4 years and 9 months ago...

Side note: Yesterday was UC Davis field day... I only got to take 1 kid... Um yes 1, you may be thinking don't you need 4 kids for a team? Ya, ya you do... But she's been committed and other kids couldn't go so I wasn't leaving her home and she did great! We had a fun day!

Back to my actual post... 4 years ago, the world was blessed with a little baby named Brayden Riley. Heck no I don't have a kid-- my bestie does! 

He seriously was/is a gift from God. Although Brayden wasn't planned this story is about the months leading up to his birth and the bonds that you make and break in late stages of college. 

So four years and nine months ago I had just graduated from Fresno State with my bachelors degree. I graduated with a small group of friends that are amazing! Due to some random class stuff and major change and whatnot, my bestie still had some time left to finish. My then roommate (basically sister), Kimmie and I graduated and decided we'd move into a house... With my bestie! I was pretty pumped to move in with my two best friends... I was about to start the credential program and student teaching. We had a great summer planning and looking for houses... We ended up adding another girl to lessen rent (worst mistake ever) and found a 4 bedroom place in North Clovis. 

I began student teaching, we all either worked or were in school. We had champange and Bachelor Mondays, cooked together, took care of each other and decorated for holidays together. Don't get me wrong- we had ups and downs-- parking with 4 cars in a gated community sucked, dividing bills was a pain, animals destroying other roomies stuff and well 4 GIRLS made our house an emotional place every couple of weeks... Hahahaha

At the semester, my bestie moved out... Because she was about to be a mom... To say it was a shocker is an understatement. Now if you knew Kristen you would know she is most prepared, planned out, organized and best friend that I have. Now throughout college Kristen's nickname was Mom... We frequently shouted "MOM! Meatloaf!" She got this nickname because she is the most caring and considerate person and while working at the Swine Unit, she took care of all of the babies that were sick... Therefore she was dubbed, Mom. 

Now while Kristen being pregnant and about to become a mom was a complete surprise to everyone, including her, I knew it would be something that brought us closer. Kristen becoming a mom has made her stronger, tougher and a Momma Bear. Over the last four years I've watched her progress from having no clue what to do, to reading every book possible to be prepared, to being one of the best, most consistent and most considerate moms I've ever known. Kristen has thrived and made every attempt to do the best things in her life for that little man. She took a surprising situation, finished school, got a great job for the fambam tasting room and is a fantastic mom... I am so proud of her! She continues to be my bestie although we are 5 hours away from each other. She is such an inspiration for me and I hope to someday be half as good of mom as she is. Thank God for text, Facebook, phone calls, photo stream albums and sporadic trips! 

Brayden is one of the coolest kids! He's smart, loving, gentle but he's definitely a boy's boy-- he loves tractors, planes, trucks and sports! Everything Brayden is, is a testament to what a phenomenal mom Kristen is... 

Happy Birthday to world's coolest kid!!! Love you Brayden Riley! 

So proud of my bestie and all she was, is and will be!