Well looky there, it appears my bitch fest yesterday struck a nerve with the internets. Apparently everyone is having a tough week. At least I am in good company.

Later today, we are packing up our grouchy party of 5 and traveling north to visit good friends. Best friends. You know the kind where just being in their company makes you feel a little more whole inside? If you don’t have those kind in your life, go find them. Mine unfortunately live 3.5 hours away which is sad because they could live in the same town and they would still be too far away. I am hoping the road trip clears this angst I am feeling. If nothing else, between the summer heat, the wine I plan on consuming and the laughter, I think things will begin to look a little brighter.

I’ve mentioned Donald Miller’s most recent book here a few times. You know when you read something or see a movie and it just sticks with you? You chew on it over and over, trying to figure out why it hit you so deep and why you can’t shake the feeling that you were meant to read/see it right at that time? His book is about “story” and the fact that every story has the same basic elements – a character that is willing to overcome hardship to get something. I am really challenged by looking at myself and seeing the hardship – knowing that it leads to something, to a story. But what am I overcoming? What is it I want my story to be about? Do I want to overcome the hardship of law school to be a lawyer? The hardship of marriage to reach a golden anniversary? The hardship of marathon training to complete a 26.2 mile run? What am I living for that is worth telling someone about 10, 20, 50 years from now?

A lot of Christians talk about living life “intentionally” – I find this strange and often unattainable as a mother to three small humans. The only intentional thing I do is make it through very busy days. However, I know there is more than that. We are all on this ride, and I am convinced we all share the same inner fear that it won’t mean anything in the end, that the struggle will be for not. I want to live a good story. Maybe I overcome fear and write that book that swirls around in my head like a word milkshake. Maybe, I overcome my inner critic and finally accept myself for who I am. Maybe.

What is your story? What are you overcoming in order to reach a goal? Do you think about the big picture and what your life will “say”?  Do share, I am looking for ideas and inspiration here.

My BFF, Rebecca is a super star. Not only does she put up with me… her and her husband are co-founders of a rockin new website for mom’s called Momfaves. In her spare time, she is raising two fantastic little boys that are nearly the same age as my two boys.

Becca and I met when we were 14 and it seems like a lifetime ago. We both had big bangs, well really it was just me, and we liked older boys that were no good for us. Becca is the ying to my yang, as Jerry Meguire would say… she completes me. I have been forever jealous of her crazy long legs and thoughtful personality. I know that she is jealous of me too…of my crazy loud laugh and my t-rex midget legs. I know that she will be my friend until we are silly, incontinent ol’ ladies headed out of this world to meet Jesus who art in heaven, amen.

Every friendship has stages. There was the grunge music, smoking and sneaking out stage. Then the we’re too cool to date boys from this school stage. Then there was college and the meeting of the future husbands stage. I never thought that the having kids stage would bring us so close, however it has completely cemented our friendship in ways I can’t explain. 

 Dear goodness I just re-read this and it sounds like I am going to propose to her. Rebecca I love you and I see us growing old together….

Okay so the best part of hanging out is watching our children become friends. So check out some pictures of our visit and our kids blossoming friendship.

My best friend Rebecca came to visit this weekend with her husband and two adorable sons. I don’t know what to say about these people other than they are more dear to me than I would’ve ever imagined. I love her kids like I love my own and I would do anything for them.

What strikes me as extra special about this friendship is that it started when Rebecca and I were just 14. After high school we went to different colleges and lived in different parts of the state for several years. Then we both got married. I don’t know about you ,but often times just because your friend marries someone, doesn’t mean that you will automatically click with that person and it certainly is no guarantee that your husband will click with them either. However, with Rebecca and Josh something magic happens for Kevin and I. We all just “get” each other.

I don’t even know where to start on how Rebecca and I have been intertwined over the years. We have inexplicable commonalities like both having lived in Monterey before we moved to the town where we would eventually meet. Then we have husbands who are both tall, wear glasses, love to sing and consider themselves very funny. If that isn’t enough, we both had little boys 6 months apart, (Isaac and Aaron) and then 3 years later had boys again, this time only 4 weeks apart. (Joshua and Jonah). 

Yet, we are also very different. She is more introverted and takes the time to process how she feels. I blurt it out like vomit then try to retract it. She likes numbers and making things balance, I can’t even begin to balance my checkbook. She is super tall and I am, well, height challenged. Somehow, it all comes together to form the best alliance a couple of girls could ever ask for.

The bottom line is, Kevin and I are so privileged to share life with this people. They make us feel like we are home, no matter where we are.

Below are two pic’s. One of Isaac and Aaron and one of Jonah and Joshua. My hope is that the four of them will grow up to be the best of friends, keeping the tradition alive.

Isaac and Aaron

 Jonah and Joshua

PS. In the months to come I am going to be promoting the heck out of Josh’s latest business venture because I think it is amazingly smart and I bet you will too.