them. Sorry I haven't blogged much this week. I have been busy trying to arrange compatible nap times only to find that no matter what I do, someone always wakes up right when I am about to do something for myself. I also have not had any interest in blogging at night because I have been waking up super early to run before Tim heads to work at 7am. By 8pm I am pooped and have no interest in thinking or writing for that matter. You got lucky tonight. I am forcing myself to write because I received a few questioning calls asking me about my first week as a stay-at-home mom.
Well, I can say that I survived my first week. The first day was awful. I almost began job searching right then and there because I didn't think I could do this difficult task. However, the rest of the week was so much better. I will admit that even though I am exhausted by 8pm, my morning runs have really helped me have energy during the day. Without them, I feel groggy and lazy and don't wish to get out of bed. My kids are a handful. I have no idea how Molly watched so many kids at once. The only thing I figure is that the kids were similar in age that they played well together. I am Mya's sole entertainment. My good friend told me to keep a journal about my "descent into madness." I laughed because a. I had already started a journal prior to his suggestion and b. motherhood really equals madness. If I have specific activities planned, the day goes well. The hours when I don't have much to do usually tank within minutes and I usually end up playing Mickey Mouse clubhouse because quite frankly, Mya learns a ton from that silly show. Today we talked about less than and greater than because she had questions after the show. What? I know...so that is always in my back pocket when I have nothing to do for a few minutes or when V is fussy or crying. Mya keeps me busy. There is nothing else to say. My mind is constantly reeling trying to find fun things to do. We built a fort yesterday and looked at stars (or the light from the flashlight that she thought was a star). We also made creepy critters with food coloring and modern art with some masking tape and some random things from around the house.
Today, I studied clouds. I am teaching her about the weather in two weeks so I thought I would study. I used to love learning about all these things in elementary school. I guess you could say that I was the best student when I was in elementary school. It went downhill from then on. By college, I had to make a goal to attend 65% of my classes. Eeeehh. But I really loved learning when I was little so I am really trying to remember all the little things my teachers taught me. Next week we are learning about water and things associated with water. My brother is coming in town at the end of the week and as a reward for being a "good student," I am going to take my brother and the girls to the pool. She is going to love it.
So there you have it. I survived. I will admit that I am lonely a lot during the day. I wait all morning for Tim to call on his lunch break. I am used to being around people and laughing all day long. Although my kids make me laugh, I miss adult humor. I miss sarcasm. Kids don't get sarcasm. I suppose I will get used to all of these feelings I am currently experiencing, but for the time being, the feelings are very real and very strange.
On a different note, someone asked me to post pictures of Peoria. So I did the best I could to take some pictures last weekend. There was a carnival in town so we went to the Riverfront and walked around for awhile. Mya is terrified of rides that move so we avoided those and played in the water. Don't you just love the fact that she ditched her shorts and ran around in the water in just her panties. So cute. Love that bum. (See below)
Well, I can say that I survived my first week. The first day was awful. I almost began job searching right then and there because I didn't think I could do this difficult task. However, the rest of the week was so much better. I will admit that even though I am exhausted by 8pm, my morning runs have really helped me have energy during the day. Without them, I feel groggy and lazy and don't wish to get out of bed. My kids are a handful. I have no idea how Molly watched so many kids at once. The only thing I figure is that the kids were similar in age that they played well together. I am Mya's sole entertainment. My good friend told me to keep a journal about my "descent into madness." I laughed because a. I had already started a journal prior to his suggestion and b. motherhood really equals madness. If I have specific activities planned, the day goes well. The hours when I don't have much to do usually tank within minutes and I usually end up playing Mickey Mouse clubhouse because quite frankly, Mya learns a ton from that silly show. Today we talked about less than and greater than because she had questions after the show. What? I know...so that is always in my back pocket when I have nothing to do for a few minutes or when V is fussy or crying. Mya keeps me busy. There is nothing else to say. My mind is constantly reeling trying to find fun things to do. We built a fort yesterday and looked at stars (or the light from the flashlight that she thought was a star). We also made creepy critters with food coloring and modern art with some masking tape and some random things from around the house.
