A little bit about me

When I moved back to Charleston, I was invited to join some of my friends for a girls' night. This was a monthly ritual they had been doing for a while, and now that I was back they wanted to reconnect. I have know most of them longer than I've known my husband (and one I've known the majority of life), and we are all very different. However, we get along really well and I am eternally grateful to have them in my life. I didn't realized the importance of a female support group, but over the past year we have buried a husband, welcomed a new baby (and another comes in 3 weeks), endured multiple miscarriages, changed jobs, ended a career to stay home, and laughed. These women have become my sounding board and cheerleaders when I need it. Most of us have kids and jobs, but once a month we gather to eat and drink and laugh (and sometimes cry) and talk about life and stuff.

This is us at a baby shower in May.

To my female friends far away, I wish we had thought of this a long time ago! I miss you.

Cinamon and I met in 5th grade and we have been friends ever since. I don't have any siblings, so she is the closest thing I have to a sister (my parents consider her family, she's even in the will!). In January her husband passed away from brain cancer. It's an awful disease that strikes the young and strong, and he was able to fight it off for almost 15 years. Daren was a huge Mark Knopfler fan (from Dire Straits),and they had planned a trip to DC in May to see his concert. I think Daren was trying to survive long enough to get there; he had incredible seats and back stage passes. When he died, Cin was devastated but not going on the trip wasn't an option. So I went with her. I LOVE DC, and I've been many times as a chaperone, so I got to play tour guide a little since she had never been.

The FDR Memorial is one of my favorite places to visit, especially in late spring when the fountains are on.

The trip was great, a little bittersweet, but I'm so glad we went.

Summer's Here

There is nothing better than a day in the sun to wear out your kids. We have been spending time at my parent's pool and luckily have friends with a son (Mac) about F's age who is happy to help keep him entertained. In true boy fashion they don't hold still long enough to take a picture and getting them to pose is completely out the question.

On the other hand, this little angel can't get enough of the camera.... or chocolate!

Kate does not fear the water and is all too willing to try and keep up with the boys.

Fletcher has learned to jump in the pool and will start swimming lessons at the end of the month. He is fearless and happy all the time. We are very blessed.

Mother's Day

Fletcher's class had breakfast for the moms on Friday before Mother's Day. It was nice to see him interact with his friends and sing and dance. More confirmation that he is in the right place. For about a week before, he kept telling me he had a surprise for me, but that he couldn't tell me what. Well I finally found out that day; they made flower pots for us using their fingers (and a lot of help I'm sure).

There is a caterpillar all the way around and a few lady bugs. We each got a little soil and some seeds to plant. They are tiny sprouts now, and I promise to try and keep them alive. However, plants don't tend to do well in my house. They never remind me to feed them like the dogs do!

Fletcher's new BFF is Beau, how perfect. I tried to get them to pose next to each other, but this was the best I could get. They didn't slow down for a minute. I'm not sure how Ms. Cathy handles so many of them.

After they presented their gifts, Ms Cathy said they could go outside to play. I had to grab F and hold on tight to get this shot; then he was out the door, waving and saying, "see ya yater".