Would You Be My Friend?

So, a little something people may not realize about me is that I really suck at making friends.  I take that back, I can make friends and acquaintances but I've rarely had a Central Perk-Friends relationship.  You see, I often feel like I'm back in elementary school with a bad perm and glasses who was told that she was invited to a birthday party because the other girl's mother made her.  I have always wanted a Ya-Ya Sisterhood kind of bond with people but instead I come up short.  Here's the thing, I always feel like I'm not worthy of the friendship people give me.  I am terrible at correspondence.  I don't typically pick up the phone and dish about current events.  I'm more likely to be fashionably late than dutifully on time.  So, I'm don't fit the "best friend" criteria others may have.  Here's the thing, though.  I have a list of people that I consider my best friends.  Not because I deserve them, I don't.  It's because that in their awesomeness, they have accepted me.  Not as their best friend, they could do far better.  Honestly, the insecure frizzy haired bespeckled girl inside of me is delighted they talk to me at all.  So, here is a laundry list of some people.

I have a best friend named Bryan.  He loves me without my makeup and when I'm in sweats.  He tells me he loves me every day.  He thinks I'm beautiful or, at least, convinces me that he does.  He gets my quirkiness and moodiness.  He holds me when I fall apart and gives me space to move when I get antsy.  It's a delicate balance to live with me and he does it very well.  I love that guy.

I have this best friend named Jessica.  When they wrote the fruits of the spirit, it was actually a description of Jess.  You know how there are some people who seem to be near perfect.  Well, I met this perfect friend when we were 15.  We had to bunk together at Windermere for a whole summer.  Amazingly, she looked through my faults and obnoxious Goofy shirts and befriended me.  We have stood up in each others weddings, held each others newborns and watched our children play together.  In our 19+ year friendship her kindness has never wavered.  I have never once had a bad thought about her.  In her grace and kindness, she calls me her friends still.

I have this best friend named Heather.  She has a life about her that is incredible.  She proudly wears the necklaces to church that her children make her and isn't scared to dance with them in the middle of a Baptist wedding reception.  She sends cards just because.  I don't know what on earth I have done to deserve her as a friend.  I often wonder how she does it.  How does she radiate God's love to others just by breathing?  Does she make others feel the same way she makes me feel?  Loved, accepted, special, hopeful?  I would have loved to know her in high school.  I would have loved to have known her as a person on her wedding day.  I cherish that friendship like a precious treasure. 

I have these best friends known as the "Clique."  A group of misfits landed in Roach Missouri from all corners of Missouri, a Kansan and an Iowan.  Magic was made.  I can still to this day call that the happiest time of my life.  Sitting around talking about nothing and everything.  Crammed in the back of a Mustang to buy sunglasses or play ski-ball.  Doing a lip sync routine to a Gilda Radner SNL sketch.  How did I get the cool kids to like me?  I would sit there and wonder, do they really like me?  Am I contributing anything to their enjoyment?  Am I the one they took pity on and let me hang out?  I still don't know 100% percent but we still contact each other and I know that I would drop anything to be by their sides if they needed me.  I am like a fish without water being in a city without these friends sometimes. 

I have other best friends: 

• Kim who shows me that faith lived out is a beautiful thing.  Time with family is precious and fleeting and should be a priority.  
• Elaine who isn't afraid to show her feelings and can spot when I'm having a tough day in 30 seconds or less. 
• Kari, who actually accepted my sister's little sister as her friend.  She has more talent in her little finger than I do in my whole body. 
• Katherine who amazes me weekly.  Despite being harassed by me, her Bible Study leader, she excels in life.  She is a phenomenal mother.  She is so comfortable in her own skin it's ridiculous.  She goes to class and gets honors.  I am amazed that she likes me at all!

See, I am not worthy of any of them.  In most cases this is the first I have said that I call them my best friends when they aren't listening.  I dare not speak it out loud because they may take that title away.  They may confess that they are forced to be my friend by their mothers.  Here's the thing, I wouldn't be the person I am without them.  I wouldn't be proud of my inner nerd.  I wouldn't dance just because.  All I know is that my love and admiration only grows.  Thank you friends. 

Christmas 2010

Steve Harvey Introduces Jesus

People Let Me Tell You 'Bout My Best Friend

When the boys returned one day from Grammie and Grampy's, they had a new friend with them.  They have named him Steve.  Well, Steve has turned out to be the most docile passive aggressive toad in the Animal Planet.  Steve loves to swim, perch on the rock mountain we made for him and swim some more.  What he does not seem to love is eating the grasshopper we lovingly caught for him.  Now, in his defense, this hopper's a bully.  When in a staring contest, the hopper wins.  If in a jumping contest, yep, the hopper wins.  In fact, last evening the hopper actually jumped off Steve's back to then claim his rightful title of King of the Mountain.  Steve watched from a lower perch as the whole thing.

Oh the trials of trying to keep a little toad alive so your little ones can have a pet.  If only we can keep him properly fed so he doesn't hop off to his greater reward. 

Happy Wednesday!!

