Friend of the Week....eh....Month - April B.

I kind of forgot about this trend. Oops! But, I'm here to catch up and make up for lost time. April is one of my very best friends and I thought I'd tell you a little about her! She is married to Jeremy, who is Jonathan's musician friend and bandmate. I first met April when I visited The Freedom Center with Jonathan when we first started dating. April was very sweet right away, and I honestly can't really remember how our friendship really developed. Over time we got to know more and more about each other and had lots of fun telling our funny stories.

We realized April and Jer were good travel buddies for us - so we took our first vacation to the mountains. Oh, the stories. We took a hike - which let April finally brag on her "outdoorsy" skills. We went tubing down the Little River that was practically dried up. Ask April about the fish that flopped around in her lap - causing quite a bit of panic and some long-lasting scars.

April was a bridesmaid at our wedding - and was so awesome. She went with me to Bristol to fight for some respect at King. She threw me an awesome shower at church (with Victoria's help) and she was always there when I needed her. Now, I get to be there for her - as we anxiously await baby Tad (okay, London) joining us in October or November! Oh, I can't wait to meet that little baby. You wouldn't believe how much he's already been prayed for!!

The last picture is just for April - HELP ME!!!

Friend of the Week - Sheri

Sheri is going to really appreciate being my second friend of the week. She knows how stressed I am (she is) this week about SOLs and VGLAs, so the fact that I'm taking the time to write this should be a great feeling, haha! Sheri is my 3rd grade teaching buddy. We trade off kids every afternoon, and trade off complaints and compliments about them each afternoon. She gets me. She totally, 100% gets me. That's hard to do.

Did I mention we used to live together? We lived together and are STILL best of friends. Quite a feat, right? Actually, I've had great roommates throughout my adulthood. But, anyway. When I signed a lease with Sheri I barely knew her. It was at the end of my 1st year at Macy and I needed a new roommate and wanted to head over to the Burg. April A. suggested Sheri (who I didn't work with so hardly knew), we went that day to look at apartments, and were future roommates an hour or two later. It was great. We had so many good times just hanging out and going off (SOL time is stressful, cut us some slack). She was an awesome help during my first (and second, and third...) year in 3rd grade. Oh, and here's a great story. When I was planning to go to India to visit Kelley (Friend of the Week 1) and her hubby and new baby, I was going by myself. That is until one day Sheri walked in my room and announced that she was going to. WHAT? Yep, her awesome parents told her not to pass up the opportunity. So, we got shots, passports, malaria pills, and new modest clothing and headed out.

We had a blast. So what if we got stuck in Moscow with no ticket, passport, or translator. We made it back - granted without Sheri's luggage, but you know how that goes. Unfortunately, she grew up and bought a house and I grew up and got a husband with a house, and we are no longer roommates. But, we are still BFFs for sure! Oh, and we are going to see Keith Urban for her birthday. I must love her, right? I have more pictures of us on my computer - but VGLAs are calling my name, and I know she'll understand that. I love you Miss Miller!!!

Friend of the Week - Kelley

As I was driving home yesterday, I had an idea. A corny idea, but hey, it's my blog. So, here it is. I'm going to do a tribute to one friend each week. I have some of the most amazing friends on Earth, so I thought it'd do me some good to remind myself how lucky I am. Let's start with the friend who showed me what a blog was - so this is all her fault, really.

Kelley and I both ended up in the middle of nowhere about 5 years ago. She with her husband, I with myself. It was my first year teaching, her 2nd year, and God knew we were gonna need each other. I won't go in to too many details about the less-than-par place we taught, because that doesn't really matter. What does matter is that I met one of my greatest friends because of this place. Do you know what I mean when I say "heart-friend"? Well, that's Kelley. Our lives are quite different - she lived in South Asia for 2 years while I fell in love with Jonathan here in Blacksburg. She has birthed the first 2 of her many babies, and I have yet to birth one. She owns a minivan. I'm quite far away from that stage (but hey, anything can happen!) But, she is somebody I can go to - no matter what. I laugh with her, cry with her, and she has prayed for me probably more than most people (except my mom of course, I was quite the problem child). She drove 3 hours with a screaming baby 3 weeks after birthing her to be my matron of honor and was happy to do it. She loves me for who I am - and isn't afraid to tell me when I'm being irrational, crazy, or just plain ridiculous. She's honest and compassionate in one. She is one of the first people I call when I have big news - whether it be happy or sad. Even though we don't talk as often as we did during the Happy Valley days, it doesn't seem to matter. We can pick right back up like we're just down the street. Here are some pictures of times I've spent with Kelley over the past several years....
Ok, so a few aren't of Kelley. But Kiran is just too cute to be included. And the only picture I have of Sienna is in the picture in a post below when she was 3 weeks old to the day. Oh, I just love those kids. Here's to many more years of friendship with their mama! I love you Kel!