I'm sitting here, stuffed from a yummy dinner, ready for an evening of doing pretty much nothing, and thinking about how incredibly blessed I am.... This weekend has been so relaxing, unlike most recently. I got to spend Friday night with some friends, just hanging out and catching up and then Saturday night Matt and I went to a "make up a reason to party" party where we had a lovely time with a couple of our couple friends that we haven't gotten together with in a while.... Today, Amy, Doug, Aunt Linda and Uncle Bob came back from a wedding in Cleveland and had dinner with us before heading back home.

It just feels so good to have connected with all of these people in my life that mean so much. We get busy with errands, and sports, and to-do's and neglect just getting together and enjoying friendships. There doesn't have to be a real occasion or reason. In fact, I think sometimes it's better if there isn't.

I'm treasuring my old friends even more lately, knowing that miles or months cannot change that we love one another....and I'm enjoying new friends that have come into my life at a time that I needed them.

I'm looking forward to the holidays--- making a deliberate effort to avoid scrooging at all cost -- instead, thinking about how much I love my family, all of my family, and how thankful I am to spend even a little time together. Thankful that even though we are far, far, far from perfect, our family is full of love.

I've been so busy lately, and haven't had the energy to put words together to form coherent sentences. This weekend couldn't have come at a better time. Tonight I wanted to take a minute and post and say that if you are one of the people in my life, my true friends and family (and you know who you are) ... that I am thankful for you, and that you mean more to me than you could ever know.

<<-- taken at A & D's new house... I love this picture! it makes me happy:)