The first to visit came in late January. My very best friend, Angela. We've known each other now for nearly 15 years. College roommates, randomly paired up. We came from different states, different backgrounds, and different approaches to life. Angela, a sweet southern girl from South Carolina and me a bit of a firecracker from Miami. But somehow, despite these differences we clicked. Within that first night of knowing each other, sitting on Ange's dorm room bed and sharing our stories. (Well, mostly I shared. I talked. A lot. Maybe too much. Angela was a bit more reserved than me.) But we did click and now, 15 years later, thousands of miles between us, with husbands and children and our own separate lives, we are closer than ever. She's a part of my story. Weaved so intricately in and out of so many parts of my life that I'm certain it could never come undone.
This trip was a special one. A bit of an early birthday present for us both. Angela flew out, then together we drove to Temecula. This is southern California's wine country. Jared stayed at home with Emerson and Angela's husband held down the fort as well. And for two and a half days and two nights Angela and I talked. I mean we talked. Without having to hang up to tend to our children. Without having to stop to answer one of their questions or to get another snack from the fridge. Without pause, without interruption, we talked. On and on about whatever was on our minds. And we never ran out of things to say. In the morning, we lingered over hot coffee (More than one cup!). During the day, we drove through beautiful vineyards, stopping to sip their wines and enjoy their grounds. And at night, we went out for dinner, taking our time and enjoying every bite. It was a special trip and one where we found out that as adults and mothers, we have much more in common than we did as 19 year old kids so many years ago.
We tried to get a few good pictures of ourselves on our girl's weekend...
but as it is, neither of us knows how to be "normal" in front of the camera...
Angela: "I'm a little uncomfortable with this. Hmm... Let me think..."
Me: "I'm a little uncomfortable with this. Hmm... Let me pose..."
Finally a good one. Better together :)
About two weeks after Ange flew home, my Dad came to visit. This was a big move for my dad. He and my mom have been traveling the country in a camper or a motorhome for about 26 years now, preferring this way of travel over flying. (I can't blame them.) And although my mom has flown to the different places we've lived several times, my Dad held out for longer visits in the RV. But staying away from his grandbaby was too much for him to handle so he booked a flight and hopped on an airplane to LAX. He stayed for about a week and Emerson couldn't have been happier. She loves her Pop Pop. Much of his visit was spent with Emerson on his lap or with an eager toddler showing him all of her new tricks. We went to the beach, chasing waves and playing in the sand. For weeks after he left to go home, and even now, Emerson repeats his name when something jogs her memory. It was another special visit and one I know left Emerson feeling even more loved.
Three days after my Dad flew home, one of my closest and dearest friends came with her family all the way from Key West. Abby, Derek, and Emerson's very first friend, Alise came to stay for a week and oh, the love and fun that filled that space of time! Abby is very special to me. We shared our first year as mothers together, living 17 miles from the comforts of town, we served as each other's social life, support system, and confidants. Our girls grew side by side and so did we. Within that year, she became one of the most important people in my little world and I am so very thankful to have had this week together.
We packed a lot into 6 days. First up, a hike in Palos Verdes.
Then a visit to the beach. This was the first time any of them had been to the Pacific Coast, so it was a very special moment. I think Alise liked it :)
We also headed to the famous Santa Monica Pier to ride the carousal and brave the Ferris Wheel. Abby and I were only a little terrified of the height, but luckily it was an overcast day so we weren't able to see just how high up we were :)
I'm not sure why, but suddenly, I am unable to load pictures to this post! I've tried all of the troubleshooting tips Google has to offer and none are working. UGH! This poor post and these sweet pictures have been sitting in my draft file for two weeks now and I can't stand it anymore! So, in an attempt to maintain sanity, I'm posting it unfinished. Just like in life, sometimes we have to accept that things don't always go as planned and move on. Sometimes things are left unfinished and that is okay.
The rest of the Luman's visit was wonderful. A trip to the San Diego Zoo and a family photo shoot at the botanic gardens for Abby and her sweet family. (I was so nervous!) My mom's visit was great, of course. Emerson is still talking about the things they did together.
I'm not happy about this whole pictures-not-posting situation, so distract myself I'm off to look up camping cabins in the San Bernardino Mountains. I have a certain almost two year old's birthday to plan. In the meantime, enjoy the memory montage of my sweet girl and her very first friend, Alise in their first year of life together. Luckily, these pictures loaded before all the troubles.
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
January 2013
September 2012 (I think)
July 2012 and their very first meeting...
Well, what a wonderful, busy way to begin a New Year. Best friends, family, sweet memories, and making new memories. The pictures that did upload are fantastic, I'll just imagine the other pictures!!!! :-)
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