Here's to Good Friends

Isn't it great to say you have good friends? I remember not too long ago when I first moved here to Clarksville, thinking, how will I ever establish amazing friendships like the ones I am leaving behind? I didn't think it would ever be possible. I gladly report, that it is, and with God's hand in it, you will meet some amazing people that will shape your life like you never expected. As I type this I think to myself, I couldn't even make a list because there are so many great women in my life that I am grateful for. I am completely impressed with each and every one of them for so many different reasons. Some I only see through my computer screen on Facebook or Myspace, some I just see in fond memories, and some I am blessed enough to see every day at work, every Sunday at church, every Tuesday at bible study, once a month at an FRG meeting or when we decide to have dinner. How great it is to be surrounded by amazing women who inspire me daily to make better decisions about my children, my job, my walk with Christ, my husband, my home, my everything!!

While I may not be able to list everyone, here's to YOU, the amazing women in my life... my mom, my sister, my mother-in-law, my friends from school, my old teammates, those I met at Children's, Spirit, Bally's, Chad, and APSU, those from church, from the Army, from the Hope Center, those in Cincinnati, in Milwaukee, in DC, in Clarksville and all the other places that some of you have "landed." Those that I see regularly, and those that I don't. Here's to all the amazing women that I have encountered in my life, whether it be for an hour, or a lifetime. Thank you for being you, and thank you for loving me. Know that you are an important part of my life, and I am blessed to know you. I'd be completely lost without you.

I can't list them all, but here are a few...


Tonya, my charismatic and beautiful best friend since high school


Lynne, our office "Mary Poppins" who is a constant reminder that life is too short not to just enjoy every second!


Lorneth, one of my newest friends from work, whom I think is just amazing!


Just SOME of the amazing women in our church's Military Wives Bible Study... these girls are amazing!
Pictured: Courtney, Kelly, Jenny, Katie, Emilee, and Theresa
Those not pictured are Megan, Jenae, Jess, Sarah, and Kristin
And there are those who have left, but I haven't forgotten Daria, June and Renae


Tabitha... my "Clarksville Best Friend." I am not quite sure where I would be without her. She brings out the absolute best in me, and makes me want to be a better Christian, a better friend, a better sister, a better daughter, a better wife, a better mother... she seriously is my "God send."


KariAnn, AKA: Kare, BFF, 233, Thrizzle, Diddy, basically my sister from another mother. When we met, we couldn't be more opposite, and to this day we are polar opposites, but she is the best friend I have ever had. She loves my children just as much as I do (Mekyla is her "babyBF"). My entire family adores her, we love her, and I am so glad that she is my BFF!


My "Mini Me," Mekyla Ahleecya Edyn Smith. She is the reason I breathe. She is not the only reason, but she definitely set me on my path just over six short years ago. Without her, my life would probably be a dead-end right now. Every time I look at her, I still have a hard time believing that she is mine, and she's beautiful, energetic, spunky, engaging, spirited, funny, smart, and healthy. I am absolutely blessed to have the opportunity to have her in my life and to watch her grow every day.

My love and admiration will always be for the amazing women in my life.

"Good friends are like stars... you don't always see them, but you know they are always there."
Thanks for always being "there."