Saturday, January 10, 2009

It Takes a Village.

We move around a lot.  We don't have any family in the same time zone.  There have been times when this causes me great concern.  For example, when we first moved to the Bay Area from Copenhagen, I was 32 weeks pregnant with two children.  Inevitably, I knew I would need to have someone that I trusted take care of the girls while my husband and I were in the hospital having our third child.  Fortunately for us, our old neighbors from Atlanta live outside of Sacramento.  While I was still in Denmark, I e-mailed my girlfriend to tell her we were moving to their general vicinity.  Before I could even ask, she had volunteered to take the girls when I went into labor.  I cried and cried when I read her e-mail.  It made the move so much easier knowing there was one less thing I had to worry about.  Not only did she meet me at the hospital when my water broke, but she drove the girls down to the hospital to see me and kept them overnight for two nights.  [I'm hoping to return the favor in the very near future.]

I'm finding that it usually takes us about six months to become settled in a new location with friends, doctors, babysitters and and all.  As we have added more children to our brood, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage all the comings and goings of our lives.

That's why every mother needs to have a Go-To-Girl.  I have one and she's a God-send.  It's a must for anyone with small children and anyone who drives carpool. She is always ready willing and able to help me out in a pinch or any situation.  Not only does she help drive my kids to school, but when one of my children forgets their "share" item, she goes the extra mile by making sure they have something to take.

It makes you realize how much we as mothers need to support each other.  Here's to MY Go-To-Girl.  You know who you are and I couldn't manage my life without you!

4 comments:

LeAnne said...

I know exactly what you mean. We are so blessed to have such great friends while we are away from our family. I often feel very guilty about living away from the family and the kids not being able to have there grandparents whenever they want them. I guess that is the price you pay when you are at the mercy of the government.

Mainly a midwife said...

You are very blessed. I think trying to figure out where Riley would go when Katie was born was my single biggest stress when I had her.

forever folding laundry said...

I am the one that's blessed to have you as my go-to gal! Which is why - regrettably - I won't be able to approve any further moves. You're here to stay. Thank you for your cooperation! ;)

Marianne said...

Hey Lori
Of course I remember you, and you have a third child now, congratulations! You have bautifull children.
yes, we're looking forward to our trip to Flordia, to se all the sights, get some sun (you know we miss that here) and visit Darren and LeeAnne and se the kids.