Life's Treasures

I mentioned earlier that I am blessed in my life and this is another person that makes it wonderful. I have known my best friend Ivy for a little over 10 years now and what an adventure it has been. From weddings to babies and all of life's ups and downs, she is the true meaning of a sister. Once I met her, I knew the reason that God had given me a brother instead of a sister was because she was already out there, I just had to find her. I love her more than I can probably ever express to her and am lucky to have her as part of my family. She has always been amazing with my kids and once again came through. For Ryleigh's birthday, Ivy gave her the movie "Grease" which of course, Rye fell in love with. Well, last Sat. Ivy and her boys were coming back from the stockshow when they passed a high school whose drama dept. just happened to be performing "Grease" and that night was closing night. She called because she thought Ryleigh would love it and of course, she did! It was so funny to see her be so excited and after the play was over she even got "Sandy" and "Rizzo's" autographs and a picture! It was a perfect night! Ivy, thank you for everything you are and do, I love you!

I am very lucky to have a brother who I am very close to. As much as we fought as kids and he was the annoying little brother, we have a bond that I wouldn't trade for anything. He is such an important part of me and my life and I am so lucky to have him. With that said, my daughter is A LOT like him. The similarities in their personalities is sometimes scary and we tease her by calling her E.J. for Eric Jr. Because they are so much alike she has bonded with him since day 1 and when he walks into a room, noone else exists for her. She loves him so much and he makes her light up. For her birthday, he came and picked her up and spent the day with her. He took her out to Sweet 'n Sassy at Northeast Mall to be pampered and then they went to Crystal's pizza for lunch and she also got to be in a magic show. He is just one of the people that makes my life so worth living. I love you Eric, thank you...

So, I have to brag on my kids a bit now...Rye is in kinder and Brent is in 3rd grade at the same school. Every six weeks each of the 5 - 6 teachers in each grade level get together and choose 3 Outstanding Citizens to receive an award. They do this by picking them out of approx. 150 kids in each grade. In other words, for even one of your kids to get picked is a pretty spectacular thing but somehow, Brent and Ryleigh BOTH got picked AND during the same six weeks!!! I can't help but be SO PROUD of them. Both of their teachers had amazing things to say about them always helping other students and just being good kids (even their teachers were pretty surprised to find out they both received it). In honor of all the kids that were picked, the school hosts a breakfast and gives them their certificates. They also posts their names out in the hall on the Outstanding Citzens wall.

It is really hard for me to believe that my baby girl is 6 but as much as I tell her to stop, she just keeps on growing. This year she is in kindergarten so she now has her own little group of friends and it was her first party to make all the decisions about who to invite. Since she decided to have a very "girly" party, we had cake and ice cream at our house on her birthday, Jan. 17th, for the extended family and then we also went to dinner later to celebrate. I love the fact that growing up, no matter what, my mom ALWAYS made our birthdays the most special times in our lives and I hope that my kids feel the same. Thanks Mom!

One of my closest friends (and my neighbor!) is getting married in February and her sister-in-law, Becca (who coincidentally enough is my best friend Ivy's sister) and cousin Jade threw her a beautiful wedding shower. Here are a few of the shots I got...stay tuned for the bachelorette party pics :-) Love ya Abby! Congrats!