ABC's

The ABC's of Being an Awesome Mom

I saw this on Pinterest and I loved it. Lessons to learn and (try to) live by.

A  lways encourage me, especially when I'm feeling down
B  e present when you're with me
C  uddle me close, just because
D  iscipline me when I need it
E  njoy the silly moments we share together
F  orgive my mistakes
G  ive yourself a time out when you feel ready to crack
H  old my hand when I start my first day of school
I  nsist I do my homework
J  oke with me
K  iss me, even when I'm too old to enjoy it
L  isten to me
M  ake up stories to share with me
N  ever stop believing in me
O  order me to help around the house
P  romise me it's going to be okay when a boy breaks my heart
Q  uestion me about my day
R  ead to me often
S  tay with me that little extra bit longer when i'm feeling shy
T  each me to be kind, patient and empathetic
U  nderstand my side of the story
V  alue the good in me and don't dote on the bad
W  atch the stars with me
eX  ite in me, delight in me
Y  ell less, whisper more
Z  ero in on what makes me special, and don't ever let me forget it

B You

Ariana got a kitty cat piano made by a company called B You.
The tag reads:

B. curious B. pensive

B. loud B. happy and

sad all at the same time

B. generous B. afraid

B. quiet B. wild B. fun

B. open B. scientific

B. poetic B. giddy

B. serious B. smart

B. free B. you

Can't ask for much more than that! I'd say she's on her way! Love it!

Ariana - 11 months!

We're at 11 months! She's sweet, she's fun, she's playful and she is loud!

She's making great progress. She stands alone! She walks with her walker and along the couches. Her two bottom teeth are poking through and we can make out the words "hi", "hello", "poopy", "ada" (what we call Alexis), "ma-ma & mom" and "da-da"! Shes smiles, laughs and babbles a lot! She knows where to put the phone and waves bye-bye and she likes to turn the light switches on and off. She is often seen holding a sock in her hand or a tampon. She will not keep socks on her feet. She loves to dance and roll balls!

OK, enough bragging!
So much fun we are having!

Remembering my Dad

Today, 3 years ago. Unbelievable. Thinking of him today and every day.

MISSING YOU ALWAYS

Especially at CHRISTMASTIME

With all the celebrations

and Christmas drawing near,

what a lovely time we'd have

if only you were here.

We'd spend so many happy hours

the way we did before.

Christmas is for loved ones

and I couldn't miss

you more.

When I wake on Christmas Day

I'll look to Heaven above,

and I'll remember every smile

and think of you

with love.

~author unknow

A visit with Santa Clause

The girls got to see Santa today at Gaspers! Alexis was so excited, Avery wasn't scared and Ariana was stunned!

 They both kind of choked when it came time to telling Santa what they want for Christmas!

 They were happy to get candy-canes.

 Santa even came back and told the girls what his reindeer eat, let them pull his beard and let Avery shake his bells!

We love Gaspers. They do amazing things for the kids and usually it's all for free.
Thank you Gaspers and thank you Santa! I hope my girls keep their promise!

Recent pics

It's been a while so here's a bunch!
The girls decorated the door as a snowman!

 Aunt Kristy came for a short visit and got to finally meet Ariana!

 Ariana being silly in her crib, taking off her pants.

 Avery finally got her very 1st haircut!

 This was at the girls Thanksgiving Day Feast at school.

 Thankful for sisters!

 I took this picture to use on Ariana's 1st Birthday invitations.

 Daddy and his daughters decorating the tree this year!

 Ariana being silly.

 Look who's back! Scout!

 Here is our tree! It looks beautiful! I love it! We went with purple and silver this year. So pretty!

 Our stockings are hung too!

Ariana - 10 months!

What a fun day to turn 10 months old!