Swimming

Daphné and I have been swimming the past 3 Saturday mornings.  It's a fun excuse for both of us to have some fun in the water.

I'm so thankful for this little water bug.

Slide!  Splash! 

Weeeeeeeeee!!!

So many fun toys out when it's the baby swim time.

Favorite swimming selfie yet!

She was holding me so tight!

Oh, little bundle.

Learning to kick.

Close-up wide angle.

And the reward after, a pain au chocolat.

Thanks Tonton for letting us use your camera.

Love Linz

Mama-Daughter beach time

A special impromptu afternoon with my gal!

For those of you that follow me on instagram or facebook, you've seen the above picture before with a little story behind why this photo is so special to me.  You can read it at the end of this post.*

Feet!

Feet and a little girl hand.

Croissant on the beach?

Yes please!

Daphné's in a croissant coma.

Our little nook.

Sand is quite rare on the Nice beach, but the fall and winter change the coastline, equaling happy us!

Seagulls - she loves to chase them.

Don't we all?!

Throwing little rocks into the sea.

Nothing like bare toes in the sea in October!

I'm thankful we live here.

It's not always easy,

But days like 

These Help

A lot

;)

Here's a little video of Daphné chasing the seagulls.

*[The beginning] photo captures the light that I knew had to be there in depths of my darkness and depression. My husband asked me what I looked forward to when I got better. And though my hijacked brain believed I sincerely was never getting out of the pit, I forced myself to answer his question. I remember answering with a bit of hesitation but with a genuine belief that hope existed, I said, "Holding hands with my little girl and going to the beach with her." Here we are almost 2 years out, and I can't thank God enough for saving me and our sweet princess. Sharing helps me continue to heal. Thank you for listening.

Love Linz

Leah : Day 6 + Misc

Hey guys, sometimes it takes me a while to get the blog updated.  I still have a post I want to do sharing pictures from a hike Tonio and his brother did a while ago.  Some consuming and important events have come up and been taking much of my time (working with a sleep trainer for Daphné and my mom's health).  Enjoy this last day with my friend Leah, along with a few extra pictures that I forgot to post in the other days... AND 2 bonus photos at the end =).

We had to get gelato.  It's a must.  This is Daphné's very first tiny gelato.  Her face says "happy."  So cute.

She approves!  Side note : Daphné really enjoys chocolate ice cream or anything for that matter.  I'm so proud.  Ha.

Making some mustard chicken, one of Tonio's favorite dishes.

A lot of these pictures were sent to me from Leah.  Isn't this a sweet mirror selfie of Leah and Daphné?

Trying on Leah's sunglasses.

Nighttime hangout.  // This ends Day 6. // Onto the miscellaneous.

 

Stroller nappin'.

Sunday morning exploration of church.

Sweetness at the olive grove.

In the monastery.

Walking down our stairwell.  Daphné can do the stairs now holding onto the rails and my hand! // AND below are the bonus photos!!!

I sent Leah home with 5 pains au chocolat in a tupperware for her husband, Eli, her kids and her grandmother.  This is her 3 year-old daughter, Vera, enjoying her croissant.

And here is her 5 year-old son, Grant, waking up to the smell of his croissant.  I still don't know what they thought, but I have a feeling it was a success!

Thanks for following my adventure with my friend Leah.  And to Leah, thank you for coming my dear friend.  I love you!

Love Linz

au revoir Jeremiah et Daniel

bye bye Jeremiah and Daniel

 these guys left about a week ago, and we already miss eating croissants with them ;)

our "last supper" at the beach after a sunset snorkel (Thomas, Nancy, Daniel, Jeremiah, Tonio)

and we had the beach almost all to ourselves

this is the estate that Jeremiah and Daniel will one day buy

 

 proud future owners =)  Don't worry, they'll invite us ALL to their house-warming party

we are so proud of these guys... due to a hurricane in NY, their flights were changed, and they couldn't fly back home on the same airline together... they braved it and made it safely back to their destinations.  At 15 years-old, I don't know if I would have been so courageous.  Bravo les gars !

we hope france has found a way into your hearts - thanks for coming to visit !

Love Linz (and Tonio)