You've Got a Friend

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January 2005

(Left to Right)

Chase, Mylin, Tatum, Cousin Nikki, Caden, Malia

4 years later...

Baby Brooke, Malia, Chase, Caden, Tatum, Mylin, Baby Torin

Henry, Brooke, Malia, Chase, Caden, Tatum, Mylin, Baby Torin

It is such a gift and joy watching these little humans grow.  

Maui Wowie Bo Bowie

We're here.  It's lovely.  

I forgot the USB cord to download pics from my real camera, but here are a few from my phone.

Nothing like vacationing with your buddies, even if you're three.

Three, three year olds, and an inflatable turtle.  What else could you want?  (Don't answer that.)

So, guess where I am right now?  Go ahead, guess.  The pool?  Beach-side?  Having a fruity cocktail?  No.  Feet up, pillows propped, in the room.  Karma is a bitch.  It is.  Don't know what I did but I think I need a list like the dude, well Earl, in My Name is Earl, 'cause I owe someone for something.  See, I was moving some luggage around and threw out my damn back.  Geezer.  Sheez.  Advil and Alcohol are my friends.  So, it's not all bad.

But my little lovies can not be held by their Mama, and let me just say putting on a bathing suit in positions where backs don't bend and move can be rather tricky.  Luckily our friends don't mind helping me off the toilet cause my back gave out.  Friends are good like that.

So, hopefully there will be more pics when I return.  Nap-time is almost over, and Mama needs another dose of something strong to get her a** up.  Aloha friends.  

Where Oh Where Oh Where is Jamie?

Where can Jamie be?

Blogging is truly one my favorite-ist things, next to reading all of your wonderful blogs.  But ... life has taken ahold of us and pulled me away.  Google Reader reminds me of my friends waiting, and I can't bear to "mark all as read."  I'm coming, I am.  

I feel like the flakey friend who keeps making promises she can't keep.  And I have some awards that I'm so stinkin' thrilled and honored to have received.  I really will share these.

I have a plan.

We're going on vacation -- TODAY!  It's been a long time in the planning, and I keep telling myself that I'll catch up on all of my reading, writing, and 'arithmetic in the form of reading blogs, blogging, and keeping tally of my alcoholic beverages (which may require some algebraic calculations).  

We're heading to Maui.  We're feeling very blessed to go on this vacation.  We're even going with our peeps.

Hi Peeps!

There will probably be a wee bit of this.... (beach-side)

And their son might try to pull some fancy tricks on Tatum again, like this...

I'm hoping like crazy for a free wi-fi connection.  I've been wanting to update my blog-roll, and add a new header, and read, and pass on awards.  

We'll see what happens.  Hope you and yours are enjoying your summer.  I realize how blessed we are to be taking this trip.  'Nuff said.

And to all The Bitches, I'm so sorry to be missing out on BitchHer.  You know I would have flown solo with two kids and a plane full of colicky babies to be with you... it just wasn't in my cards.  See you all when we get back.

**********************

It's 9:31 a.m. and I swear I have not packed ONE SINGLE THING yet.  Not one.  I'm so starting to panic.  OK gotta go...

No Way Are We That Old!?

Did that sweet little cherub face get your attention?  Yup.  Mine too.

Meet Courtney, a lifelong friend.  Now I know many of you have these sweeties in your life too, because you've blogged about them.  Now it's my turn.  But, can you even take your eyes off that sweet little baby?  I know, I couldn't either.  I think when we have our own babies we *know* they're cute, but sometimes we're so darn tired that it's hard to really grasp.  Well, I sleep through the night now, and I can appreciate a cute baby in all his glory.

Meet baby Jackson.  

Courtney lives in a place far far away.  We don't get very many visits anymore.  Not without the aid of a large jet, many suitcases, rental cars, and many months of advance preparation.  So when I found out she was visiting her in-laws in a town not so far far away, I was thrilled.

We realized that we had been friends for 19 years.  No way are we that old!  How can I even be old enough to be able to say, friends for 20 years.  

As a consolation prize, the waiter carded us.  See, he didn't even think we were 21, so how could I have a friend from Junior High for nearly 20 years?

Thanks Court, for being a great friend through these fine years.  We had fun sleepovers, and we had fun being rejects at the Catholic School for a year, and we had fun road-trips together.  But the best part is playing with each other' kids'.  We've come a long way baby!  Let's see what the next 20 years brings (gulp).  

(First baby-holding session ever!  They're being careful.)

Courtney is such a good Mommy, too.  You know the kind.  The kind who say, "Oh, he's going to fuss, move his left leg, fart 3 times, blink with one eye, then fall asleep."  She knows him that well.  And she was right.