TexiCali Girls Weekend 2011

I've been blessed to have many amazing friends in my life. When we moved to Bakersfield, I made some wonderful friends that I know will forever be apart of my life. A few months ago, these lovely ladies asked if they could visit after Peyton was born. Marissa has made several trips to Texas, but it would be a first for the rest of the ladies. I've been counting down the days until they arrived a few weeks ago.

Since this was the first time for three of the girls to visit Texas, I wanted to make sure they left with a lasting impression. Besides, I've been bragging about the great state of Texas for a very long time, so their expectations were high.

The weather couldn't have been better. The sun was shining and fall has settled into North Texas. Is it bad that most of our weekend revolved around food and shopping?

 

 Marissa, Me with Peyton, Sarah, & Jayme after we devoured 12 cupcakes from my favorite cupcake spot. Don't worry, we shared all the different flavors, but I didn't get a chance to take a picture because we were hungry. I'm assuming Rachel was in a food coma and that is why she didn't make it in this picture.

 The California girls outside of Billy Bob's. I haven't been since college, but they wanted to go out and experience everything Texas. What is better than visiting the Fort Worth Stockyards.

 For lunch one day, we ate at Cooper's BBQ. The girls were able to experience Brisket at it's finest. We also had Pappasito's that weekend. BBQ and TexMex are a must when visiting Texas.

 Obviously I didn't get the memo to wear black. 

 One afternoon we all had spa pedicures. It relaxed Jayme so much that she fell asleep waiting for her nails to dry.

 Aunt Rissa holding Peyton for the first time.

Sarah working it. 

It was a much needed weekend and I'm so thankful that Adam didn't mind having all of this estrogen in the house. We had two babies that were 4 months old and younger, two toddlers, 5 women and Adam under one roof. I love these girls and can't wait to visit Bakersfield next.

California Visitors

Our best friends from Bakersfield came into town last week for a five day visit. The last time the kids saw each other was the night before we left back at the beginning of December. Taylor was a little over a year and half, so Ray was a little worried she wouldn't remember them. Thankfully, we skype and the kids love looking pictures of their friends, so there was no way that they would forget each other.

We made sure to take them to all of our favorite restaurants. With the Texas heat wave going on, we limited as much outdoor activity as possible, not to mention that Marissa sprained her foot in two places the week before they arrived.

Besides good conversations with friends and watching the kids play well together, our favorite part of their visit was watching Taylor & Luke together. Luke calls Taylor his wife and Taylor calls Luke her husband. They hold hands whenever they are walking somewhere together, sit by each other any chance they get and he even pulled out her chair for her at dinner one night.

 Taylor & Luke walking to the table at The Cheesecake Factory.

 Luke, Taylor & Mason waiting for a table.

 Mason & Taylor at the front of the play zone at the Children's Museum.

Mason & Taylor

We went to Pappasito's for lunch and the waiter brought Tortilla dough for the kids to play with while waiting for our food. Best idea ever!

Taylor, Luke, Madison, Braden & Luke before church.

Friends are Friends Forever

While visiting my girls in Bakersfield, I realized something that I didn't really want to admit to myself for a long time, I'm lonely. There are five of us girls that are pretty close and our families always did things together. All of our kids were around the same age and it was nice to have friends that could relate to you on that level.

The past year has been a bit of a transition for every single one of us. One of the girls returned back to working full-time after their youngest began Kindergarten. Another went back to school to get her Masters and begin full-time subbing. One found out she was expecting her fourth child, which would make four children four and under. Another friend sent her oldest to Kindergarten and I began the process of preparing for a move back to Texas.

The time we spent talking on the phone, having play dates, and hanging out had started to slow down. Part of it was also the fact that we all kind of pulled away knowing how hard this transition would be and not really sure how to handle it all. However, we still made sure to get together atleast once a month for girls night, but it wasn't the same.

A few months after our move, I started to get the winter blues. I missed the California sunshine and most of all I missed my girls. When we found out we were expecting, I missed having my girls here. Sure I can call them on the phone anytime, but with the time change and the busyness of everyone's schedule, I didn't know when to call.

With this pregnancy, I have been extremely emotional. Anything and everything can make my cry. While in Bakersfield, we went to see Bridesmaids and it was HILARIOUS yet I still cried during one scene.

Being back with my girls over Memorial Day weekend fed my soul. I have missed those girls and didn't realize how much until Jayme & I started talking, which ended in hugging and having an ugly cry. She & I were having a hard time with everything and sometimes you don't realize it until it's gone. Sitting around talking with everyone felt normal, like I had never left.

I'm so thankful for these women that God has put in my life. There is no doubt that we will be lifetime friends. There are still days when I'm lonely, but now that things are starting to slow down, hopefully we will be able to get out and meet new friends.

How I spent my Memorial Day Weekend

The hardest part about leaving Bakersfield, was saying goodbye to some of the best people and friends I have ever known. I knew that I couldn't wait too long before going back for a visit. Adam was kind enough to give the okay to plan a solo trip out to see my girls. It worked out perfectly with our friend Rachel's baby shower. The only people that knew I was coming were Marissa & Jayme.

 I seriously couldn't get enough cuddle time with the Mooney kids. They are family and I miss them so much. Here I am with Braden right before his last wrestling tournament of the season.

