Thankful for Friends

Friends are the one of the best gifts you can have in your life, IMHO(In My Humble Opinion). Below are pictures of some of the people I hold most dear in my heart and look to for advice on a daily/weekly basis. The common ground they have besides the fact that they are all AMAZING, is that they make me laugh and are very honest with me. These photo's are in no particular order....

I also must state for the record that I don't have one of Donna or Bitty... Donna is also someone I count on in life more then she knows. Donna is one of those people who you instantly admire for her poise, organization and approach to life. She's also loyal to the core and always has my back. Bitty used to be my neighbor.... then she crawled into my heart and became a dear friend. We went through a time where we weren't close but we are now and I am so glad to have her in my life again. She's a little bit country and keeps it real for me when I'm having a nuts moment.

<-----Meet Candi & Tina. (Candi in Grey, T in pink) We three have been friends since WAY back in HS. Ok, it wasn't that long ago, but it sure feels that way. We have seen each other through ups and downs of all kinds. Candi is the type of friend who won't let you walk out of a dressing room because the dress looks that bad. :) She also has the most sarcastic sense of humor and keeps me in line when I gossip to her. (She's one of my fav's to gossip with) She truly cares about what is going on in your life and will let you ramble on till you need to. She also has the most fashionable clothes and makeup (next to Tiff... who is a fashionista too!) Then there is T. T is the type to always listen and play devils advocate for you. She surely hears what I need but also nicely points out where I might have over-reacted or maybe the other persons side of my sad feelings. She's a saver by nature is always passing along good tips/tricks for saving money. They both have kids close in age to mine and I look forward to them all growing up together.

<-----Meet Ann Marie or AM as we sometimes call her. AM is one of those people who is genuinely kind and wonderful. She's shy at first and strikingly beautiful. She's fun loving, patient beyond any means that I posses and an incredible talent. She can dance her tush off. AM loves to laugh... mostly at me and is always reminding me that I'm special... to her anyway :) I Love you AM.

<---Meet DesmaLee (in the middle in White) She

is related to me, kind of. Poor lady. When I met

her I was a little skittish of becoming close to

her because she's Joe's cousin and I feared that

she wouldn't approve of lil old me. We became

instantly close and have remained that way.

She is loves Christmas music, baking (though you'd never know looking at her) and her daughters. She also lets me vent about life and is very encouraging. She's wonderful! Love u Lady.

<--Also meet Tiff. (She's the redhead to the right of DesmaLee with her shoulder peeking out) Tiff is very funny, she tells it like it is, can cook like Paula Deen and loves NKOTB (more then me... if you can believe that) She has a giving heart and fun loving soul. Lucky to have you Tiff.

Meet the ECFE Mommies... oh wait.. you've already met them. (Sorry for duplicate picture) They are, Jen (in white) Kristin

a (in black) and Dona (in pink). These women are newer friends of mine. We have known one another for just over a year or is it 2? Mommy brain fart here. We met in an ECFE class and became as Jen would put it, "insta-friends" Kristina is a gabby lady with much to say and laughter to spread. She's a hairstylist and is always telling us fun stores about her little girl Olivia and her sassy ways.... not that she gets it from her Momma. Dona is also referred to in other posts as Jack's beloved Doughnut. (which is far from what she is... this amazing Mommy has lost 70 lbs and is looking so beautiful... the pict doesn't do her justice. She is a wonderful friend and incredible Mommy. She's confident and honest as well as sincere and loving. She's what you could hope for in a friend and I admire her as a mom too. When I think of Jen the word graceful always comes to mind. Jen is the mom who never seems to panic. She's had her share of not so wonderful things happen to her little ones and yet she's still positive and never panicky. I also admire Jen (and Dona's) sense of style and organization. Jen is always put together and so relateable that its unreal. She's amazing. I'm lucky to count them also as my inner circle of women that I admire and love.

How Lucky I am to not only have 1 but many women in my inner circle to lean on, confide in and feel loved by. I'm so very thankful for them.