MORE CABIN FUN.

Sometimes you don't realize you are depleted until you walk away from something really good, and you feel full- alive and renewed. You are energized, optimistic, inspired. You relearn that the little things that weigh you down are just that, little things. You shake them off and see the grander scheme of life. You refocus on what's important, like getting down on the ground to play Candy Land and Pretty Pretty Princess with your little, and tell yourself that the laundry calling your name can wait another day.

We had an awesome opportunity to reconnect with some friends this weekend, and I got to experience all of the above. I didn't realize how much I missed my friend Jill until I was driving away from her cabin and was just filled to the brim with happiness.

Jill and I met in college, some nine(ish) years ago. It is so fun to have friends from different stages of your life. To remember all the fun you had together in your wild and carefree days. Now, we are both wives, teachers, moms, and those wild days are more like wild moments, far and few between, and our carefree days are a thing of the past. Back in our college days, I used to tag along with Jill to her cabin on summer weekends, and oh, the memories we made. We truly were wild and carefree, running around soaking up the sun, enjoying a few (too many) beverages and getting tossed about in the lake as we would fly from tubes being pulled by speeding boats. Fast forward to present day, and we're busy chasing preschoolers around making sure they are wearing their life jackets, slathering sun screen on them, slipping inside to check on sleeping babies and making sure bellies are full with yummy food.

I only get to see Jill once a year, at this annual cabin getaway. I left questioning why I don't make the trek to see her more often. She is so much like me...sharing goals, values, hopes and dreams. I quietly soaked her in, admired what a great mom she is, and vowed to adopt her laid back personality. She's got a great balance of it all, and she is happy. You can see it in her face, her smile, her connections with her family. And she inspired me. And renewed me. Made me feel alive. And she probably has no idea she did so.

So to Jill, who I know is reading this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship. This poem

comes to mind and it is so fitting. (And no, I don't have this thing memorized, I looked it up!)

'The Love of a Friendship'

I love you not only for what you are, but for who I am when I am with you.

I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me.

I love you because you have done more than any prayer could have done to make me good,

and more than any fate can do to make me happy.

You have done it without a touch, a word, or sign.

You have done it by being yourself.

Perhaps that is what being a friend is after all.

Ok, ok, enough of the sappiness, lets move on to the pictures, which lets be honest, is what you all came here for anyways!

My little Lake Lover.

And little Lake Lady.

We did lots of fishing, both on the dock and the pontoon.

Taking a snooze on the boat, ahh to be lulled to sleep like that!

 Worms! Otherwise known as bait...

Just precious. Eli and Nugget became fast friends.

 Love the curiosity!

Eli and Chad caught matching fish...sort of!

 Another precious moment. Daddy and Nugget fishing. I love capturing these times when they don't know i'm stalking them!

A little team work to bring in a big one.

We ate some yummy food...

Captured smiles and quiet moments...

Jill's little Adi. She looks just like her Mama.

Enjoyed the little things...



And laid back and relaxed...

Thanks so much for a wonderful weekend Tomala family, and we hope to see you again soon!