Today, I studied clouds. I am teaching her about the weather in two weeks so I thought I would study. I used to love learning about all these things in elementary school. I guess you could say that I was the best student when I was in elementary school. It went downhill from then on. By college, I had to make a goal to attend 65% of my classes. Eeeehh. But I really loved learning when I was little so I am really trying to remember all the little things my teachers taught me. Next week we are learning about water and things associated with water. My brother is coming in town at the end of the week and as a reward for being a "good student," I am going to take my brother and the girls to the pool. She is going to love it.
So there you have it. I survived. I will admit that I am lonely a lot during the day. I wait all morning for Tim to call on his lunch break. I am used to being around people and laughing all day long. Although my kids make me laugh, I miss adult humor. I miss sarcasm. Kids don't get sarcasm. I suppose I will get used to all of these feelings I am currently experiencing, but for the time being, the feelings are very real and very strange.
On a different note, someone asked me to post pictures of Peoria. So I did the best I could to take some pictures last weekend. There was a carnival in town so we went to the Riverfront and walked around for awhile. Mya is terrified of rides that move so we avoided those and played in the water. Don't you just love the fact that she ditched her shorts and ran around in the water in just her panties. So cute. Love that bum. (See below)
V
Sometimes I just let her cry for a minute because I love that face. It is the saddest and sweetest "sad face." She doesn't really cry like that unless you are withholding food...which I was doing in this instance just to capture the face. Don't worry...I fed her right after I took the picture. I love this little sweat pea--that's what I call her most. She and I have some special moments alone when Mya is taking a nap. They are uninterrupted moments of coos and laughter. I adore her.
the blue dress
The blue dress. Cute when we bought it. Not cute when she has worn it for three weeks straight. I bought it hoping she would enjoy a new summer dress. Well, she has done just that day in and day out. I have a friend who has a daughter who wore bathing suits for months at a time. I totally empathize with that friend now. Tim and I have to wrestle it off her for bed each night. Sometimes we bribe her. Yep, that's right. Great parents. But hey, we have to wash it sometime. There have been two days that we were able to convince her to wear something other than the blue dress, but even when she wasn't wearing it, she was reminding us that as soon as we arrived home, she would wear it again. And she did. Ugh. She looks so darling in other clothes. I am depressed that I bought all these cute summer shorts and shirts and she refuses to wear them.
I am considering ripping the dress or spilling something dark on it so she will be discouraged and decide not to wear it. But I fear that if I do that and she doesn't care, than we will have an unkempt looking child. I don't know what to do. Any ideas? Oh well, at least we got a few great pictures of the little stinker running around in her dress.
I am considering ripping the dress or spilling something dark on it so she will be discouraged and decide not to wear it. But I fear that if I do that and she doesn't care, than we will have an unkempt looking child. I don't know what to do. Any ideas? Oh well, at least we got a few great pictures of the little stinker running around in her dress.
So far
So far today I have been a moose, a monster, a frog, a worsey, a pig, an artist, a scientist, a cook and a maid with Mya. It is only 12:07. I wonder what the rest of the day has in store for me. I just got both girls down and am looking forward to taking a nap. At least a small one.
love with babies in the baby carriage
Do you ever wonder how a marriage survives parenthood? Sometimes I do. I watch and observe people all the time and am constantly left thinking about how marriage survives 18+ years of kids. Let me tell you how we have survived nearly three years of it already: Several intentional body grazes (or grabs in Tim's case) each day. A longing look at each other when the kids aren't paying attention. A quick dance while cleaning up the kids' messes at night. An occasional nap-time rendezvous when we are absolutely positive no kids will interrupt. A great sense of humor. A tight hug before bed each night. A nightly prayer with hands intertwined. A much-needed walk to discuss the hard issues and find solutions. A determined time to get over unimportant things. At least one "I'm sorry" a day. A five-minute morning cuddle session before starting the day. An understanding mind. A forgiving heart. A frequent night away from the kids. A thoughtful note on the nightstand or in the lunch bag. A silent wish that the other person is always happy.
Tim and I celebrated our fourth anniversary a little early this year. Two months too early, but who's counting. Tim starts work on Monday and we didn't know when we would be able to get away once work started, so we decided to head to Michigan for a few days. We spent a couple relaxing days with Tim's parents and then one night all alone. We were glued together like two newly engaged lovebirds. We dined well. Talked much. And loved unconditionally. We now feel rejuvenated for the next little while.
