Michael W. Smith was right...

Friends are friends forever. And I feel like I have the best friends ever.

From decorating the house upon our return. To providing meals. To sewing crib bedding. To calls and visits and notes and gifts. Even a gift for the dog! We have been overwhelmed by how our friends have celebrated Luci May with us.

Last weekend, friends threw a shower for me and the Lulu. Thank you Mindee, Rachel, LeAnne, and Robrenna. It couldn't have been in a more beautiful setting, Mindee's back yard...
It was so delightful to be with friends from the neighborhood and my kid's school along with their daughters...
My mother-in-law, sister and niece were there too (Gunga was sick), but sadly, this is the only picture I have of them "lurking" in the background...
Luci was getting some love from another Ethiopian princess, Kate....
Her family is from Ethiopia, but live here in the States now. They have been such a blessing in our lives.

The food was incredible...
And everyone knows, I don't turn away gifts...
I loved all the gifts, but one had sentimental value. Robrenna gave me a Willowtree figurine that she had painted so it was me and Luci...
For those of you Ethiopia adoptive families reading this, her tip is DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Unless you are confident in your painting skills, that is.

If she was trying to make me cry, it totally worked...

This was the reaction when...
we dropped the beloved figurine. Thankfully, it didn't break. Then you would have really seen me cry!

Not to be outdone, Lulu left a little present of her own...
Stealth spitting up is a talent of hers.

We both had a great time...
While I was totally energized by the whole event, she was wiped out...
It can be tiring to be adored.

That weekend also brought a visit from Aunt Deb, as my kids call her. She's not really their aunt. But she's close enough. Deb came from Denver to meet Lulu and enter into this experience with us...
She came a long way to see Lulu, but didn't get to hold her until right before she was getting on the plane. I broke down and handed the baby over...for a brief minute. Judging by the above picture, I think Luci was glad Aunt Deb came too.

She and I, along with Le Anne, have been friends since college and were reunited yet again last weekend...
We have lived through college days, a streaking incident, 11 babies between us, Alzheimer's, MS, and breast cancer. Our friendship of 20 years has known lots of late night talks, many tears and even more laughter. It is a treasure indeed.

Bill and I have often said that while our salary may not reflect it, we are filthy rich due to the friendships that we have been blessed with. This post reflects some of that undeserved, yet much appreciated relational affluence in our lives.