Sunshine In My Soul

I don't like change....

Five and a half years ago, we moved into our brand new home in Mesa. We started asking around, trying to find a cute little babysitter for our children. Someone who would love them and play with them so we could go on dates, spend some alone time together, and strengthen our marriage. We met Julie. Instantly the children ADORED her and she adored them back. They would ask for her every day and cry when we would come home....sad that they hadn't had as much time with Julie as they had wanted.

They exchanged gifts at holidays, would look for her at church to get a piece of gum or small treat from her purse, and beg to go visit her if they hadn't seen her in a few days. I loved watching the children's faces light up when they saw her and how they would squeal her name and run to the door to greet her.

She selflessly served our family through many different trials and has made my love for her grow even more. She was my person to call when I was just having "the worst day ever" and I needed to get away. She would show up, full of smiles, with love and patience for the children, and I would escape to roam the aisles at Target or just drive aimlessly to clear my head.

Sometimes after Brett and I would come home from a date, we would just sit on the counters in the kitchen and chat with her for a few hours. We would laugh and share stories! Dang, I love that girl!

Now she's all grown up...and going away to college. I knew it was coming, dang it! And I thought I was preparing myself for it. But it's harder than I thought it would be. Sure we still have a bit of time together over the summer. Right now she is in Equador, working in an orphanage, and giving love to babies who need it much more than my own. But after the summer is over, she's moving...to another state. I'm not really sure how I'm going to survive. She would pick Little Miss up at dance for me, drive the boys to soccer, run to the store for me to get supplies for a school project a child hadn't told me about. She just made my life easier! After five and a half years, I'm just not sure how I'm supposed to let her go!

Before she left for Equador, she asked me if I would take some pictures of her with the kiddos. I'd been meaning to take the kids out anyhow...remember the whole post on THE DRESS...back in March. Well I took pictures of Julie and the kids together a few weeks ago, and then I cried the whole way home.

Dearest Julie, I love you to pieces! Thank you for loving my children when my love was running on empty! You mean so much more to me than I could ever tell you! You know I'll be flying you home JUST to see us! Love you!!!