Back to School

Lennon survived her first week of school - and so did we, with little tears, lessening morning confusion as the week went on and lots of cool stories about her new friends!

She is officially in Young 5's, her teacher is just the sweetest, and she is in a school that we absolutely love. On her first day of school I was sure that I would cry my heart out but it went really, really well. We met up with some of her old friends, Maci and my mom, and we were able to get in some coloring time before lining up. She ran right to her teacher and walked hand in hand all the way to her classroom. It was adorable. I stayed with her until she got situated in her room and I snapped a few pics, of course. The day without her was really rough. London cried every day when we left the school saying "nennon". But, when we finally got back to school to get her I squeezed her so tight, I cried when I saw that sweet, excited smile on her face. She couldn't stop telling me about the old friends she remembered from preschool in her class and the new faces she met. I am so happy for her, it makes me so giddy hearing all about her day. 

First Day Traditions:

A yummy breakfast, and even yummier coffee to-go, and the first day photo (of course).

Her goals in life all seem to revolve around animals... Cat in the Hat, Veterinarian... at least she's sticking to the same theme here. Look at how much she's grown!

Smothered

Serious question time ... 

Have your eyes ever hurt to the point where you could cry?

Literally... they water and water to the point where you're asking yourself "am I really crying right now or just so exhausted?" I can't tell the difference lately. I'm emotional because I am so exhausted and I am so exhausted from being emotional about things I can't even control in life anymore. That's enough to make your head spin in circles like wondering which came first, the chicken or the egg.

Have you ever been so incredibly overwhelmed you don't know what to do? 

Scream, cry, or laugh at the stupidity of your overwhelming emotions? Lock yourself in a room and read the Bible because if you don't... Lord help those kids.

Oh, this one's good - have you ever put your kids down for a nap knowing darn well they might not even take one just to take a break from them for one-freakin'-second?

Better yet, has all of this happened in one day?

You really don't have to answer these, but I will.

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Sometimes motherhood is hard. Sometimes no one else cares about your to-do list.  Mother nature doesn't care if you have a playdate outside when she decides it's going to be 90+ degree's or rainy, so why should anyone else care about your emotional state when they dump 500 things on your plate to worry about, think about non-stop, or worry about doing by dinner time. Sometimes your husband doesn't care about the to-do list when he comes home exhausted from working all week and forgets that he still is part owner of this house and should lend a hand. Sometimes it's just all too much so you let the laundry pile up, don't wash the floors, don't dust for a week, and then in another week you're in the same boat - so freakin' overwhelmed.

I'll admit, I've always been a non-stop kind of gal. I like to be busy, I like to have a to-do list (because I like checking things off and feeling accomplished), and I like having errands to run... or I did, before I had two kids, two dogs and a house to take care of. Now, I like my house to be clean, spotless even, and I like to have order from the chaos. Organization, dishes put away, laundry in it's place, etc. I have to have it done for the sake of my sanity, and there's no changing that. I am such a type A person that I have to have things my way... or I will lose my shit.

Today, I am (quietly... which is rare) losing my shit. 

My kids are both laying down, in separate rooms and I don't think they're napping - I highly doubt they're napping - but they're being quiet and not tugging at my leg or fighting, or watching me silently lose it so, that's a plus. Today I want to give up on being a mom, a stay at home mom that is. I think. I want to stop thinking about things. I want to stop being the only person that can make breakfast, and lunch and dinner, and have to worry about the meals being healthy. I think too much. I think about caloric intake, sugar and if they're getting enough water throughout the day. I want to stop worrying about whether or not my husband will eat the dinner I am making because it has onion in it. I want to stop worrying about going to the store, getting necessities that aren't really necessities today, but tomorrow they will be. Like the milk carton that's almost empty... shit. I don't want to worry about other people but that's just in my blood. I come from a long line of lover's and doers and kind people that worry about everyone, even if it's none of their business. I worry about my family. I worry about my brother every second of every day, and what he's getting into next... but I shouldn't... not anymore... not after everything that's happened and what he's done. I shouldn't but I do. I am so overwhelmed because I am a fixer, and I can't fix this. Someone needs to, but no one can and that's the worst feeling in the world when you care about someone.

