our weekend...

Well, our introductory BBQ at Brandon's little buddy Josh's house was a total blast!!! The kids had so much fun!! Brandon actually went swimming in the "big kid" pool & is looking forward to doing it again really soon!! Barry & I had a great time too...it was nice meeting Dawn & Kevin (Josh's Mommy & Daddy) and some of their friends...and making new friends! Katie loved Savanna...Josh's little sister...so it looks like we've got even more amazing neighbors over at Club Thompson!! We're just so lucky!! They're so much like all of our friends we've known forever that it was great!

You know how shy Barry usually is...how he can sit there & just be quiet & take in his surroundings...& I can always sense how it makes him uncomfortable (it must be from raising Brandon who is just like his Daddy...) there really wasn't one instant of that on Saturday! I knew that he would be comfortable with the Crowdings...I could just tell by how warm & real Dawn was with me...& how cute she is when she talks about Brandon...it reminds me of listening to Red talk about him! She just talks about him like he's the sweetest little man...& like he's already part of their family...the way you always want people to feel about your children...like they're as precious as their own!

So, my new friend is going to be a fast friend...who knew that at almost 33 you could make a new friend & know that they're going to fit in with the rest of your life-long friends perfectly! My girls are just going to love Dawn...& the rest of the Crowdings...& let me say...her girls...just as sweet as my own...it's like they're the "Others" version of us...so welcoming & made me feel like I'd been around forever as well...it kicked ass!!

Then...Sunday was here..the kids slept in...until after 9!!! You're reading that correctly...the partying over at Chez Crowding had them all worn out!! We painted some more of the bar & Barry & Brian got the basement bathroom almost entirely put back together! It was a great Sunday morning treat to have Uncle Brian stop by...we're hoping next time he comes over he brings Aunt Barbie & Darius with him...we just love them to pieces!!! Brandon just thinks Darius is the coolest kid around...& I happen to agree with him! So sweet & handsome...his parents have everything in the universe to be proud of...he's just an outstanding example of a gentleman...the kind of kid I'm hoping Brandon turns out to be!

Trevor's first birthday party was a hit! I'm stunned by the fact that the baby in my group of friends in 1 already! Where did that year go?? & how on Earth am I so lucky to have these people in my life??

Andrea's mother...in the few hours that she was with my son yesterday moved me to tears...he didn't stop talking about Aunt Jody & how "smart" she made him feel. His exact quote was...,"She never told me HA HA when I couldn't make it go like Mom Mom does!" That made me very sad for him...that he feels teased by my mom & her reverse psychology...something my sisters & I have grown to realize is just her way! He wants to go play with Aunt Jody again SOON...& I'm remembering (in his amazement with her) why I have always loved her as deeply as I do! She was ALWAYS the mother I turned to with any problem...with any bit of good news...with any ANYTHING that I knew as a mother; SHE would have the perfect reaction to! She has NEVER let me down...even in moments when I was afraid of the reaction I'd get...I could always trust that it would be an honest & supportive reaction no matter what. She has always believed in me...even when I didn't! She has always trusted that I would make the right decision & has held my hand & hugged me in the moments I needed it most! The pictures I have of her holding my son on the day he was born, of me getting ready at her house on my wedding day...of her making the perfect birthday dinner...they are priceless...they are Jody Carr and they are OUTSTANDING!!! She raised the most phenomenal woman...who in return is kind and loving & supportive of everything I have ever done...Jody...I thank you for my sweet Red...& for making her the perfect miniature version of you...SUPER MOM!!! I am blessed by you both more than either of you will ever know...& I am more grateful for you than words will EVER be able to express!!

Bran is home sick today with Daddy & Kate...hoping he feels better for Soupy Island tomorrow & that the rain stops...so they can actually go!!

Thank you my friends...New & Old (not old...as in age...as in...I've loved you forever) for a perfect weekend...looking forward to MILLIONS more with all of you! Hugs & Kisses...happy first full week of JUNE!!!!!

xoxoxo