 Madison & I before she went to cheer that afternoon. I got really sunburned watching her, but it was worth it to see her so happy and doing her thing.

 With the Luke, aka "birthday boy!" He warmed my heart so much and kept talking about his wife, Taylor, and how he couldn't wait to come to Mason's house this summer.

 Besties and of course Luke had to be in the picture. It was his birthday after all.

 Celebrating 4 years!

 Marissa did a great job planning Rachel's shower.

 Our friend Jamie P. made these yummy chocolate covered strawberries.

 With Rachel. She had no idea I would be there until I surprised her at church that morning. All of our kids are the same age and we have been pregnant at the same time with each pregnancy (except I was still in Houston while pregnant with Mason)

Rachel being showered with love. We can't wait to meet Abigail in July.

 With two of my favorite people Marissa & Jayme. This was after Jayme and I sat on the couch having an ugly cry over how much we missed each other and the direction our lives have taken us this past year.

 The group. These are the girls that made it so hard to say goodbye to Bakersfield. A piece of my heart will forever be in Bakersfield due to them.

Right before Marissa & Jayme drove me to the airport. Adam asked if we were wearing sunglasses because we had been crying and I laughed and said that would have been a good reason. Instead we just figured it would make for a better picture. We're cool like that.



Weekend Recap in Pictures

Since moving back to Texas, so much of our time has been tyring to make up for not getting to see family or friends for the past 3 years we were in California. In that time, we haven't really had a chance to come down to Katy and just see our friends. One of Adam's good High School friends celebrated his 30th birthday this weekend and we jumped on the chance to hang out. It was a quick trip, but we enjoyed every minute of it.

 Mason & Taylor loving on my parents dog Cassie. She is getting old and we aren't sure how much longer she will be around, so I wanted to make sure to get some pictures of Cassie with the kids.

 She has never been afraid of big dogs, thanks to my parents labs. She loves Cassie and tells everyone that it's her dog.

 Sweet hugs for Cassie. Taylor could lay like this forever.

Mason & Cassie.



 Braden, Taylor, Benjamin, Christopher & Mason hanging out at Al's birthday party.

 All of the kids checking out Al's next door neighbors dog.

 The one moment I got Taylor to sit still long enough to get a picture of her.

 High School Friends - Adam, Brad, Al, & Chris

They wanted a "hard" picture.

The guys celebrating Al's 30th birthday!

Going Away Party

Little sleep was had on Black Friday. Not only did Marissa & I camp outside of Target at midnight waiting for the doors to open at 4am, but we only took a 2 hour nap that day. Yes, I'm one of those crazy people that will wake up in the wee hours of the night/morning to score some big deals. It has been a tradition that my mom & I started years ago. I look forward to it each year.

To say it was cold was an understatement. We layered our clothes, wore scarves, jackets, gloves and drank a ton of coffee. At one point it was 29 degrees outside and neither of us could feel our toes. Despite the cold, I wouldn't change it for the world. We made memories and had fun.

Our Sunday School class through us a going away party Friday evening. Thankfully, the kids favorite babysitter was available and we enjoyed an evening without kids and with some of our favorite people. Dinner was delicious and the fellowship was delightful. God has blessed us with so many wonderful friends over the last three years. We never could have imagined it would be this hard saying goodbye. We love all of you!

Tabaitha & Jamie

The Kaye's & The Mooney's

Tabaitha & Nicole

Luke & Nicole

Group shot

One Week

If you can't tell, I have taken a break from Chelsea's Ten on Tuesday questions. I will eventually get back to them, because they are fun questions and she does such a great job at coming up with new ones each week. If you want to participate, check it out. They are fun.

Yesterday, our relocation package was approved and we got word that the movers will begin packing everything next Monday and load everything next Tuesday. This is our last week in the house. I have to laugh that we were still waiting for final details up until a week before the move. Just a reminder that we aren't in control and for a planner like me, that was a hard lesson to learn.

After 20 months of Adam traveling, last night was his final night being away (aside from small business trips every once in awhile). Mason woke up this morning so excited that he would get to see his Daddy tonight. It has been a long journey for all of us.

This past weekend, Adam suggested I get out of town with the girls and go shopping. How could I pass on that? His only condition was that I buy something for myself. This is really hard for me. I'm constantly buying for everyone else and talking myself out of buying anything for me.

We started Saturday afternoon with lunch and pedicures. Our friend Sarah couldn't make the trip with us, so she joined us for the afternoon. It was nice to eat a meal in peace without having to worry about the kids.

After an afternoon of pampering, we drove down to Camarillo for the night. We laughed, ate, shopped, and stayed up late talking. The next day we hit the outlets and shopped the day away. I even managed to buy two things for myself. I found a really cute sweater at The Gap and my new favorite perfume, Sensuous by Estee Lauder. It was all around a terrific weekend.

Sarah & I at lunch

The girls after pedicures

Jayme & I on our way to dinner.

Girls Night Out

A couple weeks ago, we had a girls night out. After all these years in Bakersfield, I had never been to the Crystal Palace where Buck Owens performed. We dined and danced, well some of us danced.

Marissa, Jamie & Janelle

Sarah, Me, & Amy

Marissa, Janelle and Amy dancing

The girls.