I worry non-stop, some might say that's a part of being a mother but geesssh, when does it end and when does it stop smothering you?

Smothered.

It's kind of like the chapter I keep re-reading in the book Present over Perfect called Stuffed. In this chapter author Shauna Niequist talks about being so stuffed with everything going on in her life that she misses things... friends, sleep, being kind to her kids, etc. That's EXACTLY how I feel. I read that part of the book and I collapsed inside with emotion. I literally felt like she was speaking right to me. Have you ever read a book that made you feel that way? It's pretty emotionally draining... and by draining I mean it literally drains the tears right from your heart... all over the book, the blanket you're snuggled up in. Everything. She is just.like.me. She talks about how she doesn't operate in the later.... she wants things done NOW and it is exhausting and is mainly the reason for all of this crap in life that is crumbling around her. I am the same way, I never know that I need a break until it's too late. I never understand the depth of my emotion until I come unglued and it all flows out like a waterfall... and everyone around me is drowning from it. I am doing this to my own family, friends, everyone. Drowning them. I get so tied up in the little things and make them big things, and then I forget about what matters most in life. I try to remind myself that it's not to-do lists, or errands or dinner plans, or grocery store runs every day. It's happiness, and time with my kids making memories and instead of craving time alone I should crave play-doh messes and coloring with my kids. But, I am a real mom and one that makes mistakes, and I am here to tell you that I don't crave those things... I should, but I don't. At the end of the day I crave silence, peace and quiet in a clean, toy free, mess free living room with a candle lit that a toddler won't touch. I crave a weekend away without my kids, but then when we get to where we are going I want to miss them like crazy and talk about them in all the ways good moms miss and talk about their children. I want to remember the times they made me laugh instead of pulling my hair out crying at them for not picking up their toys that the dogs just destroyed. I want to remember the good, extremely fun times that we have on GOOD days. Lately, there have been way too many bad days. WAY TOO MANY. I am a real mom, and as my real friends remind me of that when I need it most, I am a mom like every other mom out there who sometimes has a bad day, sometimes yells too much and feels guilty about it later and sometimes doesn't do the right thing every single time.... I am normal, for the most part. But, right now I don't feel normal. I feel overwhelmed and too emotional to function properly. I feel like no one listens, I feel like I am drowning... and the only thing I crave is balance, peace and happiness.

Something has to change. Am I really not cut out for this 24/7 stay at home mom life? Do I need adult interaction and conversations from someone other than my kids during the day? Am I really not cut out to be a well-balanced person who's happy all the time... why me? There is only so much that I feel like I can control in life and the rest is up to God. I pray that He helps me find balance and guidance to be a better mom and wife every day, and every night before bed I usually ask for forgiveness from being a total crap mom that day. 

I need an emotional, spiritual, happy break. A break that is long... like a 5 day break... on a beach in the Caribbean, with a margarita in one hand and my husbands hand in the other. The beach makes everything better.

"I'm going to make space to taste my life once again" - Shauna Niequist

If you don't have this book you NEED it - Present Over Perfect

Luke is barking because London is banging on the wall in her room from her crib letting me know very loud and clear that she's up from her nap (that she probably didn't take) and she's letting the whole world know she's ready to get out of there. Grrrrrrreat. Lennon got up and is immediately begging for a snack and water, and all the things she can totally do herself but won't... 

Guess that means my whine time is over for now. Time to go, take care of the kids who are hopefully happier and less crabby now... run outside or to the park to play, and then book a vacation to some desert island in the Caribbean and beg for my hubs to take a week off of work to go. (We can wish, right) Now, that's a to-do list I can handle. 

DIY: Shutter makeover

DIY projects are my jam for a few reasons:

A. It saves money (only if you do it the right way so do your research)

B. It makes you feel soooo good accomplishing something for your own home

C. I am kind of a remodelaholic

When I was pinteresting (of course), I found a photo of a house that they had redone the shutters on and it looked like a brand new home when they were done. Our home is a 60's brick house, green roof, green lantern lights and the shutters were of course pea-puke green after all the fading over the years. 

