Show and Tell: My tribe

I love today's topic with Andrea - mainly because I think I hit the jackpot when it comes to tribes. 

I am so grateful for the women in my life. My first true loves. Nothing can replace or take away from Ryan and what he means to me and how he fulfills my life... but nothing can replace or take away these ladies either. I have been given such a treasure in the women in my life. I love them so fiercly that it's scary. 

I would walk through fire, swim through freezing cold water, eat a bug, or fight a giant for any one of them and they would do the same for me. The beauty of our friendship is the grace in which we love each other. We all mess up. We all make stupid stupid choices and we are not afraid to love each other through it. 

I was given two brothers by birth... but God decided that I needed a sister, too. I met Jenni in kindergarten but we became besties in the first grade. We were both in Mrs. Sadler's class (seriously the best teacher ever) and pretty much from that year on, we were inseparable. We took cheerleading and dance together. We had sleepovers. We shared secrets. We played dress up. We lived life in pure bliss. 30 years of loving someone and being loved in return is more than a person could even begin to ask for. I could write an entire series of books on all that we have done, seen, heard and lived. Boyfriends and breakups, junior high angst, high school drama... love and marriage, death and babies... we have done this all together. Side by side. Through prayer and patience - she has loved me. She keeps it real. Annoys me with her goodness and grace, keeps me honest, keeps me sane, and makes me whole.

As time went on our friendship just grew. And soon after, our Moms became best friends, too (because they basically had no other choice). How awesome is that? My best-friend's mom is my mom's best friend.  For 30 years, they set an example to us what it really means to be a friend - there is no greater gift than that. We lost Dee almost three years ago and not a day goes by that my mom doesn't miss her friend. I love their friendship. They took such great care of each other, made each other laugh. Loved and fought just like sisters. They celebrated each other through the good and supported each other through the tough. 

Dee, Mom, Me and Jenni  on my wedding day!

Lyndee and Charis complete my childhood crew. They are the friends every girl needs in her army of women. Fierce. Funny. Freaking awesome at fixing hair and makeup. Honest. Strong. And they will defend the heck out of you - even if they don't know the whole story. They don't need to, because they are on your team. They are your family. They have your back even if you don't ask them. They love. They laugh. They complete the foursome. A foursome I miss. A foursome I pray to be reunited and rekindled. A foursome that can't be broken by time, by distance, by mistakes or misunderstandings. We four are the Ra Ras... and if you would believe it... we even have a creed:

We stand by each other through thick and thin

We support each other our forever friends

We love each other in good times and bad

We say “you look skinny” to make you glad

We toast to successes and failures, too

We celebrate our friendship in all that we do

We laugh and we cry through hellos and goodbyes

We live for the moment whatever that may be

The Ra Ras forever, the Ra Ras are we!

And just when I thought God couldn't give any more... that I didn't deserve anymore... he had another set of women waiting for me, in my home that was yet-to-be. Because, at 17 I had no idea that this little ol' town of College Station would stick. That I would stay. That I would even need more women to make me whole. 

But He did. 

One random fall day in 1999, when my roomies and I were having a small(ish) Saturday night "prayer meeting" (ehm)... I was introduced to one of my roommates girlfriends. We were anxious to meet this "Cindy" person that Josh had been spending so much time with. Never in a million years would I have guessed that I would eventually spend half of my life with her, too. Ha! (She likes to say that I was mean to her, but I contend that I was just being protective of my basic 3rd brother.) 

The years went by, we survived graduate school, weddings, first babies, work, deaths, second babies, third babies, more work, more death and everything in between. We have let our guard down, sometimes put fences up, been brave, been vulnerable, been hateful, but forgiven. She answers my phone calls, replies to my texts instantly, loves my kids, and reminds me that being a friend is as simple as responding with "how can I help". She reminds me that it's not that hard to love someone. To help someone. To be brave for someone.

We have managed to create a village because He knew we needed one. And yet again, he brought me women. Women that love and laugh. That cry and pray. That yell and cuss. And defend and support. 

These women are my day to day. My people that live life next to me. They are not replacement friends. Because NONE of my friends are replaceable. These women challenge me in my work. Support me in motherhood.  Jenna calms me down, Krista makes me think, Jennifer lets me cry. 

