The Rules of Dude

I decided I would try blogging again and I found this post that never got published....it is 7 years old...I wasn't very good at keeping up with this stuff. This is too cute not to post, seven years or not. 

My oldest nephew Weston spent the weekend with us for his birthday. He has 4 brothers and sisters and this was just him. Ben wasn't even home as he chose to spend the night with his mamom. Weston chose to spend two nights with us because we were  having so much fun.  We stayed up late, rented movies, raced go-karts, played mini golf and sampled Skyline for the first time. I'm telling you all this becuase overall I think Weston thinks I'm a pretty cool aunt. He is the sweetest kid and always has been. However, as he gets older (he's 9) I fear I'm becoming less and less cool. He's pretty honest with me though, when I first saw him this weekend I said "Hey, dude, what's up?" To which he replied "Aunt, Erin, don't ever say that to me again, and I'm serious." I'm not going to lie, I was very confused as to why I was not allowed to call him dude anymore...I call Ben dude...of course Ben always tells me he's not a dude, he's a boy. So, yesterday I asked, "Weston, why can't I call you dude?"

Here are the rules of dude:

1. Only people between the ages of 5-19 should use the term dude with one another. An adult should never call someone dude.

2. Revised goal- No one over 25 should use that word in reference to someone 5-19.

3. If you are over 25 and your child is younger than kindergarten age, you may refer to them as dude.

So then I asked what I could say and was informed that anything I would try to say would be way to weird and I should just refer to him by his name.

Thanks Weston.

Peace

Peace be with you.

She's My Mommy

It has been 8 months since I have posted anything on here. It's not like I really ever said much before that but still...With the iPhone, face book, email, I feel like I am connected so many different ways that it's difficult to update one more thing. I signed up for Twitter but refuse to use it...that's just too much. I feel that this is a good outlet however and I'm going to give it another go. I'm not promising a post every day or special days of the week or anything like that. I am promising that I will try and post as often as possible...can I be anymore vague?

So, with that being said, a lot has changed in the past 8 months. Biggest change...a new baby. Yes, we have added to the Horsley family. It took us awhile to decide if we really wanted to have another child. Ben is so cute, sweet, funny, smart, witty, amazing..you get the picture. I was afraid to bring another child into our family. I was afraid that it would have a horrible impact on Ben, that he would feel as if he wasn't as loved, that I may not be able to love another as much as I love him, that I couldn't possibly save for two children's therapy sessions. However, we decided to risk it all and try for another with our fingers crossed that Ben would make it through it, that we would produce another offspring as cool as Ben, and that we could keep two kids healthy and happy.

About a year after we made the big decision, we welcomed Nicholas Aaron to this world. He was born on December 9, 2009 at 7:28p.m. He was bigger than his older brother weighing and measuring at 8 lbs and 21 inches. He is beautiful, precious and smart...yes, he's already smart because he lets his mommy and daddy sleep.

And Ben, well he is just about the best big brother ever. He is very caring and runs over to him to see why he's crying. He has told me how happy he is the baby is out of my belly and just how long he had to wait for him to get here. Ben has requested that we don't take down his pictures and replace them with the baby's which I find hilarious. And once, just once he went a little crazy on us..however the craziness was contained and not really directed at anyone. Ben learned what nursing was and shortly after he learned about nursing he was playing by himself in the living room. I was sitting on the couch with the baby and heard Ben say "Stop sucking on my mommy. She's my mommy, not your mommy." Can you say "The Good Son." Okay, not so much. He never admitted to saying anything and I never made a big deal out of it.

I look forward to seeing these two grow as brothers. It's been amazing being a mom of two so far. Nicholas is so laid back and sleeps and eats and lets big brother go on with his every day activities. There has been little disruption to our lives...I feel at peace with these two boys. They say that your heart just grows to let there be room for two and they are right. What they don't tell you is that your bed miraculously grows as well. When I was pregnant I couldn't fit me, Ben and Andy in the bed...now all of a sudden I can fit all of them plus Nicholas and our cat Zoe. I'm not sure how it happens but I'm so glad it does.

Miserable Failure

So I think we've all learned a valuable lesson. I'm not so good at
finishing projects. No blog posts and a messy kitchen. In fact it
might be safe to say I'm a miserable failure.

But then I see Ben after work and the first thing he says is that he
has a dandelion for me. I did something right!

