This morning I remembered the invitation on our fridge from Mad’s classmate. I had completely forgot to RSVP, forgetful has been my middle name, if it’s not in my calendar or on our fridge. I asked her if she was good friends with the little guy and she said yes she plays with him at recess every day. So I told her I’d call his mommy and see if it would be okay if we still went to the party. She very matter of fact, in her usual five year old way told me “His mommy is dead. He told me. You’ll have to ask his daddy if we can go to his party.”. I was taken aback to hear my little girl tell me this, but I called the number on the invitation and spoke to the gentleman that I assume was his daddy. He was more than happy to have Mad still go to the party. And so we went. When we arrived three little boys spotted her and shouted her name and came running and started taking turns hugging her and happily picking her up! When each of them were done she would pick them up too. There she was, our five year old daughter happy as could be to be one of the boys! She was the only little girl there and these little boys were thrilled that she was there and they ran around together for the next two hours like the best of friends and she was certainly not the unwanted tag along girl. It was absolutely heart warming! I’m so thankful that even though I didn’t feel well I pushed myself for her to have a fun afternoon. Especially for this little fella who’s mama wasn’t there, who’s daddy threw an amazing Ninja Turtles birthday party and wore a single pink breast cancer awareness bracelet, that didn’t really have any family their outside of an aunt and a few of his new classmates. Yet another swift reminder to always count your blessings. I constantly tell Matt no matter how bad I feel, I always feel so incredibly blessed, because I know there is always someone out there that would give anything to fill my shoes. I am tremendously thankful for the life we share together and know all too well how precious it is.

Afterwards while it would have been easy to go straight home we went to target to get a few necessities. Mad has a fun school project due Monday morning. We’re anxious to put a package together for two special friends that are serving our country. And our little doll face is finally ready to buy some big girl panties and do away with the days of the diapers. I’m fairly certain she would have already been fully potty trained had I not been having all of these medical problems. But since she’s my last lil bit, I’m not in all that much of a rush to end each of these baby phases.

When we came home the girls were happy to bring a little something special to their Maw-Maw for Grandparent’s Day and spent the evening with her. And I came home to a surprise package myself. My incredibly sweet friend, Sandy, that I’ve known since I was fifteen and sat behind her in science class sent me a care package. I simply love this lady. It’s kind of funny how you can know someone for so long and have been friends with them back in school and have a much closer bond as adults many years later. She’s one of those friends. I’m truly blessed with such genuine people that go out of their way to remind me in all kind of ways that they are there for me. Thank you for always being one of those friends Sandy.