Gone but not forgotten

I'm so grateful for the beautiful day yesterday. As usual Sunshine began her morning shouting, "mom! Mom! Mom!" Brett opened her door and she hopped into bed with me to squeeze me tight with lots of hugs and kisses and say "love you mom". She tickled me on my neck and and tickled Brett then asked for "brefast".

After breakfast I had the boys draw her pictures to pack up in her Dora backpack to take home with her to her other mom's. Giggles picture said "bye" on it with a beautiful flower. Wannabe drew lightning because everything he draws must have something sharp whether it is teeth or claws.

Then we headed outside to enjoy the sunshine. They rode bikes and played basketball. Sheriff very carefully took Sunshine for a ride on his bike up and down the sidewalk. Thank goodness for the cushioning of diapers. I was crossing my legs as I watched her sitting on the bar of the bike but she was having a blast.

After naps we headed to a local art festival to take in the booths. I loved the local artists but the kids were more interested in the homemade mini-doughnuts and the ital-ice, not to mention their impatience as they waited to reach the inflatable slides and bounce house. Even the boys went on the princess bouncehouse/slide which shocked me. They will do anything if it means having fun with their sister.

We had some time to play in the backyard on the swings and slide and had fun watching boys show off their ability to jump as high and as far as they could and watch Sunshine slide down on her belly.

Friday night is pizza/movie night so we returned home to enjoy some pizza together and vote on a movie. The vote was for Star Wars Clone Wars. All too soon however it was time to give Sunshine hugs and tell her goodbye. Brett put her in her carseat and I drove the 1/2 hour to her mom's home singing Primary songs and talking to her to keep myself from crying. I'm so proud of myself as I managed to do the drive and talk to her mom without crying in front of my little girl. I didn't want to upset her. I wanted it to be a positive transition for her.

I made it two blocks before the tears fell. I'm not so tough after all.

Her clothes are gone, her toys are gone, and her bed is empty but she is in my thoughts, she is in my prayers, she is in my heart.

She is my Sunshine.