So I got this bright idea to change out (buy new) all of the shutters on the house. 

Little did I know that for brand spankin' new ones they'd be around $30-$35 a pair. 

So let's say we spend $35 a pair and we have 11 pair. 

You do the math, DIY is my forté, not math but you get the point... expensive! Yikes.

Back to pinteresting...

I found some amazing blogs and by I found some amazing blogs, I mean I read about 30 blogs on how to DIY shutters! Whew, talk about one exhausted but informed remodelaholic. I was debating between hand painting with a special paint made for outdoor and vinyl, or spray paint which this particular blogger used and it has held up fabulous! So I went with spray paint because it's cheaper and quicker! 

I convinced Dan that this was a fabulous idea and off we went to Home Depot. We bought spray paint, a drop cloth, spray grips, a mask and latex gloves. I would have bought TSP but I already had some on hand.

 Tools needed: drill and/or a screwdriver

Project total: $36.21 - yes, seriously! 

6 Cans - Semi-Gloss Black Spray Paint = $23.22

2 (in reality we could have gotten away with 1 because I did all the spraying) - Spray Grips  = $5.54

Drop Cloth - for the floor of the garage = $1.98

Masks - so you can breathe = $5.47

Step 1

Make your husband take all the shutters down.

Wait.... scratch that.

Take BEFORE photos! I didn't and I had to go to Zillow to find a good before photo of my house... that's why the old door and old house numbers, etc. are in the old photo. Oops.

Step 2

Make your husband take all of the shutters down. 
Well... ask nicely or just give him a beer, he will do it. 

Step 3

Wash all of them realllllly good. You need to get all of the dirt, grime, gross-ness off. TSP and some elbow grease are great, then spray down with the hose and let dry overnight. Then, clean one more time with a dry cloth before painting.

* If you don't have TSP or don't want to use chemicals that's fine - I actually gave up on the chemical route since my shutters didn't have any mold or mildew on them and weren't that bad (and my kids were outside) so instead I used a bucket of LOC/water (Amway brand favorite!) 

Step 4

Put on your mask and gloves and PAINT! I did all the edges and sides of the shutter first, then I did the louvers. Spray evenly, in a solid streak to avoid clumping, streaking  or puddles. 

(I did not use sawhorses although it would have saved my back from hurting it's not a necessity. PS - wanna know the best part? YOU ONLY NEED ONE COAT!!!! 

Tip - Grab something to stick the screws into, you're going to want to quickly spray the heads of the screws so that they match the newly painted shutters! 

Step 5

Dry overnight! This is crucial. Sticky fingers leave marks on them!! 

Step 6 

Make hubby hang them all back up again & sit back and enjoy the view! 

Oh, and take after pictures to share with all your friends and family - and your blog! 

This photo is green shutters on the left and the new black painted ones on the right...
Sorry, the lighting sucks but I couldn't wait til' morning sunshine to take the photo! I was way too geeked. 

Look at my NEW old house, y'all!

Next on the list:
New lanterns for the outside of the house and some fancy black planters.

Stay tuned... 

XO, K. 

Why I am quitting my dream... to focus on a bigger one.

I have been in school now, off and on, for 10 years. I began going to the community college when I was 18 years old, just out of High School and I loved every single minute of it. I loved the early wake-up's, the coffee smell as I walked through the commons area, the friendships, the involvement... all of it. I wanted so badly to be out on my own that I did everything I could to move out of my parents house. I ended up quitting school to work full time and pay rent. 

I met Dan, we had Lennon, we both worked full time and she went to a daycare, which we loved! Then I thought maybe going back to school would work at that time, so I started taking online classes. Dan was also in school and encouraged me that I could do it... that lasted all of two classes and I quit. It was way too time consuming being a full time working mom.

Then, we moved, I got a new job, I lost said new job, I became a stay at home mom. 

I had a lot more time on my hands now... or so I thought.  

