My Friends' Kids

My friends have been having kids for several years now. It used to bother me that most of my friends were a couple life stages ahead of me, but I'm more ok with that now (most days at least). I've always really liked kids... maybe it's because I act like a kid most of the time anyways. When people I knew first started having kids, it was great. They were learning new things and I was holding cute kids. Nothing has changed in that aspect....my friends' kids are still amazing, and cute, but my feelings towards them have changed over the past few years. Basically....these kids are making me soft.

I guess the first time I noticed this was around last year. Before I continue.....please know that I've always loved my friends' kids and would do anything for them. I'm gonna highlight a couple specific kids to illustrate my point....but know....I absolutely love them all. Ok, so I'm privileged to hang out with a certain 3 kids just about all the time. My friend Leslie, just like all my other friends, has amazing kids and last year was her daughter, Sofia's, 2nd birthday. It was a typical birthday with balloons and cupcakes and the chaos of small children being in the same room. There was one noticeable difference though. Every time Sofia would open a present she would say, "Susan!! Susan, look what I got!" And just like that, I was trying not to openly weep in public. That 2 year old had family and friends around....but she wanted me to see every present she got.

The examples of this have only gotten more frequent. The other day, Leslie told me that Judah, her oldest had his first loose tooth....and my first reaction was to cry and say, "No, it's not time for that yet." I was honored that a few days later he FaceTimed me to show that it had fallen out and the tooth fairy was on her way.

It happens with kids I don't get to hang out with as much too. My friend Crissy has a daughter that is literally her mini me. I've known Crissy my whole life...and seeing that kid makes me so freaking happy. What is happening to me?? All I want to do is hug that kid because she is a little Crissy.

When my college roommate, Mindy, texted me a few months ago....somehow I knew before she even told me that she was pregnant. When pics of sonograms and sound bites of heartbeats followed, my eyes were welling up with tears once again. My heart literally ached the day my mom had to attend Mindy and Lindsay's baby showers without me. I'm so excited for the new faces I get to meet this fall!!

The more I am around kids, the more I am amazed by the people who raise them. I get to spoil them and give them back when they cry. I can't imagine shaping a human for the rest of their life. For the longest time, the only mom I ever really knew well was mine (who sets the bar impossibly high). Really observing my friends as moms has been incredible, probably because I understand just how blessed their kids are to have them. I know I'm making light of my newly discovered softness, but I'm really thankful to have all these kiddos around me. I'm thankful I get to experience the joy kids bring... and goodness how do you moms deal with these emotions all day as they grow up too fast?? Geez! I'm thankful that I have been blessed with friends beyond what I deserve. I hope this weekend you all feel extra special and know that I am amazed by how you keep little humans alive. I love all the moms in my life. Don't worry Eleyse....you're still on top. Happy Mother's Day!

5 and 5

So last month my parents were in town. It was magical and amazing and everything you can imagine when Simon and Eleyse are in close vicinity. I was spoiled and happy and made an ugly scene when they had to leave again. Anyways, while they were here, Dad asked me a fun question that I thought warranted  a blog. He asked my 5 favorite places I've ever been and the 5 top places I wanted to go. Woah!! You wanna make this traveler happy....you ask her a question like that. So I stood there looking at a map of the world, thinking about all the amazing places I've been able to go, but also realizing that there is so, so much more to see. Here are my answers (for now at least):

The 5 Favorites Places I've Been:

1. Cape Town, South Africa: This was an easy one. It's been my favorite place in the world for a long time. I know that it's a bold statement....but it's true. It's the best place on earth. I felt like I was in a movie the whole time.....huge mountains that end in a crystal blue ocean filled with whales and penguins on the beach. Yall, I can't even. I would live there in a second!!

2. Thailand: I know I was really confident in my first answer.....but if I'm honest this is a closer second than I let on. Thailand has it all....beautiful beaches, friendly people, elephants everywhere, and the food!! I don't have the words to describe how good the food is. It's such a relaxed and beautiful area.

3. Kenya: This is one of the first places I ever traveled, and it has held my heart for a really long time. I've been so blessed to travel back there multiple times. There are all these quotes about how Africa gets inside of you and never leaves, how you can never quite get all the African dust off your shoes. It is so true. East Africa is such a special place and the memories from there are priceless. The nature is one of a kind and those people are so friendly. It's this special kind of friendly that you hope to be, but know you will never measure up to....the kind of friendly that I've learned to pick out all over the world. I'm pretty good at picking out a Kenyan and it's all I can do to not jump up and hug them after I ask where they are from.

4. Italy: I traveled to Italy in high school and remember loving it, but probably didn't appreciate it like I should. Last summer I went back and good grief...that place is incredible. There is so much history and even though I am no where near a history buff, I can still appreciate it. There are ancient cities as well as amazing natural landscapes....and pizza and gelato that will bring tears to your eyes. The people are friendly and beautiful (dark facial hair everywhere...hello!!!)

5. Greek Isles: Now this is the one area I've spent the least amount of time in, but that didn't stop it from becoming my favorite. I LOVED Santorini and I'm itching to get back there as well as explore the rest of the islands. It is so laid back and beautiful....like every good coastal town should be. People get around by scooter and 4 wheeler. Ugh!! I would live there in a second as well.

As much as would love to just go back to these places over and over....there's something about seeing great places that make you wanna see what else is out there. Yall, the world is awesome...and there are so many places to see, people to meet, and food to taste. I absolutely love it.....anyone know of  any travel writer, blogger, etc. jobs out there....cuz I'm all over that...seriously...let me know.

Top 5 Places I want to Go:

1. Australia/New Zealand: Ok I'm already cheating with these two. I realize that they are two different places, but I have too many places I want to go and if I ever get to one of these places...I'm going to the other...so justification! I mean Australia has beaches and animals and people who talk really cool. New Zealand has some of the best landscapes I've ever seen....go watch the Hobbit and you'll understand.

2. Argentina: Believe it or not...I have never been to South America....or Central America for that matter. I choose Argentina because of Patagonia....obviously. Have you seen picture of that place?? Take a break and go do a google image search now....you're welcome.  I talk a big game when it comes to hiking (I like it, but I just don't do it a lot), but I'm becoming a mountain climber for that place....good grief it's beautiful.

3. Zambia: I can't stay away from Africa for too long.....and I've always wanted to see Victoria falls. It's also home to the Zambezi river, which is one of 2 rivers in Africa that you can white water raft....I've rafted the other one (cue twinkle in Susan's eye).

 4. Iceland: I know....this one sounds random....but once again, a quick google image search will help you understand. It is beautiful...the days last forever....and you can see the Northern Lights. Need I say more??

 

 5. Japan: My East Asia experience is pretty limited unfortunately, but Japan seems like such an interesting place, and different to anywhere I've been before. The fact that it is the birthplace of sushi only encourages me.

 Man this blog was fun to write, and the potential adventures are making me a little discontent at the moment. I'm thankful that I've been able to see so many amazing places. I'm thankful that there are so many more places to go see and learn about. This love of travel kinda snuck up on me when I wasn't looking. I feel like the best things do though. I've actually got my next trip already planned and the coolest part is that it involves no where on the above lists...so these favorites could be changing very, very soon. I'll let ya know...