Clearwater Kids : Joseph and Mark

I think one of my favorite things about getting older, is the fact that friends are no longer defined by those who are in the same life stage as you.  In the past few years, people I've met via work, volunteering, and who I've had the good fortune of meeting thanks to seemingly random chance, has been enriching.

Mandy would fall in the later category.  I met her after college, when our paths crossed for a ladies bible study.  The group met every other week, and had single, married, dating, those with babies, most without, and all of us wanted to learn more about Jesus.  Sometimes we'd have meaningful conversations, and some nights we just chalked the "study" part up as loss, to make room for chatting and catching up on life.  We supported each other via prayer and advice that stemmed from life experience.  It was good.

Mandy was married with a baby when I met her.  Joseph was just a little guy.  Today though, Joseph is enjoying school and all the perks that come along with being a big brother to the newest little guy in the Clearwater house, Mark.

These little guys are the cutest.

Little boys are so much fun and full of life.  These two ran everywhere, picked up sticks, played with trucks, studied things in the dirt, and wanted to talk about what was for dinner. :)

It's so fun to know the children of your friends.  Little, fun, personalities whose lives are formed by the love of people you've had the privilege of sharing friendship with.  It does something good for the soul too.  Knowing that those kiddos are living a good life full of learning, support, and love...  and maybe having some fun too ;)