Friends and Family

I had the neatest night on Monday. I met a great friend (who is now one of my friends!!) of a fellow blogger, Candy. Candy lives in Louisiana but her friend Guyla lives in the same town I do!!!! Candy and Guyla went to college together. Guyla doesn't have a blog (I think Candy and I are really trying to get her to blog) but she has been reading Candy's and came across mine. Because we lived in the same town and had a few other similarities Guyla emailed me when we began planning our DC trip!! It was so neat!! I felt like I was a teenager all over again and I was giddy when I read her email. In her original email she mentioned she went to a Missionary Baptist Church in a nearby town. I emailed back and said I had a friend that attended there at one time and wondered if her and her husband were still there. Guyla replied Yes! and that they were great friends with each other. I had not seen this friend in 5 years.

So Guyla, Kim, and I were finally able to meet this past Monday night!!!!! So Candy, I thank you. Through you I made a new friend I'm excited to build a relationship with and I was reacquainted with a friend I had not seen in a long time!!!! Thank you Candy!!!!!

I loved my time with Kim and Guyla. Guyla has the sweetest, kindest spirit about her! I love seeing her love for her little boy shine through! My friend Kim had to leave a little early but Guyla and I stayed at iHop a little longer and just talked. I'm always a little nervous when I meet someone for the first time. I hope she didn't think I was too crazy or loud!! One very major highlight and interesting note is the fact that Guyla lives literally about 2-3 blocks from me!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait until the next time we meet. We talked about meeting and walking the trail near our house. I wanted to take many pictures but I didn't want Guyla and Kim to think me too strange on this first meeting. I nearly forgot to even get a picture but I knew I needed to so Candy could see it. Sorry, Kim had already left before we took this picture.

We made plans for all 3 couples to get together soon and have our husbands meet. Kim's husband likes to hunt and Guyla's husband shoots guns, so Bryan will be happy!!!!

Wednesday was Brooklyn's birthday. Happy Birthday, Brooklyn!!!!! Her mother-in-law's (who is my boss) birthday was Thursday. The Gorton family (parents, sons and their wives) went out to eat with no children on Wednesday night and I offered to babysit for Jorge and Brooklyn. I had a fabulous time!!! I didn't get any pictures of Stella (sorry Brooklyn)! But we had a joyous time. We swung around, plopped on the couch (sorry Brooklyn), "body slammed" on the bed (sorry Brooklyn), and any other bad habit I should not have done!!!! :) I promise I didn't literally body slam them. I just picked them up high and gently laid them on the bed. They just thought I was slamming them. I promise. I bet the parents who just read this are so nervous now!!! Sorry!!!

The girls were great and Boston spent a significant amount of time in the swing. I'm thankful for the man/woman who created the swing!!! It saved my life on Wednesday. It was an honor to watch these sweet ones. They really are like family to Bryan and I.

I kind of wonder if Boston was thinking "Who is this crazy lady watching me?" He looks a little scared!! But isn't he precious!!!!!!!!!

Ava "painting".

We had cake and lunch for Judy and Brooklyn at the office yesterday.

My cousin James has been visiting from Texas. This evening we are headed down to Ada for a family reunion tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it. I haven't seen my cousins since Katie's birthday.