friends

No Stress Saturday

No Stress Saturday

Before the end of the evening we set up the self timer on the camera and all got in for one group shot.  We’re smiling and happy and there are incriminating red solo cups scattered across the counter.  I hope someday my kids come across this picture and smile at the sight of their parents clearly having too much fun.  I hope they’ll know just how hard and just how worth it it is to chase after a few hours of carefree fun with your friends.  And I hope they’ll have their own thirty-something friends to be carefree with, in only for a few hours.

Other Mothers

Other Mothers

There’s been lots said about the need for a village.  Jen Hatmaker calls them “bonus moms” in her new book and writes a more beautiful tribute to them than I ever could.  Whatever you want to call it, a tribe, a village, bonus moms, second mothers, the experience of other people loving and caring about my kids has changed me and shaped my kids lives in incredible ways.  I am so incredibly thankful for these women in my kids lives.  Thankful that I get to be in their kids lives.