Goodbyes are never easy....

Sorry, I have been MIA. 

These past weeks have been a blur...

we said goodbye to our sweet Capi, we moved and we moved my mom here from Kansas City.

Lots of changes, lots of goodbyes. 

It's never easy.

When we got the call from our school the first week of December asking us to be a host family for a young French girl we talked it over for a few days and said, "yes"

We had hosted Sali from Japan just this past summer and we adored her and had such a great experience we thought it would be fun to host again.  

A month later sweet Capi arrived after a long journey from Brussels to Spokane.

We were immediately captivated by her.

She was so excited to be here and walked around with a big smile on her face.

Over the next few weeks we bonded as a family. 

She became one of us.  

She was laughing at the dinner table, watching countless episodes of Downton Abbey, dancing to Just Dance and joining the rest of us around the homework table. 

Capi and Olivia would come home from school, lock arms and giggle while going upstairs to do homework and hang out together.

Capi made us countless treats. 

I bought more eggs, flour, and puff pastry in 3 months than I would normally buy all year.

I was well worth it.

Capi's creations were delicious!

Capi was an unexpected blessing to our family.

She has left a permanent mark on our hearts. 

 A family photo taken of us in Seattle

 Since Capi was leaving to go home just before her 16th birthday, we decided to have a birthday party instead of a goodbye party. 

 Each of us said "goodbye" in our own special way.

We gave Capi an "S" pendant necklace to remind her she's now a Schaefer too! 

We miss her dearly and think of her often...

but don't worry...

we will be reunited again, hopefully soon!

BIG hugs to our sweet Capi!

We love you!