Up Next

Each group of friends has their share of roles. Everyone comfortably falling into place finding their specific role. As seasons of life change and friendships evolve roles tend to shift and sway but always settle nicely. I am incredibly blessed to have an amazing group of friends who love me and my family.

In my circle of friends I am, as you probably guessed, the organizer. It's in my blood to organize, plot out the details, put the plan into action and in the end come out with a successful event. I am usually the one to organize play dates, game nights, coffee chats and more. At times I've wondered if this annoys others or if maybe my friends don't want to hang out since I am the one always initiating it but then I realize that is just silly (well I hope:)

We are all moms doing our best to juggle a full to-do list and if my gift is organizing social events well then that is what I will do! Every person has their specific gift, role in the group. There's the host making everyone feel comfortable, the prepared one who has a magic bag filled with everything but the kitchen sink, the decisive one deciding when no one else will, a laid back go with the flow kinda person reminding all to relax and oh so many more.

I love each and every role so thankful for them all. Although I am generally the organizer I can also be the relaxed one or the host. Organizing comes natural to me but sitting back and letting someone else is also fulfilling.

What is your role in the group or family? Use your gifts, enjoy your friendships and love your role.

In true organizer fashion I have another fun event on the calendar. Up Next...

Mama's Night Out!!!

~Tuesday June 21st, 6pm

~Glitter Workshop for Make & Take, dinner to follow.

See you Friday for Strawberry Picking!

Exactly

Today's PB & J was exactly how it's supposed to be. Almost a year ago now I started praying. I had a stirring, a desire to connect with some mamas while my kids met new friends. At this time I found myself in a new place, my group of friends from high school/college are wonderful but not married and no kids, my family is amazing but I wanted some friends I could relate too. Mamas who could love my chaos, realize my kiddos are challenging but still make the effort to gather once a week.











A year later on a snowy April Fool's I am at a playdate surrounded by incredible mamas and awesome kiddos. We always talk a mile a minute trying to fit in every word while chasing little ones, wiping noses and encouraging the ever so hard concept of "sharing". Today we met baby Grant, snuggled a new little body remembering how blessed we are to be called mommy. We also celebrated pregnancy as we grow with anticipation for Kim to have her 3rd baby girl. Two new mamas joined us today, we exchanged stories, our kids played and it was exactly as it should be.











I am simply speechless, it was absolutely perfect. Exactly as it should be.

What a Week

You know those weeks where you feel tired, frustrated, annoyed and just plain crabby...I had one of those weeks. Monday morning rolled around and I was crabby before my eyes even peeked open. The afternoon before my cellphone decided to completely stop working with no warning or reason, it just shut off. I am not big into technology as in I don't need the fancy new gadgets and I can't work a touch screen well at all but I do have a strong need to be "connected". I send friends texts throughout the day, email my hubby and respond to work matters. So to not have this, to be disconnected got under my skin in no time.

Once my eyes were open and I was in motion I discovered both my little ones were congested, feverish and whiny. Alright our winter ritual back on- go to the doctor almost every Monday. I packed the kids up, made it through the hour long appointment without damaging the tiny little exam room to leave with no prescription; they have croup, ride it out. Ok, we've had croup before, we can get through this. To Target we go, diapers, wipes, tylenol and maybe a yummy drink would help pass the day. I get the diaper bag together, prepare Trex for the adventure and panic as I can't find my wallet. I know it was in my bag, where could it be??? I remember letting Pace play with it in the tiny room to keep him quiet, oh I shouldn't have done that. Since I don't have a phone I couldn't call to make sure so we drove all the way back, unload, drag them up to the 2nd floor, yep there it is. Back to elevator, through the reception area and back to the car. At this point that was it, home we go.











Tuesday comes and I feel like a train hit me. Coughing like crazy, sinuses killing me and I can't breath. The 3 sickly ones stay at home all day, not exactly restful for me. However one of my bestest friends Jenna, calls to stay it is the day, her beautiful little baby boy is going to be born! We've been waiting a week for this, her calling to give me updates, going to the hospital and being sent home multiple times and me traveling around with the gift in my car just in case a hospital visit was needed. Now it's the day, she's ecstatic and I am stuck on the couch, you've got to be kidding!












Wednesday arrives, my bestest had her babe and I feel worse than ever. When I call to get a doc appointment they tell me "sorry we are booked today". Ugh, to urgent care I go. As I sit in the waiting room, hearing my husband's words "she's close to kicking the bucket" replay in my mind I am pleasantly surprised when urgent care is actually urgent. Yes, this is going to be good, get me in and out with some meds. I get to the tiny room only to be told I need to put on a gown and be monitored for a while because my oxygen and blood pressure is low. Not only that if my BP drops any more I may have to be hospitalized. As I sit there freezing I realize no one knows this, I can't text anyone, my kids are with my mom and my husband is working. How will I call anyone? Do places even have pay phones anymore? Do I even have change? In the end I am sent home with a strong prescription that hasn't worked yet.

Today is Friday, the end of the week. We came into the home stretch going back to the doctor. Paceler's fever continued all week and he is breathing terribly. Another tiny room visit and my baby has RSV and an ear infection. Oh Lord, help me make it to next week! Our house feels germ infested, I am so congested and coughing intensely I don't even want to talk and I never got to see my bestie's new baby. My phone still doesn't work, I continue to be disconnected and crabby.














However I lay here on our long black couch snuggled next to my baby, listening to him breath a bit louder and more muffled than usual and I am thankful. God is good, I made it through the week and things will get better. In the middle of it all some wonderful person dropped dinner off on my doorstep. Chicken, veggies, oranges, cookies, soda and tea; completely wonderful. I was reminded of the impact a random act of kindness has and how I need to do that more often. I talked with my friend today and she is wonderful, delighted with motherhood, inspiring me to soak in these moments, both good and challenging. I read my cousin's blog detailing their daily struggles with her brand new, very premature triplets and I weep, not only for her but for me. My struggle with sickness this week seems minuscule. My kids are at home, snuggled in and breathing on their own. My husband continues to call me "bunny" and play footsie with me in bed even though my nose is red and raw, I am surrounded in Kleenex, haven't shaved in who knows how long and look like ****.

Life is good dear friends. I love you all, am sorry for my "disconnect" this week and can't wait to get back on track. Enjoy your weekend and all it's moments.

Mid-Week Wonderful

Ahhh, the sun is shining, it is not freezing cold and the snow is melting. I am filled with joy and smiling ear to ear. If only I were at home with my kiddos!

We had a totally awesome Macaroni Monday. In fact I enjoyed myself, my friends and all the kiddos so much I completely forgot to take pictures! Oh well, picture it in your mind...6 mamas, 11 kids, about 100 trains sprawled across the floor, a heeping pile of books, laughter, crying, sharing, a little fighting and a big kettle of macaroni. Simply wonderful.










See you all this Friday at Bouncy Town!