Mads.

Or to most people …Madison Noel Miller. Mads is an artist, a dreamer, an animal lover, a creative writer, an excellent reader, a fabulous big sister, and just an all around great kid. Mads is my wonderful step-daughter. We joke that she is like my free set of steak knives or that I got a BOGO (buy one get one free) when I met Eric! HA! I met Madison when she was four years old; she is now ten going on 15. When I first met Mads, Eric and I had been dating for about three months, so I was introduced as Eric’s friend. At four years old, she wanted me to be her friend and not long after she started inviting me to sleep overs! Another HA! But it was sweet and I have loved her from day one.

Mads is in the 5th grade now and just this year we have noticed that this is the year when girls start changing over to a tween. Which I must admit is a little sad, but also exciting. Anyway, my point…I had a wonderful day with Mads on Wednesday!

Claire has been sick for six days – double ear infection, fever, new teeth, just the works. So Wednesday I had the afternoon off work to stay home with Claire and decided to get out of the house for a bit when Mads got off the bus. So at 4pm, I packed up the girls and off the the park we went. I figured some fresh air and excersize would be good for all three of us. It was a perfect day for the park!

Madison and I took turns pushing the stroller around the 3+ mile loop at Sharron Woods and just caught up on life – it was awesome! She shared her dreams of what she wants to do when she grows up, what her library will be like in her home someday, the book she wants to write, and then went down memory lane and talked about our trip to Panama, cute things she said when she was little, etc. It was just a special day with the girls that I don’t want to forget. They grow up fast and it’s good to be reminded to slow down and just spend quality time listening. Love you, Mads!