Baby Step #2 Get Dressed to Lace Up Shoes

Okay, so the idea behind this second baby step I guess is to establish routine. This step invovles getting up and dressed, including shoes and fixing your hair and make up, etc. During the week this won't be too much of a problem but come on, today was Sunday. I took about a half an hour this morning to just sit and eat breakfast in my pj's. However, I did shower and get dressed and ready to tackle our bathroom remodel. I did not however fix my hair or put on makeup. On the weekend I'm lucky to remember deoderant.

My sink is still clean though, every dish has gone straight into the dishwasher which is a major accomplishment for me! If I can get organized and stay that way in 31 days I will jump for joy.

Baby step #1 Shine Your Sink

Done. Am I supposed to do this every day?

FlyLady Challenge

Well, I've completely failed at blogging twice a week. I didn't think I could do it anyway. I do believe in a self fulfilling prophecy and I'm proof it's true.

My life is totally out of control right now. We're in the middle of a bathroom renovation, work is stressful and my house....oh my house is a complete mess. I've decided to do something about it...at least the house part.

I'm going to do a Fly Lady Challenge. I'm sure you know about the fly lady. She talks about building habits and has a 31 day baby steps program. That's what I'm doing...baby steps. I'm also going to learn how to blog from my iPhone so I can check in daily with my progress.

Wish me luck.

Applying Myself

Today my friend Chris told me that I needed to apply myself with this blog. In the words of Ben....FIIIIINE.



I've noticed that people are often successful in blogging when they have a theme or a project that encourages them to post so I'm going to try it out and see what happens.



For now, I'm only promising to attempt two posts a week. One will be based on the art work my son has brought home from school. The other will be "Moments NOT for the baby book." Hopefully I'll be inspired to actually blog about other things here and there since Ben is quite the comedian and keeps Andy and me in stitches.



For today I'll leave you with two things Ben has said to me within the past few months. One goes into the "Moments NOT for the baby book." I'll let you decide which one it is.



One night when we were going to sleep Ben says to me "Mommy, do you remember when Dave and Zoe (the cats) were in your belly when they were babies." Cute and Creepy all at the same time.



This weekend Ben was a bit of a pill. I think cabin fever got the best of him and he just refused to listen, mind or do anything that resembled a well behaved child. We all have our moments I get it. Often though, I'll talk about how I'm going to talk tot he teachers about how he hasn't been listening at home because it's something he's also working on at school. I do this not as a threat, well maybe, but more as a way to show Ben that I talk to his teachers on a regular basis and that we both have the same expectations for his behavior. I however did not say this on this particular day. Completely on his own accord Ben says "Mommy, don't tell the teachers." I asked him what he didn't want me to tell them and he said "Mommy, don't tell the teachers I've been an a$$hole."



I've never called him one, I swear. I went from being appalled to being amazed at my sons reason. I know I've called my husband one before and he was able to connect his behavior to the same behavior that may have once led me to calling Andy one. Not excusable I know.



Which one do you think I'd like to forget?

Ben and Politics

Benjamin has known who Barack Obama is since the primary race when I had him stand in front of house with a "Thank You President Bush" sign and chant Obama, Obama, Obama. Irresponsible? I don't think so.

Anyway, I have thought a lot about how I want Ben to be active in his community, active in the country and active in things that matter most to him. My hope is that I will provide opportunities for him to learn about different topics, people, places, etc. that will help create a broad view of the world and help him make responsible and thoughtful decisions.

I know he's only 3.5 but I can already see that he understands more than I ever thought a 3.5 year old could. However, he is only 3.5 and I get a little carried away.

During the inauguration, Ben and I were home sick so we were able to watch a moment in history together. He kept coming in the room and would then leave to continue playing. Finally, when President Obama was speaking Ben looks at me really seriously and says "Mommy, can Obama be a girl?" I told him that Obama was a boy so he then asked if we could pretend he was a girl. I told him that we could pretend anything we wanted but I was curious to why he wanted our president to be a girl. He's response "I want a girl president." Needless to say I was so proud of him in that moment. I was sure I was doing something right, that my 3.5 year old son knew that anyone could be president...anyone. I also like to think that he thought Mommy might be a better president than Daddy.

