"Like A Good Neighbor"

Remember when you were a little kid and you found out your best playmate was moving away?  How much it sucked?  How it was such a bummer?  How you hoped things wouldn't change, but you found out they would?

Well, it has happened again in my life . . .

I've mentioned on here before about my good friend and next door neighbor, Angie and her family.  She reads this blog, and I'm hoping this post won't make her uncomfortable at all . . . I mentioned to her that I might do a post about it.  But . . .  . she is moving.  *sigh*

We (Angie and I) knew it was coming.  And as I've mentioned on here before, it is just a matter of time before Jeff and I move.  But we've come to be good friends.  Really good friends. 

It started out simple . . . I'd call her up and ask if she had any sour cream I could borrow.  Then she'd call and ask if I had any yeast.  I tell you it is really nice to be able to call on a neighbor when you're in the middle of fixing dinner and realize you spaced picking something up at the store. 

When Jeff and I first lived in this house and Angie and family moved in, we weren't very close.  But as the years have passed and I've had children, we've had more and more in common.  How great is it to be outside picking weeds or having a picnic with your 2 year old, to then have a friend who is in your same circumstance with kids similar ages, come out and join you and share in some adult conversation while your kids play together?  How great is it that we have similar values and know many of the same people?  How wonderful is it to be able to share the daily struggles, fears, and joys of parenthood and womanhood and to help each other out with advice or just a listening ear? 

Pretty great.

As a kid, I was very confident and always had lots of friends.  I'm one of the rare few in this world who can say they actually enjoyed middle school and high school.  But I've found as an adult that friendships are harder to come by.  I'm not sure why that is.  Maybe I'm more picky?  Maybe life responsibilities get in the way?  For me, I think, I'm also a little different as an adult . . . maybe not as self assured or can open up to other people as well.  It just takes me longer now to find a good friend.  So when I do, it is a great blessing in my life.

The good thing is that they aren't moving far - still within the ward boundaries.  We will still see each other and get to visit each other.  And I'm sure I'll call her if I need a hand and I'm hoping she'll do the same.  But I will miss the near daily interactions - the kids playing together, the fun conversations, the security of a friend close by. 

The scriptures say, "To everything there is a season and a time and purpose under Heaven".  I'm grateful for this time that our families have shared together and to have a good friend.

What a cute family aye?

And I'm hoping Mary will get to join it some day.  I'm joking!  Well half-way joking at least : ) 

Mary Goings On April/May

So I have realized that though I have blogged the bigger events in the last few months, I haven't really posted any pictures of just the day to day Mary happenings from April/June.  So I thought I'd go back and record some of that now.

One nice distraction from my pregnancy that we participated in was another library class that started in April and just finished up a couple of weeks ago.  We would attend class on Monday mornings and then enjoy playing at the park afterward.  Our library connects to a really nice park with fountains and a stream and other traditional playground equipment.  So Mary always looked forward to it (and still does when we go for weekly storytime).

Here is Mary with her teacher and class and playing at the park afterward.  Btw, sorry for the cell phone photos.  That is all I had.  I'm sure glad to have a camera on my cell phone even though they aren't the greatest.  I'd miss a lot of pics otherwise.

Miss Laura (and please take note of Mary's cute giraffe outfit)

 Mary climbing the rocks at the park.  This is before they filled the pond with water again.

 And speaking of giraffes outfits (for those of you who don't know, I've sort of had Mary wear giraffes a lot since she was born.  It kind of became a thing for me), here are a couple other giraffe outfits - one is pjs - she has worn recently...

 
 
And here is a pic of Mary and me from Mother's Day. I like to coordinate with her sometimes. : )

In May, my Mom's program, The Book of Mormon Has Come Forth was performed in her stake (Aurora).  My Mom's collaborator and good friend, Janice Kapp Perry and her husband Doug came out for the event.  I took the opportunity to photograph Mary with them.  I got to stay with them when I was pregnant with Mary for a few days and Janice has sent me some nice emails and things regarding motherhood.  I've enjoyed getting to know them both. 

 I love how Mary is looking up at Janice here. 

Mary and Me playing in Grandma and Grandpa's sandbox.

Running around town... Chick-fli-A

and Target.

 Playing in the rain.

 

 Pretending to be the patient while waiting for the doctor.

And just one more pic of Mary being the baby in the Moses basket before Jonathan came.