Changes

We sit in her big back yard. The babies are on the blanket. They are not really playing together, but they are aware of each other. We have a few toys on the blanket, and are trying to keep the babies from wandering off.



The older boys are on the swings. They are dirty. The sprinklers are on. The boys are wet and going down the slide. They are riding in the cars. They are sometimes sneaking into the garden. The garden has dirt patches so we let them play. I don't know how she has time to keep this big garden. We talk about organic food. We really can't afford to buy organic food. But we wish we could. We talk about going to Davis Farm. Maybe we will get passes from the library, and go one day. We talk about the boys. We talk about the babies. We laugh. It is sunny and warm. We are happy.



We talk about houses. We talk about Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I tell her I should nominate her from the show. We laugh. She says they are looking for a new home. She is not sure if they can stay in town. Her family lives an hour away. It would be great to live near them. But she is torn. All her friends are here. All her kids friends are here.



Time goes by. She calls on the phone. We are talking, as usual. They are leaning towards moving near her family. They have been looking for houses everywhere. She talks about all she they will leave behind here.



She calls again. It is definite. She is going to move away. Her husband and family start renovating their new house. They work on it all the time. She has to pack. We get together for more play dates. We talk about how we will still get together when she moves. It's only an hour away. Moving day comes, and they move. She is no longer five minutes away. We talk on the phone. We talk about getting together after they get settled. We talk about meeting in the middle so no one has to drive to far.



I go about life. I take the kids to school. I go to Mom's club. I remember how we used to go to Mom's club together. I chit chat with the people I know. I introduce myself to the new people. But something is missing. Something is not quite right. I go home. I cry.



I call my friend. We make plans to meet at a McDonald's with a play area halfway between us. It takes both of us longer than we thought to get there. We meet. The kids play. I take lots of pictures. It is right before Easter. She asks if we have any plans. She invites us to come to her house. I say I will check with my husband.



We arrive at her new house on Easter. Everyone is outside in her new backyard. She has all the cars and riding toys outside. She has an egg-spoon race set up. And tons of games for the kids. We are celebrating one of the boys birthdays also. The kids are happy to see their friends. They pair up with their buddies of the same age. I take more pictures. We eat birthday cake. We say goodbye and promise to get together soon.



Months go by. We talk on the phone. There are screaming kids in the background. We don't care. We are used to talking on the phone like this. We talk about how the kids are driving us crazy. We talk about what we have been up to. We get off the phone due to the screaming kids.



I go about my life. Do my chores. Take the kids to school. Chit chat with people I know. Go to mom's club.



A card arrives in the mail. It is a pretty picture of a garden. It says "Thinking of You." I smile. It is so pretty, I don't want to lose it on my desk. I think about where to put it. I stand it up where I can see it in my kitchen. I smile.



It is January. My new baby is due to arrive soon. I pick up the kids from school and am driving home. There is snow on the ground, but it is sunny. We are driving by the playground, and they ask to go. I say ok. Why not? I see there is one other car there. We get out of the car, and the boys run to the Big Dinosaur. There is another mom standing there, with 4 kids. She waves. She smiles. These all yours I ask? No she says, the two boys are hers. The girls she is watching for a friend. We chat. She seems friendly. I ask how old the boys are. Turns out, they are a the same age as two of mine. Her two boys have their birthdays a week or two after my two. We talk. She is new around here. She doesn't know any other moms. I tell her about Mom's club. I give her my phone number. She joins mom's club and comes to my playgroup. The kids play. We are happy. We talk about getting together again.



I am getting ready to have my new baby. I talk to my friend on the phone. I tell her about my new friend. She is glad. We talk about the kids. We talk about the baby. I tell her I am nervous. I don't know how I will handle four. She says better you than me. We laugh.



My baby is born. My parents come to stay with us. Life is easy for a couple weeks. My parents leave. Friends visit me and the baby. A big box arrives in the mail from my friend. It is full of pink baby clothes. I smile. I can't believe how much clothes she sent me! I call her on the phone. We talk. We laugh. There are screaming kids in the background. We don't care. We are happy.