Cracker Barrel, MHS, Last Chance and the Andersons!

Sarah and I got up around 8:30am and had some fun “getting ready time” together in her new gigantic master bathroom! It was so great to curl our hair, put on our make-up together and ask each other opinions on outfit choices… just like old times! We were dorm buddies back in College! It’s the little things I guess!

Sarah dropped me off for breakfast as Cracker Barrel to see Jill, Katie, and Faci one more time! Breakfast was delicious, but the company was what really made it so great!

Then it was off to Millennium High School with Katie, which is where I used to work. We hung in her classroom for a bit so I could do a little blogging and she could get some work done. I was able to see 4 old co-workers who happened to be on campus during the break!

That was just a little added bonus to the outing!

One of my favorite stores in Arizona is called LAST CHANCE and I had wanted to find time to stop by while I was here, but my schedule was so darn jam packed.  Luckily I ended up with an hour window of freedom, so Katie drove me downtown to get some shopping in!

As soon as I walked in the door, I heard someone yell my name! When I looked up, I saw that it was my friend Sam, from One Place (my old church downtown) running towards me with open arms, prepping for one of his famous bear hugs! What made it even better was that he happened to be with my friend, and his beautiful wife, Kim! It was sooooo good to see them, and we talked for a good 20 minutes in the store’s entrance! Man I miss these two!

At 4:30pm, I was met by Chris (my former father in law) who drove to pick me up at LAST CHANCE to take me to their house in Cave Creek for a big Anderson family dinner party! He was so sweet and happy to see me! We laughed and chatted the whole way home. It had been 2 years, so we had lots to catch up on!

The whole gang was there to see me, which was such a blessing. It’s not often that families are able to continue to keep a relationship with a former family member, but these 8 have never stopped pursuing a relationship with me nor made it awkward because of the situation. 

They are a special group to say the least!

Kels and Kirstin

Last time I saw Caleb, he was only a year old, but Kirts and Jay talk about me with the boys while I'm in Korea, so when I got to AZ this year he immediately called me Auntie Jillers !  Melt my heart.

Not only did Molly arrange for everyone to be there, but the house and table were decorated to a tee...

all my favorite appetizer snacks were laid out...

... and she even contacted me weeks ago to ask what I'd like for the dinner menu to be!  Talk about feeling loved!  She's definitely the hostess with the mostest!  (Is that how that phrase goes?)  Anyhow, I picked my all time favorite Molly menu items and they were just as delicious as I always remmeber them being!

The entire night was special for different reasons, but my most memorable moment was when we all gathered around the table, held hands and began to sing "Be Present," a hymn that has been sung for generations in the Anderson family.  It was such a special moment, holding hands as a family, singing the song we'd sung many many times as a prayer together, and looking around seeing all of these special people (who at one point I thought I would lose) gathering together for me!  It would be an understatement to say that I was very touched.  The tears streamed down my face as soon as first word of the song was sung, which then made everyone else cry.  Poor Caleb, he was looking around at all of us, so concerned, because we were all tearing up.  I love his sweet heart! 

Before dinner, we all lounged in the family room, catching up and playing swords with the boys!

Then after dinner we played a game... because that's how we roll in the Anderson house!  A game is ALWAYS played!  Tonight's game of choice was 5 Second rule!

Caleb wasn't really old enough to understand how to play,

so he just cuddled with Kirst and baby sister!  So sweet!

I was old enough to play, but that didn't mean I was any good at it.  I had 1 card, while Mr. Wizz under pressure, Jay, had 5!  LUCKY!

Kirst asked me to snap some current pictures of her and Jay.  I'm pretty sure this isn't what she was looking for... but this one was my fav! 

Wish I was going to be in America for my baby niece's arrival!  I couldn't stop touching Kirsts belly to let baby girl know I love her already!

After a fun night of hanging together, Kelsey, Jameson and I all hopped in the car and headed to their brand new house in the West Valley!  It's gorgeous and Kelsey has decorated it like a model home!  I'm so proud of her and Jameson and all their hard work, not only with the house, but with their schooling, careers, relationship, friendships, etc!  They are one of a kind, and I'm so happy to call them family! :)

   

Cheers to another fabulous day!