Life with the Frenchs: Good

I've had a series of photos from our good life as of late and just haven't gotten a chance to actually them down with my thoughts.

Until now.

**Cousins**

We've not seen enough of them lately, some sick, some sequestered, but mostly all because no matter how many good times we have we always want more.

We keep promising, come summer time, together we'll soak up the sun good.

**The first dentist visit**

Our little lady hit this milestone a few days ago

and rocked it good,

every minute.

Picked out a new toothbrush

with an even sparkly-er smile than usual.

**Aquarium**

Nana and Papa treated us to a field trip for an early Valentine's gift.

There's nothing like a good old family outing.

Not sure who loved it the most...

But T is probably in the lead.

**Sisters**

I spent an evening with my sissies this past week as well,

there's just really no one like them.

My sis cooked us a good dinner

like only she can,

this one and I just sat back and enjoyed.

They've been my bffs, my besties,

from the beginning,
each other's (or perhaps I should say my parents') built in chaperones for each other.

We didn't, we don't

go many places without each other.

In the college years, we rushed the whole sorority scene together,

all three

in agreement that there would be no more sacred secrets than the ones we already shared.

**Friendships**

And now, I'm watching my own children grow in their friendships these days, their confidence, their own-ness,

taking in the beautiful life around them,

soaking in the beautiful people they've been surrounded with...
It's a joy to see.

I've always found such life in meeting people different and same,

learning from new friendship, from people with new journeys.

We played at a friend's house this week with more children than I can count.

Literally.

I don't even know how many children were there.

The mommas just drank coffee (lots) and attempted to wrangle whoever was nearest.

It was good.

As was another playdate from the week,

with a new family from dance class.

These little girls couldn't get enough of the Jman cuddles.

And that goes over good in our house.

**Ponderings**

As some may know, and as I've alluded to before, the last nine month have been the official beginning of a new job title for me, or rather, replacing one with another one a little more prominent.

I taught elementary years for six years and for three of these, lived the life of momma and teacher both,

the ever so present struggle between a job I chose and loved and a job I was given and loved.

There isn't a smooth way, an easy route in life,

whether as a woman, wife, momma, employee or none of the above,

hardships come and people deal,

and I think I learning this lesson loudly

while working full-time for the first several years as a mother was one of the greatest blessings.

See, there were many, many good, beautiful fruits of working full-time,

balancing my roles, my family, the dinners, my lesson planning, the cleaning, my interests, the errands, my health,

the endlessness of these priorities,

growing daily through the struggles, the hardships, the triumphs and victories.

In a way, the hubs and I established a harmony in our parenting, our marriage that might not have otherwise grown because we shared the daycare route, the pickup schedule, the juggle of whose meeting was earlier.

But this is not to say this harmony didn't blossom without moments of tremendous clashing and heartache.