She's back, but he's gone

Phew... I wasn't sure we were going to make it out of that, but alas my daughter has returned. I guess she was just going through something or maybe it was the combo of unfamiliar people and a new place. If you look back to my last post I was venting about our separation anxiety phase. Madi is back to her fun loving self, greeting everyone she sees and saying "bye" to all shopping guests as we leave the trader joes with her wrinkle nosed smile. It has been a relief to have my friendly girl back. With her independence back she has decided to really exercise her verbal skills. I wrote them all down today to see how many she could say and she has 30 words. Are you kidding me? Not a day goes by that she doesn't remind me how special she is and how blessed we are to have her. The downside, new verbal skills equal persistence and a lot of push back. Example... this morning just before breakfast she walked up to me and said' "cookie." I explained that she needed to eat a healthy breakfast and offered her yogurt and oatmeal. She said, "no, no, no." I asked her what she wanted and she again said "cookie." I said "no," she countered with "please" which actually sounds more like plea. I tried my best to get her to eat a good breakfast, but she refused. As a result, she ate no breakfast at all and was perfectly happy about it. I wasn't going to give in on the cookie situation and neither was she. She is incredibly stubborn, which will maybe serve us well later in life if she becomes a lawyer and we need her assistance. For now, it is an issue. she On the upside, she has been very sweet lately giving lots of hugs and snuggles. I can't complain there.

While there is joy due to the return of Madilynn's fun loving spirit, there is sadness in our home as we continue to miss Da who has been in China for 4 days and has another 8 to go. Our home is not complete without daddy. I am far more sad than I expected. It is such a long time to be away and is literally on the other side of the world. There is an anxiety in me, worrying that something could happen to him, Madi, or I and we wouldn't be able to get to each other quick enough. It is a 20 hour plane ride with a 13 hour time difference. This is where my faith is tested and I have to trust that God will take care of him and return him home to me, but it is hard to surrender those emotions. No matter how busy our days are, I still think of him throughout all of it. I miss hearing his voice throughout my day and I miss the good morning and good night kisses. It's hard to hear my baby girl ask for him and not understand where he is and why he hasn't come home. We try to keep busy with LOTS (understatement) of play dates and my DIY redecorating of our bedroom. Pictures to come soon. Definitely check back because it is turning out pretty amazing if i do say so myself.

Sorry this blog is all over the place, my mind is a little fried from chasing my toddler who has learned to run pretty fast. :)