Tuesday, July 20, 2010

OKLAHOMA

At the beginning of the school year one of my dearest friends and her sweet family moved to Oklahoma when her husband was stationed at the Army base in Lawton. I was surprised by my difficulty in losing a friend to the long distance. It was an emotional few weeks when she left. In January I found out she would be coming back to Arizona for her brothers wedding at the end of April and I was of course ecstatic!! We texted back and forth about dates and plans and then it occurred to me that I could really take advantage of the situation. She had planned to drive from Oklahoma to Arizona with her 2 daughters and her husband and boys would fly later. I offered to fly there and drive back to "keep her company" so she wouldn't have to drive/travel alone. Purely selfish on my part, because I knew that would ensure more time visiting and catching up!! I did not book my ticket right away because that is the kind of slacker I am. When I eventually remembered and got around to it the ticket was about $50 less, so who says procrastination doesn't pay!!! Also instead of flying in the day before it was less expensive to go 2 days early, BONUS!!! As it got closer and I worked out arrangements for all kids while I was gone, Malerie was the only one that did not have things going on while I was gone. I contemplated taking her but was leery about spending the extra money. The day before I was flying out another amazing friend hooked us up with a ticket so Mal was able to come for VERY cheap! I did not tell her until that morning, it was an awesome surprise. It was such a fun experience for her first flight to be just her and I. She did amazing on the flight, she didn't seem the least bit nervous and was just soaking it in. At one point she borrowed my camera and was taking all kinds of pictures of clouds, and the wings etc.


After we landed the four of us went and grabbed lunch and drove a little over an hour to Lawton. It was much different then what I had expected. It is a small town but not nearly as small as I pictured. It was so fun surprising Kate and Jill. They were expecting me but not Mal. The next Day the 3 of us ran errands to finish getting ready. It was just fun being together and being able to talk. Mal was a good sport just tagging along. One of our errands was getting the oil changed at the dealership. The salesmen were really sweet to Malerie. They have a pet parrot that lives at the dealership that apparently loooves kids. We went to meet Paco. I have to admit it was very entertaining!! We got him dancing which was hilarious! Malerie helped lift him from his perch back to his cage but the problem is that one she got him on her hand he was quite happy with her and rather going back on his cage he climbed up her arm to her shoulder and was intent on staying there!! He stayed on her shoulder playing with her hair and talking/dancing till we had to go and it took some serious coaxing to get him to leave her.

Friday we finished packing, and loading grabbed the girls and hit the the road for our 18 hour journey. I have to admit, it is NOT a pretty drive from Oklahoma, through Texas and New Mexico. We drove till we were tired and found a hotel for the night! The girls thought this was a great sleep over! Saturday we made it into town around early afternoon. It was good to be home and out of the car. That night a group of girls met up at Cafe Rio (one of our favorite places!!) for dinner and some more catching up. I am so thankful I was able to make this trip and take Malerie along. I have a deep appreciation for priceless friends and the impact they have on our lives.
LIFE IS SHORT, BREAK THE RULES, FORGIVE QUICKLY,
KISS SLOWLY, LOVE TRULY, LAUGH UNCONTROLLABLY,

AND NEVER REGRET ANYTHING THAT MADE YOU SMILE!!