Team Time...

   Ken and Beth brought the wave of community and fun time with them. Team meals, birthday parties, girl’s nights, and of course meetings...does this lil relational mama some good. 

   Ryan planned a very detailed and extravagant party for Melanie’s 30th birthday. 

We recieved formal invitations, were instructed on what memories to be thinking of, had childcare provided for, and had reservations at yes...PF changs.

 When we arrived at the snazzy shopping center, we were each given $5 to go pick out a gift for Mel ( she LOVES getting gifts) and we could go “in” with someone else if we wanted. The girls teamed up and the guys teamed up and we had a friendly competition of seeing who could get the best present for Melanie. 

    it was such a creative idea...

   then onto dinner and reminscinscing about Mel...this journey that we have been on has been 4 years and we have some pretty great memories stored up. I love you graceful, spirited, passionate, detailed, clean, loving, hostessing, adventurous Melanie!

  Ladies night out landed us at a cozy restaurant with the best bread pudding ever. 

I don’t remember ever ordering bread pudding, but not-joking every table had this on their table, so it felt like a must-order. and it did not dissappoint.

 divine. 

and then our final meal...

    we dined like kings and queens at Mouniirr- a famous Lebanese restaurant food with breathtaking views from the mountains where you can see Beirut and the sea. 

Val informed us the official color of November is “purple” ( i had no idea =), Beth answered a lot of our questions, and we relaxed once again without our littles and enjoyed the richness of relationship we have been given here. 

this is Ken's response when i told him his smile was weird in the pics. he wanted a solo shot. 

  the Primrose time ended so sweetly...sipping tea under a blanket with Beth..talking late into the night. It was exactly what my mama heart needed. To hear her proccesses, her thoughts, her insight and wisdom and to be changed by it. oh to be changed by our friends. 

 so, yes, i am thankful for wisdom from Jesus that comes from our beloved friends. it is so powerful and rich.