Fun with Friends

This seemed like an appropriate title for our weekend, and our week so far. We had one of the best "friend" weekends we've had in a long time, and it was such a blessing to me.

Friday, we got to spend time with one of my dearest friends and her precious family, who has lived in Tennessee for the last few years. It's amazing how time passes, and how the children grow...but it is also so comforting to see them again and pick up right where we left off. We wish it could have been longer, sweet friends! We hope you made it back home safe and sound. We also got to hang out with some of our other fun friends that evening and their sweet girls, which made made it even more fun. It was great to see all SIX of our girls having fun together at all their ages!!

Saturday, I got to spend the morning at a friend's baby shower, catching up with other friends who I don't get near enough time to talk to. Alyssa and hostesses, you did a wonderful job at making Amy's shower sweet and fun...and it is always so fun to be with your "gang" and catch up. In those two hours, I had so many deep and meaningful conversations with those who I miss so much and with some who I have missed since college! I could have stayed all day (and I practically did! I was the last guest there I think!) I also spent time talking to two of my sisters by phone, who are friends in the truest sense of the word. In one conversation, we covered everything from decorating to our spiritual gifts and could have talked three more hours about it all!

Sunday, we went to lunch after church with a wonderful group, one couple who has also moved away from here, and two others who I LOVE so much! Girls, it was great to catch up at our end of the table....and our wonderful husbands took "kid duty" at the other end! It was another great example of the way God has blessed me with such wonderful friends.

Over and over this weekend, I was reminded of that very thing. I have such wonderful friends, each of whom give me something different in my life. I am surrounded by so many who care about my family, and who minister to me and encourage me daily. So, if you're one of these sweet friends, thank you. Thank you for what you do for me when you don't even know it!!

Then, of course, I continue the "blessings of friendship" with today. We returned to Sunshine School after a holiday break and I was so glad to be there! I was reminded of how much fun it is to teach with such great women and to have such great "friends" through my children in class and their families. We got to bring Trinity home with us today to play with Kendyll, and now they are sweetly sleeping in Kendyll's room. They have played since the minute they walked in our door, and have not stopped to do anything except eat! They have been the sweetest playmates and have been princesses, teachers, "restaurant workers", ballerinas, gymnasts... and Kendyll's smile could light up this house because she is so excited to have such a good friend here with her. I've never seen her so excited to go to sleep in her bed...because Trinity was on the trundle next to her. What a joy it is to watch my daughter begin to form friendships with my sweet friends' kids! To know the blessing of friendship myself, and then to watch it in our children, is so neat to me!

So, yes, this is just another cheesy post from Chelsea....about how thankful I am for my life, my blessings, my family...but most of all today, my friends.