Strawberry Picking

Now that school is out and we are fully immersed in packing and preparing to move, we have been pretty busy.  And not in a fun day for my little kiddos.  Because of this, we have to find activities at least every few days that are purely for pleasure.  Today we decided to check out the local strawberry field and pick us some berries!  Robby wasn't sure if he would enjoy this, but luckily he changed his mind!  He turned out having a blast picking the "juiciest, reddest" one's out there.  We also brought our cute neighbor friend, Natalia, to do one last activity before she left with her family that evening.  We are sure going to miss our fun neighbor friends.

Natalia, Maddie, Eli, and Robby

Kind of a blurry picture of myself, but I had to document the fact that I was also there :)

 Robby wanted to make sure I took a picture of him eating a delicious strawberry!  He has the craziest hair right now that is in desperate need of a trim

TP Besties

I cannot believe I am already writing this farewell friends post.  Two years have gone by way too quickly in many ways.  I remember how nervous I was moving all the way across the country in 2011.  Three lovely ladies made that move much more tolerable and easier.  I knew that once we all got to New Hampshire, we would all be living in the same neighborhood, while our husbands attended the same graduate program, all living far away from our families.  The best part was that I already knew our personalities clicked after spending admitted student weekend together.  It was like having built in best friends.

Once we all arrived, we immediately became fast friends.  These were the ladies I could count on day in and day out to listen to me when I complained too much, without ever telling me to stop complaining.  They have all offered advice and encouragement when I have been discouraged, with patience.  We have been able to share exciting news with one another whether big or small.....pregnancies, births of new babies, personal bests on running achievements, husband internships and job offers, clean houses, happy children, fun vacations, etc.  We have also uplifted one another through hardships as well.  We have all worked together to make every small birthday and holiday a big celebration.  We have ran together, cried together and even laughed so hard that we were once again crying together.  They have been here as I have continued to grow older and become more confident as a mother.  They have seen me at my very worst and at my very best.  They have been the reason that these past two years have been some of the happiest years of my life.  They are all an inspiration to me.  

Each of them are amazing mothers, friends, wives, sisters, and daughters of God.  They inspire me to try a little harder every day.  They remind me just how important friendships are in our busy lives, especially as women.  They have all taken precious time out of their lives to get to know and love me and my children.  They know me well enough to know many of my flaws, and yet they still love me.  Not only are they all beautiful on the outside, they each have incredible spirits.  They are kind and loving, funny, sarcastic, selfless, creative friends.

As we all prepare to move far away from each other, it absolutely breaks my heart to have to say goodbye to them.  I honestly can't imagine finding a better group of friends anywhere else in the world.  The only thing holding me together right now, is the knowledge that we will continue to get together for girls trips, reunions, joint family vacations, and races.  

Thanks Michelle, Maren, and Andrea for your friendships.  I will always think of you as my family.  I will always remember all the great memories we have shared together.  You will each have a piece of my heart wherever life takes you.

Tiffany (me), Michelle, Maren, and Andrea