Way TWO fast

Really?! We brought you home 2 years ago?! Hardly seems possible that 2 years (well over 2 since your b-day was over a month ago!) have come and gone and that the time just keeps speeding up on me!

You are such a blessing to us and I think back about how much I wanted you in our family. I could not be a happier mama.

You had a great time at your party. Although you were a bit shy when it came to being sung to and blowing out the candles. You DID however, feel better once you started to eat your cake. Aunt Diane made you a cake reminiscent of a b-day I had in Utah when I was about 5? I thought it only appropraite you have the same. Circle of b-days past- complete.

Archived

Ok. I admit it. I am not the greatest at keeping up on our blog, althought I have every intention of doing so...I know, I know, no need to remind me where good intentions lead. I had to dig in my archive of pics to find these and am just now getting them up for Grandpa and whoever else might feel so inclined to look at them. (all 5 of you!) hehe.

So here are a few of our 4th of July parade morning. Ella was so mesmorized my the marching band that she decided to become a part of the parade itself and walk along side them for a few hundred feet or so. She would have for the duration if her mean mama did not make her come back to our group. Not before she basked in the compliments that were given her over her outfit which one mother stated, "was SO americana". Hmmm. Ok. I just thought they would be cute to make (and cheap to boot!!) Who knew 2 bandanas and some ribbon could look so adorable?! Maybe it was the kids that were modeling them...

I came out the good mama when I let her keep the slightly too big cowboy hat on, because parting with that erupted in screams louder than other onlookers were wanting to hear. Ahh, the joys! On that note, Happy August and I hope you had a great July!!

Just a few

We have had a pretty fun summer this year, and although I wish every day that I could do more with the girls, I hope they know just how much I love them. I hope they know JUST how much more I could do with them. I hope I do enough...It's hard being a mom sometimes. Anyway. Here are a few updated pics of some of our activities this summer.



Cousin Mady Mae. All the kids had the "sun kissed" red faces. It was SO hot that day. We did our best to keep them all hydrated. The girls are so lucky to have you near by to play with!!!

Ella getting some energy out at our "photo shoot" with cousin Josh.

Sofia doing what Sofia does best....just being herself.

Ella, your smile alone just makes my heart melt.

Cousins Lauren and Derek. We had Dave, Krystal and family here for a few days and we had a ball! So much fun seeing you guys this summer.

Even princesses have to eat

Ella in all her tu-tu cuteness, princessey glory. Thanks Lara for catching this pic!

Can't be

A post without pics, but one that had to be recorded and transferred from my memory to paper before I forget how it went, what exactly was said and how she is growing up WAY too fast before my eyes...
We got our carpet cleaned the other day and told the girls they could not walk on it until it was dry. We made a game out of it with slippers and many trips back and forth from the rooms for potty breaks, water and such. Well our little miss Sofia could not quite resist the temptation the wet carpet had and started to walk on it. When I told her, "Maka! You cannot walk on the carpet with your bare feet." She looked up at me with utter astonishment and said, but Mama! They are'nt BARE feet...they're GIRL feet.

I stood corrected.

Now, it can't be that I'm the only Mom who hears stuff like this come out of her kid's mouth and think that it is priceless. But to me, it really was.

LOVE having a photographer in the family!

My cousin Josh took these cutey patootie pics of my neice Madeline Mae. Look at those curls!! I was robbed as here I am with the curly hair and my girls? STICK STRAIGHT! hehe. Just thought I would pass along the word that there is a photographer in the family! I hope to get my girls pics done soon! Thanks for letting me brag about ya Josh.

Before...

Before I was a Mother...I only wiped my own bottom.

Before I was a Mother...I looked at a screaming toddler in the grocery store and rolled my eyes. Now Im the one getting the dirty looks.

Before I was a Mother...my shoulders (and clothes) were stain free.

Before I was a Mother...I slept through the night consistently and slept in on Saturdays.

Before I was a Mother...I never carried a toy and/or candy in my purse...just in case.

Before I was a Mother...I never knew the names of the characters of Dora, Ni-hao Kilan, and every other cartoon...and sang along with the theme songs.

Before I was a Mother...I never found long forgotten sippy cups with curdled milk surprise waiting for me in the corners of rooms.

Before I was a Mother...I showered in privacy.

Before I was a Mother...I never knew the magical power my hugs and kisses had on "ouchies".

Before I was a Mother...I used the bathroom without an audience asking questions.

Before I was a Mother...I thought the only "foreign language" I knew was Russian.

Before I was a Mother...I did less laundry.

Before I was a Mother...I didnt worry about someone so much in the middle of the night that I had to go and check on them, and feel thier chest...just to be sure.

Before I was a Mother...I remembered things.

Before I was a Mother...I didnt wait in anticipation to hear someone say "I love you" or call me "so and so's Mom".

Before I was a Mother...I didnt understand how you could love someone(s) so much more than you love yourself and be willing to do anything to keep them safe.

Before I was a Mother...I never knew I could love and appreciate mine that much more.

Before I was a Mother...I thought I knew...

Happy Mother's Day to each and every woman out there that is a Mother; mother figure, Aunt, Grandma, etc. (biological or not) to someone else. I adore you.