Mama Speaks

I used to believe that I was a really great friend.  Sometimes I still believe that.   On the flip side, I also know I can talk too much and be too opinionated.  I make a conscious effort to listen more, but I don't think my opinionated-ness is going anywhere. Many times, I have made an effort to go above and beyond for my friends.  I really would do anything for my friends.  No doubt, there have been times when I have been all-consumed with  my own life-work, toddler, etc, etc-to be a truly good friend.  I have my many regrets. No matter what, I truly appreciate my friends.  I appreciate the friends (and family of course) that went out of their way to come to our wedding.  The friends and family who didn't utter a word about our catering disaster (who I will recommend that you NEVER hire for anything) at our wedding.  Everyone braved the storm, hugged and kissed us, and supported and complimented the one wedding day we got, ...

I lay in bed last night, unable to sleep due to fact that my pooch, Boo, was hogging all the bedspace between B & I.  I thought about getting out of bed to come write this blog that came to mind in those sleepless moments, but I decided to finally nudge Boo so I could get some zzz's. I hope that Ayla has a difference experience of "friendship" than I did for most of my  childhood and teenage years.  Its not that I didn't have any friends or that my friends were bad, it's just that the number of negative and traumatic experiences I had far outweigh the good. When I was in elementary school, I was tormented and teased about everything from my red hair and fair skin to my "nerdiness."  I am not sure how or why I was such an easy target.  I was a really sweet, nice girl who would play with anyone and help anyone, but it just made me a target for hate-filled attacks.  By 5th grade, I was the favorite target for a classmate, who did everything from pr...

This afternoon, Ayla and I met up with our good friends Amanda, Ivan, and Ezra.  The really cool thing about Ezra is that he's just a couple weeks younger than Ayla.  I still remember the day I got a Facebook IM from Amanda telling me that she was also pregnant and also due in June (my due date was June 2).  Amanda and I met through a mutual friend, Brandy, whom I worked with at Starbucks.   Our friendship blossomed as we attended a church group called Immersed together.  I always thought she was pretty awesome, and even though she's younger than me, I always looked up to her in many ways. As life and time would have it, we eventually grew apart.  She moved up North with her husband, as he pursued further education.  Well, I guess God works in funny ways for both of us to end up pregnant at the same time.  Of course, her pregnancy was planned and mine wasn't, but there was no mistake.  These babies were the perfect gift for each of our...