Friend of the Week 3.31.06 (sorry, it's late!)

Friend of the Week: Katrina Martins

Katrina and I met in college when I was a freshman. I had heard about her through my friends, Brooke and Nina, but it wasn't until I participated in a Journeys weekend that I got to meet the infamous Katrina. Her sweet smile and words of encouragement showed me, from the beginning, that she was genuine and was someone I wanted to get to know. Years at WCU came and went and there were times when I wouldn't see or speak to Katrina for months at a time. However, like with any forever friend, just a few moments together and we were right where we left off. I was honored to sing in her wedding, and she was there cheering me on at mine. I am so grateful that God has continued to grow our friendship over the past couple of years. After Marty and I got married it seemed like God just took our friendship and allowed it to grow and grow and grow. We got to share in ups and downs with family and friends. We had a girls weekend in Pigeon Forge, TN and seemed to get to know each other even better overnight. She cried and prayed me through some really hard times when my brother was getting ready to leave for Afghanistan. And we stood in her lawn in Asheville and cried and hugged and cried and hugged right before God led she and Joe to Virginia Beach. I haven't seen this friend in quite some time, but often e-mails and late night catch up times on the phone keep us as close as ever. I am so glad that she will be joining us down here in the mountains for her Spring Break next week. It is sure to be a sweet time of scrapbooking, laughing, catching up, and of course, eating (I'm bringing the brownies!!!!)!
Katrina, I love you so much, and I am so thankful for the friendship that God has given to me in you. Thank you for always being an angel to me!
(This is Indian Chief Katrina in Pigeon Forge during our girls' weekend with her friend Standing Bear...and one heck of a sexy skirt!)

Friend of the Week 3.17.06

Friend of the Week: Lilly

Lilly is a 4 year old who was adopted by our good friend Diana. Lilly came to Diana from Kazakhstan whenshe was 13 months old. Since then, we have watched her grow and learn and with Diana marrying one of Marty's best friends, Andrew last June, our "family" continues to grow and grow. Lilly is far beyond her years, especially for a child who spent the first 13 months of her life in a crib in the other side of the world. After she began to warm up to us Americans, she immediately acted as though she had known us for years. She is always having conversations with us, like grown ups would. She is so good at copying EXACTLY what she hears adults say, which can be funny at times, and not so fun at other times! For example, her aunts recently took her to the Cabbage Patch Home in GA and let Lilly adopt her very own Cabbage Patch. Well, there are a few things you should know about him: he's probably the whitest (not human) baby I have ever seen and his name is Trevon Juan (pronounced Trey-vaughn, Juan...not imagine that being said by a 4 year old with a southern accent!). While we all think this is really funny, Lilly doesn't get it. Trevon Juan is her baby so much so that she "disciplines" him just like her mommy and daddy discipline her. At Christmas I heard her say in a whisper to Trevon Juan "What did mommy tell you? Do I need to put you in time out? You need to stay right here and think about what you've done until I am ready to play with you again." I thought I was going to die trying to hold in my laughter so she wouldn't see me crackin' up over what I had just heard!! It really was too funny. A couple of weeks ago I was in Murphy, NC organizing my friend's classroom. I met her at her church (where Lilly and her parents attend) that afternoon. I was standing around talking with some friends waiting for Breeze and I to get to work, and all of a sudden I hear from across the room a little voice say "SARAI!" I looked up to see Lilly running toward me, taggie blanket in hand. I was thinking that I hadn't see her since Christmas and her hair was getting so long. She ran right up to me, threw her arms around my neck and said "I haven't seen you in so long! Do you see my longs hair? My mom curled it for me this morning." It was adorable. She is quite the little girlie-girl. I certainly don't know any other kids who have been picking out their shoes & hairbows since they were 2 (and they always match!).
I love that Lilly, and I am so glad that God saw fit for her to bless our lives.

Friend Of The Week 3.10.06

Friend of the Week: Isabella Tate Hawkins

We are leaving tomorrow to go visit the Hawkins family in Raleigh for the weekend, so I wanted to write about the youngest Hawkins (though not for long), Bella.

