Super Noob [Search results for Friendship] 

Last week...Monday to be precise...we took a little jaunt to Sedona. Not just any day trip...a most auspicious occasion. We were going to meet some very special people. One person, in particular for me. Several months ago, she and I began commenting on each other's blogs...she had no clue about the email response thing, so I gave her a little schooling. Then, we began to email each other almost daily, and sometimes multiple times a day. Through our interactions a friendship emerged. We'd joke about stalking each other all the time, and finally I bit the bullet and said we should try to meet in person some time. Well, could you imagine my surprise when she said she and her family were actually coming here?!? Do you know who I am talking about? Hint: nuts. Peanuts to be precise.

Does she look familiar to you? Well, to those that read her blog, she will. To others, you will think I am off my rocker (pft, that's nothing new). Yes, this is Julie of The Peanut Gallery...exit here.
Again, if you read her blog, you will know that her family just took a trip to our neck of the woods. Of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to finally meet her in person. The funny thing is, I have felt for some time now like I already know her. By that I mean, I feel like we have been friends for years. There is a realness and an honesty to her that, unfortunately, you don't find all that often. Or at least not as often as I wish. On some level, Julie and I have connected and formed a real friendship. I have blogging to thank for that. Without it, I never would have met her. That ...I simply couldn't imagine.

With our men behind the lenses, we set out to document our encounter. This is one of the first photos we took. The next one had Julie making bunny ears over my head. Maybe she has a copy and will be gracious enough to share it. I, however, will not.

Our girls realized that this was a day like no other, and that it was cause for a real celebration. So...there was dancing in the streets. Come on every guy grab a girl...

All the children (at least those not passed out on the sidewalk ) got along famously. The Desert Dwellers, and The Peanut Gallery were all fast friends. We spent the afternoon frolicking, eating ice cream, causing near attacks in the hearts of shop owners and generally soaking up all we could of each other in a very short amount of time.

S-Girl is the sweetest little girl ever. Truly. All of Julie's children are warm, open, and intelligent. Given Julie's recent toilet incident, you may have misgivings about her parenting...but rest assured, these kids are loved beyond measure, and it shows.

The littlest ones were just worn out.

Yet, they were troopers nonetheless.

Before we barely had a chance to say hello, we were already saying goodbye. Julie may be none too pleased with me for posting this photo. But I happen to love it. She is every bit as fun in person as she seems to be on her blog. Her nature is friendly, open, honest and just plain old hilarious! She is infectious, and I am afraid I have caught the "Julie bug." She's a vibrant, beautiful woman, and I am blessed to call her friend.

Every now and again I think it's fun to participate in something new. So, today I am trying out Mama M's Five Question Friday. Want to play along yourself? Link on up at the end of this post.

1. What is your favorite "eat" on Thanksgiving?
This is a tough one. Usually someone ends up making a great vegetable dish. My favorite was my Aunt S's roasted vegetables. They were amazing! Turkey, is okay, but not my favorite.

2. What is the name your best girl friend and the best trait about her or how you met (or heck, both!!)
Her name is Renee. Her best trait? Really that is almost impossible as there are so many. Her loyalty and dedication are huge. As for how we met...we were freshmen in highschool. I was wearing a Guess jeans shirt and shorts (my only ones) and she asked me how much I paid for them. I told her I didn't, that they were a gift. She said "Oh, well that's good because I couldn't see paying so much just for an outfit." Who in the heck did she think she was is what went through my head that day. Funny that our friendship grew and lasted so long!

3. What would you say is one of your "weirdest" quirks?
Probably my complulsive need for the covers to be perfect before I can get into bed. Even after I am in bed, I have to have them "just so." I drive my husband crazy every night with this. You would think he would just build a bridge and get over it by now. Nope. Makes him nuts.

4. What is your favorite genre of music? (Hip hop? Classical? Rock? etc.)
Classic rock. But the real classic rock. Not the stuff from the 80's that classic rock radio stations are starting to play. A close second is country music. Gotta love that.

5. Are you a Night Owl...or an Early Bird?
Despite many attempts to change my behavior, I have always been, and fear am destined to always be, a night owl. However, I still have to rise and shine when the kids do (unless it's a weekend and Andy let's me sleep a little later).

he's my brother...

I hope that this is a foreshadowing of their future relationship. I have a brother, and he is without question one of my best friends. My love for him is very much like the love I have for my children...it just is. It exists free of condition, free of burden. My brother has added a layer of depth to my life that has aided in the shaping of who I am today. Together we lived, laughed, cried, loved and faught our way through childhood, adolecsence and into adulthood. My life is richer, fuller and more complete as a result of him. Of all the gifts my parents have ever given, my brother is undeniably the most cherished I have ever received. It is my deep desire that my children also share the same amazing bond that my brother and I are so lucky to have. I hope that they carry each other through hard times, laugh with each other through good times, cry together through sad times, and pull each other through when the rest of the world seems to have left them bereft. So...it is my hope that this photograph of Addyson pulling her little brother, is a foreshadowing of their relationship, their ever growing friendship, and their unbreakable bond.

It seems I have been sitting on some awards once again. I want to do this post so I can thank the people who thought of me, but I am telling you up front that I will not be following the rules tonight. I certainly want to mention all of the wonderful people who thought of me when passing out the awards. But when it comes to scratching my a$$ while simultaneously standing on one leg with my left arm in the air and bending over at the waist...I am just not up for the work. So I'll tell you what. I am going to pass all of these awards on to any bloggy friends who share my birthday month. That's April. Is your birthday in April? I want to know! And please, take any or all of these awards.

This Sunshine award was given to me by Diana of My Lifesong. Diana and I are newly acquainted and I have been enjoying getting to know her better. Becky of In the Trenches also gave me the award...Becky is simply the best. I can't remember now how I came to find her, but I am so glad I did! It was also given to me by Rose of We Live in a Zoo. Rose and I are also fairly new to each other. I do happen to remember that she decided to follow me on a Post it note Tuesday, and she said "Glad to hear you're going to treat me right." Rose, I hope I have so far! There was one more person who thought of me with this award. I am not usually so bad at keeping track of these, but because I put it off so long, sigh, I lost her :( If you read this, and recognize that you are missing from this list...please let me know. I will do another post all about you!! ;

The Beautiful Blogger Award was given to me by Suzi at Confessions of a Fitness Instructor. You want some great exercise/health tips...go check out her blog. She even will answer direct questions in a post if you have any. Who doesn't need any fitness tips?

The Master of Karate and Friendship (freaking strange) award was given to me by Desert Rose of Desert Rose Moments. Desert Rose is a fellow Arizona blogger with a fun blog. Please go tell her hello!

This last one, You're Going Places, was given to me by Elizabeth of Our Journey Through Life. Elizabeth has been with me faithfully since nearly my blog beginning just 4.5 short months ago. She is a sweet woman with a tender heart for her family. She is a great commenter, so if you go give her some love, I am sure she will return the favor!
Will you all please do me a huge favor and go check out all of these wonderful womens' blogs? I think we'd all agree that there is nothing better than receiving comments...others letting you know they have taken the time to read what you have had to say on any given day. Be a giver today ;)