Saying Goodbye.

I don't like to say goodbye. I avoid it at all costs. I'm not sure why I hate it so much, but I do. Tonight I had to say goodbye. I didn't cry, but I almost did. A good friend of ours threw us a wonderful going away party. I got threw all of the goodbyes but when it came time for me to say goodbye to him, I wanted to cry. I hated the idea of being far away and not having random visits from him. I've been really positive about moving, looking forward to the change and the adventure. But this week has been so hard on me. Its set in that my friends are now going to be hours away, not minutes. We actually have to plan in advance for their visits and may go months without seeing them. How scary is that?

Never in my life have I ever had to start over. Even going away to college I knew a good amount of people. Actually, I could go anywhere in Southern California and know people. But now at 21, I'm finally (for reals) going to be on my own. Its so foreign to me and this week I really wondered if I could do it. Am I strong enough to start from scratch? I cried a lot this week and prayed. Tonight made me dread Sunday even more. I love dinner parties that include good conversation and dancing. So comfortable and perfect. At the same time though it made me wish it was here already. I think I'm kind of looking forward to being out of my comfort zone. I am so grateful for the wonderful people who have been by my side the last few years, especially the last four. God has blessed me and shown me His grace and love through their friendships. I know He'll provide that again. I just have to trust and be patient. I've also decided that I'm not really going to be saying goodbye because really I'll see all these people again. Maybe not every week but for weekend visits and holidays, which I'll take!

Also, here are some pictures I took at Disneyland the other day:

I think Riley enjoyed her first trip.

I think this was Riley's favorite part. Sitting on daddy's shoulders.