Linky Love

We are temporarily home, but leaving in an hour or so for Idaho with Ryan's side of the family. After that we are going to be enjoying our friend's house in the Mountains. I'm not sure if we'll have Internet at either of these locations. I'll set a few things to post while I'm gone, so hopefully it will work. Please pray that we will have a safe drive as it will be a six to eight hour drive. I'm really hoping the Banana will handle that much car time okay!

Several of my friends have recently started their own blogs. Since I love them and their links, I thought I'd let them be the focus of today's Linky Love!

Blessed With Girls: This is my friend, Erin's blog. We met through a mutual friend, Michelle. I have enjoyed getting to know her and now she's moving away! Thankfully I will still be able to keep up on her life and her beautiful daughter (and one on the way!) through her blog.
Mandi's Blog: I met Mandi when I was a youth group leader and she was a teenager who had just moved here from Texas. We formed a relationship and I have really enjoyed her zany sense of humor ever since. I have watched her grow through some pretty rough trials and have learned much from her!
Janice's Blog: Janice and I are friends from Church. My favorite memory of her is when she called me one night and said, "I just got tickets to see Alabama and the concert starts in a half hour, want to go?" That started 15 years of friendship! (Wow, 15 already?!)
Karrie's Blog: Karrie is my friend from College. She was my Pi Alpha Chi little sister (Go Pandas!) We have had some fun times and a lot of laughter! I had semi lost touch with her over the years, so it's great to have her back in my life!
Michelle's Blog: Michelle is my friend from Church and sort of neighbor. Almost everyone else from Church lives at least 15 minutes away from us. She and I live 3-5 minutes away (depending on who's driving!) She is one of the most giving, sacrificial people I know. She (and her husband, Dave) are continually seeking for ways to bless my family and others. She was a HUGE help when I was on partial bed rest. She cooked dinner for my family for three months, helped me clean house, brought me coffee, etc. She calls me when she's running to the store to see if I need anything. She has been a great source of comfort to me while I've been grieving over my miscarriage. She has cried with me and watched the girls so I could go spend some time with God, as well as other things. She really is a blessing to me!
Ryan's Blog: Okay, so I know his blog isn't new, but he recently invited some of our friends to co author it with him. Now, Chris and Dave are contributing posts on a regular basis. It's fun to read different perspectives on things. Chris is of the Miller Brother fame (acclaimed children's author) and Dave is of the being married to Michelle fame! Seriously though, I've known Dave since he was a little boy and a playmate of my brothers. It has been awesome to watch him grow in the Lord and become the wise sage and good friend that he is. Chris I have known since we were in the awkward pre teen years. We lost touch for awhile and now are friends again with our wonderful families. His wife, Angela, is one of my close friends and we all know how close Rylie and Keegan are (a little to close for her Daddy's comfort!). Anna and Truitt have been seen making eyes at each other as well!

Enjoy all of these blogs and give them some love!

Anna and Sophia

Lean On Me . . .

Here are Haily and Anna, two little girls, born less than a week apart. Haily's Mommy was my pregnancy buddy. We both had rough pregnancies, she worse than me. She had to be on complete bed rest for quite a long time and there were concerns about Haily's size. Now look at these two beautiful girls! Becky and I were imagining their future play dates! They have another friend born in the same week as them (the day after Anna), Sophia. Her Mommy had to be rushed into emergency surgery right after Sophia was born and Deb had a rough beginning of pregnancy, they weren't sure if Sophia was even going to live. Praise the Lord that these three girls are healthy and happy and growing well! (We're going to Sophia's house tonight, I'm hoping to get a picture of her and Anna.)

This week, these girls had a new friend born, Hudson Elliot. His big sister, Ashlyn is one of Rylie's good friends, so I forsee more fun play dates in the future! Congratulations Josh and Kate!

Fun Times

Last night some of our friends came over to celebrate our wonderful Becky's Birthday. We had pizza, brownies, and lots of snacks. We also had a ton of laughs as we played Guesstures! I wish I had my video camera out! I am blessed by such great friends that are so helpful. They brought food, cleared the table, did dishes and tonight they are bringing us dinner! We were so happy to celebrate Becky, she is such a dear friend (my best!) and everyone loves her! She is a Godly woman and a friend to everyone!

Last night our oil ran out! Ryan and Rylie went and bought another space heater and it helped some. Ryan also ordered more oil but they couldn't come until today. We did ok through the night, but it was pretty cold this morning. When Michelle called and said she was taking her boys to the play area at the mall, we decided to join her. Fun and heat, what a combination!

Rylie is feeling much better, however she's hardly eating anything. I'm not rushing her though. I had some contractions last night and then again today (Anna didn't like me walking from the parking lot to the play area at the mall!). I had a good nap, which helped a lot! Ryan on the other hand has caught Rylie's sickness! I guess all that good Daddy snuggle time has its downfalls. Please pray for him to feel better. He stayed home from work today, but he's preaching on Sunday so he really needs to have some time in the office and a clear head!

My friend, Dee has started her own blog! I'm very excited to be able to keep up with her life since we live about four hours away from each other. Stop on over and give her some blogging love!

Friends!

Lest Old Acquantaince Be Forgot. . .

I recently found an old friend of mine on Facebook. Molly and I were best buds in third and fourth grade. I still remember her Mom's homemade frozen applesauce, our many discussions about Anne of Green Gables and of course crushing over Bo Duke! I remember the sadness of returning to school after Christmas break and finding out that her Father had passed away. She was a great friend, but over the years we had completely lost touch, until now! It is very surreal to read her blog and see my little girl friend as a Mom and a Wife, and from what I hear a prolific writer! Here's to old acquaintances renewed!