Make new friends, but keep the Old

Today my best friend from childhood is coming for a visit. I am so excited that my tummy is all jittery!! We have not had a few days together in several years. Most of our visits in our adult life have been spent sharing time with her niece and nephews and my 5 children, which is delightful but doesn't allow for a conversation to be finished. We hardly finish our subjects anyway before jumping to the next because we have so much to talk about when we see each other. Frances lives in NY but we grew up together in NC. We think each other is "HA-larious" (I know it's spelled with an "i") and so we laugh and laugh when we're together. I can't wait. This old girl could use some laughs!! Frances' life is full of adventures around the world and mine is full of adventures around the washing machine and toilet. We appreciate our differences and just love to be together. Frances and I have been encouraging each other in our faith for years. Sometimes we don't agree on politics and other things but I always admire her stance on things. Frances doesn't just pick a position and talk loudly about it. She lives her life that way. She has the biggest servant's heart of anyone I know, the kind that serves behind the scenes where no one even knows. I admire that. I struggle with serving but wanting everyone to applaud me and pat me on the back. She's just not that way.
Tonight we'll enjoy dinner out and come back and laugh at the Bachelor or just each other. We'll enjoy long walks on Bayshore, looking at all of Tampa's gorgeous homes, and time by the pool. I am so thankful for ALL of my friends. Time spent with them is a true joy, and I know the next few days will be no exception! I'll try to find a picture to post of us:).

Make new friends, but keep the Old

DH & I are blessed to have so many wonderful friends. Friends, if you are reading this, we heart you! We love you so much. You are dear to us. We treasure you, pray for you, and love to see you! The past two weekends have been wonderful gifts to our family. Each weekend has been filled with a visit from friends we knew in Raleigh before the triplets were born. The time in your married life before children are born is a wonderful gift for developing deep, long-lasting friendships. We still keep in touch with all of the dear friends we made in those 6 long years before our lives were forever changed!

Anyway, S & her 2 girls came to visit us in Tampa last weekend & J & her 2 girls & her in-laws took us to Sanibel this weekend. It was such a treat to see S & J, to learn more about their girls' personalities, and to see our children enjoy playing and swimming together. We are so thankful that these friends took time out of their busy lives to be with us. We loved every minute of it!! We hope more friends will continue to visit. It really is sunny, warm, and pleasant at this time of year. I fear the summer will be a different story, so we are going to just dwell on the present! It is PERFECT here now! The greatest outcome of these visits is that Ash has already chosen his wife, and I will love his in-laws! Ha!