Top Two Tuesday - What I have learned series...Friendship addition

“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you haven’t really learned anything.” – Muhammad Ali

I have learned LOTS about friendships in the past year alone.

1. My friendship with those with kids is way different that my friendships with those without kids, my friendship with Catholics is different than my friendship of non-Catholics, OK well I guess I need to say that ALL my friendships are different. There.  That is what I meant.  This one is pretty obvious but at the same time a little bit tough to swallow when you first realize it.

2. Not to expect too much out of my friends. It's like going to a movie with very low expectations.....you are NEVER dissapointed.  I think that sounds bad but it's true. Once I realized that the world does not revolve around me....guess what??? My friendships got SO MUCH BETTER!!!!  I don't ever get upset when a friend cancels something or can't do something, or forgets something or whatever it may be.  I may be sad for a minute but I quickly realize it is never worth losing a friend over and I go on loving that person just the same as before.  I am sure know for a fact that I have let so many people down and I know I will in the future, the cool thing about having friends is that they can forget about all that and love you just the same.



In the past few years I have, by the grace of God, developed some amazing friendships, and somehow over the years kept some good friends....."Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold"  Thank you to all my friends for being there for me in so many different ways.

GTG

No not "got to go" I am talking about my "go to girl"...... she moved 840 miles away. This is my post about her and our past few years together. I appologize if this is not well written I am not not known for my eloquent choice of words or "flow" that's for sure!

From the beginning Allison and I were destined to be friends. I first met her when she had two boys P was 15 months and L was 3 months. I was working in the child center at lifetime fitness, I had an 18mo old C and was expecting R in June.  We had to call Allison down to change her boys dirty diapers three times in the span of 30 minutes and every time she laughed.....I knew I liked her in those moments, those moments of motherhood where you can be mad or laugh, Allison always laughs.  We have been friends in for 3.5 years, I know thats not hardly any time but it will be a lifetime one day.

When I first met Allison's husband I was relieved because I knew Jay and Ryan would get along, which meant Allison and I could remain friends!  Jay and Ryan feed off each other and I swear they spend their time together thinking of ways to get a "funny reaction" out of us girls.

Allison is the kind of friend who is always willing to go on an adventure, we have been to so many places together, places where no mom of two or perhaps three children should go alone. I think for us it's always a welcomed challenge to go places and see the looks and break the stereotypes of two moms with six kids between them in tow!  She is constantly saying exactly what I am thinking, and I love that about her! Allison is such a spiritual person and even though we are not of the same faith we understand each other spiritually and respect it without question.

When Allison and Jay told us they were moving I was so mixed with emotions. Of course I was sad for me but this was not a time to make it about me, I knew this move was going to be emotional and difficulf so I had to support my friend.  I focused on how happy I was for her and her families new beginning.  I made every conversation about the good parts of moving simply because I knew that is what she would do for me. So many times Allison has been there for me and here was a chance to be there for her.

We have been in the trenches of motherhood together, we planned our third child together, gone on a trip together hugged each others kids and loved them like they were our own.  Allison is my dear friend and I know we will always be friends, who knows maybe Ryan's career will take us to Alpharetta one day (wishful thinking!)  I am so excited to show you guys (and her) this little video I whipped up yesterday.  Enjoy, I hope all of you are as lucky to have a friend like Allison.

Scroll way down, it was being weird!

As I was making this video I quickly realized that it is all about our kids.....but then again of course it is :)

The weekend re-cap and odds and ends

Ryan and I got a sitter for NYE and headed out to our church that was hosted by our Men's Club.  The theme was "Cabo" and there was dancing, food and an open bar.  As with most events at our church Ryan and I were most likely the youngest ones there, but my parents and most of our good friends from church were also there and without them it would have been pretty boring for us.  All in all it was a good night with good friends.

Towards the end of the night

Not sure Lisa was ready....again

Cha-Cha

After the party I put Ryan to bed.....so I thought and went to another party, I stayed out until 3am for the first time in a LONG time! When I got home I found Ryan playing Playstation, but he let me sleep in until NOON Saturday!  Saturday night we went to a friends house for an impromptu  (well we invited ourselves sort of) party. We watched TCU and OU win, ate a fabulous meal and played an awesome game that my friend made called "who's who in 2010."

Yesterday was the laziest day I have had in a long time, I have all my chores completely done so we sat around and watched football all day, it was weird but I enjoyed it.

There is the weekend re-cap, the kids go back to school this week so I am taking them to do something fun on Friday.  Today I am re-re-re organizing my junk closet in the hall so I will post some before (eek) and after pics.  Also, I sort of forgot to plan B's birthday party, he turns two on the 5th(FEB). I have to come up with something ASAP!!!!  Happy week everyone!  Top Two Tuesday is going to be top products of 2010!