BEST FRIENDS

This is something that I couldn't wait to post about because my heart swelled with happiness and I did cry real tears when my daughter, Ashley was able to visit her best friend from Utah, Chloe Benton.  

I can remember when our family first moved into that Draper house in January 2005.  Everything so new, so different.  New homes being erected to the east & west of us.  There were a few homes completed, but for the most part the building stage was in progress on most of the houses.  

Not knowing anyone we took the dive and moved in hoping to find people that would accept us for who we are.  Not only did we find that family, they were(and still are) more than we ever imagined. 

I can remember when Aaron Benton knocked on our door to introduce himself to us shortly after we moved in.  He wasn't shy, intimidating, boastful or conceited.  He was kind, welcoming, loving & accepting from the moment we let him through our door.  I was later pleased to meet his wife(my only true friend from that neighborhood), Brooke and their darling kids Chloe & Luke(since then they've had cute little Tess).  We fell in love with their family from the very start.  

Ashley and Chloe became friends after undergoing a couple of shy moments in the field across the street.  It didn't take long for them to become friends and playmates.

Well, I was so touched to have visited them when we went to Utah last week.  Words can't describe the way I felt as I watched Ashley & Chloe ardently embrace one another after one long year of no real contact. They were able to play, giggle, act silly, hug, eat together and just be.  I owe a huge "THANK YOU" to Brooke for her hospitality and willingness to have Ashley spend the whole day at their house.  Neither Ashley or I cannot thank her enough for that great day that two 7 yr. old princesses were able to forget about everything and return to what used to be.  My heart can not decipher which is worse, seeing them say goodbye with a gigantic hug or just not visiting to avoid the emotions that were tearing at my heart.

Here are some of the cute pics that I got of two friends that will never forget one another!

We love the Benton family!

HOME AGAIN

So, as all of my trips to Utah do, this one skipped right by me without notice, as well.  Here I sit at home in Oregon, like I never left.  I have so many memories to tell, hundreds of pictures to share and thousands of feelings surfacing through my skin.  I want to share all of them with you and I will.  But tonight I need to sleep.  I must sleep and my thoughts will be gathered a little better tomorrow.

The drive was great, but already I miss my 3 older kiddos!  Madison, Jacob and Ashley, whom went to Idaho Falls, Idaho, to spend a week with grandma and grandpa Crofts.  The silence is reminder enough, that I couldn't live without them.  I love you kids!( By the way, thay HATED going to grandma and grandpa Crofts. LITERERALLY HATED IT!

Love you all,    mom    xoxo

p.s. I lost about 150 pictures of my sisters and I, our golf game with Nate & dad before we headed home, my grandma and grandpa Taylor and my aunt Sue.   I am very sad to have lost those fun pictures! I will post the cute ones that were saved!