I hung up the phone, starting to second guess this idea.  6:00 was awfully late to be meeting; bedtime is 7:30 after all…

As I pulled out of the driveway, I started wondering when that change happened.  When did 6:00 start being “late” to go out?

Just what happened to the girl who used to go dancing until midnight or later?  Whose boots actually touched the top of the bar once in a “Coyote Ugly was a great movie” kind of moment…

When did 6:00 become late to go out, and just how did I get stuck with a 7:30 curfew as an adult?

I was still pondering these questions when my cell phone rang.  Her husband was running late, which meant she’d be meeting me a little later than we agreed upon.

Already at the restaurant, I called my husband.  I guess I already knew I wouldn’t be home at the start of the bedtime routine, but now it was looking like he would be getting them asleep by himself.  A first.

The fact that she’d be running late actually turned out to be a blessing.  Knowing I’d never make it home in time to help get the kids asleep meant I was no longer checking the clock; the “curfew” disappeared.

Over drinks and dinner we did what girlfriends do best — talked about everything and anything.  It wasn’t until the waitress stopped by and mentioned she would be leaving for the evening that we checked the time.  4 hours had flown by, and we agreed it was time we both headed home.

On the drive home I realized something.  That girl that used to stay out past midnight isn’t really gone.  Maturity and children may have changed her, but that’s okay.  It’s better than okay.  She still has that connection with her best friend that allows them to lose track of time for hours on end, and now she has 2 beautiful children she can’t wait to tuck in at night, and a wonderful husband who was waiting up.  And she wouldn’t change that for the world.

Happy to be linked up at Lemon Drop Pie

The post The Girl I Used to Be first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

It is strangely quiet here still, with both kids somehow still sleeping…  Of course the little guy worked on perfecting his “stalling at bedtime” techniques last night and didn’t actually fall asleep until 10:00…

Want to get thankful with me?

Tuesday I had a dentist appointment.

No, I am not going to say I’m thankful for that – except that it’s over for 6 months.  But, because I chose to stay with the dentist I grew up going to, each time I have a dentist appointment means I drive on down to my parents’ and the kids and I usually spend the night down there.

This time around my best friend since elementary school (who still lives down that way) was able to find a sitter for her 3 youngin’s, and I left my own 2 with my parents a little longer and we both had our first pedicure.

THAT is what I’m thankful for today.

No, it’s not the pedicure itself I’m thankful for, although the experience was nice…

I’m thankful for that time alone with my friend.  Usually we have 5 kids in tow with us, and although we get to chat, it’s hard to really have a conversation when you have to stop every couple of minutes with, “Sweetie, make sure you’re sharing.”  “We need to all stay on the playground, please!” and “Uh, oh, I think the youngest needs a diaper change.”

So there we sat.  No kids.  Feet in the warm water.  Massage chairs going full speed.  Getting pampered and just talking girl-talk.  (After Monday’s craziness at the doctor and with the cat, and my friend’s own craziness taking 3 kids to the dentist, the time alone together was doubly nice.)

And, now my toe nails match the color of my car.

Now for my favorite part of Thankful Thursday – passing it on to you.

Go on, take a minute to be thankful before the day gets too busy… What are you thankful for today?

The post Thankful for Time with a Friend first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

The other day when I was on Facebook, I received an event request for Red Fridays.  I thought maybe it had to do with women’s heart disease or something.  Curious as to what it was, I clicked on the invitation.

I was immediately hooked on the idea.   Put simply, the event is geared to show support for our military troops by wearing red on Fridays.  To me it doesn’t matter what politics you might follow, it is important to support our troops.  These are the people who have volunteered to defend our country, to protect us.  They often put their lives on the line to do this.  When I researched Red Fridays a little further I stumbled upon this compelling quote, “Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: 1. Jesus Christ. 2. The American G.I.  One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.” (http://www.redshirtfridays.org/)  I can’t think of an easier way to show your support, and thanks, for such an act than by just wearing red on Fridays.

One other note-worthy site I found when researching Red Fridays was the USDA Military Families site.  If you are looking for other ways to say thank you to our troops, this site may offer you some simple and much appreciated ideas.  I am thinking that my kids and I are going to send cards through The Operation PAL that is mentioned on the USDA Military Families home page.  What a great opportunity to help my children understand what military men and women do for our country and allow them a chance to show their gratitude.  This is especially important to me because of the number of friends I’ve had in the military, including one who was deployed a couple years ago and may be deployed again soon.

So for today’s Thankful Thursday post I am thankful to all of the military men and women who have chosen to defend our country.  If that includes any of my fine readers, or your family members,  thank you for the many sacrifices you have made on the behalf of our country.

Will you join me in wearing red tomorrow to show your support and gratitude?

The post Thinking of Red This Thankful Thursday first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.