Friends...

Friends are an amazing phenomenon. People that you pick and that pick you back. People who are in your life because they choose to be. Because they actually like you! I love it!!

I have put most of those friendships to the ultimate test in the last year and I must say, there have been very few casualties. Some of you pictured below I don't see much of anymore due to geography but I love you just the same. You have always held a special place in my heart and always will.

Kristy, I will start with you cause I have known you the longest...

This is our 2nd birthday...

And Easter Sunday 2001...

 I'll bet your mama greeted Aimee with a great huge hug in Heaven last summer (:

Your my forever friend!

Heidi G. we met in the 7th grade and I know you had to put up with a lot being a quiet girl and all. I have embarrassed you more times than either of us can count. I just love that to this day I can still shock you!

8th grade hot tub and snow dash!

Memorial day parade 2004

Katie, Jenny, Katrina, Laurie, Jerelyn and Kathleen, my high school homies! We couldn't be more different if we tried, but we all have that unique blend of somethin and have friendships that have lasted more than 25 years. I always know you have my back no matter what.

Senior Ditch Day! Rosarito Mexico 1988!!! 

20 Year High School Reunion!!! Miguels Cocina 2008!!!

(there seems to be a running theme in these photos...)

The Kakster!!! My sweet, sweet Kakey! My favorite memory of you is the day before Bridger was born... the hospital called and wanted me to come in immediately and I couldn't get a hold of Rod. I was panicked, you called and then immediately rushed your 11 week pregnant pukey self over to my house to be with me while I invented new words to yell at my husband for not having his cell phone near him while having a 9 month pregnant wife.... (-:

Your wedding day! And your holding my Angel Baby! (she's 8 now!!!)

(yes this was a few years before the Bridger story)

Christy, Christy, Christy... can't have a Thanksgiving without thinking about you! I love you my friend and I truly hope that there is another Thanksgiving spent together in our futures...

Kristin!! You are one of the best parts of Rod and I being together... if that wouldn't have happened then I never would have met you! Your my adventurer... every time I am doing something in the outdoors and I get a little freaked out, I think to myself  "Kristin would do it and she wouldn't even think twice!" Then I put on my big girl panties and go for it! Cause (i tell myself'...) "if Kristin can do it then I can too!"

Crabbin' off  the docks in Coos Bay, 2010

Next we have sweet Miss Melissa who is just today getting into her car and drive off to a new life in Orlando, Florida. All this because her hubby did something lame and got a job at Disneyworld!!! Our girls and boys are the same ages and we have spent countless hours eating pancakes together, having sleepovers and talking on the phone... at least we will still have the phone right?

Thanksgiving 2011!! Nice turtleneck huh?

Most of you know my sweet Aimee, who went to be with Jesus, July 8, 2011... Miss you everyday friend!

Mother's Day 2010!!

I know this is a blog full of my girls but I just couldn't leave you out Ryan! You and Aimee are a package deal! I got a twofer outta this friendship! 

Lakeview, August 2011

These women are the ones who have been constantly and consistently picking up my pieces in the last year...  We've had some very hard moments...

 May 19, 2011...

Karla you always seem to get in touch with me at just the right time. Right when I need it. Whether its a word of encouragement or quick prayer as I head off for my next adventure...

and some not so hard moments...

Camping August 2011!!

Miss Pam you are the calm and quiet one, never a negative word said about anyone and always an inspiration to be around... I know I'll never be the quiet one in the group but if I could I'd like to be more like you!

We've run races ...

Girlfriends Half Marathon October, 2010

Miss Megan... you texted me every single day after we found out about Aimee... It really meant a lot to me that you were thinking of me and going out of your way to check in... love u!

Boogied

Allysons Wedding August 2011!!

Taryn! My red friend! I love that we love the same stuff and that you are always so friendly and welcoming to everyone... and that you stayed and partied with me so I could have someone to play with...(:

And boogied some more...

The Band Perry Concert!! Lakeview, August, 2011!!

Heidi P.!!! Your my BUTT KICKER!!! You let me whine for a few seconds or so and then tell me to pull myself up by my bootstraps and cowgirl up! I love that and I love that we put the same effort into working out as we do in drinking wine on the weekends! 

We have played with the pumpkins...

Mahaffy Ranch October, 2011!!!

My sweet Shawna. always encouraging, always pointing me strait back to Jesus, always practical and always loving. I love you my sweet friend!

And you have just been there when I needed to chat...

Miss Jenifer... one of the 1st people I met here in good ole CB. I love your casual no nonsense look at life and what you have accomplished with the hand you have been dealt. I love you and I love that our girls are best friends... (-:

And recently when my world went from this...

  to this...

 You all rallied yet again... Thankfully my Angel Baby is doing fine today but it was a scary 13 days...

Thank you to all my old friends and to my new ones...

And my very best friend in all the whole world.....

I love you more than life itself....

Thank you all! Thank you for being in my life and for adding so much to it... I wanted to create this list both as a thank you and as a reminder to myself on those days when I am struggling for things to be grateful for that I have a wealth of friendships that have spanned a lifetime and for that I am eternally grateful.

1st Day Of School! Sept. 6, 2011

Hi All!

I am going to be doing a little working backwards here... these are photos of the 1st day of school and I wanted to post them because they are current. I will then go back in a day or so and catch you up on the happenings in the Olson clan over the summer.

