Here's to You...Kristy!

This chic is one special friend to me! I've thought about this post for quite some time now (like 6 months, since the last here's to you post). There are so many ways that Kristy has affected my life...like the way she cared for me while I was on bed rest with baby Brody. She would stop by the house at least twice a week to...

1) bring me fresh baked pumpkin bread

2) clean my house, literally

3) bring me fresh baked pumpkin bread

4) do my laundry

5) bring me fresh baked pumpkin bread

6) cook my family dinner (with the best mashed potatoes that most definitely did not land me in the hospital from the salt!)

7) bring me fresh baked pumpkin bread


8) bring me an array of reading materials


9) and fresh baked pumpkin bread


10) teach me how to play Sudoku

Did I mention the fresh baked pumpkin bread? I remember one specific time she was there, I was on the couch, depressed. She brought all of the baby's clothes downstairs to wash and get ready for the big arrival. She must have done 3 loads, folding and cleaning in between, all the while pumpkin bread was baking in my oven. I wanted to cry so badly but held back the tears...I wanted to cry because I couldn't be up moving around, getting ready for the baby without possibly harming him, or myself. I wanted to cry because I didn't even know how to make pumpkin bread. And I wanted to cry because I couldn't believe God had given me a friend like Kristy. She helped to keep my life flowing when I couldn't...and the most amazing part of it all...for those of you who don't know Kristy, she has 4 boys of her own to care for at home!

She was Jesus to me.

And, if all that baby preparation was not enough, she loved my sweet boy 3 days a week when I returned to work...



I'm pretty sure I panicked and had a near breakdown when my maternity leave (ummm, 5 months long) was up and I had to get back to work! When Kristy told me she would keep Brody on her days off, it was the first time I thought I could actually do it. I cried. She helped make that transition go smoothly and I never once worried about Brody. That's a special peace only a working momma knows!

I mentioned that she has 4 beautiful boys of her own, but what I didn't tell you is that one super precious little boy has Celiac Disease. Sweet Luke gets a horrible tummy ache from all things wheat and those that are not gluten free! Which means...in the hustle and bustle of life with boys and ball practices and school and church, Kristy has to make sure that Luke's breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are Celiac safe! I am just so impressed with her ability to keep all the balls in the air.

She was there when I graduated college. She was there when my child was born. She was there when I received an awesome honor at work. And I will be blessed to have her there for many more great days.

Kristy is definitely one of my "advisers". She is the first person I go to with kid questions, because, she's been through it all. She is also one of the first to be hounded with life's little ups and downs. And in the 9 years that I've known her...she has never once lead me astray.

So tonite, I'll thank our sweet Jesus for you, Kristy. For your pumpkin bread. For your salty mashed potatoes. For your wisdom. For your friendship...

Don't forget to leave her some sweet words!