Tweeps, Peeps and Everything In Between

I love to write.

I have a undergraduate degree in Secondary English Education and a Master's degree in Education.  I enjoyed sharing my love for reading and writing with kids for the three years that I taught high school English, but the politics and other BS were more than I could handle, so I chose to explore other opportunities outside of education...

I digress...

Writing has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember.

I just like to speak on paper.  After leaving teaching, I went from being consumed with reading and writing most of my days to very little of both.  And then came Mia and then I stopped reading and stopped writing all together.

Through a recommendation of my cousin, I started blogging in 2009.

I never thought that blogging would provide the connections and believe it or not friendships that it has provided for me.

Example.

Through blogging and Twitter, Gina and I figured out that we lived in the same city at a time when I was exploring a new gym to join.  Ms. Namaste herself encouraged me to join her gym and boom, that's how we met.

And through that relationship, I met (well I should say virtually met her via the internet, not in actual human form) Lindsey.

Since they are both teachers, they have a bit more flexibility with their schedules in the summer and had made several mentions of trying to get together for a day at the zoo with our kids.  As I've mentioned before our zoo here in the Lou is a amazing.

So we figured it out.

Last Friday we met up for a day of F U N!

All of the kids were so cute together and it was a great day to get to know these women even better.

Checking out the trees and bugs on the way in.

Cheese.

We tried at a group shot, but I kind of like this one better.

Petting the stingrays

Trying to keep all the kids out of the water.

Choo Choo Taaaaain, in the words of C man himself.

Choo choooooo

We ended the day with a little body art.

Girlfriend fell right to sleep. 

Her pick - the Pink Kitty - meeeeow.

Getting picture ready for sending a text to Dadda.

Night night kitty.

It's amazing how something can become something you never expected.

Sharing Some Blog Love Today

Well my life is freakin' chaotic right now, so when I can actually catch my breath and blog, I'll be back.

In the meantime, I wanted to share something with you today.

Kelli is one of my high school friends.  She's a phenomenal person, mother and writer.

We share the same birthday, so that automatically makes her awesome.

She so kindly shared some pics on Facebook recently because back in the day we clearly got very bored and used to take weird pictures with appliances and making our best Wanda from In Living Color faces, as seen here.

We were 15 so cut us some slack.

And don't be jealous of the wash in the jeans I was wearing!  Woo weee, girl had style.

She left the Lou and moved to Florida and she can go to the beach and swim in her pool whenever she wants and I'm jealous.  We only met up once or twice a year when she was here, but she's just a lovely energy.

Please read her post today.

I Want to Carpe Diem - Minivans Are Hot

All Mommas and parents should read it.  It's a wonderful reminder.

Have a great Thursday!

Here We Are...Many (Ahem) Years Later

So today I'm having lunch with a friend.

She didn't start as my friend necessarily.  I was her Nanny and she was in 3rd grade.

Last weekend she graduated from college, Villanova in fact, with a degree in engineering.

I'm so proud of her and all that she has accomplished and I'm so thankful to Facebook for helping us reconnect several years ago.

We meet up a couple times of year to catch up on all the happenings in our lives.

As she prepares to start her new job and move to the East coast to start her new life, I'm really impressed by who she has become.

My job as her Nanny was awesome.  I did it for two summers in college.  We played and spent a lot of time at the pool and Six Flags.  She's an only child with two great and very successful parents.

Time is funny sometimes.

I don't feel like I was her Nanny that long ago.  I don't feel like it was that long ago that we spent each and every day at the pool driving around in my awesome purple Mitsubishi Eclipse.

Here we are xx years ago.

And here we are today.  I'm married, a mom, getting ready to celebrate another birthday and here she is just freshly graduated with her whole life ahead of her.

She's another gift in my life and I'm thankful to have her.

****************************************************************

Dear Megs,

I'm so proud of you and the woman you have become.  As you begin your new chapter of life, embrace who you are and all that you have accomplished.  You are a strong, beautiful woman and you have a full, happy life ahead of you.

