Today I was responding to my friend Valerie's question (posed to members of a Yahoo! group she started called Just4HomeschoolFamilies) about our feelings on "socialization." My final thought was that we can't confuse socialization with activities. I said, "Busy-ness doesn’t make for properly 'socialized' people – it just makes for busy people who have to explain to their friends why they’re never available. Socialization should involve things like friendship, compassion, service and love – the ability to build and maintain relationships."

Last Saturday I talked to one of my best friends for a while on the phone and later ran into her at our Town Fair later. While I was able to give her most of my attention while on the phone, by the time I saw her in person, I was so wrapped up in what our family was doing and making sure we got our son to his baseball game on time (and fed) that I practically blew her off. She was very gracious and understanding when I saw her on Sunday morning. But I've realized that I'm not doing a good job of keeping up with my friends since I got home from vacation. I guess it's time to re-socialize myself again!

Thanks to all who left such sweet comments regarding my Hawaii getaway with my most amazing husband. It was a delightful and magical time, and we are looking forward to finding an opportunity to return - next time with our kids and some other families! I wish I could have taken you all with me - maybe in the future I can? Until then, we'll have to share lives through our blogs.