Balboa Island

The stars aligned for a second year in a row and a trip to Balboa Island with 10 of my nearest and dearest was accomplished.  There are a lot of things that have come together in a perfect storm for a trip like this to happen.  Eleven moms and fourty-four children.   Schedules, emotions, husbands, and babysitters were juggled.  It was worth it.  The weather was ideal, the beach was beautiful, the food delicious and the location perfect.  Our weekend was filled with shopping, beach bumming, food indulgence, jogging along the water, laughter, and late nights.  I loved it all.  More than all of that, I loved the change I felt in the relationships I have with these women.  Conversations about deep emotions, fears, joys, trials, and triumphs.  We grew together in our moments of laughter so intense we nearly fell over, we grew in our moments of near insanity while staying up way too late, we even grew in our moments of hurt and forgiveness when apologies were needed.  I see these women differently than I did before we embarked this weekend.  I love them.  I appreciate them. I am grateful for them.

I have been blessed in my life.  I've said it before and I will repeat it.  I have a Father in Heaven who has given me the gift of friendship everywhere I go.  I love those friends from my past and present.  I am grateful for you.  There was a concern discussed on several occasions this weekend.  It was a discussion stemmed from love of those who feel left out.  It's a common thread that weaves through communities with so many wonderful families.  We discussed our first impressions we felt about each other and how time has a way of sorting out our misunderstandings and the fears we have about personality differences.  We talked of things we have said to each other that may have been hurtful and that forgiveness never has an expiration.  Not one of of the ladies, including myself, I spent the last 4 days with, is perfect.  Each of us has strengths and weaknesses, things to work on and things to teach.  These women teach me that imperfections are not a reason to avoid friendship.  So reach out and be willing to accept some imperfection.  I promise the joys far out weigh the flaws.

Stupid Gap.

Each time I thought about how I wanted my kids to have this awesome history to read, I thought "I should write this or that down soon." Soon turned into a year and a half.  Now there's a stupid gap.  A gap that so many wonderful memories could have filled.  Tonight as I sat at a baby and bridal mash up shower, and was asked to write down some advice for the bride and advice for the mama to be, I found myself sharing with her that writing down a history of your childs life well past their 5th birthday is IMPORTANT.

Today, 11 year old Lainy went to the movies alone with some of her friends who are already in Jr High.  I was in such a flurry putting the finishing touches on a dessert for the shower that I couldn't even mourn the moment.  It was a passing panic moment that I watched fly out the door with her.  She's growing at a pace my heart isn't ready for.

Jared spent the afternoon at Gabe's house.  A boy who has some social issues.  A boy who when I called his parents to send Jared home, said how grateful they were that Jared has been coming to play because Gabe has never had a friend come over and play.  I asked Jared how it has been going and he said, he liked going over there.  He knows Gabe doesn't have friends and wants to be his friend.  When did he learn that?  When did his soft heart expand to a circle larger than our family?  Pin pointing when those those qualities we spend our whole lives teaching take hold is a blurry moment.

Jayce spent the day with a newish friend.  I have prayed for months that he be led to a good friend.  A great friend. Someone who will make the good choices I know in his heart he wants to make along side him.  Someone who needs a good friend as much as he does.  As much as his mom does.

Today I write to deny a gap.  To remind myself of my blessings.  Of which I have many.