For Those Who Have Been There For ME!

It's been over a year since I decided to stop speaking to my parents. I get a lot of questions about this topic. The one that I get most frequently is "What do you do without family?" or "Don't you guys miss out on a lot?" My entire life there has always been someone that has been there for me when I needed it. I don't need to be related to have someone mean the world to me. I also want to teach Van something...just because you are related doesn't mean anything. You still deserve respect, and respect is something that is earned.

My life has always been a challenge. There is and always has been a person that awaits me after or during every challenge that helps me. I started thinking today about all those special people that I share my life with, and I wanted to share them with you...and these are not in any order.

Vanessa is my calming when I have a storm brewing. She is that person that I e-mail with while I sit in the bathtub late at night. She is my bandaid.

Awhile back I won a giveaway on Kamie's blog. She was giving away mixed tapes of her favorite songs. Somehow Van got a hold of one of them, and now listens to it every night for bed. It makes me smile. It makes Van smile, and it is just what we always need.

JoAnne is my boss. Honestly she gives me so much time off, it's ridiculous. She invites me to her ward parties, and has even invited me to Thanksgiving multiple years in a row. It is nice to have someone that I can go to and say "I need a Mommy day off!"

Margaret (also known as 6 pk on my blog) has a contagious kind of happiness. Every time I see her she rubs my belly, and is giddy about Vin. She is over the top nice to Van!

Jerilee is my church friend. The only person I have borrowed eggs from in my neighborhood, and the one that makes me feel like coming to church. I don't think that Jerilee realizes how much she really does mean to me. I feel like a fish out of water when I am at church, and she is my comfort zone.

All my cute nieces, the package you sent to Van for her birthday was spectacular. Of course the rawkin' jewelry is fantastic, but the special notes that now adorn her bedroom make us smile. Thank you.

Kristina doesn't realize how much her comments on my blog mean. How she keeps up on blogs is incredible. Loves.

Callee likes to keep it real. That is one of the many reasons why I love my Coke drinkin' friend. We need to plan a Maverick run when Vin comes out -k-?

Landon is the bestest lunch buddy, and I appreciate that he pretends to agree with me...even if he doesn't.

Camille has amazing giveaways, and I just so happened to win the family photo shoot. It really has given me something to look forward to! Oh, and she is a pretty amazing person too!

Tammy is my cubicle mate. I have known her since I was 12, don't ask her how old that makes her! ;) Tammy is the one that will watch our Van, while I bring our new son into this world. Tammy is the one that I text secrets to, even though we sit 5 steps aways from each other. I look forward to work, because I have her to talk to.

Then there is Janet, Krystal, Paige, Sam Jo, Rebecca, Steph, Mrs. R, Leisha, Kim, Whitley, Kendahl, and Brenda...hugs and kisses to my ladies!

Of course my list wouldn't be complete without BFF, Shane, Jackie, Sista, Paul, Van, and Vin...you are what makes up my family, and that is what I couldn't be happier about!

So does this answer your question as to how I make it without my parents? Any other questions for me?