Friendship

My best friend from high school is going to be having her first baby pretty soon! For some reason this has catapulted me into some deep thoughts (a la Jack Handy) and feelings regarding friendship.

My best friend from high school was a light in the storm. She was the light. I was the storm. Looking back on those years I realize what a mess I really was. I don't know why she stuck with me, but she did. I was a wreck and tended to wreck those I came into contact with. But she was always there. And not only was she always there - her family was always there too. Back in the day, my drink of choice was apple juice - straight up. And you know what? Her mom always had apple juice on hand when I went over - just for me. There were times that I practically lived at my best friend's house. I was always invited out to dinner on Friday nights with them. Her brother was a wonderful person who was my example of a knight in shining armor.

I would pour my teen tortured heart out to my best friend. She would listen. She never told me how stupid and ridiculous I was, even though - looking back on it now, I know I was. She took me seriously. She tutored me in math when I was flunking out. I remember the notecards of formulas she used to help teach me. She is brilliant. Literally brilliant. She played multiple instruments - including electric guitar that she learned in no time flat.

I was always in awe of her knowing what she wanted to do in life - and then she'd go out and do it! I was such a wishy washy flake, never knowing what I wanted to be when I grew up - I still don't know. She wanted to be a physical therapist. She went to college and became a physical therapist.

I honestly don't know what I contributed to the friendship. And for that I am sad and ashamed. I look back and wonder, "was it all about me?" Is that what she thinks? Is that what others think? I also look back and realize that I was just trying to survive it all and she was literally my rock and my light in those dark teenage days.

After high school I went off to ASU and she went to college in PA. I had grand dreams of us still being tight and close. But distance and time has a way of causing things to drift apart. I'd come home for breaks, and I'd visit with her and her new friends. I guess it was then that I realized that time wasn't going to stand still for me - that time wasn't going to wait for me to get my act together - that people in my life would continue to live and forge new friendships and experiences - even without me. That was hard to swallow. Even harder to swallow was knowing that these new people had things to offer.

When I was in PA over the summer I got to spend an afternoon with my best friend. We chit chatted and went out to lunch. It was still comfortable. She'll always be easy to talk to. I don't think I'll be infusing her with too much of my drama anymore - she deserves a break from that. But it was nice just to sit and reconnect with someone who meant the world to me. My words don't give her the justice she deserves. I mean, she took an entire afternoon out of her day to hang with me even though I will forever be a wreck. She is the definition of a true friend.

Anyway, she is going to be having her first baby in a few months. She was a wonderful friend and she'll make an equally impressive and awesome mother. Here we are - adults with families of our own. Time marched on, even without my permission - even though I begged it to stand still while I figured myself out.

I'll miss her baby shower. Even though I would love to be there, I'll miss it. But I do know what I'm going to get her.

I wanted to end this blog entry with something wise and deep, some epiphany that I internalized on my friendship journey - something that would succinctly wrap up my thoughts. But I'm going to let my thoughts/ramblings/writings stand. Make of them what you will. I think I can sum it up this way: I had a great great friend in high school. I will forever treasure her and that friendship. I apologize for being as self-centered and crazy as I was in high school and after. I am grateful for the friendship we have today . . . for the emails, for the visits when we can, for her kind thoughts, and for her encouraging words still to this day. She is still my rock. I hope that in some way I've been able to offer her more than I was able in the past.

I think I'll end with some friendships quotes:

"Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you."
- Elbert Hubard

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival."
- C. S. Lewis

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."
- Abraham Lincoln

"Though our communication wanes at times of absence, I'm aware of a strength that emanates in the background."
-Claudette Renner

"Thus nature has no love for solitude, and always leans, as it were, on some support; and the sweetest support is found in the most intimate friendship."
- Cicero

"I count myself in nothing else so happy
As in a soul rememb'ring my good friends."
- William Shakespeare

Where Does She Get This Stuff?

The other day we went out for lunch. An older couple was sitting at a booth across from our table. After they were done with their meal, the older woman came over to our table and commented on how well behaved our children were. That's always nice to hear. After she left, Carena turned to Chris and me and said, "Well she's never seen us with our torches and pitchforks." And then she continued, "We only behave in public."

Jonathan's First Day of School

Today Jonathan started school! A few friends and I are taking turns each week to teach an informal preschool. Teacher to student ratio is 1:3. I'm so glad that Jonathan has this opportunity to be detached from my side for an hour a week. He had a great time and was so proud of the artwork he came home with.

