Friends are such precious gifts.  I have been so blessed over the years by the enriching, encouraging, edifying relationships I’ve had over the years with my friends.  In times of pain as well as times of bliss, having a true friend by your side is priceless.

This week I was reminded of my gratitude for the friends in my life, both old and new.  I had a couple busy days of meetings this week and had planned on having my mom watch Olive.  My mother had been called to jury duty on Monday but I assumed there was no way on earth that she would be selected for a jury.  I love my mama, but anyone who knows her would agree with me that the idea of her getting put jury is… farfetched.  Well of course Murphy’s law rang true and my mother was put on a jury on Monday afternoon, leaving me in a mad rush to find someone to watch Olive for the better part of the next day with very little notice.

I am so glad that my sweet friend Melody, of Sweet and Saucy Shop, joyfully came to my rescue. (Mel is co-owner of Sweet and Saucy Shop — a fabulous bakery with locations in Long Beach and Newport Beach.  If you haven’t tasted her treats yet, you must!)  She graciously agreed to watch Olive on Tuesday, even though it meant shifting her schedule around.  She loved on her, cared for her, changed her dirty diapers, fed her yummy organic food, and kept her on her schedule (napping, etc.).  She also took copious amounts of adorable pictures to keep me posted on how she was doing.  Getting the texts between meetings made me miss my little girl, but it made me smile knowing that she was in such great hands.  Mel cared for Olive as if she were her own, and that is all a mother could hope for.

I met Mel back in the beginning of 2010 (!) through the wedding industry.  We hit it off right away and we’ve made so many fun memories together since then.  In 2011, we both got pregnant around the same time.  I cherish all the fun conversations and texts we exchanged as we eagerly awaited our first babies together.  Our little girls were born in March 2012 only 8 days apart.  I can’t wait to watch our daughters grow up together; I hope they share the same sweet friendship we do.

March 2012 babies club!  Christina + Melody + Me with J5, Blake and Olive!  This photo was taken at Blake’s 1st birthday party in March of this year.

Here are some of the sweet pics Mel took while she watched Olive on Tuesday…

the sweetest!!!

napping in Blake’s crib!

On the other side, today I got to meet a new friend!  Well, today was the first time we met in person.  😉  Julia is the amazing jewelry designer behind AVGVSTA (seriously, I cannot get over her stunning necklaces), and she and I became acquainted through our mutual friend Tina (a former client, now friend!).  She has a darling daughter named Ursula who is just about one month older than Olive.  They were in town this week so we were able to grab a quick coffee and park playdate before they went home.

they both got soaking wet from splashing in the fountain!

Ursula looks like a little doll here!

As we chatted over the elated laughter and squeals of our little girls, I felt like I was catching up with an old friend.  I can’t wait to see her (and little Ursula!) again soon.

I am so thankful for the blessing of friends, old and new.  Sharing life with others makes it sweeter.  🙂 Thank YOU for coming along on my life journey here, too.  What a fascinating time we live in, when bonds can be forged across miles and miles through words posted on the web.  I am grateful for everyone who takes the time to stop by and read.  Have a great night!