I wanted to do it all; pinterest craft mom, baking mom, clean home, organized life, happy... right? I thought I could take on all of that and go back to school. Once London got a little older I realized it was time to fulfill my dream of getting my Bachelor's degree and that meant going to school. I signed up for classes yet again, online. I loved my first class, Psychology. I am so in love with the mind, and how it works, how it helps us or hinders the mentally ill. I love it! 

Well, truth is... I was becoming a bad mom. 

I never had time. 

I had time for school work, but never school work + laundry + cooking a healthy dinner + playing with the kids.

Online school is time consuming.

The time that London naps I would do homework, which is becoming less and less time as she grows so that means taking away time from Lennon, taking away time from both of them and then taking away time from meal planning, healthy living and playing outside for all of us. 

I realized I was missing out on the most special moments of my girls' life at home when I was supposed to be engaging with them, letting them be creative and explorative, and most of all letting them know I was actually paying attention and that I cared about what they were doing and telling me. Instead I found myself saying; "I'm busy right now...", or "I am doing homework, I will play with you in a second." (hours go by and I realize they are still asking for me to play with them and I've been indulged in my book and computer for the entire day. I was missing out on the moments like these: London putting her baby to bed, feeding Luke, eating cereal with a spoon like a big girl, and coming up to me laughing with her superhero crown on. 

&... Lennon's special moments like her and Maci giggling their head off while eating lunch together, even her mischevious moments like getting her own snack because me saying "I'll get you a snack when I can" turned into 1 hour later and she's starving. Lennon's silly moments like spilling water all over herself and giggling uncontrollably, and her being so sweet with her pets that she's a Vet for (her dream job).

I was missing way too much to be a good mom. I know, there's give and take and there's something to be said for a child that can create their own games, play alone and be creative. But, when you overhear you 4 year old saying "I can't talk to you right now, I am BUSY!" or "I don't have time for you right now, I have homework"... "Im sorry, Lizzy (her doll) I can't play with you I have to read". It makes your heart sink into your stomach, and then that stomach comes up into your throat like you're going to be sick from emotion. I cannot express how sad it made me when I heard her talking to her dolls like that when it was her play time. 

The reality set in of me not spending enough time with my kids when they really need me. These young years of their lives are crucial and so important to me, and them. I need them to be happy. The advice I got when I talked about quitting was "do homework at night", "do homework when the kids go to bed, I will do the chores"... That doesn't work, how would my marriage flourish? How would I have any time to breathe, let alone spend time watching the Bachelor at night with Dan and have a glass of wine? (I am being totally serious!) This school thing was taking all of my time that's so crucial to ME, MY FAMILY and my home happy.... 

I love psychology, I really do. I love the thrill of learning it, writing about it, and reading about it. I love, love, love it and I want to help people, truly. It has always been a passion of mine and always will be. I just think that there's more out there for me. When I get this degree, I thought to myself, will I really want that job that's 12 hour shifts, on-call work, never ending research studies and then not to mention there's the emotional toll it takes on you. Do I really want that career? 

I don't think so.

I am focusing on my life from now on being fulfilling and rewarding. Sure, a Bachelor's degree seems rewarding for most people in life. But I am a mom, and that's the most soul warming, fulfilling job ever. 

Until my next adventure comes along I will be the BEST mom I can be, I will play with my kids for hours, I will enjoy those silly moments and try not to miss a thing. I will be present - and that's all that matters. In Gods plan I know that it may be months or maybe years from now that I will be working full time on another dream of mine. My kids will both be in school, I will be working full time and I will have this time as a stay at home mom to reflect on and be so thankful for. I need to cherish this time, not spend it with my face in a computer. 

That is why quitting that dream is the best decision I have ever made.

XO, K. 

Strong Women Raise Strong Little Souls

I recently read a blog about raising STRONG girls & turning them into STRONG women.

... and then my weak side came out and I cried like a baby. 

But, I realized I was being foolish and I asked myself

am I being weak or am I just that strong?

It all began just over 4 years ago at my ultrasound appointment when I was told that I was having a baby girl. At first I was in disbelief. I really wanted my first born to be a boy, I had a younger brother I adored, I loved everything about little boy clothes, and toys. So, I asked the technician to look again, sure enough it was a GIRL. Then, I cried tears of joy, and happiness, my mom cried, my friend cried. Women cried, together.

