Won't you be my neighbor?

Our beloved neighbors, the Balvin's have moved.

It is a true blessing in life to be able to navigate these waters with true friends, people who you love like crazy and who drive you crazy all at the same time!!  We were so blessed to be able to live right next door to each other to experience the same season of life together.  It has forever bonded us as families.

So this is a love letter, to my beloved neighbors, who will always be my neighbors no matter where we go:

Dear Stephanie (and sometimes Brenton)(KIDDING!!),

When I first found out you were leaving, I cried.  I couldn't imagine doing life without you next door.
However, I want you to know how very happy I am for you in your new house!!  It fits you perfectly and I'm excited to make new memories with you all there.

We have been there for each other through it all.  The ups and downs, the highs and lows, and the boring middle (where we like it best because that's when there is time for cards!) Thank you for being a constant source of encouragement, faith, support, humor, humility, fun and blessings.

You were there to calm me down after we found out we were expecting Logan.  You were there to help calm Brian down when we found out we were expecting Emma.

You accepted my house no matter what state it was in - how messy, how clean (haha!), how disassembled, how chaotic, how noisy and how empty of food it was.

You came to my rescue when I needed a cheeseburger during morning sickness with Emma.

Brenton, you came over to hold the baby so I could make supper.  "Please come over and just hold the baby.  I'll turn on Sports Center and we don't even have to talk" were the pleas from an overtired mother of four, and you helped.

Stephanie, one word.  Lice.  Mic drop.

You were there when crazy went down and you made sure my kids were taken care of.

You are the "go to" for my kids - If you need help, go to the Balvin's house.  This was usually followed by, "but don't get in trouble with Andrew!!"  And we were yours.  Jake spent quite a bit of time hanging out 'cause we all know Jakey doesn't like to be home alone!

It's weird to have ranch and ketchup last so long in my fridge without a little Balvin coming over to borrow some.

We have shared holidays, birthdays, celebrations, parties, including the day before Thanksgiving leftover feast (which we should probably recreate this year) and the ever famous Kraby-Balvin Christmas Eve Eve.

We can never repay you for all that you have meant to us.

You are godparents, friends, neighbors-4-life....

Family.

Love you guys!!

Sincerely,
Lifetime passholder to the Balvin Pool

Seven Drawers

My grandma passed away last week.  She was 98 and had lived a full life.  She turned 98 on March 5th and died on March 13th.

I kinda think she decided enough was enough on her birthday, that 98 was a good run.

And it was.

My grandma was not one for celebrations or "making a fuss", especially over herself.  She did not want a funeral and her children are honoring her wishes.  She was born in Turtle Lake, North Dakota in 1918.  She vividly remembered the Depression, and lived *extremely* frugally until the day she died.  When I was in school, I interviewed her regarding growing up during the Depression.  The tape is safely tucked away.  So safe that I'm not sure I remember where, but it will eventually turn up......

I got to say goodbye to her the night before she died, which I am very thankful for.  The next day I went to help my aunts clean out her room.  That is when this thought hit me.

Life comes down to seven drawers of stuff.

We spend all this time and money accumulating "stuff"- expensive stuff, meaningful stuff, pretty stuff, sentimental stuff, practical stuff, fun stuff.....

Stuff.

My grandma once had a house full of stuff.

Now she had seven drawers.

What is the point?

Relationships are what matters.

In the end, you can't take your stuff with you.  But the relationships you build can sustain you through the darkest times, the weary hours, and the last moments of life.

I will be honest, my grandma's forte really was not relationships.  However, even though she did not show love in a traditional sense, I watched my dad continue to visit her, care for her, love her, be there.  There was a room full of people there with her (which she probably would not have liked since she never wanted anyone to "make a fuss" over her).  I saw all of her children come together to plan, supporting each other.

That's all most any parent can ask for.

Dear 20 year old self.....

I turned 40 in October.  

This last year has been filled with incredible happiness and heart breaking sadness. 

Last week I got to thinking what I, as a 40 year old (half grown up), would tell my 20 year old self (young child who thinks she knows it all).  I have done a lot of stupid things over the years.  I've also done some good things.  I started wondering if I could change anything, would I?  Probably not.  Although I've done things that aren't so good, I've learned from them and it has made me who I am today - a flawed genuine person.  

So I made a list of the 20 things I would tell my 20 year old self:  

1.  You will eventually like coffee.  A lot.  

2.  You will eventually like beer.  A lot (P.S. it tastes better than Zima)

3.  They won't ever like you. And that's ok.  

4.  Drink more water.

5.  Stop trying to make the future happen.  Enjoy the moment you are in.

6.  Be who you are.  Those who like you, will.  Those who don't, won't.  

7.  What other people think of you is none of your business.  

8.  Floss your teeth.  Every single night.

9.  Appreciate your body and stop being so critical. 

10.  Study abroad.  You'll never get the chance again.  

11.  Respect yourself.   

12.  Call your mother and father. 

13.  Investigate issues before stating your opinion.  

14.  Remember everyone has their own story and their own struggle.  Show grace.  

15.  Stop talking and listen.  

16.  Eat all the McDonald's french fries you want.  In 20 years they won't taste as good and they will give you gut rot.  For real.  

17.  You cannot save the world.  You cannot change anyone's situation but your own.  

18.  You have done and will do stupid things.  Say you're sorry, forgive yourself, learn and move on.  

19.  Don't take one single second of this life you have been blessed with for granted.  It can all change in an instant.  

20.  Enjoy the ride!  You will be happier than you ever imagined and you will cry harder than you ever thought possible.  Love every second, every breath, every giggle, every hug.   

Whew!

The list is kind of irrelevant.  I wouldn't have listened to my 40 year old self anyways because I thought I knew it all!  

Reminds me a little of this:  

I can't wait to see what I know when I turn 60!!  I will have a 30 year old then (crazy!!).