I can't believe I'm writing woman when talking about you because I feel like it wasn't but yesterday that we were spending another day at the pool and you were still in elementary school.

I remember the days of ice skating, the days of Chip and Bounder and who could forget good ole' Josie.

I remember how cool it was that Victoria Babu was your neighbor and we'd pool it together often.

As a Mother now, I dream and think often about who and what my child will become.  It is my hope that Mia (and any future children) turn out to be as level-headed, smart, successful, well-traveled and as independent as you.

Just a little piece of advice as you start your next journey, time will move faster every year from here on out, so take your time with it and don't rush through it.  It doesn't need any help, it will move just fast enough on it's very own.  People always told me this and I never really believed them, but I know now that it is so very, very true.

As you focus on your future and where and what you will be, be sure to embrace the present moment just as much.

The Lou will miss you, but just remember you're a Cardinals fan first.  Ryan will not be able to convert you to any team that involves socks, because I said so.

Keep in touch and good luck to you and all that you dream and wish for your future.  You'll continue to be great!  Your parents should be very, very proud!!!

Love,

Melly

Refueled....done and done.

This weekend rocked my socks off.

The weather was perfect, amazing and had SUMMER written all over it.

So much time with good friends and most importantly, the Hubs and Mia!

No care in the world, no time schedule, just perfect weather, sun, water, relaxation (and mucho margaritas)!

These kind of weekends are important.

Refueling is so necessary.

And I needed to be refueled pretty badly.

I knew she'd love the water, but she may have loved the boat even more.

Good friends, the Husband and boat naps.  Doesn't get much better!

Naps, naps and more naps.

And an early birthday present to myself
because who doesn't deserve to buy themselves a little something.
I'm borderline Fossil obsessed.

What a perfect weekend!  So rejuvenating and exactly what all of us needed!

And can we get a big YAY!!! for another short work week and another 3-day weekend this weekend!

Someone's about to rock 34 like nobody's business!

Have a great week!

Dear Neeli

We've almost all written about the importance of friends and that very special place we hold for them in our hearts.

Neeli is one of those people.

I met her back in my teaching days when I moved to Kansas City (with my, ahem, boyfriend; no judgies I was 22).  We both taught English and connected right away.  I remember grading papers and drinking wine on my deck after work.  I remember our girls nights.  Just she and I, belly up to the bar in downtown KC sippin' on martinis and just laughing.  Those were the days :)

I eventually moved back to St. Louis (after the breakup), but we've stayed close ever since.  We were both matrons of honor in each others weddings and we've seen each other and supported each other as we've grown our families.  We visit each other when we can, but it's not easy.  No matter how long we go without talking, it's very easy for us to take off right where we left off when we do.

Taking pictures after my wedding on the beautiful beaches of Punta Cana.

Do I wish we talked more and saw each other more, of course.  But life is life and that mostly means busy, so we do what we can to keep in touch.

Today is my Neels birthday!

I truly believe we met for a reason.  There has never been a doubt in my mind that she was placed in my life for a purpose.  I'm not a believer that you just "find" these friends.  I feel they are brought to you.  She was a big reason why I was able to get through that relationship that brought me to Kansas City (he and I were together for 7 years and we met when I was only 17; do the math; I was way young for all "that," but I of course knew everything).    Friends are important pieces to our life.  Not by quantity, but certainly by quality and I am very blessed to have her.

After my wedding, rocking our wedding tanks and singing karaoke in the Dominican Republic

Mia's first time meeting her "Aunt Neeli"

One of my favorite pictures.
 If you look close enough, Mia has a huge smile on her face.

Ummmm, adorable

Kaufmann Stadium in KC, MO

So to my girl, one of my very best friends, someone I'm so thankful to have in my life, Happy Birthday!

May your day be just as special and just as beautiful as you are.

Cheers!  I'm clinking (martini) glasses with you from the other side of the state.

Love,

Melly