Good friends

I am so blessed to have a lot of good friends in my life. I was very excited to get together with one of my oldest and closest friends Lara and her family tonight. We met up for pizza at a restaurant by us and our daughters got a long great. As soon as they saw each other it was like no time had passed and they were best friends. I feel that way with Lara since she lives in Minnesota and we don't see her that often. I was able to get some cute pictures of the girls tonight.

Last week of Preschool

 

This has been an extra hard week for me as this was Addison's last week of preschool which means she is now officially a kindergartener. How is that possible that my sweet little baby girl is old enough to be going to all day school. I am going to miss her so much that I have been extra emotional lately. Austen keeps telling me to "Be Happy Mama"  and Addy doesn't understand why I am crying. She tells me over and over again that she will come back. I am glad she isn't sad and I just have to remember that when it is time for her to go to school. I need and want this to be a positive experience for her. I will try to hide the tears in the future just so she knows mom is trying to be brave. Check out the pictures from her last week and the end of the year picnic. I have posted two pictures on the top from the first day of preschool to her last. :( 

Next week at this time...

Mother's Day

I was treated to an amazing Mother's Day thanks to my wonderful husband and kids. I am blessed to have them in my life. We went over to my parents for dinner where we also got to spend time with Nana and Papa. Addy was so excited to give me my presents, she gave me a new water bottle, a new coffee mug and earrings she picked out herself. She was so proud! That is what being a mother is all about. :)

Mother's Day Celebration at Addy's school

Addy's preschool put on a very special Mother's Day celebration where we got to make a craft together, play in her classroom, have a snack, hear a story and listen to the songs they have been practicing just for us moms. I had a blast and also got very emotional. She gave me a plate that she made me with her own design. It was precious.

The hardest job in the world, is the best job in the world!

Before I was a Mom -
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom -
I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on - Pooped on - Spit on - Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and My thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom -
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom -
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life
so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known The warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.




To all the wonderful Mother's out there, we wish you a VERY Happy Mother's Day!!!! Love you all!

Taylor Swift - The Best Day

My Mom

Friday was my mom's birthday and we had a pretty busy day so I didn't get to post on here, but I just have to say what an amazing Mom I have and how I thank god for her and for my whole family every day! I can go on and on about what she means to me, but found the lyrics to this song that just tells so much about my mom and growing up with her and my dad! There are actually many songs, but this is one of my favorite. I included the video too.  I only hope that my kids will feel the same way about me when I get older. Love you!

"The Best Day"

I'm five years old
It's getting cold
I've got my big coat on

I hear your laugh
And look up smiling at you
I run and run

Past the pumpkin patch
And the tractor rides
Look now -- the sky is gold
I hug your legs and fall asleep
On the way home

I don't know why all the trees change in the fall
I know you're not scared of anything at all
Don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away
But I know I had the best day
With you today

I'm thirteen now
And don't know how my friends
Could be so mean

I come home crying and you hold me tight and grab the keys

And we drive and drive
Until we've found a town
Far enough away

And we talk and window-shop
Until I've forgotten all their names

I don't know who I'm gonna talk to
Now at school
I know I'm laughing on the car ride home with you
Don't know how long it's gonna take to feel okay
But I know I had the best day
With you today

I have an excellent father
His strength is making me stronger
God smiles on my little brother
Inside and out
He's better than I am

I grew up in a pretty house
And I had space to run
And I had the best days with you

There is a video
I found from back when I was three
You set up a paint set in the kitchen
And you're talking to me

It's the age of princesses and pirate ships
And the seven dwarfs
Daddy's smart
And you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world

Now I know why all the trees change in the fall
I know you were on my side
Even when I was wrong
And I love you for giving me your eyes
Staying back and watching me shine

And I didn't know if you knew
So I'm taking this chance to say
That I had the best day
With you today

Nature Walk

A few weeks back Jay and I took the kids to VA where we decided it would be fun to go on a Nature Walk and explore the trails. The kids loved it and afterwards we took the kids to their favorite restaurant Nick's Pizza!  Here are some pictures from the fun day! 

One of those days

Ever had one of those days where you just feel like no matter how much you clean, or pickup or think you are on top of things you turn around and see that the kids decided to pull out all the books and dump the puzzles on the floor? What mother hasn't experienced this one time or another? If you haven't well you are either not a mom or maybe you have a full time nanny/maid. I tell you it has been hard Jay has been out of town since Sunday and every thing has been thrown off. I know I am very lucky to have my parents live close by, but my children also act a lot different when they are with my parents. 

I would like to give you one example that I know my dad will love, but Austen never wanted to go to bed when we were at my parents. So instead of going to bed he would say no and say " No Mama, sit Ga and watch movie" he would then run up to sit with my dad in his chair get under the covers and put his arms behind his head. I am pretty sure my mom took at least one picture of this. Please don't get me wrong I am glad my kids love my parents, but it makes it difficult when it is time for them to do something that they don't want to. The grandparents can't help but love all the extra love they are getting.  

Another example, Addy has told me more than once that "I yell a lot, but that Nonna (my mom) never gets mad at her." Lovely, so glad I heard that two times now. I know it is hard since Addy is the oldest and maybe I do expect too much from her.  Although on second thought, I do not think it is too much to ask to just simply listen to her mother when I tell her not to run in the house, or to clean up or to just get back to bed that Nonna will be up soon. When I am around my parents it seems like my voice suddenly goes to mute and my kids only hear Nonna and Grandpa's voice. 

Finally we are to the day that Daddy comes back home and I am so ready for that time to come. I was trying to make the house look all nice for when he comes home, clean up the kitchen, put laundry away, get the kids all ready for bed and then two minutes later after all that happened Austen hit Addy with a train hard on her knee and all hell broke loose. Addy is crying cause her knee hurts and Austen is crying because he is in time out. His time is finally up, when I tell him to say sorry to Sissy, he says no. Of course, why should this be easy, finally they hug and I go into the other room to get the cookies out of the oven, yes you heard right, when I hear Austen say "Go time out" and he climbs back onto the time out chair oh but not before he has taken out all of the games under the couch.

I throw in the flag! I am done for the day! Kids win!