Milestone

Before:

After:

Can you see it? Colt's tooth:

How it happened:

Just more proof that my children are growing up even though I beg them not to. For some reason, I thought milestones with Colt would be easier than milestones with Carena - my first born. But that is not the case. In fact, I find it harder. I think it's because going through it for the first time, with Carena, was new and exciting - not only for her, but for me too. With Colt, I know what it really means - he's growing up. Still exciting, but a little sadness mixed in.

Update on Pushups

Ok, I did my first day. It was not without extreme embarrassment though. When I was doing my push-ups, I kinda felt like I was doing them wrong. And then I realized I was doing yoga version push-ups - plank pose style. When I realized this I corrected myself only to realize I can't do a regular push up. NOT ONE!!! So, I then had to do the "girlie" ones. Yeah, I thought I was tough. Now I'm humbled.

Anyway, I did my sets and they were difficult. Here it is two days after and my whole body hurts. I couldn't sleep last night because I was so sore! So, even though I'm doing girlie push ups, I'm still getting a work out. I guess that's the point, though, right? Once I get good at the girlie push ups, I'll be challenging myself to do regular push ups.

Lookie What I'm Going To Do

Click:

one hundred push ups

I Love My Crockpot

I've been utilizing the heck out of my crockpot lately. It's an absolute gem! Here's why I love it so much:

1. I am able to make dinner at a more convenient time. I HATE making dinner in the late afternoon to have it ready by 5:30. Afternoons are just hard for me. I'm usually exhausted. The kids have just gotten home from school. It's just chaos - and chaos overwhelms me. Sometimes I just throw my hands up in the air and declare, "Let's go out to eat!" And such a declaration is usually costly.

So, instead, I prepare dinner in the morning! Carena and Colt are off at school. Jonathan is happy eating breakfast or just waking up and I feel serene. Perfect time to make dinner!

2. Cooking in the crockpot means I'm not heating my entire house as I would with using the oven or stovetop. So, we're more comfortable - temperature wise.

3. I don't think I've ever made a crockpot meal that has failed. They always turn out delicious!

This week I've made four crockpot meals. I thought I'd share the recipes with you!

~ Pork and Sauerkraut - (if you're not a fan of sauerkraut, that's ok - but it makes for a really yummy juicy flavorful pork roast - even if you don't eat the sauerkraut)

1 small pork roast
1 jar sauerkraut (I love Klaussen brand)

Place roast in crock pot. Cover with sauerkraut. Cover. Cook on low for 8 hours. To make this dish even more phenomenal, you can add cut up apples and/or potatoes. Total comfort food and a great way to kick off autumn!

~ Meatball Stew

1 large onion cut into chunks
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
20 meatballs (make your own or use the frozen ones)
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon basil leaves

Place vegetables in crockpot. Top with meatballs. In a small bowl, mix ketchup, water, vinegar and basil leaves. Pour over meatballs. Cover. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or until veggies are tender.

~ Hawaiian Barbeque

Any type of meat (I usually use a pork roast, chicken or beef roast)
1 bottle of BBQ sauce (my favorite is KC Masterpiece)
1 can either crushed pineapple (undrained) or chunk pineapple (undrained).

Place meat in crockpot. In separate bowl, combine pineapple and BBQ sauce. Pour over meat. Cover. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve over rice.

~ Crockpot Roasted Chicken

1 whole chicken
2 TBS butter
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp basil leaves
1 tsp sage
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp salt and pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
any other herbs you can think of
1 large onion cut into chunks

Really, use any herbs you want at any ratio that you want. I just make it up depending on what we have and what looks/sounds good!

(Remove any giblets from chicken)

Rub chicken with butter. In separate bowl, combine your herbs. Sprinkle herbs over buttered chicken. Place onion chunks in bottom of crockpot. Place butter and herbed chicken in crockpot. Cover. Cook on low for 10 hours. It should come out so tender and just falling off the bone. (I like this recipe because you can reserve the juices for gravy or for chicken stock for soup later!).

The Cute Things They Say

Jonathan was rummaging through a drawer and came across a googly eye. He showed it to me. I exclaimed, "An eye! Is it my eye?"

He looked at me intently for a moment, then at the googly eye and said, "No, your eye is blue."

Daddy Daughter Date

Tonight is the big Daddy Daughter Date Night at church. It's a luau! Carena has been looking forward to this night for weeks.

Chris, gentleman that he is, asked her out properly and she agreed. When it was time to leave Chris presented her with a real fresh-flower lei. Carena was floored by this gift.

I hope Carena always remembers this date - when her date formally asked her to go with him, when he presented her with flowers, when he opened the door for her . . . and I hope it sets a precedence for future dates and that Carena will expect only the best!