Pictures of our hotel and the view from our 14th floor window
Pictures of downtown Grand Rapids and the two food places we visited (I ate the best french toast and creme brulee at the two places.)
On a small personal note to Tim seeing as tomorrow his father's day: I love you. You amaze me everyday. I wish I was half the parent you are. I know our girls love you. Maybe as much as I do. Actually, I doubt it. I needed these past three weeks with you more than I ever knew before. Love you babe. Hope you enjoy my attempt at the french toast we ate in Grand Rapids.
A note to all my other dads and grandpas: Happy Father's Day. I hope you realize how much you mean to our family. We love you.
Tim and I celebrated our fourth anniversary a little early this year. Two months too early, but who's counting. Tim starts work on Monday and we didn't know when we would be able to get away once work started, so we decided to head to Michigan for a few days. We spent a couple relaxing days with Tim's parents and then one night all alone. We were glued together like two newly engaged lovebirds. We dined well. Talked much. And loved unconditionally. We now feel rejuvenated for the next little while.
On the bridge outside our hotel
Pictures of our hotel and the view from our 14th floor window
Pictures of downtown Grand Rapids and the two food places we visited (I ate the best french toast and creme brulee at the two places.)
On a small personal note to Tim seeing as tomorrow his father's day: I love you. You amaze me everyday. I wish I was half the parent you are. I know our girls love you. Maybe as much as I do. Actually, I doubt it. I needed these past three weeks with you more than I ever knew before. Love you babe. Hope you enjoy my attempt at the french toast we ate in Grand Rapids.
A note to all my other dads and grandpas: Happy Father's Day. I hope you realize how much you mean to our family. We love you.
looking back
Do you ever look back at a pair of big eyes looking straight at you and think "I can't believe we created you"? I felt Mya's big golden-brown eyes staring at me and turned to see her looking at me with a toothy grin on her face. Loved her right then. Right there.
sisters
My girls have stolen every bit of my heart that Tim hasn't. They may drive me crazy from time to time, but I always love them by the end of the day. I had a rough afternoon with them this afternoon while Tim was trying to get his Illinois license. V screamed/cried for a really long time and nothing I did could or would console her. Mya decided she didn't want to nap at her usual time and began screaming at V when she wouldn't stop crying. She would yell, "STOP CRYING. It's gonna be okay." Repeated over and over until my ears couldn't take the sound of her voice anymore. I had to put V down in her room and avoid Mya for a few minutes just to find my own quiet place to regain balance. When I felt better, I walked back into V's room and found her eye all gooped up because of her tears and Mya peering into her crib. Mya was being sweet and gentle. And she is rarely sweet and gentle with V. I think she forgets how much bigger she is than V, so most times when they are together, V is wincing and crying because Mya has either a. hugged her too hard, b. kissed her too long or c. patted her back with too much force. It is a work in progress. Since she was being sweet, I decided to bring both girls into the living room and I caught a few good pictures of the two of them. Like I said, they will steal your heart if you let them.
The weather yesterday did not seem great, so we decided to forgo the big swimming pool which had a high admissions fee and buy our own backyard pool that Mya can enjoy whenever she wants. She would not sit down insisting that her suit would get "all wet" and would need "to be put in the dryer" but she splashed around for a good while. Don't you just love this year's suit?
Poor Tim had to blow the pool up by himself. I helped as much as I could. Things we do for our children.
The weather yesterday did not seem great, so we decided to forgo the big swimming pool which had a high admissions fee and buy our own backyard pool that Mya can enjoy whenever she wants. She would not sit down insisting that her suit would get "all wet" and would need "to be put in the dryer" but she splashed around for a good while. Don't you just love this year's suit?
Poor Tim had to blow the pool up by himself. I helped as much as I could. Things we do for our children.
