"you can't choose what stays & what fades away..."

i have been listening to florence and the machine for days. so much that madison has learned almost all of the words to shake it out. it was nice enough to go for a little walk today. so we did- after madison begged me to straighten her hair so it would look longer. i also made my mother in law a table runner for thanksgiving dinner. she picked out the fabric but i must say- it makes a great gift! don't be mad if any of you receive table runners this year for x-mas from the starkey family. tight budget ;) anyways- this little peanut just lights up my day with her gorgeous smile & awkward yet hilarious personality. just a few photos from earlier today. now i am off to shoot a wedding reception/cocktail party. it should be a lot of fun and just what i need right now. 

our turkey family

this morning we cuddled & madison made a turkey family {a rainbow turkey family}
that's about it for today. we may to do some painting. anything to get my mind off of things.
i love how she made our turkey's to match our favorite colors. i am holding her extra tight today.

give thanks {through grief}

it's not easier today & it's written all over my face. my husband and i still have moments of grief but we choose to give thanks. thankfully god blessed us with a wonderful daughter to guide us through this. it's hard to be sad or feel ungrateful when you have such joy running around your house--begging to make her turkey craft, praying to god at dinner, asking what we are thankful for {as she says, "i'm thankful for mommy, daddy, and our angel baby}--she truly is a sweetheart. 
so my house is trashed with toys by my feet. i need to do laundry and i haven't. instead- i've been cuddling my sweet little girl & watching movies, making crafts, eating halloween candy. i've organized a small portion of my kitchen for this post. we needed a small tribute to the thanksgiving holiday. madison was so excited to make her turkey craft that aunt heidi bought her--it made me smile, even for a brief moment.
as reality sets in- the tears fall.