I keep asking myself, "why didn't we all become friends sooner?". I remember their 1st day at the church. I remember seeing them walk in, just the 2 of them, and thinking, "I think that was my friend's roommate"...and that was all that became of it. Truth be told, maybe we wouldn't have been friends back then, but I find myself wishing for more than a year of this friendship that I have grown to love, value and appreciate so much.
I know I've posted about this before, but these dear friends were an answer to my prayers. Just over a year ago I found myself asking God to bring a little girl into Hope's life. At that point, Hope's 3 closest friends were boys...which is just fine and we love those little boys so much. I'd have images of Hope having tea parties or playing dress up or princesses, but couldn't see any of these boys wanting to join in. And so I began praying for a girl friend for Hope.
Around that same time we ended up at a church we used to go to...one I thought for sure we were done with when we left 2 years earlier. The church was having a water play-day for the little kids so I thought it'd be something fun for Hope. I debated about going...I made sure there was at least 1 person I knew who'd be there and discovered there were 2 families I knew so I went. I mostly kept to myself (as I usually do) and Hope and I played together, occasionally talking to the 2 people I knew. As we were packing up and getting ready to leave, Hope decided she wanted to play in a pool where 2 other little girls around her size were playing. I took off her clothes and put her swimsuit back on and let her play. Little did I know then that the little girl I prayed for was one of those sweet girls in the pool with Hope.
I don't remember exactly who asked who or how we ended up making plans for that first playdate, but I am so thankful we did. We met up at Disneyland, not knowing much of anything about each other but we knew our girls were about the same age. I don't remember much of that day, but it was the start of something fabulous! We have had so many fun playdates over the past year...bird farms, Rubys, trick-or-treating, Thanksgiving feasts, lots more Disneyland, storytimes, Bass Pro Shop, seeing the big kitties, the park, staying home, birthday parties, Sundays at church, lunches after church, swimming, camping, and I'm sure there are more. These playdates have been my most favorite times and moments I treasure so much. God definitely knew what He was doing when He brought that sweet little girl into our lives and He knew how much fun these two would have together!
Not only did God bring Hope a friend, but He blessed me with a friend too. I wasn't looking for any more friends, I thought my life was full enough with my few close friends. Boy was I wrong! It's not often that you meet someone who you are totally comfortable with being yourself with or someone who just seems to get you, without words or history. I used to think it VERY cheesy when people would talk about "kindred spirits" or "kindred souls", but that is how I feel about my friend. It hasn't necessarily been words spoken that has drawn us together, but it seems like something more, something deeper. It seems so sappy to write this, but I am just so thankful and grateful.
This is our last Sunday with our friends at church and Wednesday will be our last playdate (at least for a long time). Next weekend they will load up their truck and their cars and move to another state. I am so not good at "goodbye" so I find myself just ignoring the fact that they are leaving. If I don't think about it, then it won't happen...right? I know they are following God's calling but I am sure going to miss them! A few weeks ago I sent a text to my friend saying that after their 2 or 3 years of being gone they should move back, move in next door, and then we can all grow old together...I wasn't kidding!! I know we will see them and we will make vacations and visits happen, but it will sure be different. I guess I'll have to get good at talking on the phone and learn how to be a good communicator so we can stay connected over the miles.
Thank you Lord for bringing these dear friends into our lives. I pray that You would bless them imeasurably in their new chapter and watch over them. Allow them to connect quickly and find their fit in this new place. Bring a little girl and her mom into their lives who will be a source for may playdates and fun adventures! Hold them close and remind them often of Your love and Your great plan for their family!!
Sometimes I forget how much Hope has grown until I look back at old pictures...WOW, she is a different kid than she was this time, last year! So grateful for this home where she can grow up!
#2. I've been searching pinterest and have been dreaming about creating a dress-up space for Hope for awhile now. I had found a few ideas I really liked, but needed to keep it cheap...that's when I remembered this closet organizer that someone had given us last fall. After brainstorming with Jaye, we figured out a plan...
We used foam-board on the back since it was open. Eventually we want to collage the inside of it, but for now, it makes a great backing.
Jaye had the great idea of collaging it. I couldn't decide on a paint color so Jaye suggested using papers to cover it. He's brilliant!
We glued the paper on and then sealed it on with Mod-Podge. It went on great and we managed to keep it really smooth, but it did bubble a bit when we sealed it. Thankfully, as it dried, the bubbles disappeared and both sides are flat and smooth!
In progress...
Here are some pics of the finished project...Eventually I want to put more hooks on the outsides for her necklaces, but this will do for now. I also want to find some fun baskets or bins for her dress up shoes and tiaras, but again, this will do for now.
#3. Along with the magnet/chalk board came this mirror...also bejeweled. It is a bit hideous if you ask me, but it was free and it could be painted.....here is the before picture (sideways because I couldn't get it turned)...
And here is the after picture. I still don't love the mirror itself, but you can't go wrong with turquoise paint and glitter mod-podge!
#4. This was the 1st of all the project...they're all in here backwards. We took smooth "stones" from Michaels, letter stickers, magnets and some bright paper and made ABC and 123 magnets.
