The day we got off the boat was a sad day! The girls each expressed their desires to stay differently but, ultimately, we had to leave "DreamLand." You all looked so adorable pulling your polka dotted luggage Mimi and Granddaddy gave you for valentine's day (yes, monogrammed and all!!)
Luckily, though, we had a another sweet surprise for you girls! We headed straight to the home of some very dear friends who just happened to live near the coast! Randy and Sally were our neighbors in our old subdivision. They ended up moving before we did so it has been quite a while since we have seen them. Just as God placed us perfectly in this home with His "angels" surrounding us, He did the same then when He, literally, placed two amazing people right outside our front door. They were a wonderful set of "in town" grandparents for you girls and role models for Daddy and I. You girls would get so excited to top the hill toward our house to see if they were rocking on the front porch each evening. We spent hours and hours there eating popsicles and just chatting together. Each warm, spring type evening reminds me of those special times and I imagine it always will bring a sweet glimpse of their faces! Sally loves sewing and we could go on and on together. Randy loves being outdoors so he and Daddy have been fast friends (I always wished his love for yardwork would blow over Daddy's way but it just never did!) And, girls, you were spoiled three times over by them daily. Mommy will always remember how wonderful Sally was when I was pregnant with Ailee and Adelynn. My morning sickness that was much more than "morning" sickness put me in the hospital multiple times and left me closed off in the bathroom more hours a day than not. Feeding you all was completely hopeless, much less anything else you needed. However, Sally jumped right in and helped as often as she could. She would come over early, gather you up with whatever you might still be wearing from the night before and head off for hours. Then, bring you home well fed and ready for a rest. See what I mean...angels!
Anyway, you girls were beyond thrilled to see them. It was just like old times...popsicles outside, sweet conversations and lots of hugs! You have continued to talk of them almost daily since we returned home from staying with them that weekend. Anna Grace, especially, you had a hard time with the realization that they are still around but very very far away. They truly were like your grandparents for a while. We promise to visit more and told you can call whenever you want! That helped but I know it won't be long until popsicles are a frequent treat around here with the warmer weather and with that will bring some sad moments of needing some "Ms. Sally and Mr. Randy TIME!"
I love this pic of you and Mr. Randy, AG! You were so happy that day on the beach with them. It was like you were just floating around full of smiles and giggles. You were so carefree and enjoyed every minute of twirling and singing across the sand and through the little waves! It was so obvisious that you were in a safe place where you felt loved and life was as it was intended for you...peaceful!
Baby A, you were busy! You were digging, shoveling, getting way wet and messy but loving every second of it. You took off toward the water first thing while pulling on your dress. "Clothes off" you would say to me over and over. You didn't mind the breeze or the freezing water.
We are so grateful for the visit with our friends, Ms. Sally and Mr. Randy, and even more grateful for their place in our lives. Thanks for showering our girls with your amazing love and kindness (and Jon and I too!!) We miss you tons already!!!
Dancing in the Character Lounge each night with surprise guests like Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Minnie and more was as fun to watch as actually participating.
Ailee, you showed Cybil how to shake a leg!
Then, you all met the "real" princesses after you got all dolled up in your gowns. Adelynn, all you talked about for weeks before was how you were going to be "Binkerbell." However, now you are completely obsessed with Snow White.
My favorite day was when we spent a lazy morning and afternoon on the beach of Disney's private island. Isn't it gorgeous?
Well, the night of the Farewell Party, Adelynn, you gave your "poppie" (aka. pacifier) away to Pluto. Mommy was amazed you did it all on your own and you were such a big girl after it, too. Pluto was beyond thrilled and swung you around and around. Mommy was sad...no more babies! I miss that sweet pink thing I was so accustommed to poking out of your mouth. You so very proudly tell me almost everyday now..."I'm a big girl, Mommy, no baby!"
The memories of this trip will last forever! Thanks, Mimi and Granddaddy, for such amazing times will the ones we all the most in this world!!!
