"I'll bet they were thinking...now why don't she write?"

I'm baaacccckkk!!! Did ya miss me? I sure missed posting. I love that line from Dances with Wolves when Kevin Costner is talking to the skeleton. So much has been going on around here this past few weeks. It has been hard to keep up with everything.

Renee is finally back at home with the hubby and kids. We all miss her terribly. It is so difficult to have to say goodbye to her. I bawled like a baby the whole way home the night before she left. She was bawling too so I'm not the only softy here! I think saying goodbye to her is so difficult because she has stepped into an empty place in my life. She has stepped up into the position of a sister to me. That spot has been a big hole in my life for 10 long months. Saying goodbye to her is almost like saying goodbye to my sister again. There is nothing like the relationship you have with your sister!! There is only one person in the world who can understand what it was like growing up to be who you are. A sister! I have known Renee for ten years, but I didn't really get a chance to get to know her until I visited her in March of this year. She's a beautiful and sweet lady and I have grown to love her and her family dearly. No one can EVER replace Missy as my sister, but it is so great to have a "sis" again. Love ya Nay!!

Another great thing in my life is my girlfriends!! This group of very special friends (including my moms) fill my heart in a way no other people can. I just want you ALL to know how special you are to me. I read this card about girlfriends while I was waiting at Cracker Barrel the other day. I can't remember everything it said but it was so true. I will have to find the quote and share it with you. One of my girlfriends and I were chatting one day back in January after Missy's death. I told her about how weird it feels to lose a sister and how alone and empty it feels sometimes. It felt like I had this huge hole in my heart. She told me that's when I should rely on my girlfriends. She said that my girlfriends were like pebbles trying to fill that boulder sized hole in my heart. She was right! I've realized since then that my girlfriends are not pebbles. They are the most awe inspiring diamonds that have gradually filled my emptiness.

To ALL of my girlfriends...I love you all and I hope you know what extraordinary women you are!!! That is definitely something I am thankful for this year! Hope you all have a beautiful day!

We did it...we did it...we did it...

Whew!!! I can finally break my silence!

Charlie and I pulled a fast one over on my in laws! We secretly flew their daughter Renee in from Arizona! I have kept quiet about this for two weeks and it is so nice to finally be able to share it with others. It's been a long two weeks and we have been so excited.

She flew in on Wednesday afternoon and I have been hiding her at my house since then. It's been a riot! She is so funny and bubbly. I love it! We have sat outside by the fire and chatted. We have watched movies and laughed until our sides hurt! She and I have ventured out into town during the day carefully avoiding any store that her mom might visit. Our plan was to surprise her mom and dad by meeting them at a restaurant and for Renee to pop out and surprise them. It worked out well because a family friend was visiting and I love to see her whenever she was in town. So it was easy to convince them to come out to eat with us.

We got to Wha Bahs (the restaurant) early and hatched our plan. When Janice called to let us know she was on the way, we had Renee go hide in the bathroom. She and I texted until her mom and dad arrived. They sat down and she snuck up behind them. Neither one of them had any clue that she was going to visit and it's been 2 years since Janice has seen Renee. It was a good surprise. We all had a great time.

Now let the good times roll!!!!!!!!