Here's to Ladies Night Out!

This week my cousin Natalie is visiting from California. We've been planning a 'girls night' all week and it finally arrived. Coincidentally, Joel was able to get off quite a bit early and Jaimee was able to have the kids taken care of earlier than expected so our evening was off to a great start. I was so giddy with the idea of having this evening to myself. Jaimee, Natalie, and I were all getting ready in the laundry room at Mom and Dad's house and we were laughing hysterically already. I've always thought I was pretty funny, but my cousin Natalie...She has to be the funniest person on earth. This girl has stories you wouldn't believe. I knew it was going to be a memorable evening for sure.

We were all ready to go and started the evening with a home appetizer of chips and salsa. After our snack we hopped in the car to the steakhouse at the casino. Now, I'm not too fond of the casino anymore, but I happened to know that they have DELICIOUS food at this steakhouse. I was pretty stoked. We arrived and were seated. There were maybe 2 or 3 parties at the restaurant in total. They were in for a real treat.

We are in very different positions in our lives, the four of us. Natalie is young and full of possibilities. She is just entering into college life, thinking about career possibilities and enjoying the freedom of single life with her friends. She takes life as it comes and takes it lightly. She knows there is so much waiting for her as she lives and loves. She talks of theme parties, dinners out with 7-10 of her closest friends, and fun with her brothers and family.

Jaimee is at the prime of her mothering life. She has children ranging in age from 13 years to 6 months. She gets to experience life through the eyes of young children as each one enters into a different stage of development. Her youngest just started getting his first tooth. She is a wife, a sister, a mother, and a best friend.

And my mom who has lived a life that even the best mom would envy. My mom, my hero. She's survived things we can only begin to imagine. She loves unconditionally. Her life is full with what she has always wanted most: a loving family and a fulfilling career. She is strong and supportive. She's the kind of mother I can only hope to be.

Me. I am learning the art of motherhood from some of the greatest examples. I am finally understanding who I am and what my purpose is. I am learning to see myself through my husband and my daughters eyes. I am excited about our future together as a family. And after tonight, I ever thankful for these three beautiful women in my life.

We laughed more than we ate. And that's saying a lot because we ATE. Four steaks, four salads, four servings of potatoes, and three desserts. We laughed so hard that a pair of women sitting behind us requested that they be moved across the restaurant. It made us laugh even harder. We loved being together and sharing these stories.

This was a night that I won't soon forget. Thank you ladies for being so special and so amazing. I am so blessed to have you in my life.