I was indeed going to have to raise a girl, as strong-willed, feisty and fun as me. 

I thought (and I am certain my mom thought...) Ooooh, joy.

Finding out that I was having a girl changed my life. I was scared to be a mom, I was scared to raise a girl - knowing everrrrrything girls have to go through. I just knew the things she would face in her life - puberty, periods... ugh. but more importantly the equality issues, discrimination and, sexism. But, I wanted to raise a strong, God-fearing, nature & world loving, soul enriched, independent and fierce little girl and that's exactly what I said I would do. 

As for me, I spent my entire life looking up to my mother, idolizing her. She was strong, fierce, independent - a badass really - she didn't take any crap, and when life knocked her down she got back up over and over and over.... and over again, it was a really rough few years at one point and all I witnessed her doing was learning, growing, staying strong and not letting anything get in her way of proving to us and the world that she could do it, with or without a man by her side. You see, I have always had women role models in my life that I wanted to be just like when I grew up. I've had my Great-Grandmother's, and my late Grandma who taught me to love others with passion and trust, to love God with all of my soul and to be a poised, well spoken woman. Oh, and to dress like Jackie O with modesty, simple beauty, and wear blush pink heels with anything (those were my favorite!) Then there's my Aunt, my god-mother, who's always been so dedicated, hardworking, passionate, seeks God in everything she does and lives life to the fullest. But, even with those role models that I truly, deeply loved, something inside of me wasn't right... I wasn't the woman they were. I wasn't becoming stronger.... or was I?

I was adapting to my environment.

I had a man in my life - who often wasn't - whom at a young age cheated, hurt others and lied. As time went on I found myself encompassing those behaviors. I was feeling less of myself as a woman because those behaviors were acceptable in someone else's eyes. I settled for people who mistreated me, I accepted being lied to, talked down to, pushed around. It's all I had known.... I wasn't proud of myself. I hadn't known better but I do now. Those moments taught me something, that I later realized was the best lesson I had ever learned.

I became a mother and I promised myself I would never, ever, let my daughter feel that way. I promised myself, God as my witness, that I would raise her to be strong, marry a man who respected me, wouldn't lie or hurt me, and who was everything that man in my life was not. For the longest time I resented that man in my life but today I thank him for teaching me how not to be... how not to let a man treat me and my daughters.

I am not a perfect mother but I am doing the best I can to raise my daughter's to be strong like my mother and I had to be. 

Each choice we make in life, every breath we breathe as women, mothers and children matters. Because are impressionable. The world around us is throwing negativity, hatred, sexism and discrimination at us. The world around us is evil, scary and truly, so dark in some places. I want to teach my daughters to be the light in someones life, to uplift people, to teach others what to do and not tell them what to do, to provide comfort and compassion to others in everything they do and love, kindly, fiercely, strongly. 

Someday, perhaps, my daughter's will be faced with the question, "how do I raise strong, confident girls?" I can only hope that they encompass the attributes that I have shown them, that my mother, my aunt, our grandmothers have shown all of us. I don't want my girl's to be assholes, I just want them to be strong-willed, with big personalities and not take any crap from anyone, ESPECIALLY A MAN, who tells them they can't. I want my girls to meet a man someday that encourages them to shine. I want him to uplift them, show them how much they matter, tell them how amazing, beautiful, intelligent, courageous and fun they are.

I want my daughter to wear red lipstick like it's going out of style and 5-inch heels to match - not because her husband likes it but because SHE likes it.

I want my daughter to walk into a room like she deserves to be there.

I want my daughter to know how to change a tire, a leaky toilet, and use every tool in her husbands tool box (it's a damn good empowering feeling!)

Then, I want my daughter to grab that power tool,

and own it by fixing everything in the house - by herself 

(and that satisfaction is ahhh-mazing!)

I want my daughter to be strong enough to knock a man down if he ever hurts her

- and strong enough to build that man up when he needs her most.

I want my daughter to be a mama bear - protect herself, and her littles. 

I want my daughter to LOVE God so strongly, 

and pray daily for this life he's given her and those around her.

