Mini-union: Texas Style

SECOND POST TODAY. WOOHOO!

Reese and I got back last night from a long weekend in Dallas with some of my bestest friends in the whole wide world. Our full-scale reunions are pretty rare and pretty impossible these days, so we have to stage mini-unions in their place for a while. These mini-unions are like reunions but involve only half of the nine besties, and babies come, too.

For the other half who couldn't come to Dallas, here's a recap of the weekend. Last Thursday at nap time, we loaded up the car, stopped by to pick up Brooke and Stella, and headed south. We got in to Lily's around 6:30, ate some delicious turkey spaghetti, and put the girls to bed after they played a bit. Lily's house is perfect for toddlers and full of fun toys. Lindsay was already there when we arrived, and LC came shortly after we started dinner. We stayed up talking about our lives and updating each other on relationships, babies, and jobs. It was so what my heart needed. These conversations go deep quick, and the Lord is the center of it all.

Friday morning, after Lindsay headed to the last part of her conference, Lily, Abigail, Brooke, Stella, Reese, and I packed lunches and went to the zoo! It was amazing. Abigail and Stella ran around looking at zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions, monkeys, and lots of other animals I can't name. Reese stayed in her stroller for the most part because I didn't think it would be too sanitary to crawl around the zoo. Each girl rode on a pony and the carousel at the end of our zoo experience and then ate lunch on our way to visit Auntie LC who works right across from the zoo! It was so fun to see where she works...she is a legit member of the Dallas County Medical Society staff. Big office, and even bigger computer. The little ones had a blast exploring her office and sitting at her desk. Pictures will be shared below. "Nap time" at Lily's was followed by a trip to Central Market and its fun playground. Lily made a Mexican smorgasboard that night, and one of my best friends from high school who recently moved to the area came over to visit for a while, too.

Saturday was shopping at North Park, an almost meltdown at Corner Bakery, nap time and WPS watching at Lily's, Buy Buy Baby shopping for Brooke and me, and then pizza eating and Bridesmaids at night. It was the third or fourth time I had seen it, but I still loved it just as much. Perfect for our mini-union. Oh, and I can't forget the phone calls to the rest of the reunion cast and mad libs that totally crossed the line. Another late night of deep heartfelt sharing followed, and then it was time for us to pack up and head out Sunday morning. We stopped at the outlets and Paradise Bakery on our way out of town, and we made it back last night by 7.

Phew! It was a long weekend, but it was so, so good.

My friends are the kind that support, encourage, challenge, share, and love extremely well. We are marking our calendars now for a trip summer of 2013 when we all will be turning or will have turned 30 that year. A trip somewhere fun...beach, big city, cruise, spas, I don't care. The Lord has blessed me with friends I don't deserve, so I am going to cherish them and nurture these relationships as best as I can.

WARNING: There are A LOT of pictures here.

Our first night's dinner. Abigail loved her mama's cookin'.

The littlest two at the beginning of their first trip to the zoo!

Wow.

Reese drinking her juice and hanging out with lions.

Stella!

One of her few trips out of the stroller that morning. She was a trooper!

The girls and their strollers and snacks.

Pony rides. First up--Abigail.

Next--Stella.

Last, but not least--Reese.

Yeah, we just rode ponies.

Post-carousel ride. Reese clung to me halfway through and would not let go of my neck. Kinda sweet.

Seeing Auntie LC at work.

Reese sort of took over LC's work space.

Corporate world in her future?! Yikes.

Playing at Lily's.

Ready to call on those hogs. Too bad these cuties weren't enough.

Like mommy, like daughter. All in our Razorback gear.

Using up some of her nervous energy.

Sunday morning time with Auntie Lindsay.

Mini-union 2011.


Can't wait for the next one coming up soon!