My Bad...

Once upon a time, I kept a blog to update family on our daily lives...

Then we moved and I stopped because we saw the grandparents more often.

Time went by....

Stories were told...

Kids grew up, and I think I forgot to blog about how much I enjoyed each moment....

Today, Tyler and I reflected on memories on my blog. He reminded me of when I used to post pictures and captions of what happened each day...

I know I need to start again. I barely have time to sit down in front of a computer, but I want my kids to read about how I feel about them.

I need them to know how much I love them.

Do you ever wonder how much your parents loved you??

I recently found a home video of me, when I was 6. I was sitting at the breakfast table, eating cereal. I was so happy, my grandparents were visiting, my Dad hadn't left for work yet. I was so excited to go to school.

I see that innocent girl, and want to hug her. I want to protect her. I know the trials she will go through, and I want to tell her that things will be amazing.Whatever is thrown her way, she will overcome them. Se will be blessed, but she will suffer. It is almost an out of body experience to want to hug the little version of yourself to prevent heartache.

I have survived times things that I don't understand. How am I supposed to lead and guide three little girls' lives that I am trusted to lead??

My daily life is a balance of guidance, organization and vision for five unique lives. There are lunches to make, homework to supervise, laundry to do, floors to mop and bathrooms to clean.. things to organize and futures to shape.

What keeps us going? Is there really a recipe?

I have decided that mostly it is hard work and dedication.

Just keep doing what you know best.

And try harder the next day....

And so my story continues.

Lory State Park Hike

We had a fun hike last night at Lory State Park

Kaci's Preschool Graduation

Kaci had her big Preschool Graduation. She had the best teacher, and we loved her school. The last unit they did was American History, and that was also the theme of their graduation. They learned to play handbells, and did a few patriotic songs with their bells. She was pretty sad that school was over, but is so excited to start Kindergarten!

Shanna's 10th Birthday

Shanna turned 10 on May 5th. She had her first slumber party. (Yikes!) It actually went pretty well... We were all exhausted the next day though.

Her friends thought I was crazy. (Maybe they already knew that though) I made a big point about how they were ladies now, and needed to be on their best behavior for dinner. They went as far as changing into Shanna's dresses, I had a nice tablecloth on the table (plastic) and served their first course. After I cleared their plates, I came over and dumped spaghetti and meatballs all over the table. I'm sure their parents heard all about it the next day!

I can't believe my beautiful daughter is growing up so fast. I love you Sha-Sha-Shananigans!!

Mother's Day Pictures

I had an amazing Mother's Day... I am so lucky to be loved by so many people!

My Sweet Girls

I love the days where you see your kids shine and you wonder if you might be doing something right! (There are many days in between where you second guess your parenting skills and wonder how to find more hours in the day to teach more lessons and skills.)

I love Kaci's teacher. She always finds something to praise Kaci about when I pick her up. I never feel that she is sugar coating things, or saying things just to talk. The things she says are genuine, and always make me feel good. (Well, there was the one day when she praised Kaci's soccer goalie abilities. She said she came up with a great new strategy, and that was to lay the goal down so that balls couldn't be kicked in and cross her arms and smile a smug smile... that might have been a little sarcastic!) Today, she told me that Kaci is the only kid who can tie her shoes. Not only does she tie her own shoes, but other kids go to her to tie theirs. I love that she is so willing to help other people.

Shanna is always the underdog. She gets ignored and passed over because her younger sisters need more attention and yell louder. Yet, she is always quietly helping, and never asks to be noticed for her contributions. The one constant thing that I hear from each one of her teachers is how kind she is to her classmates, and how enjoyable she is to be around.

Now, for little Sara... well, maybe it is her age, and maybe it is because she is child #3, but she is definately a firecracker. She likes to kick the fake pumpkin on our coffee table like it is a soccer ball, sneak up the stairs when no one is looking, bite my cheek when I am expecting a kiss. BUT, at the same time, she loves to be read to, loves to snuggle and watch TV, and is AMAZING at her phonics. She knows what sound every letter makes. (I won't even get started on how annoying the movie is that she screams about if we don't watch EVERY time we are in the car.)

My kids are such a joy. They might wear me out, and I want to check out instead of doing laundry and dishes and bedtime, but it only takes a sweet voice to say "I love you Mommy" or a sweet sleepy snuggle to charge my batteries enough to make it through another day.

I am so blessed!

Happy Birthday, Sunshine!

To my sweet Kaci:

You are sweet, happy, spunky, silly, groovy, beautiful, graceful, cute, adorable, stylish, innocent, trusting, sweet natured, and I can't believe I am lucky I am to be your Mom! You bring me so much sunshine and joy every day. I hope you feel my love every day. Thanks for making me so happy every time you smile! I can't believe it was 5 years ago that I held you for the first time. You have grown up so fast, and are such a smart and beautiful girl.

You are so special to me!

Love, Mommy