Bella is the daughter of our good friends, Aaron and Eli (who Marty met at Mars Hill College). Since Bella came into our lives November 27th, 2003, we have been completely in love with her. I never thought that a 2 year old could be such a true friend, but she sure is. Even though we don't get to see her often, she is always asking her mom and dad about us. The funny thing is that she doesn't know who "Sarai" is...yes, she knows me, but not as Sarai. As a matter of fact, she will correct anyone who utters that word when referring to me. If you ask her who I am, she will respond "Water Rai". When she first began to talk, she couldn't say Sarai so I was referred to as "Rai" (a nickname that stemed from Marty calling me Sayray..then his friend Andrew calling me Rai, and various others who still call me "Rai"). Well, last summer we were at Eli's family's lake cabin in SC and went out on the water for some tubing activities one afternoon. Bella, watching me tube from the boat, started saying "Water Rai". She actually added "water" to everyone's name that day, but it only stuck with mine. So, now, a year later, she still calls me Water Rai, and it's the cutest thing I have ever heard. I have to wonder, though, if she will teach this name to her baby sister, Eden, who will be born in May, or if this will be a me and Bella thing...either way, it's ok by me! Nothing melts my heart like hearing that little girl ask for her "Water Rai"!!

Bella has one of the strongest personalities I know. There is no doubt about it that when you spend time with her, whether it be for 10 minutes or 10 days, you know exactly who she is and what makes her tick. She is VERY energetic (I guess I really don't know a 2 year old that isn't!), she loves to dance and sing VeggieTales, and loves to watch Noggin. She loves her family and is very excited about having a new baby sister, even though she is very confused as to why baby sister Eden and the Garden of Eden have the same name! :) She loves God and enjoys going to church and on play dates with kids from church. She loves people that love her, and she is probably one of the cutest kids in the whole world! After all, who wouldn't love this face???
I love you little Bella, and I am so excited about sharing life with you!

Friend Of The Week 3.3.06

Friend Of The Week: Beth

Beth and I go WAAAAAAAAY back. We met as campers at Truett Camp about 10 years ago. The next year, we got to work together as counselors there, and became instant friends. Over the years God has seen us through some major ups and major downs, but all the while, He had a plan that our friendship would last forever! Beth is now serving in Bosnia, helping to build playgrounds and youth centers. She has been there for what seems like forever of a 3 year term. We don't get to talk very often because phone rates are so high, but thanks to IM we do get to chat and catch up ocassionally. Just the other day, I got a surprise IM from her, and it made me sooooo happy! She ended up signing off before I got the message she left, but it felt so good to know that she was thinking about me! :) One of the most special times, to me, in our friendship was the day, about 2 weeks before our wedding, that she called and surprised me with the news that she would be able to fly in for the wedding!!! I immediately put her in a black dress and told her that she WOULD be a part of the day! It meant so much to me to have her there on the most important day of my life...from all the way around the world! This is a picture of us from my wedding, and it's one of my favorites. Mazi, I love you & miss you so much, and I can't wait to see you in July!

Friend of the Week Friday 2.24.06

Friend of the Week: Holly Farmer (soon-to-be-Crider!)

Holly is a very dear friend of mine. We met at WCU during Holly's freshman year (my sophomore year). She was interested in joining SAI (the music fraternity I was already a member of) and after meeting her at a couple of the rush activities, I knew we would be good friends. Holly has such a bright personality, and it overflows onto everyone she comes into contact with. During Holly's pledge period, I got to be her guardian angel, the one who showered her with encouragement and gifts during the semester-long ordeal. I soon found out that she was a Christian, and I was able to encourage her with SAI and in her spiritual life. After she became a sister, our friendship continued to grow. We spent many nights after our weekly meetings chatting in the hallway. She was one of those people who seemed to understand my frustrations and my joys. We helped to see each other through some crazy times at WCU with boys and sisters and all the madness that comes along with college life. I was so glad to have her encouragement through my last 3 years at WCU.

After college, we lost touch for a while, but we did pick back up right where we left of through random IM chats. It seemed that while we were in the same place together in life all those years ago in college, we were still in similar places in life these days. It's that "I'm out in the real world and all those people I just spent every waking moment with for 4 years of my life and said we would always be friends are now moving on with life and where does that leave me?" stage. It's that time when we have to find ourselves. Find out who we really are-with or without them. And I am glad our friendship has grown during this "finding ourselves" process.

Holly is marrying the man of her dreams on June 17th of this year, and I couldn't be happier for her. There is nothing like finding and marrying the man you are called to be with for the rest of your life. I am so honored that she asked me to stand with her on her wedding day. I am blessed to be a part of the most amazing day of her life.

So, Holly, thanks for your constant encouragement, your kindness, for being you(and being ok with it even when everyone else doesn't agree), and for being my friend. I thank God for you and I love you, girl!

