Ramblings...

Today has me feeling all kinds of emotional, and everyone's posts on social media for "National Siblings Day" have really gotten to me. I apologize in advance if this is a super sappy and emotional post, but...well..that's me. I'm a pretty emotional person. I know, #poorchris.

Allie and I have kept a notebook that we write notes into one another for a few years and recently I purchased this book for us. (Side note, there's also a one for Mothers and Son's that Michael and  I write to each other in you that can find here. I love doing this with my kids.) It has different writing prompts and I thought it would be better than the little spiral notebook we had and possibly allow her to write about things she may be thinking about or concerned with but not really know how to ask...Anyways, the other day her prompt was to write about your friends, who. your best friends are, challenges you face in your friendships, etc...MY prompts asked who my friends were when I was growing up and how my friendships have changed as well as what I've learned about friendship...and you know what?? All I could think about was my sisters. THEY were my best friends growing up and I'm so lucky to have them both in my life today. Mary and Erin are my best friends...I do not think of myself without them. Ask Chris, we are a package deal! Heck, we bought a house 5 doors down from Mary and her family! And if Erin wasn't the only smart one out of the three of us to move to a warmer climate she'd be in the neighborhood too, I'm certain of it.

Families are all different. Some of us are called to have one child and others more...Chris and I have always said that the best gift we can give our kids is eachother..and that has never been truer to me than watching our children live this experience abroad. I know I share our vacations and amazing places we get to discover together, but it's not always easy...and it's not always fun. There are devastatingly sad days where we're frustrated and yearn for "home" and our families...and I am brought to my knees in gratitude that Allie, Michael, Mary, and Emily have each other. They are never alone. When they're at school and totally immersed in a new language they are able to connect with each other on the playground and have a few minutes of "normal". I have seen these kids lean on each other and support one another so many times. I don't think I'll ever be able to express how thankful I am that they have each other. I pray they continue to stay close as they grow up and eventually welcome each others spouses into their lives,  the same way I've been welcomed and loved by Chris' sisters...I sure do love those ladies, too. Family really is everything.

Always stop to make a wish in a fountain : )

You can blame this post on post-vacation blues or the fact that Chris is in China until Saturday. He's been traveling for work our entire relationship...we flew home from our honeymoon on a Sunday and he flew out of for work the following morning...but 12 years later I still miss him like crazy when he's gone. I'm such a sensitive Sally!!