5 years ago...

Five summers ago, when I was moving to Korea, Ruby was very pregnant with Brave and super emotional about everything. I was expecting a few tears when it was time to say our goodbye's, but the fact that she was pregnant made it a gazillion times crazier than I imagined! We sobbed and wailed as poor Ben and John watched us become weirdos.  Calling it a sobfest would be the understatement of the century.

Not too long after I moved, I got a call in the wee hours of the night that the bff was going into labor! Super excited, but super sad that I couldn't be there to meet baby #2.  I got a lot of pictures emailed and saw tons on the blog, but wasn't the same as going to the hospital and holding a newborn! I made sure my sister and Johnny went to meet her and hold her on my behalf, but again, not the same!


Four months later, I finally met teenie tiny, bald Brave. Cutest, sweetest thing ever. Oh my, time flies!

Sweet little Bravery just celebrated her 5th birthday this weekend with another amazing cakies party production. (See some instagrams of the party here).  Every time Brave's birthday rolls around, I'm reminded of the craziness that ensued as her momma and I said bye that summer day.

Happy birthday, Bravery. Thanks BFF and BFF hubz for letting me (s)mother your Bravery. I love being her auntie/mochi lady!

shopping time!

I don't remember the last time I went to the mall with the BFF without her 4 babies! Yesterday, I was her date for the DailyBuzz Style event at the Madewell event and I felt like we were in college all over again!

Here are some fun pictures from the BFF's instagram.

Top row: (left) Ruby successfully completed the scavenger hunt so we celebrated with a cupcake! ... Several cupcakes, actually. (right) I really really really like the dress she has on. I tried it on, but they didn't have my size. It's super cute and perfect for the spring! Anyone want to buy it for me?! *cough* John *cough* Are you reading this?

Second row: (left) Sparkly! I'd like 20 of 'em for some major arm swag! (right) Cute flats that are perfect for a simple work outfit, no?

Totally had a fun night with the BFF! I had fun trying on the clothes and hanging out in the dressing room, but I think I spent the majority of the time checking out the other bloggers outfits! Creeper status.

time to get down and thirty

Guess who's turning 30 today?! My bff! I love her to death and I don't know what I would do without her. She encourages me, cheers me up with random texts of the girls, prays for me, rebukes me, continually reminds me of the good news, and always listens to my craziness.

Her creativity inspires me, her mothering skillz (yes, I spelled it with a "z" - what, I'm a gangster... you didn't know?) makes me want to be a mom, and her style makes me want to be daring with my clothes. She is an amazing, amazing, amazing, AMAZING, friend. Every gal needs a friend like her.

Now it's time for some pictures!!!! I apologize for the small pictures. Digging up old pictures was not easy and this is the best I could do.

In college, Ruby learned to crochet and I learned to knit. This is us with our first scarves. Man, we look tan and young!

This was taken when she only had 2 babies! Look how miniature True and Brave were!

The day that Ruby got married.

The day I got married. We're big cry babies! (taken by Ruby's mini-me, RJ)

And last, but not least, my favorite picture of us! When Ruby and I went to study abroad in London, we met John Mayer! Look at how huge our smiles are. Can you tell we were SUPER excited?! When I couldn't purchase the concert tickets via ticketmaster and I was sooo bummed, I convinced Ruby to go hang out by the "side door" before the concert. LO AND BEHOLD, Mr. Mayer himself, opens the door and invites us in to hang out in the VIP lounge.

Happy 30th! Love you, my Asian sistah!