A Day With The Armstrong's

On Thursday, Woody (Justin's best childhood friend and "brother") arrived to spend time with us and his wife Nikki and baby Charis. They picked him up at the airport while I was at work and I was so antsy to get back home and have fun with everyone. Charis was happy to introduce her daddy to her babies.

Friday night, we had a couple's date. Our neighbor kept the boys and Charis so we could all go out together. It was the first time that the boys had stayed with non family baby sitter and I had a tough time. In my defense, I was exhausted. I am working 6 days a week. Close to 50 hours. I don't get home until almost 7 when I bathe and play with the boys until 9. Feed them, get them in bed and then feed myself. Get up at 2am with the boys. Go to work again. By Friday night I am exhausted. So I was already tired. Then no one was ready on time so we were so much later leaving. I did get a little upset. I wasn't as much worried about them as I was guilty about leaving. I feel like I just work so much and I just wanted to stay home and kiss them and love them. I miss them! Anyway, I ended up doing fine but it was a little harder than I thought. We had a great time at dinner and the boys were perfectly content when we got home.

On Saturday, I had to work so Justin, Woody, Nikki, Charis, and the boys headed out for a morning adventure until I could get home. They all headed out to The Woodlands for a ride on the water taxi. I can't believe what an amazing and adventurous dad my man is. Nikki told me later that she kept trying to help and get stuff together and he was all on top of it. Holding both of them, changing both of them, pushing them, carrying the diaper bag. Handling both babies with no problems. I am a lucky woman. So they all loaded up on the water taxi through The Woodlands. When I got up this morning I gave Nikki 3 rules. 1. Dress my boys cute and matching 2. Take lots of pictures 3. Don't let them fall in the water! When I looked back through these pictures I was disappointed not to be with them. The hardest part of being a working mom is feeling guilty over the moments that you miss. How I would have loved to be with them! Once they finished up there they headed to Old Town Spring where I was finally able to meet up with them for lunch which made me feel lots better. It was a great day. It was warm and there were lots of people out. The boys certainly draw a lot of attention. We sat on picnic tables and ate lunch. It was the first time that other than errands we had been out as a family for a day. As I sat at a table surrounded by my family members, I got a little teary. How beautiful life is. What wonderful parents Woody and Nikki are and how much it meant to me that we could all be together with my children too. God is so good how he brings families together. How He brought not only Woody into my life when I married Justin but Nikki too. I am thankful to have them in my life.

Love,
The Riley's