Things Change

I said I was going to give Madeline only healthy snacks like fruit and cheese and organic yogurt.
But then I made these chocolate chip cookies, and I thought about how much she would like them, and how cute she would look with cookie all over her face. So, I gave her the cookie, and I was right. She did like it. And she did look cute.








that was good.





I said I wouldn't buy her a bikini.
I didn't want her being confused when she gets to be a little older and I will no longer let her wear a bikini. But then I saw this adorable bikini on sale at Gymboree, and I decided that it's ok if she wears a bikini for now. But only for now.








I said I wouldn't let random kids that we just met in Palm Springs hold Madeline. (Well, I guess I hadn't really said that...but I didn't think I would.)
But then we met Kristen and Isabella(three minutes prior to these pictures), and Madeline liked them so much she gave them her "thumbs up." So, I decided it was ok.

My Girl

words



can not



express



the love




I feel



for this girl.

A Beautiful Goodbye

We spent a week in beautiful Colorado with some of our closest friends before they moved to North Carolina. Their grandparents have a ranch in the mountains, and it was even more beautiful than these pictures(Jon took) portray.We hiked, laughed, rode horses, laughed, fished, laughed, had campfires, and yes, laughed some more. It was fantastic.
But, about the goodbye.
I. hate. saying. goodbye.
These friends have become family to us these past three years. They are the ones we can call at the last minute to eat dinner with, go camping with, go jogging on the trail with, talk about everything with(and I do mean everything.) They have been there for us, prayed with us, and laughed with us. They are kind, funny, authentic, gracious, lovely people. They are the people that you look at and think, I want to be friends with them. And we are. And I'm SO thankful.
It was very hard to say goodbye. We all wept. They stood and waved and cried until our car was out of sight on the dirt road. Jon and I went about an hour without saying anything, as tears rolled down our faces. I really hate goodbyes.

And now, we are back home. Since we've gotten back, I've been a little down. I have had that feeling of emptiness that you feel when you have a really wonderful time somewhere and then regular life just doesn't feel as sweet for a while. I miss the country. I miss the beauty of the mountains, rivers, and wildflowers.

But mostly, I miss my friends.