As the new year began, we enjoyed a visit with Mark, Gema, Samuel and Lillian and relished in the time we had with them. It was a wonderful few days spent together, and the boys absolutely loved having their little cousin, Sammy, toddle around after them, trying desperately to keep up. Of course I loved having "my little Lily" to snuggle and cuddle with and am looking forward to this summer, hopefully, when we get to be all together as a family again!
Soon after our visit with the northern Robbs ended, my longtime friend from home, whom I have known since our freshman year of high school, came to spend a few days with us. Annette and I have been friends since our Social Science class, and have grown up and welcomed adulthood together. She is such a special person, one whom I can't imagine my life without and I am truly thankful that God has blessed me with her friendship ... through all these years, we have managed to stay close and have made many wonderful memories that we still laugh about today. I look forward to the years to come, and all the new memories we have yet to make. No matter the distance, Annette and I are always able to pick up where we left off, and for that I am so grateful. We had a wonderful few days together during her visit, and best of all, she got to experience my crazy life with Chris on the road and two busy boys to keep up with. I am so glad she was able to come and visit, and I know that our next visit will be just as special. I love ya, Net!
To continue with our theme of welcoming visitors, near the end of the month, another of my dearest friends, Jessica, came to stay with us. Many of you whom have been here to visit may remember our friends, the Aplands, who lived just down the street from us and had two boys while they lived here, Ian and Nicholas, who are the same ages as Hayden and Noah. We became fast friends with them on Halloween 2004, right before the older boys turned one. Our friendship with Jess and Schuyler became more like family and we spent a lot of time together, creating wonderful memories and watching our big boys get bigger and our little babies roll around together in their first few months. Jessica and I bonded instantly, and with both our families in different states, we became "sisters" and came to rely upon each other for everything. In June 2007, Jess, Schuyler, and the boys moved back to Ohio to be closer to family, and soon after found out they were expecting baby #3 - little Colin was born last March and will soon be turning one. Even though it's been almost two years since they've left us, our friendship hasn't changed ... the only difference is that I don't see her as often as I used to, which at times is still very sad for me, but I know she is only a phone call away. A few weekends ago, Jess came to stay with us for a few days, brought Colin along, and it was like old times - we had a great weekend spending time together and hanging out with some of her other close friends she had while she lived here. The boys had a great time entertaining Colin, and for a few days after they left, Noah kept asking where Colin was. Jessica is so much more than my friend, she is a "sister" of my heart and I know we will always be part of each other's lives. I don't know when our paths will cross again, though I do hope it will be soon. Until then, I know our friendship will keep us close, regardless of the miles between us. I love you Jesse, and Collie-bear too!
As the month came to an end, I was fortunate enough to attend a baby shower for my friend, Nicole, who is about ready to welcome her third baby girl any day now. Nicole and I met while teaching at Sheely Farms Elementary. Nicole joined the school during my second year teaching there, she in Kindergarten and I in second grade. We bonded instantly, and were friends all through the school year ... Nicole welcomed her first baby girl, Joleigh, at the end of that school year and decided she was going to stay at home and be a mommy. Through the years that followed, Nicole and I kept in touch via e-mail, sending pictures of our kids and exchanging hellos now and then. At the same time I was expecting Noah, I found out from Nicole that she was expecting her second baby, another little girl. Noah and Noelle are five days apart, and it was during our pregnancies that we started to reconnect. We met for lunch a few times, she came and helped me celebrate my baby shower for Noah, and we stayed in closer contact this time around, especially because of having our babies so close in age. At a few different times through the beginning of our friendship, Nicole invited me to attend with her the church she belongs to. I had been wanting to find a church to go to, but hadn't actively pursued it any farther than a thought in my head. Sometime at the end of last summer, I asked Nicole about going to a service at her church as I had finally felt the calling to get reconnected with my faith and with God. And so began the blossoming of a beautiful friendship ... Nicole has been put into my life for purpose, and I truly thank God for her. She is a beautiful person, inside and out, and I am so thankful that 4 1/2 years she came into my life. There have been some trying moments for our family in the last few weeks, and Nicole has been there to listen and help me put some things into perspective. I have loved spending more time with her, growing closer to her and during our play dates, watching our children play together. I feel privileged that I have been such a part of this third pregnancy, and I am so glad I got to be at her baby shower last weekend to help her welcome, very soon, her newest addition. Nicole, thank you for everything you are to me - I love ya!
So there you have it .... a month of friends, and how lucky am I that these are just a few of my "circle of friends?" I realize this post is more about me, than it is about the boys or Chris, but hey ... as I tell Hayden and Noah, you get what you get and you don't throw a fit! :) Just to let you know though, the boys, along with Chris, are doing well. Noah continues to add more words to his vocabulary and has become such the little mimic of his big brother. Thankfully, most of what comes out of his mouth is all sweet, so we haven't had to worry just yet. Our goal for the little monkey this year, hopefully within the next few months, is to start potty-training (yeah for us!) as well as work on recognition of letters, numbers, colors, etc. As for Hayden, he continues to soak up everything he learns like a little sponge, one example is his retelling of how Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity ... this child never ceases to amaze us! He is writing his first and last name well, and starting to read basic words in preparation for Kindergarten later this year (already? Where did the last five years go?) As for Chris, we are enjoying more time with him than we've had in the last several months. Due to this shaky economy, and some other unfortunate circumstances, the charter company he was flying for took quite a hit and had to "furlough" some pilots, including him. We are making do, taking this time to reevaluate what is most important to us, and hopefully looking forward to another opporunity to present itself to Chris sometime very soon. Thank you to all of you who have rallied behind us, offered us your love and support ... we are, and will be, just fine and I can't tell you how blessed we are to have such supportive people in our lives. This situation, though a challenge, has truly taught us the meaning of friendship and has strengthened our belief that everything happens for a reason. So, please stay tuned for more updates, done in a more timely fashion (I promise!) on the Robb family as 2009 continues to bless us! Love to you all ...
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