Kansas City

oh place where i grew so much. oh city that i learned to love so deeply. driving the streets brought back so many golden memories. of struggles and tears and laughter and making friends that turned into family.

  to go back and see your incredibles...some of your most favorite people in the world...and see that they are thriving. that the BR is thriving..that babes have come and jobs have changed and new people have joined and some of the darlings have grown up ...and yet there is still such a deep sense of belonging.

 i honestly am floored over and over again by how my sweet friend Juli host's people. it is incredible. i take notes. i think to myself- mare you have to implement some of this. i am wowed by the details of her love and service. and i just don't think that i can do it. i cherish it, but man...she is just out of my league!!

=\\\\\

 apple pie with home made whip cream and free strawberries and sprinkled cinnamon sugar. perfection.

 Layla loved Lilly. loved her. and was kind of in awe of her. she was watching her every move.

 our amazing apartment that we stayed in. it was fabulous. homey, comfortable, stocked with crazy treats!

 even fresh flowers on the table...and our own little cutie...

We had dinners and lunches and BBQs and swim parties. games and laughter and catching up on kids and motherhood.





getting time with one of my bestest...megan was an incredible treat. her two boys to match my girls. what an incredible friend she is with such rich history. being with megan is absolutely invigorating. her love, her heart, her wit...i honestly just enjoy every minute with her...so fun to have entered this other stage also...



  we had a romantic date night at my favorite italian restaurant...although it has changed locations and the ambiance was completely different...we walked around the plaza and joined some dear friends for the royalty of all desserts...




pam and dave. so hilarious, so fun.


i loved processing and sharing and questions and digging at hearts that went on in this week. the love runs deep here.


more pictures:

 love the kids. watching their little hearts and minds...picking up some ideas for parenting older kids

 love seeing this one observing everything...

 two of my favorite people!!!

 at the kid table

 putting on a show for us...

 more pics of Benjamin and Claire Bear playing...

and it is not a real summer if you have not had a pool party at the blackwells!

 Layla tried floaties for the first time and loved them...

Megan playing with layla and aria...so sweet!

 

 Molly and her boys..

Faith snuggling with Sophia...

 And then of course getting to see sophie and Gracie...so fun. i nannied them when they were 4, 2 and know they are 13,11...ahhh!!!
here is Sophie and Sophia!!

 The Robert girls and the caldwell girls!

 and the final connect of getting to Jenny and Amy...and Amy's children. such a deep heart connect with these nurses.

so much of my heart belongs here. so much of my character was shaped here. i just love coming home to this tribe. i really do.