In honor of World Cup - a Vargas Family holiday

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Looking for a Few Good Teammates

I was at the Y bright & early this morning when I came across a flyer for a new challenge.  Now, I may be partially delirious with the early hour I was at the Y, but this seemed like a challenge I could get excited about.  It's called Thinner Winner.  Here is the description:

May 24 - July 2
Get your team together or join as an individual for your chance to win some great prizes and become a Thinner Winner.  Teams will have 4-6 members and the winner will be the team with the greatest percentage of weight loss at the end of 6 weeks.  The program includes:

• 1 session with a personal trainer and workout guidelines
• 1 session with a nutrition counselor and nutrition guidelines
• 2 group fitness classes
• free entry to the YMCA's Father's Day 5K
• access to all 3 YMCA facilities for non-members for the 6 weeks
• Thinner Winner t-shirt
• $1,000 cash prize to winning team
• more prizes

Cost: $100/member with team, $150 non-member with team

So, Who's in??  I think I'd be much more motivated to get with it if I had a team depending on me.  The competitive spirit in me is running wild.  I'm looking for a few good losers...or winners.

~D

Unique Ring Pillows

Gotta love Martha Stewart Weddings.  Check out these lovelies:

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/creative-ring-pillows?xsc=eml_dwd_2010_04_10#slide_9

If I could do it over again...

I would wear a feather in my hair like this...
Lo Boheme Wedding Hairpieces Wedding Hairpieces Lo Boheme New Sponsor Blog Once Wed

or this...
A Modern Ranch Wedding II

I'd wear blue shoes...

Brianna + Matt

Or maybe red ones...

A Countryside Wedding II

Lovely

Same wedding...different pics

Okay, here you can find the oversized balloons I was referencing earlier. The closet actually serves as the photo booth.

in reference to: A Smog Shoppe Wedding | Real Weddings Blog | Once Wed (view on Google Sidewiki)

Another Lovely event from Martha Stewart weddings

I think the pictures from this wedding are precious. My favorites from this wedding:

The oversized balloon picture and the photo booth. Great idea!

in reference to: Real Wedding: Joo and Jacob, Los Angeles, California (view on Google Sidewiki)

Easter 2010

Woody Allen Interviews Billy Graham

I think it's beautiful when a believer can enter into an intelligent conversation about faith and God without looking silly or super emotional.  Too often people get overwhelmed in dialog with another person who does not share the same belief and they resort to name calling or accusatory statements.  When your faith is as second nature to you as that of Billy in this interview, no question or statement catches you so off guard that you are backed against the ropes. 

I love to study and observe people in interviews and public speeches.  This was a great interview:

It's that time of the year...

Okay, ladies, here's the Sandal Oath for those who have not read it and sworn to it yet:

"Please raise your big toes and repeat after me: As a member of the Faux Paux Sisterhood, I pledge to follow The Rules when I wear sandals and other open-toe shoes: I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not bulge out between the straps. I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe. I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow. I will shave the hairs off my big toe. I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there. If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it. I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr.Scholl's if my feet need him. I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids' si zes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle. I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages. I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes look like they've been dragged behind her car on the way to work and no sandal in the world is going to make her feet look good. I will promise if I wear flip flops, that I will ensure they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them. I also promise not to scoot across the floor. I will promise to go my local beauty school at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $15 and worth EVERY penny). I say spend another $15.00 and get an even better one. I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show of wear... nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals... For all our sakes, please don't keep this to yourself - pass it on to other Sisters."

KU and Hitler

Bryan and I love March Madness. Even though I typically forget to fill out a bracket and Bryan's is pretty much shot this year, we both enjoyed this video. Anytime you can link KU and Hilter together, it's a good thing.

5 Tips from David Tutera

I have recently been tuning in to My Fair Wedding on WeTV. David Tutera has done amazing work. Of course, we can't all afford some of the events that he creates. I like this little tip list he came up with. Love the idea of using 1 color in abundance and also the water idea. Love that he brings up the appropriate height for a centerpiece. How often do we sit at a table and feel like we're talking to a flower where a face should be?

Watch this:

Cute Wedding stuff

Some people may not know that I have been coordinating weddings at FBC for just under 10 years. I've also done several outside of JC. I LOVE weddings. Partly because it's almost always a joyful occasion. Mostly because I adore my husband and the day we were married was the first day of the rest of our lives.

Often I come across different blogs that have awesome wedding ideas that are affordable. I love affordable and unique! So, with that in mind, check out this red balloon idea. Awesome alternative to rice seeds and bubbles.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OnceWed/~3/FwuYy_Hl1lA/

Snow Day!!

Jackson~ Builder of snow forts

I love this smile!

Hank the Hillbilly Snowman

Playing the "Compiano"

Jackson's Spiritual Gift

I cracked up last week when Jackson came home from church and they were talking about talents they have and how God gave them these gifts. Behold...Jackson's spiritual gift is...drumroll please...playing the Wii!!

Something I Never Do

So, I never leave the house without make-up unless it's summertime and I have a tan. That being said, I am postings some pictures from this morning when Sebas was giving me some loving and willing to take a picture or two. Gasp...I have no make up on and I'm posting it on the web for the world to see. What has happened to me??

I love being a mommy.

Sebastian's Super Party

Today marks the 3rd year we have had Sebastian in our lives. I can't really remember what life was like without him. We had a birthday party over the weekend with some of his friends at Leap Frog. We went with a Superhero Theme which included little monogrammed capes for his Super Friends. I found a great tutorial for a no-sew cape pattern at Craft & Fabric Links. I think they were a big hit. So, without further ado: here are some pics of my little man's Super Party...

Can you find the birthday boy in the picture below?

There he is!

Of course, Big Brother Jackson had some fun of his own!