Welcome 2010!

Ahhh... another year begins and it doesn't get much better than waking up to your husband and baby girls, enjoying the gorgeous morning and then heading out around lunchtime to spend the first day of the new year with my most favorite people. Not but a few hours ago did I arrive home from our annual Girls Christmas spent at the Gaylord Texan. Although this year will be memorable for more reasons than just the amazing time spent with my best friends (reasons that I will not share on this blog for good reason; trust me... you don't want to know.), it is truly one of my most favorite times of the holiday season. Not only am I blessed with extraordinary family, my friends have enriched my life far more than I deserve. There is just something about having friends like these girls that make me overwhelmingly thankful for each one of them.

~Chelsea... Words cannot describe how I feel about my Chels; lucky doesn't even begin to touch it. Chelsea is so much more than a sister-in-law. She is my best friend; the one I go to for everything. She loves me in spite of all of my flaws and doesn't think twice about it. Chelsea is extremely giving - one of her best qualities. One of the most special things about Chelsea is the way that she loves my babies. If I wasn't lucky enough to have her in my life, now I get to share her with Elle and Beck and boy, do they love her! The way I watch her love them brings tears to my eyes... seriously. Now I know that's not much of a shock, but really, man she loves them. And, the awesome thing is watching their eyes light up when she walks in the room. Just minutes ago, Elliott fell asleep in my arms wimpering to go see "Taschi." I actually don't really know how to put Ellie talk into phonetically spelled words - it changes day to day. :)
~Shanna... Oh, my Shann. I am incredibly lucky to be able to work everyday beside one of my best friends. Over the two week Christmas break, we were even having withdrawals from not seeing one another. Shanna is the one who ultimately brought me here to Granbury and introduced me to not only my Granbury crowd, but my husband as well. For this alone, I could never repay her. Shanna literally took me from the darkest place I had ever been and brought me into a whole new world. What I find so amazing is that she didn't give up; it's like she knew how much I needed her. Shanna knows me inside and out; she's there even before I can call on her. I can't hide anything from Shann (not that I would want to), she just knows. She takes such good care of me. We laugh constantly. It's always good for me to be around Shanna. Her positive, uplifting spirit carries me through most days.
~Lissa... One of my most grounded friends, Lissa always knows just the right thing to say and do. Lissa and I have had a special bond from pretty much the first time we met. Lissa is one of the most thoughtful people I know. She remembers everything from birthdays to anniversaries (Yes, she had to correct me on my own wedding anniversary date!) to the little moments in my life like doctors appointments or meetings that only she would remember. It's simply amazing. Lissa is inspiring; she leads with great passion for life, one that I strive to have. I look to Lissa for guidance, comfort and strength as I walk my own path through life. Lissa has two girls very close to the same age as my own two. I love the thought of my girls having friends like B and L, and I love even more the thought of my girls having a woman like Lissa to look up to as they grow.
~Kayla... Kayla is extremely fun, simply and wonderfully fun. Kayla has taught me a lot about being a better person; I actually don't think she has a clue just how much she has influenced my life. She loves in a way that makes every single person around her feel loved. She radiates friendship and loyalty. Everyone loves Kayla and it's easy to see why. I was so very fortunate to live with Kayla in one of my most favorite places ever. We made incredible memories and developed an incredible friendship that will most definitely last a lifetime.
~Faith... Faith is one of my most independent friends; it's a quality that I truly admire. She knows what she wants and works hard to accomplish her goals. I have watched her fall right into the place that she was meant to be. It's a great, great thing to witness. Faith and I have spent many nights in conversation; times I will never forget. I've shared my life with her and she with me. I really do know that I can always count on her to be by my side and that's something that means the world to me.
~Mackenzie... Mack! I love my Mack. Mackenzie moved this past year; a move I was extremely torn about. I knew it would be hard for us to say goodbye, but at the same time, there really is not a feeling like seeing someone you love be so happy. It's a good, good feeling. Mackenzie is one of my oldest Granbury friends. Mackenzie has truly been there for me since day one here in my "new" life. Mackenzie is a big part of how I made it through some of the hardest times in my life. She has been there to hold me up and keep me going. Some of my greatest memories are with Mackenzie, from jamming out in my old and truly adored Accord (man, I loved that car!) or taking road trips to Austin. I love that she's found her place; I love seeing her so happy!

These short paragraphs do not begin to touch the true person of these six amazing ladies. They are the best friends a girl could ask for. As I reflect on our trip, I also think of ALL of the incredible times spent with these girls in the last few years. It's only going to get better from here: the new memories, the new moments, the new times spent together. I love you girls more than you know...