Friend of the Week 2.17.06

Friend of the Week: Eli

Eli and I met in the Spring of 2002 when Marty took me to Williamsburg, VA for Spring Break. I was told we were going to stay with his college roommate, and best friend, Aaron, and Aaron's wife Eli (short for Elizabeth, which is one of the neatest names I know). I had never met these people before, and there I was...8 hours from home....with my boyfriend of 3 months...and some people that I didn't know. I was a little apprehensive, to say the least. Little did I know, that short trip to VA would prove to hold the beginning of one of my most treasured friendships. I soon found out that Eli and I are very similar in likes and dislikes...we had lots of "me too" moments when we relived past experiences...and not many other people in the world understand organization like she does! Eli's interest in every little thing that I am involved in, or ever was involved in, or ever will be involved in, shows me that she really does care. And I know that when I tell her about something in my life, she will remember it. And if it's sensitive material, she won't repeat it. She's good like that! :) I love that at least once a week, we get to have hour long chats on the phone, and everytime, we pick up right where we left off.

In addition to being Aaron's wife, she is also the mother of sweet little 2 year old, Bella. Through Eli, Bella is learning to be a wonderful person. I know she's only 2, but you wouldn't believe the personality this kid has! The values Aaron & Eli are imparting to Bella (and Bella's little sister who is expected to arrive in the beginning of May) are some that I definitely want to use when teaching my own children someday. The parenting skills these two have is far beyond their years, and I love learning from them.

We are SOOO blessed to have these guys as our "family". Thank you, Eli, for being such an encouragement, a sounding board, my idea girl, and one of the most amazing friends I could have ever asked for. I love you!

Friend of the Week Friday 2.10.06

FriendS of the week: Brooke & Lori

These 2 friends made my day yesterday. We got together for dinner last night, and as always, it was SUPER fun. Lori came bearing gifts of Diet Coke (4 DIFFERENT kinds even...DC w/ Splenda, regular DC, Black Cherry Vanilla DC and Caffeine Free DC!!!) and Brooke came bearing gifts of STINKIN' cute grosgrain ribbon. WHAT FUN!!!!

Lori & I go WAAAAAAAY back to the days I used to sing Reba songs at the camp talent shows...EVERY summer from age 8-14...complete with overall shorts and pigtails. Over the years, God has grown our friendship and seen us both through some VERY trying times. Now, I not only get to call her "friend", but sister (she's actually my sister-in-law (Marty's sister), but there is no room for the in-law portion in our friendship!). She shares in my love for organization and anal-retentiveness. I LOVE YOU, LO!!!!

Brooke & I met at WCU. We were hallmates in the wonderful Scott dorm. We never would have guessed that a chance meeting in the hall kitchen would prove to hold such a beautiful friendship. God has brought us so close over the past few years, and has allowed us to share in some absolutely amazing God moments together. She and I share a bond through all things cute...bags, stationery, shoes, and of course writing things with the utmost cuteness! I LOVE YOU, FRIEND!!!!

I love that God finally brought the 3 of us together so that we can share in all kinds of laughter and fun. You both rock my face off!!!!

Friend of the Week Friday 2.3.06

Friend of the Week: My mom (awwww)

My mom has been my friend of the week for 24 (almost 25) years. This week, however, she is my friend of the week because of the new fun craft she taught me: crocheting!!! Growing up, I saw her do a lot of crocheting (so much that she ended up having to have Carpel Tunnel surgery on BOTH wrists because of it). Well, I am the type of person who can' just sit in front of the TV for extended periods of time (and that means more than 10 minutes...maybe it's ADD...). I have TOO many things to do in my life to just sit there. Seriously! So, my mom passed along the crocheting tradition. Now, I can sit on the couch and watch TV and crochet at the same time. I LOVE IT! I have found some stinkin' cute yarn, and have made a few scarfs that are also stinkin' cute. So, thanks, Mom, for introducing me to this wonderful new habit!! I LOVE YOU!!!

Friend of the Week Fridays 1.27.06

Every Friday I get the chance to name someone as my "Friend of the Week" and for this I am VERY excited. I don't feel like I take the opportunity often enough to let people in my life know how much they mean to me, and how appreciative I am for their friendship.

Friend of the Week: Elizabeth
Elizabeth and I have known each other since our freshman year at WCU. We sang in choirs together and were both music majors. I was so blessed to have her sweet voice sing "Surely the Presence" in our wedding. Now, I am honored to stand with her on the day of her wedding as a bridesmaid. We get to go dress shopping tomorrow, and I am excited to get to spend the weekend with her and some other college friends! Thank you, Elizabeth for being a forever friend.