Let me introduce you to...

I completely believe that you have the family your born into and the family that you make...

I feel so lucky that the Mr. and I have such a wonderful family. I'm the youngest of 3, I have an older sister who is the best big sister that anyone could ask for. She's married to her junior high sweetheart who has always been a big brother to me. I also have a big brother (whom I've mentioned in my blog once or twice) who is always there when I need him. Mr. Loves-football-more-than-life is the oldest of 2, he has a younger sister who he's close too. We have amazing parents who have always supported us in everything that we do. We love our family but distance is our issue, my parents live the closet...an hour and a half away...

I grew up in the suburbs and had the same friends my entire life. I graduated high school with some of the same people I graduated pre-school with. Leaving for college was absolutely devastating. I knew that I would always have my "home" friends but I had no idea what it was like to have to make new friends. Now I can't imagine my life without these friends.

So I'd like to introduce you to my other "family"...

These are the people who are in our lives everyday...the people we call when we need a favor, the people we have spent countless hours with, the people that I blog about...

First, I want to introduce my bestest, my beloved, "Mama Cookie"...

I've known Mama Cookie since the 7th grade. We met in Student Council and quickly became friends. We both went away from home for college, about 30 minutes from each other. We always car-pooled home together all 4 years...Like I said we were always friends, but we didn't become "best-friends" until our sophomore year of college. We were both going through similar situations with dead-beat boyfriends and heart-wrenching break-ups. She was my rock when I thought my world was crumbling...She's the kind of person who hold your hair back after a rough night, who eats cookie dough with your for days strait, who will go on any road trip anywhere for no reason at all, she will be patient with you while you sit in front of a computer for hours on end waiting for a deployment email...she'll be there for you for your surprise proposal even though she had plans to go out of town, and she'll stand next to you on the biggest day of your life. I had no question that she would be my maid of honor, and I cannot wait until I can return the favor..

She's always been Cookie to me, a childhood nickname, but mama came about because she's the god-mother to my 4 legged children. She's found her other half, Mr. T, and I couldn't be happier for them. He's an amazing boyfriend and friend and he's hilarious. Not a day goes by that he doesn't make me almost pee my pants...

Next I'd like to tell you about the *P* Family...

I met Mrs. P at work...they pretty much call us "twins". Obviously we look nothing alike, but we're similar heights, builds, and we're always together. She is exactly to the day 1 month older than I am, she married her soul mate almost 1 year before I married mine and we live down the street from each other. We were in their wedding and they were in ours. They are truly an amazing couple that I learn from everyday...especially now. They had their first child, Baby B last September and its been amazing to see them transform into parents. I'm not sure where life is going to take us but I know that this family will always be a part of it.

This is Baby B...he's the sweetest cutest baby I've ever met. I'm sure I'm biased but I don't care. In the short 4 months I've had the privilege of knowing him, I'd gladly walk through fire for him. He fills my heart and makes it just a little easier to wait to have one...and harder too I guess. I'm so excited to watch this sweet boy grow up...

Then there's Little S...
We call her Little S because look at her, she's tiny! I also know her from work, she started a year before I did and pretty much taught me everything I know. She's an amazing person, she has a heart of gold. Shes the type of person that will bring you chicken noodle soup when you don't feel good, she'll spend hours on wedding projects just to give you a break, she'll make you a beautiful blue charm to wear on your wedding day...just so you have something blue. She's the type of person I strive to be...She's also the girl who has stolen my brothers heart. They met at our wedding, they walked together actually and have since been inseparable. I'm excited about their relationship and I'm excited to see where it will go...

And finally, Reverend X and Mr. G

I've known the Reverend since 7th grade also, we went to junior high and high school together also. She and I took a trip to Idaho when we were 16 to visit another one of our friends and had the most amazing summer ever. After high school she moved away but we still stayed close. Last summer while planning our wedding our officiant backed out at the last minute. I wasn't sure what I was going to do...then I remembered that the Reverend was an internet ordained minister. I called her immediately and the rest is history. I wasn't sure how our ceremony was going to go since we are so close, but in the end it was better than I could ever imagine. She and her mister, Mr. G are so funny together...hence their Christmas picture. We're hoping that they will move closer to us because we love spending time with them!

I felt like I needed to formally introduce all of my blogging friends to my "family"...Since this blog is about my life, and my life revolves around my family and friends it just makes sense. We are so fortunate to have this close group of friends to fill in as our substitute family. I'm thankful everyday for them and I couldn't imagine my life without them.