Kids, Girls Friends and Mojitos

Mike was and still is out of town and so I decided to throw a girls night at my house. We have had it planned for 2 weeks, Caitlin and Mikayla were going to go to my cousins house to play with their little girls for the evening, I had new drink recipes ready to go, people were bringing food to munch on, everything was planned. Well, I think I am able to plan weddings and large events better then a girls night.

At 3:30 Saturday afternoon Mikayla started complaining that her ear hurt and she was getting pretty grumpy, so I decided to go ahead and keep her with me for the evening and just have Caitlin go see her cousins. That decision alone was full of tears and angry faces. Through offers of popcorn and a movie she got to pick at the movie store she finally settled down and accepted the change of plans. So here I am dragging my 4 year old around buying the ingredients for Mojitos and Martini's. Once we got home I juggled between caring for her and tending to her every need and getting the house ready for the "girls night".

In this process I noticed I had forgotten several key items to make the drinks I had planned. So I'm on the phone with two different friends begging them to bring some of the items over since my daughter had since fallen asleep on the couch.

Once the girls arrived I moved my then cured daughter upstairs to watch her movie - I should have guessed she just needed a nap. The kitchen looked like a science lab with me wondering how do I make these things and maybe we should just have wine. I tempted to make one new drink and then it was the Mojito's there after. Nothing else needs to be said about that.

Even with the failed drink attempts, the night was again a blast. With this group of friends I have learned there are no limits on what we can discuss. I found myself just treasuring the openness and all the laughter that follows. There is really something to be said about having close girl friends and being able to talk to them without being judged. I think as a 30 something year old woman I have learned to truly value those friendships just to keep me sane. I love my husband, I love my kids, I love our families, I have a great job, a cute dog, a cuddly cat, but even with all that I still need my girl friends. I feel so blessed and I feel like God has put the challenges in my life just so I can see what I have and not take it for granted. I pray that when I do face obstacles, I will remember this feeling and remember God has put people into my life to lean on in good times and bad. I know without a doubt that I have friends that will be there for me at 2:00am if I need them. What a comforting thought that is.

By the way the guys spent the evening having a "guys night" and played some new video game and watched a movie - I think the girls probably had more fun. :)

Here is the Mojito recipe Angela wrote out last night- this is word for word-

Sugar
1/2 lime - 4 pieces - mush
3 mint
ice
Rum
Shake, Rattle and Roll
Pour into glass
add club soda