Peoria
A lot of people have been calling or emailing me asking me about my thoughts on Peoria. Well, here is my first initial impression: While it's hot and sticky and I absolutely loathe the bugs/gnats, I have already begun to feel at home here. It is the greenest place I have ever lived. I have yet to formally meet any other neighbor except Dionte, but they all greet us as they walk by. People here keep their lawns neatly trimmed unlike those of Provo. Tim and I would always talk about the trashy lawns in Provo. I have enjoyed seeing families here. People seem to do a lot as families. I see siblings holding hands in the stores, families doing yard work together, husbands and wives walking when the sun goes down. Knowing that families still exist and thrive outside of Utah is comforting. I read an article in Time magazine a few months ago that stated they thought marriage and family would eventually become extinct. I can't quote the article because I don't have it in front of me, but the writer polled some crazy number of people who just didn't believe in marriage and family. It worried me a bit. Family is the center of any society. As proven in today's society, everything deteriorates as the family does. Society is failing because people are not taking seriously their roles as husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, children, siblings, etc. It is sad to see but painfully true. So seeing families working together here gives me more hope than I originally thought. Maybe that author just polled an insane number of anti-family people and forgot about the people of Peoria. All in all, I like it here. I like that Tim has a few weeks to be with me. We are has happy as can be spending time together. We haven't had this kind of time since our honeymoon.
Mya and V seem to be adjusting well. V's nose has cleared up considerably and her eye is much less goopy with her nose clearer. I think she will be our allergenic child. We took the kids to the park today and I don't know what she touched, but she had a reaction. So we will have to be careful with her. She has decided to stop breastfeeding so she is plumping up on formula. I love the little rolls on her legs. V also got her ears pierced which you will notice in the pictures below. She is so beee--uuu-tiful as Mya likes to say. Mya just sweats profusely. I let her use my deodorant when she asks because a. she thinks it is the coolest thing ever and b. it actually helps her smell better. She has been cooped up inside as we have been completing all the unpacking and cleaning, so we have been trying to take her outside more. We are going to a pool tomorrow and all she kept saying tonight was "Mommy...you take me to the swimming poot tomorrow?" (Yes, poot not pool...i think she is confused by swimming pool and swimming suit and has put the two words together.) Mya loves water as you will soon see from the pictures below. She can't get enough of it. Tonight she also asked me if she could sit in a bucket of water. So funny. Mya is completely potty trained during the day now. She still wears diapers during naptime and bedtime. We are so proud of her. We don't even have to remind her. So here we are in Peoria. We still have so many things to find and try, but we have time. Lots of time.
Mya also insists on wearing ONLY dresses at the moment. And usually her princess dresses. She insisted on wearing her "Princess and the Frog" dress today to the park.
Some new pictures of Genevieve
Some before and after pictures of the girls' rooms
Before: Mya's room
(Notice the fake rock wall...what would you do with that? Huh? I had no idea. Luckily, the moment Mya walked into the room she said she was in Rapunzel's castle. Needless to say, that instantly became Mya's room. It just happens to be the biggest room in the house.)
The closet doors weren't even from this house. They didn't work so we kindly asked the owner to remove them.
After: Mya's Room
Before: V's room
(I don't think you can really tell from these pictures, but our owner had his helper cut the blinds with scissors. Those were immediately removed because they were completely uneven.)
After: V's room
Mya and V seem to be adjusting well. V's nose has cleared up considerably and her eye is much less goopy with her nose clearer. I think she will be our allergenic child. We took the kids to the park today and I don't know what she touched, but she had a reaction. So we will have to be careful with her. She has decided to stop breastfeeding so she is plumping up on formula. I love the little rolls on her legs. V also got her ears pierced which you will notice in the pictures below. She is so beee--uuu-tiful as Mya likes to say. Mya just sweats profusely. I let her use my deodorant when she asks because a. she thinks it is the coolest thing ever and b. it actually helps her smell better. She has been cooped up inside as we have been completing all the unpacking and cleaning, so we have been trying to take her outside more. We are going to a pool tomorrow and all she kept saying tonight was "Mommy...you take me to the swimming poot tomorrow?" (Yes, poot not pool...i think she is confused by swimming pool and swimming suit and has put the two words together.) Mya loves water as you will soon see from the pictures below. She can't get enough of it. Tonight she also asked me if she could sit in a bucket of water. So funny. Mya is completely potty trained during the day now. She still wears diapers during naptime and bedtime. We are so proud of her. We don't even have to remind her. So here we are in Peoria. We still have so many things to find and try, but we have time. Lots of time.
