Tinker Reflections:)

Tonight we had some of our friends over to watch the new Tinkerbell movie! I must be honest, I love hosting these little shindigs at our house. I was reflecting recently on when Bryan and I first decided to build the house. In one of those father/daughter conversations, my dad gently asked some questions, wanting to make sure we weren't going too big too soon, or biting off more than we could chew. We chuckle now at the 'too big' concern...our house is PLENTY big, but it does seem to have gotten smaller since being inhabited by our two little ladies:) I remember responding to my Dad with confidence telling him how this house was not just for us, we wanted this to be a home to gather in, a home for our kids to bring their friends too and for there to be plenty of space for them, a home everyone would feel comfortable in. Dad seemed reassured, pleased by my answer and said, "Well I wouldn't be your father if I didn't ask". Oh Dad, I miss you so!

Anyhow, back to the point:) We love opening up our home and welcoming in our buddies. Tonight I was struck by something. The kids are getting older. For the most part they were on their own downstairs watching them movie. Parents assisted with some of the food, dinner, juice boxes...but the kids are getting older, less squabbles or disagreements to sort out, less issues, etc...
But there we all were, moms and dads (and in the case of Kristi and Tyler, dear friends who lovingly care and dote over our children), just up the stairs, just a call away. We had our own time to talk, to share, to socialize, to strengthen our relationships as parents and friends. And our kids knew we were there, nobody dropped their kid and ran off, we were all there.
I hope this trend continues as the kids grow older. Certainly there are times for them to be on their own, and times for us parents to be on our own, but I just really loved tonight, loved what it said to our kids, I loved that they knew we were there, that we cared, that we weren't too busy.

And at the heart of it all, is that I am so incredibly grateful for the friends, really the family, we have in our life! What an incredible blessing these friendships are. God is so good...HE has truly given us amazing gifts. I marvel at how HE knows just what we need and has brought it to us in the means of an amazing village of friends.

Here's to the THE TINK:)