Since coming home, I've been looking through pictures and a.) kicking myself for not taking more and b.) trying to figure out how to put everything together into a post without a bunch of rambling! :)
I guess the main things I really can't stress enough is how the Lord made everything fall into place to make the trip possible. I'm still in awe of how every little detail was worked out. Like...
--How my Mom was able to come here and stay with the girls so my Hubby could continue his usual routine at work, and life could go on as usual for my little schoolgirl, Alyssa. :)
--How my Dad was available to take and pick me up on the three hour drive to the airport.
--How the price of my flight was so affordable.
These might seem like minor things to some, but all three had to come together so would even be able to think about taking the trip.
The Lord also really blessed me so much with everyone covering me in prayer before and during my trip. With it being my first time away from my girls, the first time flying alone, etc, I had lots of potential areas to be anxious about. Up until the day before the trip, I was doing so great with not worrying much about anything. And then all at once, the enemy started working overtime to scare me into just staying home. I started to feel guilty about leaving my girls to go and do something that seemed selfish, like have time for me. And then over on Kristin's end, three out of five of them in her house started getting sick and battled some tummy troubles. It was literally the morning of travel day and I stood in my bathroom getting ready to head to the airport and I was seriously thinking that maybe I should just cancel the trip completely.
I battled so many thoughts and I finally just asked the Lord to make the way for whatever he wanted me to do. I really felt that the Lord wouldn't have opened up all those doors just to slam the whole thing in my face at the last minute. I just kept praying, talked with my Mom, and texted the one friend who I knew could help me figure things out. In the end, I resolved that I was going. In my heart, I really felt that the Lord was up to something big if the enemy was fighting me that hard to keep me home!
I'm so thankful for pressing through and most of all, for prayers because I really had an amazing time. I was not anxious or a mess like I anticipated I'd be. The girls also did so well and when I would call home, my Mom would tell me that she was so surprised, especially at how well the baby did without me. Even though Alivia's getting so big at almost 19 months, it was a big deal for Momma to be gone for several days!
I could really kick myself for not taking more pics, but oh well. Guess that just means I'll have to go back again someday! Here was one of the first ones I took of Kristin and her sweet belly! As of this week, she only has about five weeks left until baby Matthew makes his debut! :)
Friday was my first full day there to spend with everyone. Kristin's girls were in school so we were able to go out to lunch and then check out Hobby Lobby. Here in CA, we do not have Hobby Lobby, so it was SO fun getting to check it out and see so many cute things. I wanted to buy everything I saw! Here are a few things I found...
After we did lunch and Hobby Lobby, it was time to go pick up the girls for school. They got a quick break and then it was time to head to dance practice. I snapped this pic on our way to dance...
Madison, Kaylee and Lily are the sweetest girls ever and I could hardly believe how peaceful life can be with three girls. Seriously...mine are always screaming or fussing for one thing or another. Maybe it's because of the ages mine are right now. Not once the entire time I was there did the girls cry, scream or fight. They were just so calm, which was just amazing to me!
Again, I could kick myself now for taking hardly any pics of that day because we also ended up eating at a yummy Mexican food restaurant that night and did I get a pic of any of us? Nope. I guess I always get nervous that people are gonna think I'm a weirdo for busting out the camera and a taking picture of my food or people, but I probably shouldn't even be worried about what other people think!
The next day was Kristin's baby shower and I do have several pics from the fun we had that day so I'll share those in my next post. In the meantime, check out this pic of the view from Kristin's kitchen window. It was so peaceful and calm, just getting to sit out on the back porch swing and enjoy the view. I could have sat out there for hours! :)
7 comments:
i've been having a really crummy day (well few days actually) reading this made me cry. i'm so glad i was able to be there for you, and it meant the world to me to be a friend to you. thanks for reaching out. i love you friend. i also totally almost bought that princess sign last week at hobby lobby!! i LOVE it! :) too funny. can't wait to hear more.
I loved reading this!! I still feel horrible that we got sick and it made your decision so much harder. I wish so much none of that had happened!
It's so weird how we had the best intentions of taking pics but still didn't get any. I think it just means we were taking time to make memories and enjoy the moments, so I think that's okay. And you're right....gives us a reason to make sure we do it again!! Ha!
I'm so glad Amanda was there for you.....I know that morning I was freaking out and so afraid you would come and feel like you had wasted your time and money. The Lord was so good to bring it all together in the end. I know He was testing my faith, and while I feel I failed, I also feel I learned alot and we won the battle!
It cracks me up about you saying how the girls are so calm.....I'm at least glad they didn't drive you crazy or anything. LOL! You're right though.....the older they get, the calmer they get!
That weekend was one that will be remembered forever. No one in my life has ever done anything like that for me and I know I keep saying it, but there really aren't words sufficient enough to tell you how much it meant to me! Love ya!!
The picture you took of Kristin is a good one. She hasn't posted very many tummy shots...so I liked seeing this one.
Her girls are sweet and that's neat that they all get along so well. They are quite a bit older than yours, so just wait Ver...yours are still pretty young, and young ones do fuss at each other! (:>) I am sure yours girls are just precious!
That view from Kristin's kitchen window is really nice. That would be so nice to wake up to that view every morning, and to see that while you are making breakfast huh?
I am so glad you found some fun things at Hobby Lobby. I wish they would put a Hobby Lobby here in Derby. There was some talk of that happening...but nothing yet! The one we have in Wichita is quite far from here.
I praise God that your Mom got along so well while you were gone, and that the girls could keep their daily routine. That is such a blessing. I am glad that Alivia did so well too.
I know you missed the girls though, and that they were very glad to see mommy arrive home on Sunday night.
Good Post! Looking forward to the next one!
Momma Linda
So glad you were able to go! We talked at MOPS this week that life is about relationships! I'm excited that you got to continue this relationship with a friend.
I am SO jealous of you! And so excited for you all at the same time! Life can be peaceful with girls?? Wow! I can't wait for our time!! What a fun trip! God is good!
So glad that everything worked out. God is good !! So glad you were able to meet Kristin. I would like to meet so many everyone. I guess Heaven will have to wait for that. :)
Take care.
You two telling about your time together is so much fun to read! Some of my most favorite posts ever! So very thankful y'all got to be together!
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