You start to grow up

This weekend at home has been absolutely amazing. I came home on Saturday to two joyful kids running into my arms saying HAYLEE! I couldn't have been happier to see those smiling faces. Jordan, my Mom, and I got to take Ava and Jayden out sledding after a long struggle in finding all their snow gear and Jayden crying because he wanted to skate instead. We went to Ridgewater to try out the slopes. Once we got there I knew that all the hustle and bustle of getting them there was worth it. Ava and Jayden were so excited. Watching them was bittersweet. I realized that this was the last weekend I would see them for a little while. It was so fun to watch them go down all by themselves. They would call up from the bottom of the hill and say HELP! They didn't want to carry up the sleds cause it was so hard for them, especially Jaydo. I loved that Jordan came out with us too. It reminded me of when we were little and right now typing I just remembered a story about being out in the cold. Jordan, Danny, and David (our neighbors) and I would always go over to Roosevelt school and basically walk over the fence because the snow drifts would be so high. We would trudge around and play pretend. I remember falling into a hole by a window at the school and my brother heard me screaming and went over to me and helped me out. Now...after so many years I'm sure the extent of how stuck I was is exaggerated, but I always thought he saved my life that day. It's amazing how scared you get when you're little about getting lost, or being stuck when someone is right beside you or right around the corner. This brings me to my little ones. Ava, Jayden, Paige, and Kail. They are in those precious moments of growing up. I love being there for them as much as possible, but I'm realizing that I can't always be there. Right now I have to be away from the people I love, but that doesn't mean I love them any less. As a matter of fact I think that because of this experience I will realize how important they are in my life. I did my best to explain to Ava (6) and Jayden (4) that I was not going to be around for a little while. I don't think Jayden understood, but Ava seemed to be listening to me. I told them that I was going to miss them very much and for them to send pictures. Ava has already lost her two front teeth and I can hardly believe it. I know that all my nieces and nephews are going to grow up way too fast and in all reality I'm only going to be gone a short time, but for childhood it's like 2 doggy years. I was looking through my facebook at the pictures Lauren took of me, Jayden, and Ava in Duluth and came across lyrics to a special song. It's called "In my Arms" by Plum

Your baby blues
So full of wonder
Your curly cues
Your contageous smile
And as I watch
You start to grow up
All I can do is hold you tight

Knowing clouds will rage
And storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

Here's the youtube link if you're bored and want to listen...it has the characters from Twilight for whatever reason, but it works cause I like Twilight anyways ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6rSPDyzaR8