Since the journey started for this presidential election I have felt such hope and gratitude. It is amazing to me that Ben will never know a time in his life where it wasn't possible for anyone to be president. I was reminded of this moment in February at his Valentine Party at school. While the kids were waiting for the festivities to begin, the teacher was asking them a series of questions:

1. In which city do you live? C-I-N-C-I-N-N-A-T-I (which was sung to the Mickey Mouse song.)
2. What is your state? OHIO screamed by 23 little kids.
3. What is our country? The United States of America...this is where I started getting a bit choked up.
4. Who is the president of the United States of America...Barack Obama (except for Ben who just calls him Obama due to the chanting he did during the primary election)

Again, such emotion ran through me I couldn't' stand it...how amazing that all of these kids, not just my son, have the fortune of living in this time...yes, I know the economy stinks but still aside from that, I think it's pretty amazing. So, imagine my joy when Ben brings home the above picture of President Obama. I see this picture and the first thing I think of is "Wow, Ben has made his jacket all different colors as a commentary on the hope and promise of change in our future. Ben understands that the world is made up of people of all different shapes, sizes, colors, beliefs....and he values that. My 3.5 year old is so deep.

So I ask him "Ben, why did you choose to make Obama's jacket so many different colors?" His response...."Because jackets have a lot of colors."

Okay, so he's 3.5...and then I got a grip.

Giving Thanks

It has been a very long time since I have posted. You haven't missed much. I've been a little cranky, tired and annoyed at just about everything so really you've been better off without me. Not anymore, I'm turning over a new leaf...okay, let's not be ridiculous, I'm sure I'm still going to be all of those things but not all of the time.

As corny as it may sound, Thanksgiving me reminded me of all the things I am thankful for.
1. My husband - when we're not busy being annoyed with one another we actually make a good pair. He enjoys (or at least puts on a good front) being with 22 members of my family in my house...you've got to hold on to someone like that
2. My son- While 3.5 has been very trying and has made the terrible twos a very malicious lie, Ben is totally amazing. He's so curious, funny, creative and kind hearted. He brings tears of joy to my eyes which totally erases the tears that I cause due to my lack of patience.
3. My extended family- I'm not sure what happened but I was surrounded by 22 members of my family over Thanksgiving and I did not fight with anyone, specifically not my husband, mother or brother. I truly enjoyed all of us being together.
4. My friends- I have really good friends. There are a lot of people who I care about and who care about me.
5. My career- While it can totally suck and can be really difficult, I am making a difference and that is what I have always wanted to do and that is what really matters.
6. Lack of salmonella- Not one person had to go to hospital for food poisoning after eating my turkey....seriously it was by biggest fear.

Clearly this is not an exhaustive list but it's a start and covers the most important things in my life and is the list that will help me put the rest of my life in perspective.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits

I laughed, I cried and I would have bought a t-shirt if it was for sale...which it probably is. Way to go Hillary! I am very hopeful about Election Day.

I keep thinking of my grandma ("Mom")who was a die hard democrat. My brother was her favorite...the only son of the only son and to her he never had a flaw. Then, on her 80th birthday she received Kerry/Edwards signs for her front yard. I knew she was a democrat but I didn't realize how much of a democrat she actualy was until that day. I felt it was my obligation as he grandaughter to let her know her favorite grandson was a republican. Her response. "Well, Erin, I guess he's not perfect."

I think Momwould have liked to be a part of this election. I know that she probably never thought that in her lifetime there would have been both an African American and a woman going for the democratic nomination. I'm sure that she never considered the posibility of her voting for either. However, I know that it wouldn't have mattered to her who she was voting for rather the principals for which the person stood. I know that she would have thought about our country and its people and would have voted for change.

I also know that if she were still here that I'd probably be her favorite now because her grandson....still a republican.

Thirty-two

32-22= The year I hit double digits
32-19= The year I became a teenager
32-16= The year I started to drive
32-14= The year I was able to vote
32-11= The year I could buy beer and go to a bar legally
32-9= The year I started my career
32-7= The year I got married
32-3= The year I had Ben
32-2= The year I freaked out on my birthday
32-1= The year I freaked out on my birthday
32-0 = The year I freaked out on my birthday

Dem Bones

Me: Ben, why don't you want your milk?
Ben: I don't need it.
Me: Why?
Ben: I already have bones and they're already strong.

