Happy Birthday Rahsta Style.

Happy Birthday to the Best Friend a girl could have.

The last of us to turn 30.

Let me tell you a few things about the Rah.

Number 1 - If you need a cheerleader she's your girl. For anything she will literally cheer you on for any life moment big or small.

Number 2 - She's loyal. She is always there. Ain't no one going to be saying or doing anything negative about or to her friends or family. And she is always there when you need her.

Number 3 - She loves my kids. Even now she is upstairs playing lego rock band on her Birthday. She has thoroughly convinced my children that sometimes she comes over just to see them. Oh and did I forget to mention she took my kids for an entire week during her spring break so that I could go to Costa Rica. She's that awesome.

Numero Quatro - She's down for anything. I can mention I want to do this or this is on my bucket list and she is already to make it happen.

Five - She's in the process of adopting a "kid" as the kids refer to her new addition. Every time they see her which is often they ask her if she got her "kid" yet as if she keeps him/her under the stairs when she goes out. This sweet thing is in for a treat as it will be joining the greatest little family in the world. She is going to be a great mom...more prepared and ready than anyone I know! I mean really!

Six - She will call me or anyone on their crap. If I say something ridiculous she calls me on it, which is often:)

Number Seven - She invented the best friend booty call. This is genius! Anytime one of us is having a bad day or just needs to talk they can call the other and ask for a Margarita and at least an hour of girl talk. Sometimes we can leave in 10 minutes sometimes we leave after my kiddos are in bed but it happens nonetheless and it makes us happy. The person who calls the get together pays for the outing.

Ocho - She is really just the best ever PERIOD!

Happy birthday Rah you are the best friend a girl can have. We all love you over here. We were blessed to share this last year with you and are excited to share the next!!

My Mom............................................................................

I don't know if she will read this but Mom if you do I write this out of complete love and absolute recognition of what your life has been. And understanding that you have lost control over this.

Not a subject I write about much. If anyone needs to feel the sweet mercies of free falling grace it is this woman. I pray for her every day. I pray that God will bring her to her knees and turn her head so that she can see Him standing there to catch her. You see this may give you the wrong idea about my Mom.....she is not a horrible person. She is a sinner just like you or I. She has been dealt some tough cards and made some interesting choices in the past, but mostly she is just a Mom that loves her kids and her grandkids. A woman that doesn't always know the best way of doing this... but really do any of us? A woman that made choices that have racked her with guilt and a lot of pain. I would not want to trade her places for one second. But I will tell you one thing I love my Mom she has always done the best with what she has and sometimes that's not so much....sometimes its not even enough. She is plagued with much and I am sure freedom seems so far out of reach at this point and I don't really blame her for wanting to give up. I don't blame her for wanting to be done. But I just wish she knew how much I admire her in a lot of ways. I admire her for holding out long enough to raise my sister and I the best she could....for picking a man that not only loves her more than most could but also loved her children. And a lot more that I can't share on here.

Why am I writing this???? I can't go into a lot of detail right now. But I will ask if you are the praying kind to please offer up some for my mom tonight. You see she is no longer able to fight off the demons that plague her and she has finally asked for help and I just pray it works this time. Could you pray too? Pray that she will allow for the help to work. Pray that she won't give up because she will die if she does. Pray that she will be strong enough to block thoughts that you wouldn't want to live with for a second. Pray that she will let us visit when she is ready. Pray that she will find in her words, "a spiritual side to her life." Pray for us to be strong to be supportive but not enabling. Pray that my children will only need to know bits and pieces about this mess.