Friends

Can you imagine in the midst of our busyness and new lifestyle (the 7-4 work schedule, that is) we found time to spend as a family, with friends at the beach.  I think if you have the chance to spend the weekend with great friends you shouldn't let it pass because there aren’t that many opportunities when everyone is free and has the means to come together. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, after Roman’s first full week of work we have President’s Day weekend.  That means that we have a three day weekend, thank you State of Oregon.  We could  have stayed at home getting more organized and finishing up important things like papers for incomplete classes or doing our taxes—instead, it’s off to the beach.

When you spend the weekend with friends you finally have the chance to develop your friendship to include  more than just day to day life.  Especially being in close quarters-five families in one house.  Five families equals 10 kids and 10 adults.  Not only do  logistical things like breakfast, lunch and dinner become exaggerated but also pajama comparisons and relaxed conversation fill the time.

We spent all evening talking about family history and family vacation.  Ideas like distant travel as a group came up and especially the fact that this feels good-togetherness and a little less individualism-we should do this more often.  It is  the same when we have a dinner party at our place and  friends come over to spend a few hours at our home.  When they leave I always feel warmth left over that is unique to the visit that just happened.  I am reminded that I want to invite friends over more and even though it might be daunting for me to pull everything together and manage life with 3 boys, it is very much worth it. 

Last week we had a really nice dinner with our neighborhood neighbors.  The kids are just old enough (and Niki slept through the dinner part) that we could just let them go and play together while we sat around the table eating wonderful food and talking about our life.  How each couple met and how we share our life together.  There is something about peeking into the intimate part of another family’s life that makes you realize that what you have in your own family is normal and good.  The little arguments and why those happen and even the things you each find joy in-which usually allows you to view your own experience with a new perspective. 

I know some people who would give anything to have a perfect weekend at the beach and for some reason or another it is impossible.  I am so thankful that we have the opportunity, ability and even more so the friends that allow that to be possible.