Thank You For Being A Friend............

L*O*V*E These girls!

Forever Family

I am 18 years old. The Oregon sun is warm but mild and I'm content. I'm carrying my cousin Nick. He's so tiny. I've been told I need to brush all the sand off of him before he can get into my grandpa's car. I lift him onto the gate of the car. While I brush the sand off his tiny little arms and legs he's saying funny things in his squeaky little voice and we're laughing. Something tugs on my heart that I've never in my 18 years felt before. Someday I want to be a mom. I have NEVER felt that way before this moment. It stands out so clear in my mind as one of those golden summer moments. Just sweet and simple, purely about the joy of family.

A few years later Nick's little brother Josh is born. He is a self proclaimed "mini-Nick." He's the first baby I've seen that tiny since my little sister was born when I was 9. I hold back tears the whole time I'm meeting him. The presence of our Heavenly Father is so unbelievably strong with him. It's a sacred moment I won't ever forget.

I love my little cousins. No matter how old they get they will always be little to me and when they move onto new adventures this weekend they will leave a little hole in my heart.

I'll miss Tyler. He's the sweetest of all the brothers. Born with a sweet smile and a mild nature that he still has to this day. He was such a happy baby. He's going to be a Senior in High School next year and I'm proud of him....I'm really proud of him. I'll miss Ethan. When he thinks Nick and Tyler aren't looking, he's the BEST big brother to Josh, sweet and attentive. Patient and helpful.

I just can't keep my fingers crossed enough for these precious guys. The little seaside town they're heading to will NEVER be the same again...mostly in a good way!!