When you have family living nearby, friends are great, but they are not a necessity. If you need something (like last minute child care) you just call up your mom, or mother-in-law, or your sister, or your sister-in-law...you get the point. When you break free from the family ties and dependence you recognize the value of those friends you've "forgotten" or left behind. I do not know what I would have done without the amazing, wonderful friends that I made in Wisconsin. They were my angels among the earth. They were there in seconds if I needed anything, even if it was just an ear to vent to. They brightened not only my life, but the lives of my children. Brooke woke up each morning asking which friend she was going to play that day. The last day we were in town I took the kids to Burger King to get out of the way of the movers, and out of the blizzard, and to say some final farewells to a few ladies. Brooke, who a year ago wouldn't let me out of her sight and cried if someone smiled at her, refused to come to me out of Kathryn's arms and called her "mama!"
The same thing happened later with Amy!
What makes me love these ladies most is that they don't have to love me. There is no DNA connection or marriage ties to make these women befriend me, I made these relationships on my own! They love me because of ME!! It is so empowering to know that I did this!
This network of such amazing women is a network I made myself! I love you all, and I value the light and warmth you brought to my life while living in "the frozen tundra."
During my final week in Appleton Steve had to travel to DC for some business, so I took the opportunity to get together with the great Mills family in Green Bay! Deb and I have known each other since Ricks (BYU-Idaho) about 11 years ago!
She is fantastic and her kids and my kids adore each other. Thank you Deb for being such a shining star in my life! I am so glad that we could rekindle that friendship from so long ago!!
Did I mention the blizzard we left in?
Okay, not so much a blizzard, but it was (luckily) the first snow of the season, and it was COLD!! The roads were very icy by the time we left in the afternoon.
The boys had their last day of school on the 8th. They both posed with their kindergarten teacher Mrs Hoeft. She was great!
Goodbye Ferber Elementary!
1 comment:
Moving is so so hard. I just am starting to make friends here in WA- so I don't understand the
out of state family thing" completely- But I do get how totally exhausting it is to move with three small children.. And then unpack all on your own with no family to help and not knowing a soul around you! Best of luck Jen, your a sweetheart. I hope it goes well for you and you love OH just as much as you did Appleton :)
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