I want my daughter to be intelligent and be rewarded for it.

I want my daughter to ask for that raise if she deserves it.

...and hold her head high when it's denied.

Then, I want her to go back and ask again, ya know - politely but stern.

I want my daughter to prove someone wrong when they tell her she can't.

I want my daughter to walk tall, be empowered and stand up for what she believes in so fiercely that people will listen.

I want my daughter to dye her hair pink, get tattoos and listen to rock music 

- if that's what sets her soul on fire. 

I want my daughter to be a hairstylist 

- if that's her passion.

... or a defense lawyer even though everyone says she's crazy for it. 

I want my daughter to know when she's right 

- and speak up if she is.

I want my daughter to kill them with kindness, love and, dignity.

I want my daughter to have a best friend like I have and a role model to look up to.

I want my daughter and I to be so close that we giggle like we do now when I am 40.

I don't want my daughter to feel smaller, less intelligent or less dignified.

I don't want my daughter to apologize for being 

strong, courageous, fierce or strong-willed.

I don't want my daughter to feel any less of a woman.

I don't want them to adapt to their environment of hatred and rudeness.

I don't want them to apologize when they aren't wrong.

I don't want anyone telling her she can't... and if they do, they deal with this mama bear who is so fed up with men acting like sexist pigs, know it all's and encompassing this "better than you"-" ... I know everything"-attitude. 

I don't EVER. EVER want to see them let a man knock them down, talk down to them or make them feel any less of a woman... 

This is what a strong-willed, empowered, rant-loving, opinionated and badass woman looks like - and she's raising two more princess' just like it. Don't let their crowns fool ya. 

Mama bear out, xo.

Motherhood is messy - Trust in God

Dear Lennon,

I started to write this to Lennon in a journal that I have written in since she was born. However, it became more of a motherhood post for her to read when she's you know...

30? married?... the whole nine yards every mother tells their daughter.

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This week, month, past couple of months to be exact have been rough. It's been a test of my patience as a mother, a stay at home mom, as a faithful Christian and, as a wife. Within the last 3 weeks we have dealt with croup, head lice not once but twice... and the stomach flu. I am exhausted, my patience is worn thin (or truly non-existent at this point) and all I want to do is sleep, eat chocolate or quit. I can't tell you how many times I have cried, pleaded and begged to just quit... quit being a stay at home mom, being the one who does it all, being everything for everyone. 

Why... Why am I telling YOU this? My 4 year old who's so sweet, and innocent... currently singing Disney songs on Pandora and running around in princess dresses and heels according to which princess is on the radio at the time. Well, I am telling you because it's the truth! 

Someday you will be in my shoes. This very moment will be happening to you. Your kids will be running crazy, driving you crazy, you haven't showered, or eaten... (or come to think of it... have I brushed my teeth?), you've got approximately one hour to get dinner in the crock pot or it won't be done in time, get snacks for the baby who's crying, and goodness.... if you have a dog (which you totally will) it will need to go out at this exact time that all hell is breaking loose inside the house. 

Motherhood is glorious in all of its never-ending monotonous chores and constant mess.

It's glorious in all of it's long exhausting nights and tired messy days because... God. GOD. 

Because of GOD. 

(I had to say it again)

God gives you strength when you most need it. 

God gives you patience when yours is wearing thin.

The ONLY thing God doesn't give you is three hands and a shower when you need one!

But, now I know why... Now I really know why God doesn't give us an extra hand, time to shower, a time to poop, for goodness sakes, without little hands under the door and crying because they can't see you. (TMI?) but seriously now I know why God doesn't give us those things and it took me 4 1/2 years of parenthood to realize it.

He doesn't give us three hands because the house work, laundry, chores... they can wait. He doesn't give you time to shower because if you spend that extra time playing and running around like crazy people dancing to Disney music your kids will eventually tire themselves out enough and you can shower later. You can shower when they're sleeping and can't put their little hands under the door! (whhhattttt kind of luxury is that?) He doesn't give us moms "special" treatment, he gives us tools. Tools to survive the day and to live a happy, blessed life and those tools are love, faith and our children.