And y'all. If that wasn't enough, because MERCY, how could that not be ENOUGH? He gave me more. Shelly and Holly were women behind a screen that, turns out, lived right here. Holly lives less than a mile away from my house. In a crazy twist of fate, we met in real life, exchanged phone numbers and they have become women that I turn to for advice, for laughs, for help, for inappropriate jokes... for whatever life throws at me. They accepted ME into their sacred circle of friendship and I am better for it.  These women show up in big and small ways. They reminded me that friendship is worth taking the time for. They don't just say, "let's grab a drink" they make sure it happens. And - they bring me wine, which is clearly the signs of a true friendship because what else do you need when your husband is gone four nights a week and you are responsible for the care of your children than alcohol? They welcome all parts of me in - the good, the bad, the cray cray... and they love me for it. We've known each other a year, but we've got a lifetime to go. 

And to think of all the threads of the quilt that makes up my entire story of friendship? Oh my gosh - I can't even begin. Niki is my let's get shit done girl - my across the states neighbor and friend - my buddy and partner in crime. Amber understands the long hours. Jen and I share the same non-existent sleeping habits. Susan is my soul sister in every true meaning of the word.  Jenn is my long-distance sister wife. Stephanie is my excuse to have a little sister to boss around because I clearly know better. They are beautiful. They are strong. They are brilliant.

They are the women I pray for when I close my eyes.

They are the women that I hope my daughters think of when choosing friends of their own.

They are the women that I carry in my heart.

They are who I want to make proud.

They make me love stronger, feel deeper, and pray harder each and every day of my life.

They are my answered prayers.

They are my girlfriends.

They are my tribe.

And to quote my friend, Mel, Nobody's Cuter than Them.

InstaKings...

Turns out the entire week was made up of some kind of wonderful moments, here's a sneak peak into the life of the Kings... 

I discovered these from Sunday night - photo cred goes to Radley, styling cred goes to Emmy and Landry. 

I kind of accept the week leading up to the 4th of July as a challenge to put the kids in as much red, white and blue as possible. Day 1 and they were killing it - Superman totally counts.

I go into crazy beast mode every summer and try to make up for the fact that I never work out by working out almost every day. My favorites are the days I look up workouts on Pinterest and sweat it out in the garage. I made myself absolutely laugh at loud at my Snaps on Monday afternoon... 

Monday night, Holly, Shelly and I decided that last minute pedis and margs were a great way to start the week. Let me tell you this, readers, IT ABSOLUTELY WAS. Besides the fact that my feet were desperate for a pedicure, my soul was desperate for some girl time. And maybe a little relaxation. No lie, as my foot rub began, I looked at them and said, "I'll be back in 10 minutes"... 

I'm not sure what I love more - friends that totally get the needed break, or friends that snap pictures of it! HA! Then we headed to Chuy's and split some fajitas but managed to drink our own margs. 

;)

Red, white and blue - day 2 - please ignore the accessories. Or don't and just embrace it like I do. I love that Landry is on her tippy toes trying to be as tall as Emersyn. Everyone comments on how little Emmy is, but the truth is that Landry is shorter at her age than Emersyn was. They're less than 2 years apart and Emmy has about 3-4 inches on her. 

Tuesday was full of fun, including this trip to Target for them pick out treasures with their own money. 

Wednesday started with our accessory A-game - I have no idea how we accumulate so much patriotic gear, but I love it.  

Can we discuss how much I love eggs - I could eat them for every meal. This was a quick lunch of sautéed zucchini, squash and our homegrown maters with two fried eggs. I'm such a sweet wife that I snap pictures of stuff like this and send it to Ryan in case he doesn't miss me enough. 

Wednesday night we got to hang with baby Jacob and bring the Acosta 5 dinner. I was totally prepped to be smitten with by him but I was not prepared with how much these three would adore him. I mean, look at them in that bottom right picture. It's **almost** cute enough for a 4th babe... almost. 

This was another pic I found that Rad had snapped. They spent two days counting every single coin they had in their banks and rolled all but the pennies. Radley was being a good little blogger/social media guru and had them stand around the pile for the perfect photo op. 

Day 4 of Red, White and Blue with a teensy bit of neon thrown in for good measure. 

Holly and her crew came over to decorate our July 4th parade gear - by 11:59am we felt it was acceptable to enjoy a cold one. 

We are ready for the parade - I just hope that Jeep can carry all the cargo!

We also realized that exactly a year ago, we were bringing treats to our neighborhood fire station... we couldn't let the day pass us by, so we grabbed some ice cream and toppings and dropped off a sweet delivery. The kids had a blast hanging out with the C shift - it doesn't matter how many times we take the tour, it's always full of fun and new discoveries. 

