06-25-10

What a wonderful time we had visiting last night. It all started here at the house. Shawn showed up and I felt I suddenly was FREE!!! I was able to easily clean, something that seemed to take all day and I wasn't done yet, as well as *drum roll* take a SHOWER!! It felt so good to be able to step in and not worry about Emily. Shawn also helped me carry out the old loveseat to be picked up, and I was able to get a few things vacuumed. Time came to leave - it's been ages, it seems, since I've seen Julie.... and the band was playing down her street. It was great to be able to fit not only visiting her in but also for her to be able to meet Emily, Shawn, as well as Patricia.

We stopped at Pickle Time, a local hamburger restaurant that the kids just love, and I picked up some french fries, burger, and a shake. Shawn picked out a few things too, but come the late evening my stomach was making itself known that once again I shouldn't have eaten that type of food. Ugh. All the fun memories of what use to taste so good, just isn't settling well anymore. Oh well, it'll make the new way of eating much easier (which I already know my body prefers). I think Shawn had it right, with a veggie wrap :)

Julie commented on what a very sweet man Shawn was, and how he was a natural father. When driving her to get her car, we talked about how things changed from the uncle relationship that was initially planned, to more of a father relationship, and what brought me to that decision. Julie pointed out how it was obvious how much he loves Emily, and it really is. It hurt last night taking Emily's carseat, putting it in my van, and driving away.... I felt as though I was taking Emily from him :( He had just finished saying one of the sweetest goodbye's, bending down and holding the carseat close, looking at her and talking.

I am thankful for this time to be able to watch the two of them together, and feel without any doubt that when the time comes when I can leave her with him for a visit that she'll be very much loved and cared for. I'm not ready to leave her yet, but at the same time I can't wait for that time to come. I wish he could spend every day with her :( He is one of the most loving and gentle fathers, Emily is very lucky.