Some very special people

So, I am going to apologize in advance for what might be a very long post. But it is an important one! Last night I was laying in bed, not sleeping at 1 am and thinking instead about my Friends and Family blog link list. I realized that my list is not comprised of "just anybodies, " but instead they are all people who have been very important in my life. That being said, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to them...

Meredith, Sebastian and Milo-

Meredith and I have been Best Friends since we were Freshman in High School. Our first week in HS we were introduced probably 10 times. Everyone was convinced that we should be friends because we were both daughters of teachers at the school. I guess everyone was right, because the friendship stuck. We celebrated graduation together and didn't lose touch. We have seen each other through weddings, babies and divorces. Meredith and I talk on the phone almost daily. One of the best things my son ever told me was when he was about 3 and decided that we should call Sebastian and Milo (Meredith's sons) our cousins not our friends. It seemed very appropriate, because somewhere along the way Meredith DID become more of my sister than my friend.

Meredith 1996- Senior Picture

Me with Meredith 2000- My first wedding

Our children- 2007

Meredith, Me, Tracey and Bryn (The better wedding 2007)

Wilson Family Circus-

Eliza was the very first friend that I made when I went to college. She had the dorm room across the hall from me. We became friends right away and remained roommates for the next 2 1/2 years. Eliza was and is an AMAZING example to me. As I looked through pictures from our freshman year, I came across a picture of the time we tried to short sheet Eliza's bed and failed miserably, because it didn't seem to bother her one little bit. In fact I found hundreds of pictures from our first year at BYU.

Living the life of College Freshman 1996

Packing up our dorm room 1997

Me with Bryn and Eliza- 1998

(look there's Bryn again, don't worry... I'll tell you all about her sometime)

Sunny Days 2B-

I became friends with Aaron and Emmylou when I was pregnant with Ben. Over the 2 years that we lived near each other we had so much fun. Emmylou became pregnant with their son Garrett when I was 3 months along with Ben. Emmylou threw my baby shower and we compared notes on pregnancy and new motherhood.

My baby shower 2001

Our Boys- Ben and Garrett 2002

Our Boys- 2 yrs old 2004

Ryan and Amanda-

Technically, they are ex-in laws. But the relationship doesn't really work that easily. See, Ryan's parents, Ken and Debbie were my "Aunt and Uncle" long before I ever married in to their family and they will be my family long after the courts saying I'm not a part of that family anymore. Sarah was named after Ryan's younger sister Sarah McCarty. I had the honor of knowing Sarah the last 4 months of her life and it would have been impossible to think of anyone better to name our own child after. This entire family holds such a special place in my heart. Amanda is the perfect compliment to Ryan and my kids (and I) absolutely adore them both.

(Sorry, no pictures)

The Nelsons in Balston Spa-

I am absolutely convinced that Dave, Diane and Samantha were angels sent to me when I absolutely needed them most. I met them when I was entering the world of being a single parent. They became my family in a town where I had no family. They opened their home to my children and helped care for them when I worked, went to school and tried to spread my wings socially. The measly amount I was able to pay Diane, I'm sure didn't even make a dent in the expense that my kids added to their household. I will forever be grateful to them for the love that they showed us while I got on my feet again.

Dave and Samantha at Ben's 5th Birthday 2006

Diane, Sarah and Dave at Sarah's 3rd Birthday 2007

Sarah and Samantha

I hope you understand the reason for the long post and the need to introduce the VERY important people in my Friends and Family Links.