Updates on my "Dating Life"

I'm always surprised when I run into someone I know and they ask me about my blog.  I guess I'm still amazed that people read about my life and even more astonished that people care about my life enough to KEEP reading.  I truly appreciate every single random person out there who has ever read a single post.  It makes blogging all that much more fun.  One of the things I get asked about most is how my "dating" life is going.

As you will recall I've done a number of posts about trying to meet other mommy friends since becoming a stay at home mom in a new area.  Well, I'm happy to report that I have made a number of friends in the area and am maybe getting better at the dating scene??  At least I know "the lingo" and "the dress code" now.

All conversations at the park start exactly the same way.  Asking how old their kid is.  Then you say whether they are big or small for their age.  Then they ask about your kid.  And then you go from there talking about what milestones they've hit, where they are from, etc.  And I've learned that whenever you are going anywhere other mothers will be, you should shower, wear your cutest jeans and scarf, and wear at least a little make-up.  Ya know, pretty much like regular dating.  Except you have to make sure your kid is also clean and wearing cute clothes, or at least wearing clothes at all.

Anyway, meeting people at the "park scene" doesn't happen as much now as it used to due to colder weather and play dates with actual friends.  With permission, here's a rundown on 2 of my best friends here in Virginia.

Regine and her son, Ryder.  Known in a previous post as my "vacation hookup" Rachel and Johnny, Regine was the first good friend I met here when she invited me to a BBQ over Labor Day weekend.  She is fun and always ready to get together.  Very laid back, SUPER friendly, and hillarious Regine and I really get along and so do our sons.  Logan likes to play with Ryder because he's so easy going, he lets Logan basically do whatever he wants without complaint.  Daniel and Regine's husband, Ryan, have also become friends and go golfing regularly.  The 4 of us (plus our 2 kids) get together for dinner often.  I'm SO very grateful to have found this wonderful family and know that we'll be friends for a long time in the future.

Eileen and her kids, Olivia (Livi) and Lucus.  I think I referred to Elieen, Livi, and Lucas as Hailey, Elizabeth and Ryan previously (Man I'm really bad at making up names!).  Eileen and Regine were really good friends and were sweet enough to let me into their little group!  Eileen and I now hang out independently often.  I really get along with Eileen and she is my wonderful workout buddy.  We try to workout everyday, which means it happens about 3 times a week.  And our kids?  Well, I'm pretty much planning Livi and Logan's wedding.  They are always playing together and sneaking off into rooms alone.  He gives her kisses and hugs all the time.  Anyway, we have to keep an eye on those two!  And Lucas?  Well Logan and him get along well also.  Eileen and I agree on a lot of things about life and parenting.  Our husbands also get along well.  Basically, I have the best friends around!

Here's some pictures from our time together:

Lucas and Livi at the park

Halloween Party (Regine and Ryder, Eileen and Lucas, Me and Logan)

It's so fun when we catch them all playing well together!

Basically my mommy dating life is GREAT!  It has been such a blessing in our life to have found such wonderful friends.  I cannot tell you other stay at home mommas the importance of finding great friends that not only your kids, but that you get along with.  You can get out of the house, cultivate friendships, socialize your children, swap babysitting when you need it, and so on and so forth.  And we all know, everything is better when you have someone to do it with!