I Have the Greatest Friends

Having lived far away from both of our families for our entire marriage, Neal and I have learned to rely on friends as though they are family. We spend all the good times with them, the birthdays, the graduations, the holidays when family is nowhere to be found. They're ready and willing to help when a new baby comes, to come clean when you just can't clean. We've been very lucky to have made many life-long friends through our years in Texas. Finding true friends is one of the most valuable lessons I've learned as an adult, and today was only proof to me that my friends are heaven-sent people who not only help me in my time of need but teach me at the same time.
I am still feeling very lousy, as in on-the-verge-of-a-breakdown lousy. It's becoming hard to face a hot summer day of children in the house and a baby who wants to be carried when I can barely manage to swallow my medicine. Not to mention the fact that Neal's going out of town this weekend. Last night, though, never fear, friends to the rescue.

this was taken last year, when I was just showing my little pregnant belly

First, Natalie and I snuck out in between my fever sessions to do a little outdoor shopping and talking, a little smoothie imbibing, and probably our last time hanging out alone, since she's moving so soon. It was so much fun, so natural, and I'll always remember it for proving just how easy our friendship is. Plus, a little retail therapy never hurt anyone. This is after, amongst her towers of boxes in her little condo, she managed to make my family dinner and send it home with Neal a couple of days ago, much to my protesting. And she's done that at least half a dozen times since I got pregnant.

Then Audrey's best friend's mother called, who I also happen to be good friends with, and invited Audrey to spend the entire day on a sort of field trip to go blueberry-picking and swimming with her family. Audrey jumped at the chance to go, and even though their plans changed at the last minute, she still took her to the Natural History Museum and a picnic lunch.

My friend, Allison, has offered for days to take one or more of my kids off of my hands so that I can get some rest, and today Parker got to play at her house. She acted like she really enjoyed having him there and said, "You need to drop him off anytime!" Even if it wasn't true, it made me feel so good knowing that he wasn't a burden to her.

My neighbor, Kimberly, knowing we've been sick for so long (since our kids haven't been outside playing) offered to order us a pizza tonight. She knew that Neal had a business dinner to attend and that I was in no mood to cook.

Where do all these nice people come from, and why am I not this nice?

Needless to say, I have a bit of energy envy. I wish so much that I felt well enough to be doing all these fun things with my kids right now. It's summertime, they shouldn't be sick or inside all day with a tired mommy, but that's the way it's been. I'm downright jealous of all of you moms who feel like having fun. (This is a pity party, in case you didn't read the invitation.)

On a happier note, nobody is sick over at my other blog. It's kind of like that Castle on a Cloud from Les Misérables. Only lovely things are blogged about over there. Actually, A Room Somewhere is garnering some outside attention lately, which is very fun. Check that blog's sidebar for more info. :)