For Friends.

I want to start out this post by introducing you to some great people, and to express how thankful I am to have them in my life! In some shape or form they have uplifted me, fed me, taught me, and loved me in the most unconditional way. These are the friends I have in Utah, and even though I'm writing about my west coast peeps want all of y'all to know that I appreciate all the friends I have from all over the world!

allen & shanna.

I write this not only so my posterity can know what awesome friends we had, but to remember that through all the hardships we have in this life that there is so much good in this world. Good in this world that involves beautiful people, and having met Allen and Shanna has been a tremendous blessing in our life. 

In the short four years we have known them they have been the greatest example to my family in love and friendship...especially when it came to service. 

Service in our church is a big deal, and having Shanna as the primary chorister put a smile on Chelsea's face every Sunday. Chelsea will miss her smiling face, and hugs.

They were there for us when times were rough especially when Jon needed transportation to teach early morning seminary. Most of all they were always there when we just needed to "hang out."

This family have been through a many obstacles, and like everyone of us have been strengthened by them. They have pulled through adversity, and never gave up. 

We will always treasure their friendship, and remember them for the things they did for us...all in the name of service. 

They have now relocated to Utah where we used to live, and know that they will be very happy there. 

So here's to you both Allen and Shanna for being some of the greatest friends we've had here while y'all were living in New Jersey. 

You will sorely be missed. 

**missing in these photos are their son Jordan, and our daughter Sierra who are both off in college. 

the best week ever in September.

This past week my life consisted of late nights, road tripping, and celebrating birthday after birthday with various friends. I haven't had any real sleep for days, and so far I'm not complaining or being ornery...yet. 

September is indeed my perfect, busy month. It's perfected with numerous friends who have the same birthday as me, and/or within days of me. It is also the beginning of beautiful fall weather, and everything that has to do with autumn. 

Due to having company, and constant get togethers with others I've neglected decorating my house with fall decor. After driving past farmers markets I finally bought some mums, and placed them outside my small porch. Buying pumpkins are going to have to wait because each year I take the kids to a pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin. It's tradition, and we never mess with tradition. 

Too bad we didn't get to pick apples or go to a pumpkin patch while Ceyda was here. She truly is a gem in my life and to be honest having her here for eight days really strengthened me in many ways. Just her overall example of how committed she is to God, and raising her daughter the best she can reminds me a little bit of me when I was her age. I love her, and miss her terribly but know that she will be back again to visit. 

Our kids loved waking up each morning to greet each other, have breakfast, and play with the train track. Celeste loves trains, and would rather play with that than dolls. These two were so sweet together throughout the whole week, and at times would both play hard to get. They had their moments but for the most part got along, and hugs, and "I'm sorry's" were always being exchanged. 

So glad that I was able to take her to her "dream cities",  and the beach. Saying goodbye is always hard, but know that we will see her again. Chelsea grew especially close to Celeste, and I think deep down she longs for a baby sister. 

 This truly was the best visit ever! 

*****

Maggie and I celebrated our birthdays by treating ourselves to the Pop Shop. Luckily for me I had a coupon for a free birthday meal, and believe me those come in handy when you purchase a nine dollar grilled cheese sandwich that has a name (Frazer)!

Maggie had never been, and she loved it! She was especially excited to have met the owner Stink Fisher. Aside from running this fabulous shop he's also an actor. 

When I was told by our waiter that he played alongside actor Mark Wahlberg in the Lovely Bones that caught our attention and we wanted to take a picture with him. Since Maggie is a theatre major they both discussed the factors of acting, and became acquainted with one another. 

I love Maggie and spending time with her always energizes me. I'm so lucky to have friends in my life who blow up my phone with texts from afar. I truly am blessed beyond measure with the greatest friends who come down from the corners of the universe to spend time with me. This birthday week has been extremely special. 

Now...I await to watch the General Relief Society Broadcast tomorrow night with more of my sisters! So excited to watch, and listen!   

Have a wonderful weekend, and let's see if I can catch up on my sleep too! I highly doubt it! 

ceyda & celeste.

When I received a message from Ceyda in mid August about planning to visit me for my birthday I was  so excited. I hadn't seen her since I left Utah in 2008. Seven years isn't too long when you keep in touch via facebook and talking on the phone every now and then, but still...seven years is still a long time when you're longing to see a familiar face. 

I would love to go back to visit Utah someday, but these days it's almost impossible for a family of six to fly across the country. I have been blessed beyond measure with friends who take the time out of their busy schedule to make me and my family a priority in their lives. I hope to go back to visit all of my wonderful friends that I left behind. 

Since Ceyda's arrival we've talked, laughed, and cried happy tears throughout our conversations. We mostly talk about our children, and their well being as well as how we see them (or how we'd like to see them) in their future. 

We see our little ones growing up way too quickly in a world that is different when we were their age. They are speaking in clearer sentences, talking among each other like small adults in a language that is their own, and playing with iPhones as if they've been using them their entire lives. It's pretty scary yet exciting at the same to think what they will be exposed to next when they are in their teens. Every day they learn something new, and their intelligence continues to enhance. 

Being that Ceyda is from Honduras and having moved to Utah when she was 18 has never had the privilege of venturing out to the east coast, and so far she loves it!

She loved Ocean City & the boardwalk...

Eating good food (and boy did we do a lot of that today), Shake Shack burgers, polish water ice, and having a Philly cheese steak sandwich at Johnny Rockets was among her favorites. 

The fact that we're together brings us a solace that we have been longing for seven years! Seeing our children meeting for the first time and warming up to each other right away with hugs and smiles was a breath of fresh air. Makes me wonder why we as adults can't be like that with other adults when small children do it instantly without regard. 

They are a reminder to me that life is beautiful, and what a blessing it is to witness it through their innocent eyes. 

Every friend that has visited me from afar is my solace and I'm so grateful to have kept them for all these years!

These are the joys of life in friendships, and no matter where they live... they are the precious gems to my everyday living.  

happy weekend!

Just a quick note to wish y'all the happiest weekend!

I know that this weekend (actually this whole week) will be enjoyable having these these two hanging around each other!! They met two days ago, and have already developed a friendship that will last a lifetime just like they're mothers.

So enjoy this time with your friends, family, and your small children, and take in this beautiful moment of seeing the season change.

Enjoy it to the fullest, and have a lovely weekend!

the greatest gift.

So for the next seven days I will be spending time with one of my dear friends from Utah. She flew in yesterday, and we couldn't be more happier to have her and her little daughter with us. 

Sometimes you just need a friend, a GOOD friend who has known you for years, knows and understands your life, and loves everything about you no matter what. Someone who loves you and your family unconditionally and genuinely with a heart that as full as my own to hear in depth about everything that my life is about. 

That is Ceyda, and bless her heart for coming all the way from Salt Lake City with a three year old in tow just to see me and my family. She came at the right time, and will be here throughout my birthday week. 

So if I'm not posting on a daily basis it'll be for a good reason. We will be spending a lot of time venturing outdoors, and taking in this beautiful fall weather that we've been having. There will be a lot of girl talk, and a lot of late nights catching up on our life because there is only so much you can type via email, and facebook. Even if we spend most of our days outdoors exploring various parks the greatest gift is her friendship, and that is better than any material thing. I'm so grateful that she has taken the time to come here and spend her week long vacation with me.

And Noah and Celeste...they are already having their time of their lives. 

Just look at these two. 

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