F is for.....

FRIENDSHIP

Do you ever wish you could turn back the clock? I admit it...I do. I am a 30 something mom, working full time on ebay, girl scout leader. And don't get me wrong. I love my life. For the most part. And I have friends. Obviously if you are reading this, I consider you one of them. I have people I could call if an emergency arose and I needed a sitter for Madison. I have people I can call if my car breaks down in the middle of the night. I have friends that mailed me books just because they knew I wanted to read them. I have friends that have loaned me 20 bucks when I didnt have the gas to get madison to school. I have people I enjoy chatting with. I have friends. What more could a boring old 30 something mom ask for?

But the thing is...do you remember being young? That friendship bond that was unbreakable? Back when people didn't drift in and out of your life depending on circumstances of theirs? Back when you would not know of any place you would rather be or any person you would rather share it with? Before conversations turned to school or scouts or soccer? When you knew that no matter what someone had your back?

I miss those days. Don't get me wrong. I am still friends with the same people. But over the years we have drifted apart. So even though in my heart they are still my BFF. In reality, I don't know much about their lives anymore and vice versa. I miss the fun. The spontaneity. The craziness. And knowing that that person can see me at my best or at my worst and still love me just the same.

Just a fleeting thought in my overflowing mind. Friendship. Does the definition of it change over the years? Or is it that what we need from it changes as we grow?

I think Madison has the friendship thing right. She has many many friends. But there is that one very special friend. And they have 'grown up' together. They've known each other for five years now. And just last week on her birthday, that was the one person she wanted to spend it with. Much to my dismay, it didn't matter if I was there or not LOL.

But as a 30 something working mom and girl scout leader.....and very avid reader....I am glad for the friends I have in my life now. And glad for the friends who have been there for years no matter how distant we may be. And glad that those wonderful memories are burned in my heart forever.

In a sort of "ode to friendship" fashion....here is my baby growing up with her BFF Tori. May they be 30 something moms and still the very best friends....

and for all my friends who read this...dont worry...I got ya back :)

E is for....

ELECTIONS

Of course. What else could it be? After all this is a major election year. It's the end of the Bush era...thank heavens. It is the beginning of something new. But yet I find myself sad this year.

I am sad because I don't have a candidate that I can truly get behind. As most of you know, I was/am a big Hillary fan. She was who I wanted to see make it. I believed in her and her plans. But she didn't make it.

Yes I am one of "those" people. The bleeding heart liberals. LOL. I always laugh at that description. But yet I have serious concerns about "our" candidate this year. Concerns that most often get met with brushing me off as overdramatic. That makes me sad too. I feel very strongly about some things yet feel I can't really say much to my liberal friends about it.

Then of course the 'other' candidate. I have nothing against him so much as against his stance on issues. So I am stuck. I don't know where my vote will end up, if I even vote at all. And that makes me sad.

I say all the time I want a do over. I want new choices.

But what saddens me the most is seeing people I love and care about and respect change in front of my eyes. Suddenly the candidate of choice becomes a personal issue. If you question things, you are questioning them. In return your thoughts/beliefs/morals get questioned. When in reality it has nothing to do with them. You love and respect them just the same. You just don't believe in their candidate. And I see this on both sides. And it makes me sad. I don't respect them any less, but I don't like the side of them I am seeing either.

So thats why this election year is hard for me. I am ready for it to be over, yet scared at the outcome.

I liked my protective bubble and it seems to have popped. Is this what growing up feels like? If so, I don't much like it!

Prayers...

I needed to take a break from the ABC's to say a few words.

For starters I want to say my prayers are with everyone out there who was affected by Hurricane Ike. I can only imagine what it must be like to recover from this.

But I want to request prayers for two very special ladies who are still dealing with the aftermath of this hurricane.

The first is Becky. She is an amazing woman, wife and mom to beautiful Abby. Her and her family are still without power. They have struggled over the past few days.

The second is Wendy. She is also an amazing woman, wife and mom to 4 gorgeous kids. Her family is not only without power, but facing damage to their home.

Both of these women are the classic definition of what I want to be when I grow up. They are truly inspirational women. And while it is in their nature to find the good of any situation, I am sure they are struggling at this moment with all that is going on. I am certain the kids are having a rough time being displaced as well.

So when you offer up your prayers today, could you throw in a couple for Wendy and Becky and both of their families. I am sure they would appreciate it very much!