Friday meant that the girls could **FINALLY** wear their mini-maxis.

Landry had a parade at school, so we had some fun with Snapchat while we were waiting. 

This was her last July 4th parade because I'm about 99% sure we will pull her out next year since I'm home in July and August. They had some sound issues but the kids still had a blast and looked darling parading around that gym. 

After the parade we grabbed all that change and headed to the bank to cash it in - y'all - they ended up with over $200! We decided that was their summer fun money - so whenever they want ice cream, a treat, go out to eat, etc..  then they can spend their own cash. 

#winwinwin

#takingdonationsfornextsummer

Friday night we had plans with some friends to go listen to some live music and enjoy some cold beer. We met the P's at Rad's kinder orientation because he is the same age as their second oldest kiddo. They ended up being on our soccer team AND moving to the WDS so now we see them almost daily. Our kids get along freakishly well, so we packed them all over to their house and split a sitter. We also ubered out to Lake Bryan so we could all enjoy and not worry about making the drive home. 

It was like we were in college - not caring who was playing just enjoying the sweet summer nights and live music. 

And of course, bar food. 

Years ahead with this crew - four of our seven are in the same grade so they are stuck with us for sure.

Thanks to Shelly's awesome post on summer fun,  we celebrated National Hop a Park Day and hit every splash park in BCS. More on this later... 

My sweet Sunday morning patriots... finishing the week strong in our red, white and blue!

We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging with Pops, playing with Legos, working in the yard, grilling some burgers and enjoying the blessings of our freedoms. 

That's us in an instant!

Summer favorites...

Truth: I have been writing this post for over three weeks ... but I kept getting tired/distracted by Netflix so I never finished it. But, I am NOT a quitter, so here it is - a few of my summer favorites.

Before I get really started, you know I must love you because I am about to post a picture of me on the INTERWEBS in a bathing suit.

But it's worth it, because I love you, friends, and this is hands down the best bathing suit I have ever purchased since I started actually caring what I look like a bathing suit. So basically past the age of 24, because until that age, I just threw something on and went swimming. Ugh. The good ol' days.

Reasons to love this suit:

1. Affordable
2. Covers all the bits
3. Low maintenance 

Where did I find such an amazing purchase? Target of course. For size reference, I'm in a medium. They also have it in blue, and I may just have to order it.

So now you have a fantastic suit - you need to make sure to protect that skin. We are in the sun lots and lots and lots and LOTS, so I don't skimp on the sunscreen. Growing up in the 90s, sunscreen meant baby oil and iodine, luckily my kids get super tan without all that mess. We stick to the SPF 50+...

1. Pure Sun Defense - I snagged these for the kids to take to camp because the bottles are pretty darn cute and it's endorsed by Hugh Jackman. What can I say, I'm a sucker for an accent. I like that the spray covers a ton of surface, but the bottles run out quickly. Coverage is good and no one complained about getting a sun burn. 

2. Beach Defense - This is what I use on me - I like the smell and it's SPF30 which means my vanity wins a little and I get a nice tan without the sun burn. 

3. Wet Skin Kids - I should buy stock in this. Just snagged two more bottles last weekend. 

4. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer - This is what I use on all of our faces. Seriously the best. Light, not sticky or greasy and lasts for a long time. 

5. Ban de Soleil - This stuff is amazing for when you want to be dark. Warning - it's only SPF 4 so don't go crazy. My dad has used this as long as I can remember so this smells like days at the pool to me. The best tanning gel out there. 

** These work for us - use what works for you! ** 

I don't know if it's the effect of summer, but I have totally turned back into a beer babe. Like, the only alcoholic drink I want is beer. My current beer of choice... 

Seriously, so dang good. 

I'm out of the baby era (PTL) but I do want to share my go-to for diaper rash because the heat + bathing suit moisture + sweat + Lord knows what = some nasty summer diaper rash. 

Do yourself a favor and order this. Life. Changing. 

I love the ease of summer. The long days and unplanned nights. The acceptability of eating cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The excuse to hang out with friends for no other reason than it's Monday. Cheers to that... 

And last but not least - I love my house in the summer. I keep out my red, white and blue all season long and although I was a little late putting it up this year, doesn't mean I love it any less!

I also love what I cook in the summer. (Well, when I do cook!) Lots of salads around here and I'm pretty excited to try even more from people that shared with Shelly and me during our link-up this week!

There you have it - my summer favs. Happy long weekend, everyone!

Linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci....