Play date for Mommy

I'm terrible at planning play dates for my kids. In fact, I never do. It's only when someone else gets a hold of me, and asks if they can play, or if we can get together...

This morning, I finally had a friend (of mine) come over with her two little boys. Make no mistake about it, it was a play date for me! The kids- of course- acted shy, hung around Mom, and finally came out of their shell when it was time to go. But, I loved it!

We talked about buying houses. Building houses. Labor stories. NICU stories. Receiving and acting on inspiration from Heaven. Spending money. Saving money. Life ambitions. Diet and exercise.

Pausing every so often of course, to take a kid potty. Or serve up a snack (which my friend so thoughtfully brought over with her!) Or to listen to a tiny story from one of the little people who were with us.

You guys! Why don't I do this more often?

And then I remember. Because it took three weeks of attempting before we each had healthy kids. It took me biting my tongue when I wanted to say it just wasn't going to work. It took effort to do something more than just be home, even though it was at my house.

I've had a goal for a couple of years now to be a better friend- and to try to make more friends. This is why. Because I'm not very good at it, but I need it so much!

We get busy, and rightfully so, with our own families. But, that doesn't mean that once in a while we can't find or make time to get together with friends.

I have another wonderful friend who invited me to play Bunco with her and a group of ladies on Friday nights. Bless her heart- I told her to just keep me on the list. I haven't been. Not once. Because I feel tied to my own family, and on the one or two Friday nights out of the year that we don't already have a lot going on, I kind of prefer to date my husband.

But, thank you dear friend, for inviting me. And please, keep inviting me! One of these days I might surprise you!

And in the meantime, I'll savor the time I do have with friends, and I'll take the advice of yet another friend (whom I don't get to hang out with nearly enough...) that- I'm in the season of life when my family is the focus. And though it might always be the main focus, there will be other times when it's easier to focus on friendship as well.

P.S. Saturday sledding at our house this weekend! You're ALL invited!

Really!

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