Our Vacation to Paradise..

I took the kids to Florida this past week to visit my very best friend on the planet. Ashley. We are two peas in a pod .. she and I. Alike in so many ways .. on so many different levels ... it's almost scary. We are kindred spirits, that for sure I know. We met years ago while both stationed at Redstone Arsenal. From the moment we met we were joined at the hip.

It's been four years since we have seen each other. After our first hug at the airport last week .. all that time just melted. We picked up right where we left off.

Laughing around her is easy. Being myself around her is easy. She finishes my thoughts. I can just simply look at her and she knows what I am thinking. A perfect friendship.

I planned on nine days thinking that it would probably be too long. Even the best of friends can get on each other's nerves after too much time together. Oh so not true. None of us wanted to leave when it was time. Jackson even said he never ever wanted to leave.

We spent the majority of our time on the beach soaking up the sun while the kids played in the waves. The boys played non-stop in those waves on boogie boards. All of us have certainly missed the beach. Just the smell is intoxicating to me. Laying on the beach listening to the waves next to my best friend was magical.


Ashley has three kids. All girls. Hayley and her oldest Ashton have grown up together. It's rare that you find a best friend ... and your kids end up being the best of friends as well. What's neat is that Hayley and Ashton have ended up being the same size. Both tall beauties. Their mothers long for their long legs .. at least Ashley and I can be envious together. We too are about the same size. Sharing clothes for all of us is a bonus!

So suffice it to say we had the time of our lives. We all needed it too. A break. To take a deep breath .. get away and recharge the batteries. I was so sad to leave. The tears flowed freely... I miss her already. It's bittersweet to look at all the pictures .. I laugh - then get teary.

It was perfect.


Hayley and Ashton .. then and now...




The boys ....

The girls ....

Me and Ashley ...