2011

New year...new life.

Big #2

Today Brooklyn turns two...but we had her birthday celebration at Grandma Brenda's yesterday. She started crying when we started singing "Happy Birthday" to her and then didn't want anything to do with her presents...it was a very emotional day for her!

Thank you Grandma Jo Jo for bringing the cake! It was very delicious!

'Nuf said

Friends...

are important!

My Kyle...

is going back to prison tomorrow for the remainder of her sentence.

What's next?

Today...making banana bread...my oven caught fire...and nothing was in it. *sigh* Can't wait for the weekend....

Pick Your Battles

For as long as I have been a mom I have been told over and over that the art of being a good mom is....pick your battles. So, for 7 years I have let my oldest princess get away with being a picky eater. I haven't pressed her to eat what she doesn't want to eat or feels like eating.
Who wants that battle on top of the "brush your teeth, comb your hair, wash your face, pick up your dirty clothes, put your shoes away, hang up your coat, put your toys away when your done, stop tormenting your sister" battle I go through daily? Well, I don't know if it's the new year, or I'm just fed up cooking 2 different meals every day, but we laid down the law tonight. Kaylee was not getting up from the table until she ate her meatloaf. Two hours and almost a whole box full of tissues later she was done. My beautiful girl ate her meatloaf! I feel like I am on top of the world! What's next? The possibilities are endless! Who knows...maybe tomorrow night will be fried chicken....but I won't hold my breath!

Only 10 days late!

Happy LATE Birthday Dellie Day! Hope it was a great one! Love you oodles and oodles!

My Kyle...

is going through some tough times right now. Keep her in your thoughts.

Our first family picture

The Big 3-5

Today I turn 35. It's hard not to reflect back on what I have done in the last 3 decades. I have 3 beautiful girls whom I am very proud of, I have a wonderful husband who loves me unconditionally, and I have many friends and family that stand by me no matter what. I couldn't ask for anything more in life...
Thank you to all who text me and blogged about me today! I feel very loved and appreciated. I can only hope the next 35 years are as great as the last. I love you all. And thank you once again.

Oldies but Goodies!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

P.S. Thanks Angela! You always come through for me with the laughs!

Punkin Carving!

This year I decided the girls were big enough to clean out their own pumpkins...with a little help from me and Daddy. It only took an hour.

Elizabeth's is on the left and Kaylee's is on the right. I think they are the cutest! Brooklyn didn't get to help this year. Next year!

One of my Favorites

My girls remind me every morning how many days it is until Halloween...just a reminder that it's coming up quick! Hope you have your costumes ready!

4 Years

I miss him more today than ever...

Elizabeth

I can't believe 5 years ago today this beautiful little girl was born...seems like only yesterday!

Only 13 More Days!

Grandma Lil's Legacy

It's sad to think that 2 years have passed, but happy to realize what has changed in that time. My girls are just a fraction of Grandma Lil's legacy. This is what I am celebrating today.

Lolly Renewed

Two months ago my close friend, Susan, died. Since then I have been angry and depressed. Angry that she died. Angry that God would take such a good person from so many people, people who need her. Depressed that I lost a wonderful friend and will never see her again. Every morning I have woke up with the dread of a new day. What will I have to do today? What will be demanded of me? Well....this morning while enjoying my first cup of coffee out on the "veranda" (concrete walls outside my sliding glass doors) I had a light bulb moment. I suddenly realized that I have had the wrong outlook on life. I shouldn't be sad for what I have lost, I need to be happy for what I have been given: 3 beautiful children and a loving husband, a supportive family that is willing to give even if they don't have it, and many great friends. I'm sure there is more, but today, right now, I am concentrating on these. I'm not dwelling on what I lost. I had 14 wonderful years with Susan. I have many great friends that are still in my life, and I want to give them everything I can. My children are so much more than I ever dreamed they would be. How could I forget that? And my loving husband...well, let's just say he is the most patient man alive. He has to be to have put up with me! My family has never wavered or denied me of anything. I love them even more for that. Today is a new day. Today I am renewed. Enjoy today. Enjoy what you have.