Friends

Friends are such a vital part of my life. I mean, I just love girlfriends and the time spent with them. I love to make and maintain friendships. I suppose it might be a good thing that I like meeting new people; thanks to the military, I get the opportunity to move every 2-3 years and start the process...all over again! After Greg and I married, we immediately moved from GA (where I had lived ALL my 2o years of life) to Spokane Washington. Can you say, culture shock? It sure was! We lived there for just under two years. After being there for close to a year, I met Michele Craft. Little did I know upon our first meeting that we would have such a unique friendship. We went to church together and just "clicked" right from the start. At the time, she had three children, ages 5,8,11. We spent soooo much time with them and did so many things with their family. We even went on vacation with them to Cannon Beach, on the Oregon Coast; my first and only time there! The famous Haystack Rock that's used in many movies is located there. Michele and I have always been in different stages of life, but it's just worked; she's a grandma now...kinda crazy! We do have lots of great memories from the year we were together in Spokane. It seemed as though we had known each other forever, we were meant to be forever friends. When we moved from Spokane, WA to Tallahassee, FL, I cried my eyes out when I said good-bye to her and her family. It was pitiful...I really, really dislike good-byes! At any rate, we have maintained the friendship, and even managed to get together 5 times in the last 10 years; I'd say that's pretty good! She's come to me four of the times...due to the fact that I seemed to be having babies and unable to get away! So, all that history to say that Michele and her daughter Lauren came to see us and stayed a whole week! We had so much fun, and like always, we just picked up, right where we left off!

We did do lots of activities and shopping; of course I had to expose them to some of our favorite places and activities around here. For example: Chick Fil A, Jordan's 5th birthday party, Hobby Lobby, Culver's, First Baptist, St. Louis Bread Company, 3 tired children who can be really cranky, Gordman's and scrabbooking til 1 or 2 a few nights. One of our favorite outings was the Arch and then lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, followed by some shopping (I have to post my big purchase later...it was from Brighton Collectibles)! Back to the Cheesecake Factory, really...that place is sooo good to me. I just like it, alot!

While at the arch, Jordan wore his helmet; he is just incredibly proud of it, and wants to take it everywhere! We got a lot of stares and laughs, mostly people thought it was cute. I did hear one man tell his wife it was a Georgia helmet. That hurt my feelings, how could she not know that?!?!

This is Lauren, Michele's daughter at the top of the Arch. She is a very sweet and grown up young lady! About to be 18, she was 9 when we left Washington!

How cool, it's the shadow of the Arch...we were at the top!