Lying to your child

I've stretched the truth before with Ben to make him not worry. I don't mean to lie but sometimes I just say things without really thinking about the fact that it's actually not true, instead I'm just thinking about what I can tell my little boy to make him feel better. Rest assured I don't plan on lying to my child forever, or even mean to do it now. In fact I hope to be very open an honest with him. I hope that he feels like he can always come to us with anything and know that we will always be there for him. When he asks me where babies come from I'm not going to tell him the stork. I will be age appropriate though! But the point is that over the past few months I've noticed that I do this and that it can potentially bite me in the arse.

Like when he saw an earthquake on TV and he got scared and I told him that he shouldn't be scared because we don't have earthquakes in Cincinnati. Three days later we had an earthquake. Fortunately he was staying at my mother in law's and didn't feel it because if he had I'm sure he would have said "Mommy, you said we didn't have earthquakes.

Fast forward to two days ago when it was storming outside. Ben hates storms so I try to make them okay. We normally talk about how rain helps the flowers go. That particular morning I said "Ooh, did you hear the thunder?" He says "Mommy, that's not thunder, that's just angel's bowling." I did not tell him this lie, he's father did. Unlike the earthquake incident the only problem I can foresee is Ben raising his hand in science class and answering the question"Why does it thunder?" incorrectly. My hope is that by the time he gets asked that question he'll figure out it's not really angels bowling.

As we continued our morning and drove to school in the pouring rain a bright bolt of lightning flashed through the sky. Ben jumped a little and I immediately said "Don't worry, lightning can't hurt you." Before I could stop myself from finishing that statement I knew I shouldn't' have said it as lightning can clearly hurt you. So I start having a conversation with myself. Do I tell him it can? Do I tell him it can but it's very rare? Do I tell him not to hold a metal rod in his hand when it's lighting? Do I just let it go and the next time there's lightning I tell him it can hurt him? Honestly in a very short amount of time all these thoughts went through my head as well as how I needed to start saving for his therapy bill so he can talk to someone about how he had a mom who lied to him.

As I'm drowning in guilt my sweet, logical, creative, hilarious son says "I know mommy, those bugs are very little." It took about 20 seconds for me to realize he was talking about lightning bugs. I forgot the guilt and instead engaged my son in a discussion about how he thinks lightning bugs fly up in the sky to make lightning and then come back down at night and fly around our house.

He's three. He's funny. He'll be okay. The lightning conversation will happen but not too soon, Ben's version is much better.

Three Cheers for being Three

Ben had his third birthday a month ago...yeah, I'm slow. The past three years have been an amazing journey for me. It's hard to believe how much you can truly love someone. I love my family and I love my husband but the love I feel for my son is indescribable. Every day he makes me laugh, teaches me something, sometimes drives me a little crazy, but always makes me smile. Every now and then Andy and I talk about how amazing that this little boy came from us. Ben makes us better people, makes us a better couple. Thanks Ben Ben for the joy you have brought me and continue to bring.







Ben's "Birth"day















Ben's 1st Birthday
















Ben's 2nd Birthday

Ben's 3rd Birthday

Just the two of us

Ben is in NYC with his grandparents, aunt, uncle and all his cousins. When my dad was either in college or just out ( I'm kind of unclear on the timing) he drove to all of the MLB ballparks (this was the 70's.) Anyway, he decided he wanted to do this with his grandchildren. Obviously it's going to take several years instead of a few months considering he has 6 grand kids and four of them are under the age of three. Anyway, this year's games include the Yankee's and Mets in NYC and then the Devil Rays and Marlins in Florida. Andy and I couldn't go with the family this weekend but we're all headed to FL in a week. Ben is the luckiest kid in the world...no lie.

So, Andy and I have the house and our time to ourselves for a few days. Amazingly over the past few months, we've rediscovered ourselves as people not just parents, after a couple of years being lost. We've enjoyed the day together and with friends. We went to breakfast, I saw a movie and then went out to dinner with drinks! I miss Ben but I am enjoying a little down time. That being said, I've called my parents three times today and I'm assuming I'll call a couple more tomorrow...then Monday and Tuesday. Ben is doing is daddy proud...before 10:00 this morning he told his Pop that the Yankee's stink. Way to go Ben:)

I have a ton of pictures to post from Ben's b-day, and that's my plan for tomorrow so stand by!

That was then....This is now

Going to hear a band 10 years ago....

