Jaelyn

I have been doing a terrible job of writing down the numerous funny things that my girls say. However, Jaelyn said and did something the other day that I just had to share.

We were driving to the Sam's Club parking lot to meet up with Michaela's youth group leader so they could pick her up to go on an outreach. We ended up leaving the house a few minutes early so we stopped by Sonic to grab a drink. As we were driving to drop her off, Jaelyn made it known that she had a brain freeze. I told her to press her tounge to the roof of her mouth for a few seconds and it should go away. Michaela chimed in that she could also use her thumb meaning she could put her thumb in her mouth and press it on the roof, just like she would her tounge.

We pulled into the parking lot and waited just a few more minutes. The girls were quietly sipping on their ice water when I looked back at Jaelyn who just happened to be sitting in the backseat with her thumb quietly placed on the top of her head. I asked her what she was doing and she looked at me like I was crazy and told me she was getting rid of her brain freeze. I just had to laugh at how silly she looked. Instead of placing her thumb in her mouth, she thought placing it on the top of her head would do the trick!

Toys 'R Us Girl

Many of you have heard this story time and time again but this blog is a journal of my life and I couldn't go without writing about someone who has taught me so much about life, just by being a friend.

When Chaseton was just a few weeks old, I took the girls to Toys 'R Us to play with the train table and Power Wheels. It was my only chance for a few minutes to myself that day as Matt had just gone back to work that week. I was tired, emotional, stressed, and not really sure as to how I was going to care for three children under the age of 4, after just having a major surgery.

As I got there, I noticed another mom with a little girl and her very own baby girl in tow. I smiled and watched our kids play together while checking my phone, hoping some sort of social life would embrace me that day. The mom asked me a few questions, small talk if you will, while giving me the "look" that I've received time and time again while in public. The "you have your hands full" look that is permanently etched in my brain. Infact, I still see the look or hear "you have your hands full" atleast once while in public to this day.

After playing, we made our way throughout the store. I let the girls pick a toy that day as a part of a bribe and a little bit of mommy guilt, seeing as how I had a newborn which meant less attention for them. As we made our way to the checkout, the mom I met at the train table filed in line behind us. She asked me if I had ever heard of MOPS before. I told her I had but I didn't belong to a group. She invited me to the same MOPS group that she attended because she noticed "I needed a break." :) I gave her some information and made my way to my car. As soon as my kids were loaded and buckled, I immediately called Matt and my mom. I was thrilled. I met a friend and she asked me to join a group where I could meet other moms who are walking the same path that I was.

A couple months passed and I vaguely remembered the information that my new-found "friend" had given me. Mommy brain. I was starting to get bummed out because I hadn't heard from her. I couldn't remember when MOPS would be starting but I knew it would be soon. My mom came for a visit and while she was here, we took the kids to the library. They were playing in the play area when I seen the girl I had met at Toys 'R Us out of the corner of my eye. I made eye contact with her but I didn't want to be the first one to approach her to find out that it wasn't really her. I mentioned something about her to my mom, reminding her of the time I called her from the Toys 'R Us parking lot. Allison, I later found out her name was, saw me in the library and again reminded me about her MOPS group. I was so happy and I couldn't wait to attend my first meeting.

The rest is, as they say, history. My first meeting went great and I eventually started opening up, getting comfortable, and making friends with some pretty amazing ladies that have blessed my life beyond measure. I'm convinced that Allison was sent to me through God when I needed a friend and someone to confide in. I desperately needed a change in my life and Allison was the one that was chosen to open my eyes. MOPS has forever changed my life all because a mom stepped out in her faith and asked a fellow mom to be her friend.

Allison has no idea how much she has changed my life. She has taught me how to love, how to be a good friend, and how to be comfortable in my own skin. She has taught me to stand strong in what I believe in and to be confident in who I am. She's seen me cry, seen me struggle as a mom, and encouraged me when I've needed it most. She's helped me in ways that she will never know. Because of her, I will feel important, work hard, and treat others differently. I never imagined that a girl I met at Toys 'R Us could be so near and dear to my heart. God has a way of placing people in our life right when we need them and I will forever be thankful for her.

Today, our friendship continues to grow. She keeps me grounded and understands who I am as a mom, wife, and friend. Our girls just happen to be bestfriends as well and I love her girls more than words. When we're in public together, we love to approach moms, invite them to our group, then laugh about it later. Allison will always be my Toys 'R Us girl.

This quote reminds me so much of Allison.