My creative Mr. Wonderful took most of these photos which is why they are artistic and fun. I took the ones of the kids standing in front of the door. I did it because its what i do every year. I completely ignored the beautiful geraniums right next to me, that would have been a much more suitable background. When my husband tried to graciously point out that I was missing out on this most beautiful backdrop I of course snapped at him and said I need to do what I always do because its tradition. I'm kind like that. Well as you will see in a moment, he was right, as usual. One would think that after almost 11 years of marriage I would just concede to the fact that he is pretty much always right. But I can guarantee you that this will not happen anytime soon. I have to keep fighting for that one moment in our marriage when I might actually be right. Good thing he is stuck forever so I have lots of time to practice....

Enough about me, here are my offspring on their 1st day of school...

 Yes... I left the all important door wide open...

 Brand new cowboy boots... My boy is proud!

 In true mommy fashion Bridger can't keep his mouth shut and is presently telling daddy what to do...

 Don't know what this is... and yes it worries me a little... thank goodness for the plaid, the boots and the wranglers!

 Camo is big this year...

 Those beautiful curls? Lots o sweat and tears people! Lots o sweat and tears...

 Notice how her smile is just a little pasted on? I think she is still mad over the curls. But in my defense she begged for days for those curls! It was not my idea, and believe me half way through I was truly regretting saying yes.

 Bridge on the other hand still thinks I'm cool. I'm cherishing every moment cause I know his time is a comin...

 Daddy was tickling Nat to get her to smile... he knows all the tricks...

 Beautiful background huh?

 Perfect for my beautiful girl!

Cause when she is not mad at you she is pure delight...

 Bridgy... mommy and daddy r great! Sissy... mommy and daddy r soo lame!

 Daddy's artistic shots... 

 Nat still thinks were lame... at least daddy is lame too...

 There she is! We are at the beginning stages of only getting glimpses of this but man o man do I love that 

girl! And when she truly grins it melts your world...

 She's gettin good at silly as well...

 Our best buddy Ian!

 The Three Amigos....

 Besties! They dressed exactly alike on the 1st day of school! It wasn't even planned...

Besties just know these things...

Here's to a great Kindergarden and Second grade year! I love you all my precious little people!

My letter to Aimee, read by Mr.Wonderful on Saturday July, 16 2011

Aimee

How do I put into words all that you and our friendship has meant to me? At Mom’s group you were this beautiful, quiet, sweet girl who I thought would never be friends with someone such as myself, who doesn’t even know the definition of the word, quiet. We did eventually get the chance to hang out and I remember being nervous that I wouldn’t be able to keep the conversation going… we ended up sitting on my back deck and talking for three hours! It was a really great time and it was the catalyst to one of the most beautiful friendships I have ever had. This is the public vs. private quality of yours and it is the one I love the most… in public you are smiley, sweet and very quiet, in private you are open, honest and quite funny. Oh, the sweetness and the smiles are always around but it’s your wit, sarcasm, strength and determination that I most admire and only those who are really close to you ever get to see you in that light.

Aimee, you call it like it is, you don’t mince words and you say what you mean. Like last year when I went a little nutso with the hair coloring kit and ended up with black hair. You took one look at me and said “I love you way to much to tell you that your hair looks good! You need to wear a hat until you can get it fixed.” Then you smiled that wonderful smile of yours, shook your head and laughed at me! Mind you, we were sitting in church when this conversation took place, so you pretty much sat there for the next hour and half, glancing at me, shaking your head and chuckling. The sermon seemed to last FOREVER that day!!

The seven of us or Olson2 as we have called ourselves has been the perfect combination of friendships. We have shared Holidays, Birthdays and Friday Nite Pizza Nites. In fact for the most part, there hasn’t been a day or two in the last 2 1/2 years that I haven’t seen your beautiful face. Its been a week now and I miss it soo much already.

          I have asked you several times in the last few years how you were holding up and your response to me was always the same. “God has given me great grace to walk through this, I have peace and I trust Him.”

          Personally I was really trusting Him for an earthly healing, one where you and I would spend our futures traveling around and telling people about your miraculous cancer survival story. When God’s plan and mine turned out to be different, I realized that I get to be the one who tells the story of your healing. The complete and whole kind of healing that can only be found in heaven. Selfishly, I have to admit I was way more in favor of the earthly healing and one day when I can stop being mad that I didn’t get my way, I will tell your story and I will tell people about and His grace and peace that were given to you in abundance when you were here.

          The only time I ever heard you cry about your situation was that Thursday evening about 6 weeks ago. You were in Portland so we were talking on the phone. You didn’t cry when you told me what was going to happen, you cried when you thanked me for being such a good friend to you and told me how much you loved me. You, my dear Aimee are the precious friend, you have taught me how to live, to love, how to be gracious, determined and strong. I have loved every single minute of Olson2 and I am the one who is thankful and grateful to God that He moved both our families to Coos Bay and the same time so that we could be friends.

I will love you forever,

Tiffany

Aimee Marie Olson

July 10, 1980 – July 8, 2011

Bridger The Craig!

This is our sweet boy Bridger... He is five years old and has more personality than we can handle at times. He refers to himself as Bridger The Craig. 

This photo of him was taken just before he started wearing glasses.

(photo courtesy of Rachel Diane Photography)

This was a few weeks later... He was sooo proud to be wearing his new suit!  We have recently become a little concerned with Bridger's in ability to express himself...

He can in a space of 30 seconds make you so mad you want to pull all your hair out and then have you laughing so hard that you almost pee your pants.

(I know, tmi, but these are the facts people!)

The other day he was supposed to be takinga nap... about and hour in he comes to the top of the stairs and says "Mommy? Um I've been trying with all my heart, with all my strength, with all my soul and all my might to take a nap. But I just can't do it!" I did not have a comeback for this soo, naptime was over.

Bridge is all boy ... all the time...

And I wouldn't change a thing...