Check my hair, check my lipstick, grab my id and some cash. Call up my friends and have them drive me to a smoky bar, hope I get carded so I can pull out my id and laugh at the door guy who thought I was too young to get in. Stand as close to the stage as possible. Dance and hold a beer while I try and decide if the singer is truly as deep and sensitive as his music makes him out to be. Stay until the bar closes and get ready to do it all again the next day.

Going to hear a band today....

Come inside from working in the yard all day. Jump in the shower and try to make my hair presentable. Convince my husband that we're not too tired to go. Run to the store to buy some earplugs for my 3 year old. Hop in the car with a spill proof cup and snacks and one very sleeping boy. Head downtown to an outdoor festival where kids are permitted and look for a close and cheap parking space. Get sleeping child out of car and carry 2 blocks to the stage. Make husband hold child while I purchase beer (without even considering having my id on me) so I don't look like a bad mom. Run into friends who are happy to see me outside of work and not a total witch. Listen to band and slightly sway to the music with child on hip. Think about how I was once cool. Once band is finished say goodbye and head to the carnival rides child has been wanting to ride since the moment we arrived. Arrive home after only being gone 2.5 hours including drive time.

Life has changed for sure but it's good. Ben did get to see his very first show which I was really excited about. I'm not sure he enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed my first concert at the ripe old age of 4 but he was tired and I was older. Regardless, I was happy to have him there as it made me feel a little bit cool again...for a mom that is. Plus, Andy and I thought the band was great. After hearing all about Bad Veins from my friend and listening to a demo cd I was excited to have the opportunity to hear them live. The fact that they were playing at the Taste of Cincinnati where I could bring Ben made it possible. Here's proof we were there...it's like playing Where's Waldo.

So, the moral of this adventure is that I am going to first, make sure that I find myself again and partake in those things that used to bring me joy, i.e. music. Also, I'm going to make sure that I include Ben in those things that I'm doing. I know that my love of music came from my mom. She took me to my first concert, always had music playing around the house and getting a record in the mail from Columbia House was like Christmas. I want that for Ben too...although I'm not so sure downloading from iTunes is as exciting as getting a record in the mail....but whatever. And finally, Andy has dreams of Ben being a professional baseball player...I hope he becomes a rock star.

A completed project

You may not know this but I am a fairly crafty person. I love to cross stitch, crochet, make holiday ornaments and a year and a half ago I even made two beginner baby quilts. In the hustle and bustle of daily life I have not not crafted in ages even though it is the one thing that completely relaxes me.

I'm back!

7 years ago my mother in law and I made a wreath using the dried flowers from my wedding bouquet. I love it...and while it's lost some of it's color it hangs in my dining room and every time I see it I think of the day Andy and I married. A couple of years ago a friend was getting married and I offered to do the same for her. I gave her the wreath but she never acknowledged it so I just assumed that it sucked and that mine meant so much to me because I made it myself.

This past October Andy and I went to our very close friends wedding in Charleston, S.C. We had such a great time and in the moment I said to the bride, "Do you want me to take your flowers home, dry them and make them into a wreath?" She said yes and immediately I regretted it because what if I destroyed her wedding flowers. Driving them back to Ohio was nerve racking enough but then actually having evidence of my friend's most memorable day in my hands, I was freaked.

Anyway, the flowers were left hanging in my mother in law's garage until last week. That's right 7 months. I'm quick huh. As the annual derby party was approaching I realized that I was going to see our friends and I needed to get it finished. I spent one hour with my mother in law and it was finished. I was pleased with the aesthetics but still nervous about the brides reaction.

No need to worry! I gave the wreath to her last night and she loved it. not only did she love it but our other friends who are getting married in September want one too.

So here's to crafting, I'm going to do it, I swear. Next project...the scrapbook for my mother in law's retirement...it was last June.

From the mouths of babes

I'm not sure of blogging rules but I wanted to post this and while it happened this weekend I'm a little slow and it didn't really fit with my last post.

I want to start this out by making sure that you all know that a few months ago my son had a one night cussing spree. He was dropping the f bomb and Andy and I had a long talk with him about how those words weren't nice, and how he should never say them. The talk was great and Ben comforted me by letting me know that when we're both older (Ben and me) we can say those words. The point is that Andy and I have been very careful about cussing at home. We actually don't anymore and if I even say "shut up" not as a command but as a exclamation to someone Ben let's me know that I'm not supposed to say that, I'm supposed to say "chill out."

