As a child, we had family friends that were as close as family. We ate dinner together at LEAST every Sunday, did beach trips, trips to the circuses, countless overnights, games of spotlight, dangerous home displays of fireworks... Best friends. And there were like 30 of them.
In this family, was a girl that was almost exactly 9 months younger than I am, Ashley. When we're talking best friends, y'all, we had the sparkly hair ties, friendship bracelets, the half-heart best friends necklace from Claire's, countless trips together, convincing fantasies of marrying a New Kid on the Block (luckily, I always wanted to marry Joe and she wanted to marry Jordan. It was more simple that way.)
At my seventh birthday party, I decided I wanted to do "Dress Like Your Mother" birthday party. This was in the middle of the dance aerobics phase, and my momma loved her some Jane Fonda. I came adorned in my leotard and leg warmers (why did they need leg warmers anyway?! I sweat like a hog during a dance party. I'm sorry "aerobics")
(Do hogs sweat??)
Ashley came in an adorable purple dress with yellow trim and had a huge bed pillow strapped on to her stomach, because at this point, her momma was about 52 weeks pregnant. While we were having cake, Ashley's Granny came through our front door and said, "Ashley, let's go! Your mom is having the baby!" A beautiful girl, Kristen Bryce was born.
I'll save you many stories of dirty diapers, obsessions with Barney and the movie Prancer (or "Pwancer" as Kris called it) and stories of the baby sister I never had, but for the next few days, I will tell you about where we are today.
This morning at o' dark thirty, Lee and I hopped in the car, in a monsoon of a rainstorm on (in by best Paul Revere voice) "The Boy Scouts are leaving" day to take me to the airport. After a few hops of flights an layovers, mom, dad, and I are currently soaring over the Alaskan mountains to go to Kristen's wedding.
Kristen is a graduate student in AK and my dad will be the officiant for the ceremony.
Today's flyings have been relatively uneventful (the way I like it) including, but not limited to:
- Some car time with my hubby who got back from an amusement park trip worn the youth at midnight last night.
- A Tudor's Peppi biscuit. (Don't listen to Dewayne Chapman, They're amazing.
- Absolutely nothing fun happening in Detroit
- An incredible lunch at a French bakery that had a side greens salad (VEGETABLES?! In an airport?!?!) and a curry chicken salad on a croissant 
And I would be lying if I didn't admit my purchase of a chocolate croissant (imagine my beautiful French accent)
The flight from Minneapolis to Anchorage has been long but not miserable.
(Forgive my face squish resulting in 30 chins)
I have occupied myself by alternating between 3 awesome reads:
- The Boston Marathon edition of Runner's World 
More to come!!
My mind is completely blown by this issue and completely inspired. I think it is time I schedule a few road races!
- Cutting the Sweet with the Salty by Sophie Hudson. Such a hilarious book about growing up in the Deep South. A must read in my opinion (it's on Kindle. So, if you see a picture of the book, it is because I remembered to take one once I got back to phone service)
- No Other Gods by Kelly Minter. I'm only 30 pages in, but Kelly's insight, interpretation of scripture, and communication is preparing my heart for some awesome God time in the next bit of time in my life. So excited.
Here are a few pics of us coming into Alaska!
(Whisper a prayer for me. This is the longest I've been away from Nina and I continue to ugly face cry over missing her already)
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