This morning... I found myself doing something new. Well, sort of...

I dropped Zach off at school, grabbed coffee and then headed to a friends house- a brand new friend.

Somehow, she sat in my chair at work a few months ago for the very first time. We quickly discovered that we had so much in common. We were both mom's, hairdressers, and wives struggling to balance everyday life. We had very similar outlooks on life... and most importantly... we share the same values.

We kept saying we were going to get together over the holidays, but never did. Then a few days before Superbowl she came to get her hair done. I invited her and the family over, and they came to our home on Sunday. Right away, the boys were off playing- and quite nicely! We spent most of the afternoon talking and laughing... and of course... they were a great fit to our crazy bunch during the party.

We both had our little guys, and decided to visit this morning at her house. She lives in the town the boys go to school- just blocks from Zach's school.

It was such a nice morning... she is a great person to talk to. She was positive and encouraging... and she didn't mind challenging me to think of new solutions that would make our family life easier. We have similar thinking on so many levels... I'm thinking I might want to check out her family history!

And before I left, I watched her fold several loads of laundry. Her son had a pee pee accident... and I sat down in it. She chased me around trying to spray my pants with febreeze.. and without missing a beat, I grabbed a towel and sat right back down in the same spot. We get the craziness that involves being a mom... and laughed about most of it. It's so nice to have a friend that wants to see you succeed, but understands why you feel like a failure.

Don't misunderstand... I have some GREAT girlfriends that are a phone/email away. We have been through thick and thin together... but it's different to have someone that is so close. Someone who is in the same school system... someone to watch you fold laundry while your yapping about child nutrition. Someone to sip coffee with...

And so, I feel like this is a great friendship blossoming. And it's reminded me that it's important to be Joann, and not just mommy all the time. That has just put the biggest grin on my face...

Here's to friendship!