It’s weird to think just over a week ago I was getting back from California! What a whirl wind its been! Matt has now been there for almost five nights! He comes home tomorrow and then we are all HOME together! That will be a good day! Well, I thought I would share some pictures and moments of MY trip with you all.
I loved seeing this girl! It was like NO time had passed.
We must have said a couple of times how it was so weird to not be texting each other but got to just talk. It was so good! I know I didn’t text Matt near as much as EM and I text everyday! Can we say girls!?! It also felt like I was just getting picked up for a playdate or normal day at the airport (except that I freaked out seeing those cute kids…if you saw the video) …not that I hadn’t seen most of them in over six months. That I would say is a gift. Haha and probably because we text ALL the time and already knew about little details going on!! I have no other friend that knows the ins and outs of my days like Em. Thanks for being thousands of miles away, a three-hour time change, and having one kid more than me…and still pursuing me.
Please meet some of the coolest kids I know…her kids! These kids have awesome parents…so they were doomed with awesomeness:)
Meet Cole…
I smile just thinking of this kid. He is so cool. He is funny and keeps a conversation going so easily…and entertaining! He has hit that age where he thinks of things and doesn’t just repeat you…but he gives his feelings on things. You know the point where a kid is a kid and you see more of how they think and process rather than just telling you what you want to hear? He is there! I love him. I took Cole and Gavin to the park one morning by themselves and I still laugh out loud about the conversation I had walking home with Cole. He has the energy to beat any Olympian, yet he will climb on the couch with you at 5:00am just because he wants to be with you. He makes you feel loved because you know your company really means something to him. He often randomly told me “Erica, I love you!” without any prompting. What a sweet boy!
Meet Gavin…
He is so precious. I think of him and I think of a smile that literally makes his whole face light up, as it makes you smile too. The boy glows and you can’t help giving into him for all his little needs or desires. There is such a sweet vulnerability and strength in him. He has that independence, yet he needs to know you are there and care…which makes him all the more capture your heart. I have such a soft spot for this boy. He reminds me so much of my J, and I love him.
Meet Kendall…
What a little LOVE! She’s perfection and all those comments or things you hear Em say about her…are truth! She is the sweetest thing. I picture her just doing the sweetest little smile and yet being shy and vulnerable as she tucks her head to the side as if saying “don’t give me too much attention but remember I am here”. I just want to squeeze this precious gift. She followed Em around like a little duckling and was so obedient. My Rea has a fierce independence in her that has her take off in the other direction when walking to a park or someplace. Kendall just followed right along. So stinking sweet!
Meet Reese…
It’s crazy to miss someone you just met as much as I do, but I miss this girl and I just met her like a week and half ago. Shes the best baby. Shes so sweet and so easy-going. God knew what Em and Andrew needed with Reese. She’s just the sweetest thing and you want to hold her and give her all she needs…even when she does not demand it. It’s funny being so close to a family for so long and then meeting a new addition. She didn’t feel like a new addition. She’s part of them, and I could never imagine this sweet family without her.
I had the best time loving on these kids and hanging with Em. I even got to see Andrew briefly between his trips. I was so excited to watch the kids for them one night, so they could go on a date! What a gift to be able to serve a family I love so much.
I had a great time doing everyday stuff…going shoipping, running, walked to a park, hanging in our pjs, late night talking, watching moves, getting pedicures, celebrating Em’s birthday, hanging with friends, going to church, eating Chick-Fil-A…and getting to the beach was just a bonus!
Em is doing an amazing job with four. It was definitely something God created her for because not just anyone could do that. I’m amazed. She would say, “you shouldn’t be. I’m a mess”. I say to that “that’s all the more why you are amazing. You are real my friend. You are not perfect and you admit it. It is hard, but you are giving it your all. Your All. Literally! Nothing else is getting pieces of you…and that is rare and so unique. I fight to have space to craft or write this blog. You are with your kids and loving on them day in and out. Your kids are so incredibly blessed to call you mom. It is your season and you are doing it incredibly well!”
I had a great time even though I missed my kids and husband so much! It’s been so good to be home and reconnect with my little loves. Don’t you know my cute boys want “their” own trip now after mommy and daddy had theirs to California. Soooo we will see…maybe we can work out a family trip so they can go see their BFFs too this summer.
