Coffee Date Friday: From the Road

Hellooooo again! I am linking up with Rags to Stitches for my third Coffee Date Friday. Today, were we to share some caffeinated delights together, we would likely have to FaceTime or Skype while we did so, as my little family o' four and I are headed to Winston-Salem for a weekend with one of my sisters, her hubby, and my niece. While chatting and sipping on sweet, sweet caffeine, hopefully without spilling, here's what I would share with you today:

...This week, one of my best friends and her two sons came to stay with us for a few days. We had a great time, complete with trips to the playground, fresh Fort Mill ice cream, a trip to a local farm, a fun poolside playdate with another one of our college friends and her two precious girls, and another playdate with one of my closest Fort Mill friends and her two boys. My favorite parts of the visit, however, were at night, when our kiddos were tucked away and slumbering soundly while we drank wine, chatted, and discussed all things Royal Baby.

...I would say that I got up extra early 4 out of 5 days this week to go for early morning runs. It was amazing in that, during the clear-sky mornings, the moon would be shining on my right and the sun, rising on my left, as I ran. Quiet. Peaceful. Breath-taking. My favorite new way to start the day.

...I would tell you that my precious Raleigh now sings the dinner blessing with Banks, and it is one of the best parts of my day. I think I may have mentioned to you a time or two that she looooooves to sing. And that sweet baby voice just kills me every time. 

...I would tell you that I have this stereotype in my head of what a stay-at-home momma is supposed to look like: She is supposed to independently keep the house spic-and-span at all times, cook delicious, made-from-scratch, healthy meals, constantly teach her children new concepts and promote cognitive development, garden, iron all laundry, and on and on. You know what? I think supposed to can be a very dangerous phrase. Who determines what things are supposed to look like in my world? In yours? Some out-dated ideals? Some modern ideals? What makes them ideal anyway? I am going to attempt to strike supposed to from my vocabulary. 

...I would share that Banks thoroughly enjoyed his first (of many) fishing trips with his Daddy and Pop last weekend. And I totally teared up, in the middle of a restaurant, in the middle of lunch, in the middle of a Bachelorette weekend, when my hub texted me photos from the fishing excursion. 

...I would also let you know that, while I have been on a roll with my Bunco winnings for many months in a row, I was not so successful last night. That's okay, though. My neighborhood girls and I still had a great time rollin' dice and drinkin' wine. 

...I would tell you that you that next weekend my stepbrother is getting married. And that exactly three months later, my baby sister is getting married. And that six months after that, my stepsister is getting married. We are in wedding overdrive in our family for the next 9 months. WooHoo!

...I would share with you, most importantly of all, that I AM GOING TO BE AN AUNT AGAIN!!!! Yahoo!! This time, it's my big brother, Damon, and my sister-in-law, Jamie, who will be growing the family. I am so excited I can hardly stand it!!!!

Of course, before signing off on our virtual coffee date, I would sit quietly and happily listen to you sharing the latest scoop from your life. I would cross-my-heart and promise to keep your secrets safe with me, all the while looking forward to our next get-together. I would wish you the happiest of weekends before signing off. 

Until next time!