My Sweet Adventure!

Hey Ya'll!

I am home from a wild adventure!

Most of you know I flew across the country to spend a few days with a friend who is very near and dear to my heart.

I met Alicia about a year ago through her blog.

My first email to her went a something like this:

"Dear Alicia,

You don't know me, but I think we would be swell friends."

A year later, with many emails, texts and calls in between, I met my sweet friend in person.

I know to a few of you, this may seem weird- to fly across the country to hang with someone I never "really" met.

But here's the thing- I consider Alicia one of my closest friends.

We talk at least once a week.

She has been my #1 cheerleader in so many areas of my life.

When something funny, sad, challenging happens - she's my 'go to' gal who I want to tell.

She digs me for me and I never feel judged.

It seemed only natural to meet her in person.

So in March, my sweet hubby blessed me with a plane ticket for my birthday. 

And I have been looking forward to this weekend ever since.

Now I have to admit, there were times as I was switching planes and sitting next to "interesting" people on the plane when I thought

"what in the world am I doing?"

But as soon as I got off the plane and saw my dear friend,

I knew everything would be ok.

I'm kinda at a loss for words to describe how special my weekend was.

As soon as we started chatting, it felt like I had been there before.

That this was just another one of our annual trips to see each other.

And boy does this girl know how to pamper and make a girl feel welcome and at home.

 She made me this AMAZING beach bag complete with a Montana shape on the front.

This bag was STUFFED to the brim with goodies!

A personal mug (hand made), a make up bag (hand made), toiletries, a journal, candy, hand-me-downs for Maggie,  candy . .  .

 and the funnest itinerary!

Here we are in downtown Ashville at the drum circle

 Unfortunately I couldn't fit my bongo drums in my suitcase

 cuz I would have jumped right in.

Next time.

The drum circle was awesome!

It started to rain and in about 4.2 seconds the drummers were packed up and everyone was running for cover.

We headed home and got in cozy clothes and talked into the wee hours of the morning.

The next day we did a bit of junking.

Oh yes . . . it was successful!

I kinda need to come back with a trailer.

Hooray for good junkin'!

On Sunday we headed out on a beautiful hike.

 I loved hiking the different terrain.

Everything is so 'plush'

*wink wink*

 Here we are at a little stopping point.  

According to our trusty source we were 'just around the corner' from the summit.

 Here we are 20 minutes later, after hiking up a creek and a little confused as to where that summit was.

Thankfully God sent some hikers to assure us we were on the right path.

(Lish- you know what line comes here . . . 'Ya'll would have been . . . .')

Hee hee!

A short jaunt later we made it.

 Pictures do not accurately capture the CLIFF that was on the other side of those rocks.

The memories of that hike will always be near and dear to my heart.

 See those threatening clouds behind us?

We boogied down fast!

I did not take nearly enough pictures to capture my weekend.

But every moment was incredibly fun and FULL of laughter.

Here are a few things I took from my trip:

• Alicia is even MORE beautiful in person . . . and she's TALL like me!
• She is absolutely the hostess with the MOSTEST-  I was SO pampered and was made to feel right at home.
• She makes THE YUMMIEST cinnamon rolls
• She is incredibly inspiring- her home makes me want to fluff my own, talking school (and smelling text books) makes me want to be a better teacher, seeing her Etsy line in person makes me want to fill my home with her creations, talking dreams with her makes me want to pursue my own . . . I came home INSPIRED PEOPLE! 
• She has the sweetest kids who are SO WELL behaved.

 Sophie was my lil' side- kick all weekend.

She is PRECIOUS!

• Alicia's husband Jarrod is a rock star husband/dad
• Sweet tea is lip puckering SWEET!
• Ikea is overwhelmingly AMAZING

My trip was amazing.

I can't even express to you clearly enough how thankful I am to have had this opportunity.

I love you dear friend!

Thank you for EVERYTHING!

Now I'm off to play with my babies and pamper my husband.

Oh how I missed them!

I hope you get a chance to take a crazy adventure!