If you haven't noticed I am in the process of updating the old blog. Weeding thru the labels, hopefully making it more user friendly. You may notice in the latest incarnation of this 6 year blog that I have often used, and reused the term 'Urban Family'. I wish I could take credit for it, however it is a term taken from a book / movie I hold dear to my heart. That book is Bridget Jones.

This term stuck with me in life. I use it to apply to the friends I have made who have become so much more than just a friend. The friends who I have fallen into a familiar and family like relationship with. For a few examples:

- Jess, who quickly became my much shorter twin (we even wear the same size shoes!) When the opportunity presents itself we are inseparable. Spending Holiday, Deployments, Nights and random experiences. We even finish each others sentences. She is also the only friend who has ever cared for me on a night of too much to drink.

- Mikendall, Jess's husband and source of sanity. Jess constantly tells me just how much Mike and I are alike. Those of you who only met me post 2005 would not believe it but I had zero knowledge of beer prior to meeting this guy.

- The Al's, a husband and wife duo of Alison and Al. Always ready to lend a hand, support, or a ear. We spent many a holiday with them as well. They turned me on to homemade tacos and guacamole. Just ask Al about the 'thunk thunks' sometime. He is funny when he is drunk.

- Scotty, aka my brother from another mother. The countless hours Scotty and I have logged arguing, cleaning house, hanging out, and comforting each other it is like we took turns being the older sibling. But always, no matter what we have been there for one another.

- the Kid (Aaron) and his brother Derek. These two alternate from being my kids to my little brothers. They had keys to the house, called me when things went wrong. I took care of them when they were sick. You mess with the kid and that brings out the Mamma bear in me.

- Erin the only Oklahoma friend to be with me on the East Coast. She has seen me thru it all.

This is simply not the end of the list, there are so many more of you I could list. Lisa, Kirstin, Drew, Maria and Larry. Each of you mean so much to me. I am forging new and different Urban Family relationships now, but really it will never be the same. Not better or worse. But as my east coast Urban Family - we really were all we had.