My own milestone

I had a milestone in my own life this past week, getting to spend an entire week with my own mother sans children, enjoying the beautiful Mexican sun, sand, and Pacific Ocean. It seems I've been spending the past 6 years of my life tending to my children, making career decisions, and continuing my education; and what interaction I have with my mom usually entails a quick convo as I run from here to there, dramatic decisions affecting our family or my own, or the usual interruptions that 2, 4, and 6 year old can tend to cause. Mom is my child taxi driver, my last minute babysitter, my psychiatrist, the only ear I will probably truly lend myself to besides my husband, she is a quiet voice of reason and the calm in my most hectic days. She has supported me as an individual, as a wife, and as a mother in more ways than I can tell; some might say that's what a mom is supposed to do, but there's not a moment I take for granted all she has, does, and will do for me in my lifetime. This picture will forever be embedded in my brain, and will make me smile thinking of the memories this past week has given me.

I also got to spend the week with two other ladies who have been more of a support system to me in the past few years than I could have ever imagined they would be. Had you asked me 10 years ago who my closest confidants would be, my in-laws probably wouldn't have been at the top of my list. Not because there were any ill feelings, but it takes life experiences to realize how instrumental those around you really are. Without my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, these past few years would not have been possible: schedule changes between work and school, sick parents, sick kids, just a plain old vacation, etc. These ladies are the most accommodating and compatible people you will ever meet, more so than I will probably ever be-and for that I am blessed, and so are my children to have these people in their lives.

I have learned to take more things with a grain of salt, that it's ok to relax and have my own fun every once in a while, and life isn't worth getting so worked up over every. . . . little. . . . thing. They have recognized our accomplishments with small unexpected sentiments, and have supported us when life has changed course for us.

I just wanted to take a moment and thank every single one of these ladies for the opportunity of this past week of rest and relaxation, I truly am grateful to have each of you in my life.