I was watering the flowers last night and Mya decided to dump all the water on top of her. She looks like a cute, crazy person.
Mya also insists on wearing ONLY dresses at the moment. And usually her princess dresses. She insisted on wearing her "Princess and the Frog" dress today to the park.
Some new pictures of Genevieve
Some before and after pictures of the girls' rooms
Before: Mya's room
(Notice the fake rock wall...what would you do with that? Huh? I had no idea. Luckily, the moment Mya walked into the room she said she was in Rapunzel's castle. Needless to say, that instantly became Mya's room. It just happens to be the biggest room in the house.)
The closet doors weren't even from this house. They didn't work so we kindly asked the owner to remove them.
After: Mya's Room
Before: V's room
(I don't think you can really tell from these pictures, but our owner had his helper cut the blinds with scissors. Those were immediately removed because they were completely uneven.)
After: V's room
saying goodbye to Provo
Leaving Provo was harder than I expected. I silently cried every night the week before we left. Why? Too many reasons to list. But I think the one that stood out to me most was the fact that I had finally come to a place in my life where I was comfortable being me with the people I spent the most time with. I made incredible friends in Provo. Friends who challenged me to the very core. Friends who constantly inspired me. And friends who loved me no matter what. The idea of leaving them left me feeling empty and sad. I know I will make friends anywhere I go...that's not the problem...I just hated the idea of leaving the ones that I took so much time to make.
I was also sad for Mya. I was sad that she would no longer go to Molly's house everyday. Molly was a complete lifesaver. I know some people frown on daycare, but daycare saved me during my first two years of motherhood. Molly loved Mya like her own. She taught Mya more than I ever expected. Aside from Molly, I was sad that Mya would be leaving the friends she loved. I cried as I watched her unknowingly say goodbye to Molly and her friends. It is heartbreaking to know that someday she may see Molly or her friends and never know that they played such a big part of her life as a little girl. Such a part that she would and still prays for them every night. Sad.
The last week passed in a blur. I said goodbye to most everybody. I missed a few people who I plan to see when I come back in July. They just don't know it yet. Ellie helped me pack everyday. I had so many people offer to watch the girls or help clean a room that the hard stuff really wasn't too hard to do. We bought several pizzas to lure the men of the neighborhood over to help load our 26 ft. Uhaul (which we filled completely). I just want to say thanks again to everybody. Especially Ellie. I don't even think she reads our blog, but she was amazing. She forced me to work hard and everything got done. I need her every time I move.
I was also sad for Mya. I was sad that she would no longer go to Molly's house everyday. Molly was a complete lifesaver. I know some people frown on daycare, but daycare saved me during my first two years of motherhood. Molly loved Mya like her own. She taught Mya more than I ever expected. Aside from Molly, I was sad that Mya would be leaving the friends she loved. I cried as I watched her unknowingly say goodbye to Molly and her friends. It is heartbreaking to know that someday she may see Molly or her friends and never know that they played such a big part of her life as a little girl. Such a part that she would and still prays for them every night. Sad.
The last week passed in a blur. I said goodbye to most everybody. I missed a few people who I plan to see when I come back in July. They just don't know it yet. Ellie helped me pack everyday. I had so many people offer to watch the girls or help clean a room that the hard stuff really wasn't too hard to do. We bought several pizzas to lure the men of the neighborhood over to help load our 26 ft. Uhaul (which we filled completely). I just want to say thanks again to everybody. Especially Ellie. I don't even think she reads our blog, but she was amazing. She forced me to work hard and everything got done. I need her every time I move.
Our Provo home
what could you live without?
Tim and I watch HGTV a lot. We love the house hunter and fixer-upper shows. We learn a lot about what to look for in a house and we learn a lot about how spoiled we are on this continent. I can't tell you how many times I hear the following phrases: "What type of countertop is this? It's not granite. I want granite." Or "The appliances don't match." Or "I want stainless steel." Or "You call this a closet!" Blah...blah..blah. I think it is interesting what people say they CAN'T live without. There have been moments in my life when I have fallen in that mind frame mostly because I have grown accustomed to what I currently have, but let me tell you...it is possible to live without a few luxuries. I witnessed it first hand in Argentina and whenever I feel like complaining about what I don't have, I think of the happiest people I knew there and they didn't have those things either. They wouldn't dream of it. Currently, Tim and I share a closet that measures approximately 2'8" x 2'9". We don't have a garbage disposal or a dishwasher. Washing dishes is interesting because if I don't completely scrape all the food off the plate before it enters the sink, the sink stops up. We have already used 1/2 a bottle of Drain-O. We downsized considerably from our Provo rental, but we are only sending 6 boxes and a few big items to Tim's parents because we don't have any storage. We only have one closet outside of the three bedrooms. But it is liveable. We just have to live without a few things.
