3 Months, and a Lot of Ups and Downs

I really, really need to get better at this.  At any rate - the last few months have been nothing if not..... challenging :)

Some of our very best friends (lets not kid around, they are family without blood ties) moved over here, and we have been so fortunate to be able to make up for lost time, and hang out with them a TON!  It is so wonderful to have true friends around again - the ones that have seen you at your best, and your worst, and still hang around anyways :).  They had not seen Bug since she was FOUR!  *gasp* Needless to say, it was a little shocking when this gorgeous, bouncing 9 year old ran up to them!  They have a lil' Dude, too, we will call him Hoodie Ninja.  Hoodie Ninja and my Lil' Dude are about a year and a half apart in age, but are truly friends - it's ADORABLE!!!

Dude, TOTALLY disregard the nasty dirty stroller - Lil' Dude can make a SERIOUS mess...

For the most part, the Big Dude has actually been around - which has been nothing short of wonderful.  I love, and completely appreciate the times when he is here- there are too many when he can't be.

December also saw the loss of a good friend's husband.  I will talk about this more later, however, now it is still too raw, and too early to bawl my eyes out as I type this.

SO, HAPPY NEW YEAR!  May it be phenomenal, wonderful, and amazing for you and yours!