The game of Life

When I was in the 4th grade I was invited to AWANA Bible Club by Julie L. What developed from that was a true BFF friendship, including lots of diary reading, chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, and Friday night sleepovers. On these famous sleepovers Julie and I often pulled out her game, called Life, which is quite a fun little game. We played our own version, however, and would often plan out our own lives. We would start with the current crush, that we were sure we would marry one day. Then we proceeded to name our many children, pick their spouses (from each other's list), and name our grandchildren. Obviously, and thankfully, this is not the way life works. High school, college, husbands, and children later we are still best friends. Though it is still too early to tell if our children might possibly ever marry, it is delightful to get together and watch our children befriend each other.





Here is a picture of Sadie and Anna Grace, Julie's oldest, walking to see the cows.







Having a fun breakfast on the most recent trip Julie and the girls made to Pleasant Garden. Julie has come 3 times now since we moved. The first time she rolled up her sleeves and helped me finish painting closets in my 8 1/2 month pregnant and frazzled stage. After Eli was born she came again and brought food, lots of yummy food, and helped me immensely as I adjusted to 2 kids. This last time I had it a little more together and was able to actually host appropriately.

Hopefully our girls are also making friendships for life. Sadie is 21 months younger than Anna Grace and 3 months older than Abbey.

It is such a blessing to rest in the comfortable presence of good friends.

Love you Jules!

-Sallie

Top five reasons to live in the South.

Top 5 reasons to live in the South....

5. Street names actually have names.

4. Sweet tea (with lots of ice).

3. Car ownership.

2. Backyards.

1. It's cheap and friendly.

That being said, we actually had a very enjoyable time north of the Mason-Dixon line this weekend. We brought Sadie to Charlotte on Thursday morning where she proceeded to spend 3 very fun days with my parents. Eli, Steven, and I then boarded a plane and headed to New York City. Eli enjoyed his first plane ride, as you can see.

Once arriving in NY, we successfully hailed a cab and arrived at my cousin's apartment in Manhattan (a very cool place on the Upper West Side with a 3rd floor rooftop view). Steven then ditched us and dabbled in some public transportation in order to meet up with his friends for the bachelor party. We borrowed a stroller and went for a great walk to Central Park with my cousin, his wife, and their 13 month old. Here is Eli and his cousin in Central Park and a NY skyline! He is a little distracted by the blanket he's chewing on, I think.

Steven (thankfully) made it back safely to the apartment and the next morning we headed out again, via the subway, to meet his buddies and take a train into New Jersey, where we spent the rest of the weekend. While New York was beautiful and unique, it was nice to arrive at the small town of Montvale, NJ, where the wedding would take place. Here is Steven and Eli in his favorite mode of transportation, the Bjorn.

The rehearsal dinner and truly the entire weekend were lovely, even with Eli in tow. Amber, pictured below, also brought her offspring but she wisely brought a babysitter, as well. Eli and Beattie are still a little young to pay much attention to each other but in time we feel they will be great friends, as their fathers are. I just hope they don't get into near the amount of mischief that Steven and Dickson did....

Obviously, the reason for the trip was a wedding, our friends Bobby and Larissa. She is from NJ, he grew up with Steven and was part of the infamous 4 pictured above (the first picture). From the left; Kyle, Dickson, Bobby, and Steven. Kyle is the only one left, ladies, so you better act fast! :) Steven appears to travel back in time with his buddies, not only do they reminisce constantly but he seems to think he can live on 3 hours of sleep for 3 nights straight. However, he is 30 now and that is way harder than it was when he was 16. All that said, these are great friends and ones for life, I do believe.

Speaking of friends for life, I am overdue a post on a sweet visit with my bff from childhood and her 2 sweet girls. That, and some more pictures, are soon to come. I'm still struggling a bit with the pictures (the first picture was supposed to be the last, but oh well...). I don't think super famous blogger is in my future, and that's ok. It is good to be home. Goodnight!