Before coming to Peoria, I had the worst attitude about the house. Our owner sent us pictures of the place, and I wanted to back out of the contract immediately. I complained to Tim and rolled my eyes at him every time he tried to remind that we were saving a lot of money each month. However, I've changed my mind since living in this house. I feel like we are exactly where we are supposed to be. What could you live without? Or what do you live without?
Before coming to Peoria, I had the worst attitude about the house. Our owner sent us pictures of the place, and I wanted to back out of the contract immediately. I complained to Tim and rolled my eyes at him every time he tried to remind that we were saving a lot of money each month. However, I've changed my mind since living in this house. I feel like we are exactly where we are supposed to be. What could you live without? Or what do you live without?
soulmates
Soulmate: a. a person who is perfectly suited to another in temperament and b. a person who strongly resembles another in attitudes or beliefs
Usually when someone refers to a "soulmate," they are speaking of their significant other. Today, I am speaking of our best friends. I doubt you will remember how I wrote about them moving away last year, but I was left totally heartbroken when they left. There has never...and I mean never...been a day when I haven't thought of them or wished they lived closer. Our friends Rusty and Whitney have been with us from the beginning. Perhaps that is why we are soulmates. Rusty and Whit got married in June and we got married just two months later. We met while living in our first married housing complex. We found out we were pregnant five months before they did. We were basically inseparable until their sad departure. I remember feeling like someone had punched me in the gut when we drove away from their house the day they moved. While we talked about "staying in touch," I didn't really know if we would. Whit and I are not really phone people. Heck, we aren't really girly people so I didn't know our friendship would span the distance. But to my surprise it did. It got even stronger.
I really believe Rusty and Whit (and family of course) are our soulmates. They know and understand us to the very core. They can laugh with us until wee hours of the morning which happens all too often when we get together. We knew we had to see them one more time before moving to Illinois. So we planned it and got together right before we left. Our lives have changed so much since that first day we met. We both have had two little girls. We have changed jobs several times. But the things we have in common have never changed. I love them more than I can say and am so glad we are still close.
The Gang (notice Mya can never take a picture without making a fit)
Usually when someone refers to a "soulmate," they are speaking of their significant other. Today, I am speaking of our best friends. I doubt you will remember how I wrote about them moving away last year, but I was left totally heartbroken when they left. There has never...and I mean never...been a day when I haven't thought of them or wished they lived closer. Our friends Rusty and Whitney have been with us from the beginning. Perhaps that is why we are soulmates. Rusty and Whit got married in June and we got married just two months later. We met while living in our first married housing complex. We found out we were pregnant five months before they did. We were basically inseparable until their sad departure. I remember feeling like someone had punched me in the gut when we drove away from their house the day they moved. While we talked about "staying in touch," I didn't really know if we would. Whit and I are not really phone people. Heck, we aren't really girly people so I didn't know our friendship would span the distance. But to my surprise it did. It got even stronger.
I really believe Rusty and Whit (and family of course) are our soulmates. They know and understand us to the very core. They can laugh with us until wee hours of the morning which happens all too often when we get together. We knew we had to see them one more time before moving to Illinois. So we planned it and got together right before we left. Our lives have changed so much since that first day we met. We both have had two little girls. We have changed jobs several times. But the things we have in common have never changed. I love them more than I can say and am so glad we are still close.
The Gang (notice Mya can never take a picture without making a fit)
Mya and Avey got along okay...they struggled when it came to one "rapunzel" dress.
We ate so many donuts. Delicious.
Avey Baby
Mya Moo
Little V
Andie Girl
A comparison (Andie and V are ten days apart. You would never believe it from this photo. Let's just say that my breastmilk is more like skim milk when Whit has straight cream.)
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