Anyway, this brings me to this weekend. As Ben and I were leaving beautiful Warsaw, KY Ben told me he wanted a treat. He was grumpy and tired and the fact that I told him we had to wait to get to a gas station to get a treat did not appease him. I kept telling him I was going to get him one and he kept screaming for one. Finally, without really thinking about what I was saying I said "I'm going to get you a treat dammit." Appropriate? I know it wasn't, but Ben's response? "I'm not dammit, I'm Ben"...priceless.

Friends

Last Thursday Ben got to spend a couple of hours playing with is best friend Gabi. Gabi and Ben have known each other since they were 4 months old. They were both the favorite of their care taker Ms. Vicki. Perhaps it wasn't fair but Ben and Gabi got all of Ms. Vicki's attention. As the two moved up to different rooms and left their Ms. Vicki behind, she was never far away. She would come and get them out of their class and take them out to play with the other kids she was watching. Needless to say, Ben and Gabi spent a lot of time together.
One day I ran into Gabi's mom and asked if she'd like to get the kids together. Being the slacker I am it took months but we finally got together at Gabi's 2nd birthday. They were so happy to be together and fortunately for Andy and me we really liked her parents too. The kids played together a couple more times outside of school but I then took Ben out of his school and moved him to a new one that I thought would be better for him. I really worried because he had formed such a close relationship with Gabi I was afraid he'd be lonely. Fortunately, Ben likes just about everyone and can really get along with most he quickly made friends at his new school. However, he still talked about Gabi. Gabi's mom and I started getting together more with just the kids and then with the hubby's too. Every time they see each other Ben and Gabi just go crazy. They hug and kiss, and squeal. They also get on each other's nerves sometimes and are ready to say goodbye at the end of a play date. They've become and old married couple...This was first brought to my attention when Ben was not being nice to Gabi and she looks at him and in a very stern, commanding voice, said "Ben, you love me." I keep telling Gabi's mom that it's cute now, but when they're 16 I'm not going to think it's so funny.Gabi and Ben remind me that friends bring a lot of joy to your life. They can also cause some heartache and every now and then get on your nerves, however, when push comes to shove friends are friends no matter where you are in your life...location or situation

Lucky for me I have a few people in my life who are tried and true friends till the end. This weekend, Ben and I went to spend a few hours with one of those friends, Agnes. Andy was jealous because he wasn't invited although he loves Agnes almost as much as I do but we needed some girl time...well girl time plus Ben.

We had a great time over lunch catching up and talking about things that matter. She got to see Ben in all his rambunctiousness and spoil him with gifts of crayons, coloring books, sidewalk chalk and bubbles. She even helped him "skip" rocks in the oh so lovely Ohio river!

Agnes and I have known each other for 13 years...oh my gosh, I just realized how old I am since we met in college. For three years at Hanover we were very close. We had different interests, lived in different houses, but had a lot in common and spent a lot of extra curricular time with each other and our other friend Kari. Agnes stuck by me when I was madly in love with Andy and spent most of my extra time with him our sophomore year. She quickly accepted me back into the gang once I realized that I needed more than just a boyfriend. After college we spent a year visiting back and forth, living it up like rock stars when we could and even moved to Cincinnati with me to be my roommate when I wanted to be closer to Andy and was ready to start a new adventure.

The year we lived together was the best. We had a great (not really now that I look back on it) apartment in a cool part of town. We learned about the Soprano's together and discovered the best coffee ever at Daybreak. We realized we both were terrified of raccoons and that central air was a luxury we both needed. Also, did you know that you can do the electric slide to any song? Seriously, Ben Harper....electric slide.

Andy and I got married a little over a year after I moved to Cincinnati. Andy and I upgraded to a new living space, as did Agnes (the upgrades were sparse but still there.) Ag spent one more year in the same town with me and we still would meet for breakfast, hang out and talk on a regular basis. When Agnes moved back to her hometown I was sad but was sure we'd keep in touch.

Over the past few years our phone conversations and visits are not as regular as I think we would both like but the great thing is that no matter how long it has been we pick up right where we left off. Ag came to visit Ben the day he was born and we still had our "30" trip to the Bahamas with our friend Kari.

I am very thankful for my friends and wanted to take the opportunity to make sure Agnes knows how truly special she is. I am who I am today because of our friendship and I look forward to continuing it for the rest of our lives.