Bio: The Alexander Family

By now, you may feel like you know the Alexander family.  They are, obviously, my best friends in this area and for good reason.  They're good people.

Shawn Alexander and I grew up together in Poplar Bluff, Missouri -- about three hours north of here.  We graduated from high school in the same class.  We parted ways, as did all of us, expecting to never see each other again.  But along came Facebook and our 15-year reunion.  I signed up for a Facebook account in 2008 to find people for the reunion, mainly.  Then one day when sitting at work I got a call from Shawn.  We found out that we live only about 15 miles apart down here in Arkansas (and had been this close for MANY years), and the rest is history.  Shawn works for a large company called Pitney Bowes and he has several hobbies, one of which is wood crafts.  Shawn is extremely talented and makes beautiful things from furniture to finely-crafted pens from rare woods.

Shawn's wife, Wimee, has since become one of my best friends.  I think of her like a sister.  Wimee is originally from The Philippines.  She became a physical therapist in college and then was recruited to the US to work here.  She met Shawn in Poplar Bluff while working at a hospital there.  Wimee today works with young children on the Little Rock Air Force Base.  Wimee is a great example of a wonderful mother to her children.  I'm not sure how she manages the schedules of three kids, but she somehow does.  She has a kind and loving spirit, and she's quite fun to be around.  The one thing I must mention is how GREAT she is at cooking.  Jule hasn't experienced Wimee's Filipino food yet, but surely she will before she leaves.

You've undoubtedly seen the three kids in pictures on this blog.  Jordan is the oldest boy.  He'll turn 16 in just a few days.  Dylan is just one year behind him.  Both boys are smart and are in a special school here for gifted and talented students.  They have very different personalities, but I like each of them for their quirks.  Marissa is 10 and has taken on Jule as a big sister.  (Wimee told me last week that Marissa will be upset when Jule leaves.)  Marissa is your typical pesky little sister.  She likes to start trouble with Jule, and Jule always teaches her some good lessons.  (Like the cupcake pictures you've seen here.)  Marissa is a very "girly girl" and loves to have her nails and make-up done.  This is my job normally.  :)

If you've ever had friends you can depend on 100%, you know the comfort and joy of surrounding yourself with people like the Alexander family.  They are important to me in so many ways!  I am grateful for their friendship and how they have welcomed Jule into their family!