Positives...

So I am determined to stay positive today. I always think of what my mother always says. "Quit you're whining...there's always someone in the world that has it worse than you." Very true, which is why I hate being down. So, I started thinking of how blessed I am. I am so thankful for all my friends and family. There are a handful of people, or maybe 2 handfuls of people, that have been there with me through thick and think. Since I am new to blogging and some people that read my blogs are just getting to know me, I thought this would be a great way to find out more about me...and also find out about the most important people in my life. I will skip Josh and Anistyn because I will have lots of blogs about them...but instead I will write about my friends.


So here goes.



This is Kelly.





Out of my friends that are not blood...I've known her the longest. She actually went to middle school with Josh and I. Back then, we spent as much time together as we could. There are so many funny memories from back then, and they all involve Kelly. When high school started, we lost touch though, although not for any bad reason, just growing I guess. When facebook got popular (its really helped me...ha) Kelly and I got reconnected. It turned out that she was a single mother like me. To this little handsome man....Caleb.



I thought that I loved Kelly back in middle school. And I did. But we were young, and knowing her like I do now...not only do I love her, but I respect and admire her. I would vent sometimes to my friends about my single mother struggles, and while they were all so supportive, Kelly lived it with me. We honestly understood each other because we lived the same life. We were both single for a long time, we both had young children...we were the same age...yada yada yada. Being a single mother is so unbelievably hard, and having Kelly to go through it with me was amazing. She is a hard worker, a dedicated mother, she's funny, sweet, kind, and all around one of the best people that I know.

This is Michelle.



Oh my Chelle. We met at Paulding County High School. I think it was a time in both of our lives when we were young, both going through family struggles, and searching. In that search, we found each other. Thank God. While we didn't always make the best decisions (we were 17...) we definitely made the best of friends. Oh, the blackmail I could use on this girl...and vice versa! I will not lie, Michelle and I went through our wild stage together, but while many of those friends eventually fade away due to their friendship being based upon socializing, Michelle and I have stuck together through the years. We are both so different from those two young high schoolers we were when we met. Its been amazing to watch Michelle grow into the person that she is today. Not only is she an amazing friend, she is a beautiful mother and wife to this brood:



I was proud to stand with her when she married Shane. I can't leave Shane out, he is like a big brother to me! I was so glad when he and Josh met and really liked each other! Michelle has also turned into a coupon saving, crafty and creative housewife. And a great cook...so she knows to have her phone ready for me when I need her once I'm in California. She has struggled and I have too, but we have always been there for each other.

And this is Shannon:



I met her a few years ago when we worked together at a daycare. We were fast friends, but it wasn't until after we both weren't working there that for some reason (God) we became amazingly close. Shannon has an amazing heart and would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She has been through so much and still has the most positive outlook on life. She has the best listening ear and whatever you tell her, she will never judge you for it. I was also proud to stand with her when she married an amazing man named Brandon.




They have an amazing story which is testament of true love and dedication. When Shannon was 19, she and some friends were hit by a drunk driver, where Shannon was hurt the most. She had to have a leg amputation and struggled for years with ailments. I've never seen her not smiling. Shortly after their honeymoon, Brandon had to have a lung transplant. Shannon was by his side every step of the way. The worst part was when they were on the waiting list. She had to watch her new husband get sicker and sicker. Shannon is the type to want to make everyone better...and knowing she couldn't do that for him devestated her. But the vows say through sickness and health...and thats what they did. I am amazed by the two of them.

This is Tammy.



Tammy is my aunt, but she is more like a big sister. She is my mother's sister and the baby of ten kids. Yes...we have a crazy awesome family. I would say I look just like her...right?? Ha. Not only is she beautiful on the outside, she has a beautiful heart. We are so much alike...and I love everything about her. She is an amazing mother and while everyone struggles every now and then, she's a fighter. She taught me how to pick myself up off the ground when life got me down, dust myself off and keep going with your head held high.She's an honest, caring and loving person. Not only am I proud to have her in my family, but I am proud to call her one of my best friends.

Last, but not least...this is Tiffany.



Tiffany is my big sister. When we were younger, I don't think you could have found two sister more different. Tiffany was the prissy girl who loved everyone and was kind and gentle. I was the opposite. While we could get into some pretty decent fights (which I always won by the way), we have many great childhood memories together. Time passes by quicky, and before I could blink she was married and the mother of three amazing kids.



What a woman she turned into. Tiffany is one of my best friends. Through the years sometimes we led very different lives, but we were always there for each other. Tiffany is a wonderful mother and a great wife. Her patience and unconditional love for her family is something I hope I carry with me to mine. She is still just as sweet as always...but she definitely has a back bone and is not afraid to tell me what I need to hear. We've lived in different states for the past 4 years...but she is just that person that I talk to almost everyday. She is a true example of how a wife and mother should be. I hope that some of what I've seen her do rubbed off on me.

So, for now I guess that wraps it up. I'm glad I did this because even though life can get you down...I refuse to stay down. Besides...who could with all these great people around?