One Last Hurrah.

After being so abruptly fired - um, I mean released - from my calling as YW president I was feeling a bit sad, mostly because it all happened so suddenly, and I'd never gotten the chance to sort of end things with my wonderful presidency and teachers and tell them how much I appreciated all their hard work and the friendships that we have forged...

plus, I was feeling a bit lonely (seminary is kind of a on-your-own kind of job)...

plus, I LOVE to entertain...

plus, the weather was perfect and just calling for a get-together in my backyard - one last hurrah before the heat hit (which it has by now, hasn't it? oh my!).

So that's I why I decided to have them all over for a ex-YW board luncheon!

We did Mexican! Giant taco salads with carnitas and all the trimmings, plus corn cake, Maria's tamales, and lavender lemonade it wash it all down with. How do you say "yummy" in Spanish?

For dessert I made the darling cupcakes with mini-marshmallows, colored sugars, and good & plenty. (Any excuse for a cupcake - that's what I say!)

What was so fun about this board is that every one of us has a kid Luke's age, plus a few even younger. Luke was so excited all week about all his friends coming over! He thought it was his party. For the kiddos, my favorite kiddo grub - Uncrustables, apple slices, and juice pouches. Everybody's happy.

And I made a whole bunch of mini-cupcakes and let them have at the leftover frosting, marshmallows, and candy, so they could decorate their own. They LOVED it and came up with some pretty cute tiny cakes.

What a sweet little group of friends! It was so fun to watch them play together!

And speaking of a sweet group of friends! Oh, how I love these women!!! How I looked forward to seeing each of them each week (or more often)! They are each such wonderful women, who worked so hard to make my job easier, and who love the girls, and gave it their all. I appreciate each of them so much!

From top left: Shari, me, Karley, Shannan, Shea, Dayna, and Tara below. Dear friends, and beautiful women, all!

I have been in lots of presidencies over the years, and have made some very dear friends in each. But I also know that as close as I have been with the women I have worked with each time, things just change when the presidency is dissolved. It is never quite the same again. It is that thought that makes me kind of sad. I hope they know how much I love them, and always will!

Now I just need to wait for another excuse to have a party! ...and cupcakes!