"I'm Happy"

These were the words my sweet little Bella said to me this morning as we cuddled on the couch and were reading books together. There are no other words that a mama wants to hear....I loved it. My heart swelled and my eyes filled with tears. How did I get so lucky in life. My blessings are beyond bountiful. That being said.....
I feel like I have been going through a wide range of emotions these past few weeks as I am getting ready to head back to work full time.
Sadness: of course I am sad to leave my little peanut and realize the amount of of time I will no longer have with her.
Anxiety: Can I juggle working full time, being a mama (a good one hopefully), carting kids to different activities, cleaning, cooking dinner every night, and still having good quality time with the family without being completely exhausted..... Ok, I am truly terrified.
Lucky: I am so lucky that I was able to spend the last year working part time and having so much time with my girls and watching so much with both of them. Driving Maddie to school, spending time at home with Bella Boo, cooking and baking more, visiting Daddy at work and meeting him for lunch, and so much more ...all these things were little, but just priceless to me.
Perspective: As much as I have found myself in a puddle of tears and emotions in these last weeks, I really have to remind myself to put things in perspective! I mean so many people wish they could be so lucky to get up everyday (yes even 5 days a week) to go to a job that they truly love. And I really do love teaching. I remind myself that we have two beautiful, healthy, and amazing girls that really have made me become a better person...they are always reminding me of the importance of life and love. I have a wonderful, supportive, and loving husband who does so much for our family and works so hard all the time!!! We have a home, food to eat (good food), an amazing family, a sweet little doggie (who drives us crazy too), and most importantly our health. I am a really a grateful person and I am trying so hard to spend my emotions on that gratitude.

Yes I know this year things will be different and it will be hard. However, I am determined to make the best of it!!

Last Days of Summer

I am really trying to relish every last moment of summer. Sunshine this weekend was wonderful! We spent some time out at Auntie Lis and Uncle Sherman's house for a BBQ. The girls loved it...and we did too! I will miss all the sun, playing, and quality time once school starts again....

Bella on her new toy....motorized car! She loves this thing and this backyard was the perfect place to ride!
Even Uncle Sherman enjoyed getting wet in the sprinklers


I love when my girls are laughing together....

Another thing I will miss about summer...just having Bella run around in her diaper. All babies just love this don't they? Oh summer, why did you fly by so quickly???

Feathers and Fun

Yesterday I took Maddie and two of her friends to go and get feathers put in their hair. It's the new thing I guess with these tweeners. They were all super excited!

Before the feathers....
And after the feathers are in....

Then we went to the waterpark in Federal Way...Grandma and cousin Peyton joined us too. These two enjoyed the slide more than the water....they must have gone down this at least a hundred times!

Despite the coming and going sunshine, Maddie and her friends enjoyed the waterpark area a lot!

Lovely Ladies at the Lake

Thank you Tawnya for inviting us to spend the afternoon at your house on the lake! We all enjoyed it so much!

Bella is giving mama her "silly face"
Again...the "silly face"

Now showing something else very silly!

Proud of My Swimmer

I cannot express how proud I am of Maddie. I always feel proud of her many academic accomplishments and I always feel proud of the kind and thoughtful soul that she is! This time I am proud and impressed at her swimming skills! The other day she and her friend passed the last and final level (10) in swimming. The coach made a big speech about how difficult it is to achieve passing level 10 and that they can swim better than most people! She was so proud of herself too! A few days later she went on to pass level 11 as well.....I didn't even know they had a level 11 but they created it for these two fabulous swimmers!

Personality Plus

Our little Bella...she is boisterous and full of personality! One of her new favorite things to do is to put anything on her eyes....fashion glasses, sunglasses, even goggles!

She is such a ham!!

Final Adoption

A few weeks ago we had a big milestone in our family....Maddie's final adoption! We spent the morning at court, we signed all the papers, and that night we celebrated with family. I can say that I have dreamt of this moment for 11 years. I couldn't be happier and feel so proud of the father that Stacy is to our two beautiful girls. He is the only father she has ever known, and she adores him.

Dad and daughter waiting for our moment in court
Maddie signing the paperwork

With the judge after the papers were signed! YIPPEEEE

Little sissy was excited too! What a special day for us!