dynamic duo

image: duotone2.com

this is the name given to my bff, robin and i
by a neighborhood dad back in the 1980s. 

it was appropriate because when we paired together
in our weekly street touch football games,
with that dad as the 'designated quarterback',
we almost unstoppable.

we were fast
and we could catch a ball.
we weren't afraid of anyone or anything.
we were dynamic.

today robin is still DYNAMIC and
this lady is celebrating her 40th birthday!!

she's is amazing in so many ways.
and i feel like i need to list them tonight
to celebrate my friend across the miles,
and to remind her (in case she forgets),
just how amazing she is.

first, she is independent (a quality i admire in woman).
she doesn't expect anything from anyone.
when she wants something done, she does it herself.
she's a doer...not a lazy bone in her body.

robin has had a full time job since she was 16,
put herself through undergrad and graduate school,
started a new career, and now has her own practice.
all the time, she is raising a young son with minimal help.
this woman works hard, and i mean hard.
still, when she can find some time, she lets her hair down and has fun!

and did i mention her physique?
even with her hectic lifestyle, she makes the time to workout.
this girl can compete with any 25 year old out there,
but she has the wisdom a 20-something can only dream of.
(a benefit of having 40 years under your belt). *grin*

it almost pains me not to be with her to celebrate.
even if she thinks birthdays are no big deal *wink*

so tonight before i got to bed,
i'm thinking back on so many things we've shared together over the years.
my list is long, but here's a few that pop in my head:

meeting in the rain, forts, riding the bus to school, being minorities at our elementary school, auditions, tryouts, dances, fights, swapping clothes, many sleepovers, first loves, toilet papering homes, lots of concerts (U2 was our first), family dramas, roadtrips, beach day, beach boys, clubbing, driving, first speeding tickets, playing the piano, experimenting (just a little), a reggae phase, a hippie phase, dancing, drinking, eating, cooking, sharing books, singing, bowling, marriages, divorces, and becoming mothers.

it's no wonder this woman shares a very special place in my heart,
a place that is reserved and will always be reserved just for her.

happy birthday to my fabulous 40 year old friend!!!!
here's to many many more.

vacation - final days in florida

c and i flew back to florida relaxed and SO ready to see our little guys.
we hadn't called to talk or skype with them during our 5 day trip in the D.R. 
we discussed it briefly, and realized it would upset scoutie if we did,
so we chose not to.  we did check in via email with grandma and she
reported all was well with the boys, which allowed me to relax and enjoy myself. 

the boys welcomed us home with BIG hugs and LOTS of kisses,
but after about 5-10 minutes, they were off playing again.
there was no clingliness or acting out which reconfirmed
they got along 'just fine' while we were away.

we only had a day and a half left in florida when we got back, so i was
on the telephone coordinating times to meet up with those i hadn't seen.
my girlfriend robin and her son met us at a bowling alley in orlando and we
all bowled and had a great time. more than once, we said we wished we
lived closer to each other. *sniff*




scout (3), finn (6) and reagan (8)

 












first time bowler - he loved it

 



  




reagan (8) and robin

  

from here the boys we headed to my brother todd and s-i-l heather's home
to meet the newest shappard member - jayden collin. 
he was wide awake when i arrived and later feel asleep in my arms. 
i literally held him for a few hours - taking in all his sweetness and newness.

i enjoyed watching the new parents in action.  they were wonderful!
i've been waiting to see my brother in the role of 'dad' for a long time and
he was amazing. he changes diapers, feeds, burps, bathes, you name it.
i'm know heather must love having a 'hands on' hubby. 

these sleep deprived and exhausted parents actually invited all my siblings
over for dinner that night so that I could see them all before i left. 
not only was heather playing hostess (after just having a baby),
she cooked AND baked for us all.
i can't thank these new parents enough.
i'm kicking myself for not having a group photo taken.*sniff*

we were up at early the next morning to catch a 6:30am flight back to san diego.

it was a whirlwind vacation, but a very satisifying one.

after the passport scare at the beginning, everything just came together.

without mom and dad, c and i wouldn't have been able to getaway and

for this we are so very grateful. 

she

she's wonderful.
she's brave.
she's strong.
she's inspiring.
she's unique.
she's my friend.
she's celebrating a birthday today
she's robin.

love you birthday girl!