Friends

These girls took me out to dinner for a little belated birthday celebration (back row: Cathy, Robyn, Gramoo (Judy), Kelly, Me, Holly and Jen; front row: Mikele, Carin, Katie and - not pictured- Jasmyn, who had to rush back to her youngn's before picture time and Kirsten, Katie's sis, who flew in from Iowa that day and just couldn't resist adding more chaos to her life):

All of these women are fun. All of these women would be there in a pinch. And all of these women are wonderfully mischievous, even the ones that don't appear to be on the surface (coughrobyncough, coughkellycough). Most of these women are blonde, which I never noticed until now. Apparently, blondes do have more fun - at least that night we did.

My good and hilarious friend, Holly, recommended BJ's Brewery, a place that may or may not have had these photos in the women's restroom:

NO WONDER it was so cold in there. She said she only liked that place for the pizookes, and oh my my, they are good. So I tooootally believe her.

In putting this together and lamenting all of the wonderful girls that were there and also some that weren't, I feel the need to get a little gushy. I feel incredibly blessed for the friendships I now have in my life. I'm a little shocked to realize that this time last year, I knew hardly any of them. They've embraced me, loved me, included me and tolerate me when I become the grammar police. For the first time in my life (quite literally), I don't feel lacking for friends. Or for an amazing church family. Which is truly an answer to prayer, or prayerS - many many prayers. I've had a few good, dear, wonderful friends along the way, but never in the quantity I have now. People I actually want to be with, talk with, laugh with and even hear the tales of their kids' poops. If that ain't friendship, I'm not sure what is.