Clarification: That Loving Feeling

Ok, I feel like I need to explain my most recent post (below) entitled "That Loving Feeling." I had Chris read it and he told me he got nervous reading it and was confused by it.

I'm talking about the new craft store, Hobby Lobby, that just opened up not too far from here. I pass it quite frequently on my way to WalMart. For the longest time I've been meaning to stop in, but I thought it was a silly name for a place, making me think it would be kinda junky. I know - how non-judgmental of me! Today I finally took the plunge. And lo and behold a love affair has started. I loved it! I'm ashamed that it took me this long to get there. Not only did they have a great selection of stuff at good prices, but I FINALLY found an item I'd been looking for for months!!

I was surprised that I was so self-controlled in there - I could easily have been bad and could have spent quite a large chunk of moolah, but I didn't.

So, that's what that post was all about . . . a craft store - greater than Michael's, awesomer than A.C. Moore, and way better than Joanne's.

That Loving Feeling

Racing heartbeat . . . butterflies . . . sweaty hands . . . dizzy. It's been a while since I've felt this way. Those early moments of love - but maybe not love - infatuation.

Oh, how I've wanted to meet you for some time. Weekly, sometimes twice a week, I'd drive past and look wistfully at you. But I resisted. I'm sorry I resisted for so long. But you had a silly name. I know, I know - a petty thing, but still it kinda turned me off.

But today, I could resist no longer. With only Jonathan as my witness I felt it was safe. He can't really articulate what's going on yet. So, if questioned about his day, he'd merely say, "went to store." I knew my secret was safe with him (and besides I bribed him with a Happy Meal). I would have come to you sooner, but I first had to drop some goods off at Goodwill. I thought that perhaps my offering of goods to Goodwill would counteract the bad I was about to do.

Finally, I was there. And you were there, in all your glory. I would have run to you but I don't think Jonathan's legs could go that fast, so we settled on a brisk walk. Actually, it was more of me doing the brisk walking as I practically had to drag Jonathan. Today of all days he is slow!

My heart raced, my hands were clammy, butterflies assaulted my stomach. I knew - knew this was the real thing. Michael doesn't compare to you. Nor does A.C. or even Joanne. No, no, YOU are the real thing. Maybe it's only fleeting, I don't know. Maybe once I get to know you better I'll think differently. But for now, I'll relish these moments when I can get away and be with you.

The SECOND Day of School

So, the first day of school went off splendidly!

However, as we were getting ready for the second day of school, Colt told me he didn't want to go. I think the novelty of it wore off for him and he's hit with the reality that he has to go to school for the rest of the school year. Yeah, I feel for him . . .all the hype of the first day and then realizing that there will be a second day, and a third day, then a fourth . . . and it seems to go on forever.

Anyway, I explained to him that it was the law and that he had to go to school.

His reply: How fast can police officers run?

At this point Chris has overheard the conversation and told Colt: Faster than you can run.

That Great and Terrible Day

First day of school. The kids were pretty excited. Colt managed to wake up and be cheerful first thing! Carena woke up before her alarm. They were rarin' to go. For breakfast we had belgium/belgian waffles and smoothies. We read a few pages in a new book - that will be the book we'll work on each morning during breakfast. I have great memories of my mom reading a chapter or two in a book each morning. It was a really great way to start the day.

So, with backpacks packed and lunches in hand, the kids headed off. Chris drove them to school. I waved from the front door. Totally choked up.

For them, it's a great day. For me, it's a terrible day.

Although, last night I did gain some perspective on it all as Chris was giving Jonathan a blessing (he does this each year before the school year starts). In the blessing, he mentioned that now Jonathan and I would have some time to do things together that we would not normally be able to do. That lifted my spirits. Two of my best friends are gone for the majority of the day, but I still have one best friend to buddy around with! We'll make the most of it. I signed us up for a pottery class and a t-ball class.

But, Jonathan knows things are different already. He won't let me out of his sight. If I go into another room, I'll hear, quite frantically, "Mama, where are you?!"

It's hard to say goodbye to such a phenomenal summer, but I guess a new chapter must be forged. We'll survive, but I'll be counting down the days to each school day off and next summer vacation!

First day of school. I don't know what gang symbol Carena is throwing in the picture - so I hope no rival gang gets offended.

Random Silliness

How to Double Your Wardrobe Without Spending a Cent

. . .do your ironing.

My Karate Kid

Colt has been asking (for years!) to take karate. We finally figured that it wasn't just a phase and signed him up. He LOVES it and I love watching him! He's a natural.

Posing outside the karate studio (check out Jonathan's fierce face):

Practicing punches:

Colt was thrilled to earn a blue star for good behavior. He now has earned 3 stars and a stripe on his belt: