Rosalie

Although I already blogged about our adventures in New York City and Philly earlier this week I wanted to share the vivacious spirit with you about my dear beautiful friend...Rosalie. 

There are some of us who have friends that we have stayed in touch with for years since elementary, and some with whom we have reconnected with after 22 years (thank you Facebook.) This is an iPhone moment in which my dear friend Rosalie and I are seeing each other for the first time in 22 years (you can see her grinning ear to ear, and although you can't see my face in this photo...I'm actually crying!) 

 I was so pleased when she called me to tell me that she wanted to spend her 40th birthday with me! Okay...she wanted to see New York City, and the tristate area too! Who wouldn't! Nonetheless I am grateful for the time that she took in driving 28 hours to come see me, and meet my family. 

Just a few things about Rosalie that I love that never changed:

She is magnificent! She is humble. She is funny. She has a great sense of humor. She is smart. She is loving. She is generous. She is brave. She is strong. She is a fantastic friend. She is a keeper, and my family adores her! 

My youngest daughter Chelsea was her lil' shadow for the whole week she was here. They even had a few sleepovers. They painted their nails, and had great conversations together. Rosalie said that she had never met a seven year old who speaks so maturely, and is so knowledgeable at her age! Chelsea sure is a special girl, and instantly wants to know the who's, what's and where's about all my friends. 

 There were nights when I felt as if we were in middle school again sleeping over at each other's houses giggling, and talking until 2-3am. Yep...we had a lot of nights like those last week, and they were so much fun! Don't worry...we didn't talk about any of you! If we did it's all good. Ha! Ha!

I am so happy that she came to see us, and that we picked up where we left off almost 22 years ago. We have both come along way in our life with trials, and the journey in which our life has led us now.  She has followed me on Facebook and my little blog since she joined last year, and has always wanted to see me. I am grateful she did. It gave me an opportunity to share with her my beliefs, my conversion story, and a lot of the things that I endured as a child in which I am fearless in sharing (one of these days I'll write more about that topic!)

I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who puts people in our path from long ago to reach out to us to remind us that true friendship exists. I wish I could come face to face with those that I knew long ago throughout my childhood, but thank goodness for Facebook (thank you Mark Zuckerberg), and for blogging. I know that through social networks I can share my beliefs, and my love for the Lord as well as writing short stories of our everyday crazy life as a family. 

God is good, friendships last forever-may we always take care of them, but most of all...may we always  TREASURE THEM!  

On the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ

"The best antiques are old friends."

~Mary Englebreit

Philly with Rosalie

Chelsea was our little photographer on the day we took Rosalie to the city of brotherly love. Luckily we only live about 20 minutes from Philly, and temperatures were bearable on this day for some sightseeing.

One thing I have always wanted to do with my family, but haven't done was go to the Philadelphia of Art Museum building to run up the stairs just as Rocky did in the movie. This is such a cultural icon, and had first asked Rosalie if she wanted to run with me, and she kindly said no. So I then asked Chelsea if she wanted to run with me, and she obliged.

 Rosalie snapped pictures of us as we ran all the way up to the top.

And we made it! If you haven't done this you need to...it was so much fun! 

 The infamous LOVE statue. 

Since we left a little late in the day we got lucky and managed to make the last call to see the Liberty Bell. I should have known that all the history sites close at 5pm. I really love all the history in our area, and once again I am so happy that Rosalie had the opportunity to see it. 

photos by: Chelsea

It was a beautiful day in the city of brotherly LOVE, and so happy to have shared it with Rosalie, and to have had Chelsea as our personal photographer. 

New York City with Rosalie

 "Riding the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty was breathtaking, and so relaxing", said my friend Rosalie as were departing from the harbor. The look on her face was gratifying. I could tell that she was happy to be here on vacation, and that it made her feel alive! The whole time we were all just sitting and relaxing looking at the view. I swear it never gets old. 

I mean look at these photos..who could possibly get tired of New York City! 

 Well...maybe Noah because of all the running around that he did, but we absolutely love coming here and  so happy that Rosalie finally got to see Lady Liberty. 

 We managed to walk around Ground Zero, and see the Freedom Tower under construction, but due to a leak in the surrounding area they closed the 9/11 Memorial and didn't get to see it. So instead I borrowed this picture from a friend. In this picture is where the twin towers once stood. It's hard to believe huh? 

God bless all the families of those who lost their lives on that day. 

photo source: Kim Berry

 Times Square...that's a whole different story! The words that came out of Rosalie's mouth were crazy, amazing, and awesome! She had fun shopping for her friends & family, and was relishing every moment of happiness on this trip, and wanted to take a lot of picture of us...

Our friendly neighborhood Spider man (with a fanny pack!)

The kids had such a wonderful time with her as did I. We wanted her to see everything under the New York city skies, but there wasn't enough time. The two days we spent in New York were incredible. This whole past week we spent with Rosalie was incredible, and I'll write more about that later. 

She definitely wants to come back to see the city of lights, and take in more of what New York City has to offer!

I like to take pictures.

For the past two weeks I have been preparing for the arrival of one of my dear friend's from high school. She is someone that I have know since elementary school. Someone whom I've never had one altercation with throughout our 12 years of public school. Someone whom I haven't seen in a very long time, and I am so excited that she contacted me to let me know that she wants to visit me, and do something fun for her 40th birthday. She is someone who is brave enough to travel from Texas to New Jersey, and I am ecstatic!