BBQs

This summer and fall were filled with LOTS of BBQs! One of our favorites was at Beth and Jim's house. We are so lucky to have such amazing friends.

Mommy's Advice

God forbid something ever happen to me before you're too old to really remember me, here is some advice for you. Now I can sleep easy at night...

Acadia and Emma ~

• Respect your elders and help them when you can.



• Do something nice for someone, just because. Even if it's just as simple as bringing them flowers or making them a meal. It will make their entire day.



• Don't wear too much make up, spend too much time on Facebook or wear your skirts too short.



• Don't let any boys take advantage of you. Or girls for that matter.



• Be kind to your friends. It's not "cool" to make fun of people so avoid people that make fun of their friends at all costs. And never make fun of your friends. They are someone's son or daughter.



• Do your homework on time and listen to your teachers.



• Don't drink (a lot) before your 21. In fact, don't drink a lot period.



• Never. Ever. Ever. Get into a car with someone who has been drinking. I don't care how late it is or how much trouble you *think* you will get into - call Daddy for a ride. He won't be upset - he just wants you safely at home.



• Remember how important family is.



• Love each other. Be kind to one another. Stay best friends with one another.



• Don't do things to fit in that you wouldn't do in front of Daddy - that includes smoking and drinking. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, DON'T.



• Call your Grandparents often. They love you almost as much as Daddy and I do.



• Read a lot - education is important.



• Do something you love - happiness is more important than money.



• Travel.



• Try something new - knitting, learning a new language, sewing, running - you will feel good about yourself after your accomplishments.



• Do something at least once in your life that scares you - sky diving, rock climbing, etc.



• Be good to your body and be careful about what you put into it. It's the only body you have.



• Don't walk alone at night



• Have fun at your prom but don't drink
  


• Don't put your drink down at a bar and don't do shots. And don't go to any after parties at strangers houses.



• Pay attention when you drive - never text and drive. Never, ever drink and drive.



• Marry someone just like Daddy



• Be good to Daddy. He loves you more than any man I've ever seen love his kids...



• Be a good person. Hold doors open for people, say please and thank you, talk to the clerk at the grocery store and the maids at hotels. You are not better than them - they are someone's Mother and they are working hard. Don't look down on anyone.
  


• Talk to Sissy if you need advice on anything female related



• Have Daddy teach you how to change a tire, how to mow the lawn and how to start a grill. You don't need a man. You can do everything for yourself.



• But. When you do meet a man. And I know he'll be good to you (he'd better be good to you or Daddy will hurt him) - be good to him too. Love him. Have fun with him. Laugh with him. Raise babies with him. Enjoy your life with him.



• Lastly - read this blog. See how I loved you. Read about all the adventures we went on. All the dance parties we had in our kitchen. All the birthday parties, bike rides, picnics, dinners, movie nights and amazing memories we had together as a family. Don't forget about me, but don't be sad I'm gone. Watch the videos of us together when you miss me. Know that I did everything for you - put you first - every single day of my life. That I loved you more than I've ever loved anyone in my entire life. Know that you two were the best things that have ever, ever happened to me. I love you both.
  

Love,
Mommy

Death, dying and other fun topics

I had a dream last night. Or a nightmare? Yes, I would say this should be classified as a nightmare. That I had a heart attack. Yikes. Random, I know. It felt SO real. And I woke up with my heart beating out of my chest, in tears. I went into check on you two - to watch you sleep and hear you breath. And I stayed up for the next 3 hours thinking of all the things I haven't told you, God forbid something happen to me when you're young.

So the next couple posts, bear with me, are going to be perhaps a bit morbid?? But I know I'll sleep better knowing I've said these things to you.

Home schooling

My friend Cindy kicked my butt into home schooling again! Although not on purpose - I read her blog and realize that it's been WAY too long since I've planned art/learning projects for my kids. This month's topics are "Daddy's birthday" and "back to school"! We started out by making school buses...

Our first BBQ

We had our first BBQ the other night and we had so much fun!! I love our backyard and the girls had a great time eating outside. Can't wait to do this again!

Sometimes...

Fairy princesses just want to color...

New room!

We recently showed the girls their new room! Not only did we decide to go from individual rooms to sharing a room, but we took down Emma's crib and put her in a "big girl bed" along with Acadia's new bed. So far, it's hit or miss as far as if they actually fall asleep when we put them in bed. They are both getting up several times a night for one more hug, a kiss, one more glass of water, etc. But I love hearing them giggle and talk in their rooms at night :)

What have we been doing all summer??

Hanging with our BFF's the Peters!

New home

This is what we've been waiting for! The first time you saw our new home :) Everything we've been working for these past few months paid off when Acadia saw the house. She was thrilled!! Way more than I thought she would be!

Pulling up to the house with Melissa



First picture with Mommy!


Walking in as a family for the first time :)



Emma's sleeping the entire time!


Acadia's housewarming present - Spider Man toy!


Emma's still sleeping!

Seeing the office

Emma and Acadia's room

The play room

Emma's still sleeping!

Our last night

This is us. After me sobbing for 20 minutes straight (puffy eyes much??) and Matt sweating through 2 t-shirts moving us. Our last picture in our home.

We look several years older than we did when we first moved in. We have a lot of memories in this home. I'm planning on going room to room giving my girls stories about the memories we have that they won't remember.

But what I do know is that this home began and ended with this man beside me. The love of my life. The rock of our family. And I thank God every day that I get to live this amazing life with him. My girls and I are so lucky....