10...yes really!

 In March our sweet Maddie girl turned 10! We were excited that daddy got to be here the week before her birthday and was able to take her to see the Moscow ballet perform "Cinderella". She loved it and it just helped to solidify in her mind her dream of being a professional dancer. She is working hard at her dance classes this year and can't wait until she is 12 so she can start pointe.

 On her actual birthday The kids and I went to see the movie "Cinderella" in the theater and most of us enjoyed it....poor Sam! I was proud of him for going with us...he said it was because it was Maddie's birthday and he had no other choice. He really does love his sisters!

 Then on Saturday we had a "Skype" party with daddy and he got to watch her blow out her candles. She decorated her own cake this year with birds and butterflies...just like on Cinderella.

She got some fun Cinderella Legos from Mimi and Papa to complete her Cinderella birthday! We are very thankful for this girl. She is a huge helper with the little girls and does a lot of the house work without complaint. She is doing well in school this year and has developed a love of reading. She is really loving her guitar lessons too. We can't believe she is already 10, but are excited to watch her grow into the girl God wants her to be!



Saying Goodbye

Over the past 8 months Troy and I and the kids have said goodbye to 3 of our closest friends here in Florida. I guess being in a military town this is to be expected, but it is definitely getting harder as the kids get older :( The kids are used to saying goodbye to grandparents and cousins, but always with the understanding that we will see them again soon. But that isn't the case with friends, sometimes it is goodbye forever. This past week as I was putting Megan to bed she told me "My heart hurts momma...because I miss Elijah and Madison." All I could do was tell her mine does too. We are thankful for the good opportunities that took them away from us and for all the memories we made!