We don't NEED anything else in life to be happy. 

A clean house is great but - does it make our children happy?

An empty sink is fabulous (and smells better) but - does it create memories?

& what does smelling like roses and herbal essence shampoo have to do with memories that will last a lifetime to our kids?

So, my dear daughters...

I hope that one day you will read this and when you most need it, re-read it.

I hope you remember that I tried. I did my best, and on my bad days I did my second-best. I poured my blood, sweat, tears, exhaustion and, frustration but most of all LOVE into motherhood and all I have given you girls. 

If you take anything away from this take these tips:

 > Dry shampoo

> Cold coffee can be good and hot food is overrated

> Dishes can wait - use paper plates

> Shower when the kids are asleep and, invite hubby when he gets home from work 

 because... alone time is good for the soul

(TMI again?)

Enjoy these moments, the mess and cherish these days because as mothers we all know, too well, that they don't last forever. 

-------------

My best friend inspired me today.

She inspired me to take a step back, turn my phone off and just be present.

Create things, play uninterrupted, imagine and inspire our children to be better humans. 

I am a better mom with no makeup, no shower, no phone and no agenda in the world but to make these girls laugh. I needed to be reminded of that today. 

So thank you, Kens - for being the best mom, role model and BIFF out there. 

Just don't hold me accountable for the daily workout because I blogged instead ;) 

-------------

Now I am going to drink my cold coffee and re-heat my late lunch while the girls are finally asleep for their naps.

XOXO

London | 11 MONTHS

LONDON IS 11 MONTHS OLD

Honestly, these past 11 months our lives have changed so much. Growing up I always knew I wanted to have kids... I knew I wanted to be a mom like my mom; young, filled with love and laughter, go on movie dates and play dates, go to the park, take my kids to church, enjoy life.  Literally becoming a parent has been the greatest gift God has given me. 
My life has been filled with the best moments we've had in our lives

since becoming parents to our beautiful girls. 
They love God, they love each other and they love life.
 What more can you ask for?

AT 11 MONTHS OLD:

• She has 4 top and 4 bottom teefers! Unfortunately, so far she has proven she takes after her big sis in the teething department with brutal diaper rash, drooling, fever and agonizing pain for a couple of days while it cuts through. Luckily for her (and us if we're being honest) then happy as can be once it's through. I can't wait for the next 8 teeth to come in... NOT. 
• She has taken a few steps with her walker but none on her own yet which is totally okay with me. She gets into enough on her own with crawling and scooting so darn fast on the floors!
• She babbles non-stop... I think she' s trying to keep up with chatting like Lennon does, and mock me... I do talk non-stop so I can't expect my girls not to! 
•  She likes bouncing up and down when I play music and Lennon dances

FAVORITE THINGS

She loves playing with Lennon, chasing Luke around and taking toys away from him. She laughs so hard when Luke grabs a toy out of her hands and runs away with it. She likes giving you a toy and hearing you say "thank you", then giggles and wants it back. She loves everyone... and goes to anyone, she's so friendly! She's obsessed with opening and closing cupboards, getting into the craft bin and the playdoh bucket, and loves taking all of the candy from the candy dish and scattering it all over the floor in the kitchen. It's actually adorable so we don't mind. She loves watching Lennon at gymnastics and crawls to the door to open it when we are in there. It's adorable... pretty soon she will be in gymnastics too once we get this walking down. 

Halloween - this little elephant did great trick or treating 

and she even had her very first sucker! 

LEAST FAVORITE THINGS

Again, saying "no-no" when she grabs at cords, my bar cart or tries eating things she's not supposed to. It's working though, she won't even go near my lamp cord anymore since the lamp fell on her last time. She learned... the hard way. Oops. Oh, and another least fav thing on the list... getting stuck in places she wasn't supposed to be in. She cries with the biggest pouty face ever when she gets stuck. It's pitiful yet that face she makes is so adorable you can't help but laugh a little and then kiss her after.

up next... 

London's 1st Birthday 

(Invites will be in the mail soon!)

For some birthday ideas/inspiration and her sizes

 click the link below.... 

1st Birthday Gift Ideas