Madison's End of the Year School Program...

Today, Madison had her end of the year program at Kitty Stone Elementary...it was adorable, but I can hardly believe kindergarten is almost over!!!  I am so sad that the time is flying by so quickly...but, also so excited to see what's ahead...  Here are some pics from today...

Ms Gillespie, her music teacher

Her teacher, Ms. Hall

Good grief...the "duck" face already...

Life as a stay-at-home mom...

I was very afraid that my decison to leave work would be one that I regretted shortly after making it...but, I am happy to say, that I am really settling in to my new life.  Although, I am still tired and stressed much of the time, I feel much more capable of handling all that is on my plate.  With Patrick being gone every week, while working, I never felt in control of anything really...just felt like I was being dragged from one obligation/responsibility to another and hoping I didn't drop the ball somewhere...

So now, even though Patrick is gone during the week like always, and there is still a lot to handle, I am somewhat thriving off my to-do lists, time playing/napping with the girls, and actually have given myself a break on the days when I really just don't have the motivation to do much...

I am excited about our adventures this summer...we are going to take a two week road trip up the East coast and spend some time with Patrick in Vermont and old friends in Maine.  Then, the girls are going to spend a week with the Daleys sometime in July.  I have a ton of ideas for activities--thanks to Pinterest--and can't wait for this summer off with my girls!!! :) 

Then, after the summer, if I still am enjoying being a mom ;) I am hoping we can get pregnant with #3!!  We'll see...I am a little gun shy after what happened two Thanksgivings ago, but we'll see what's meant to be!!

Madison's Ballet Recital...

Oh, this was one of the sweetest things I have seen my little Madison do...pay special attention to the gigantic smile that never left her face. When I asked her why she was smiling so big...did her teacher tell her to....she said it was because she was so happy :)

LINK IF YOU WANT TO SEE BIGGER  http://youtu.be/olZWQt6MNBA

First Day of Tball...

Madison had her first t-ball practice today...she LOVED it :)  I was so happy that she was happy, since softball was always one of my favorite sports.  Roby, Mel's husband, is the coach, and Payton is playing, as well.  We are so excited for the season--to cheer on the girls together...fun times together...watching the girls kick some butt :)

Here's today's practice.  RJ was the assistant coach...making sure to give Madison and Payton some extra pointers here and there....love it!

Juggler...

Ok, so my new favorite movie is "I Don't Know How She Does It"...it just highlights all that moms have going on and have to keep up with.  When the character's husband is asked what his wife does for a living...he says, "She's a juggler..."  LOVE IT!  So true of all of us moms... 

I have had a lot of heavy decisions lately, and I am hopeful and very optimistic that I will be able to juggle a little more smoothly.  I am losing weight (always makes me feel better--goal is 30 more lbs...11 so far!), AND I am hiring an afternoon nanny to help with picking up the girls, preparing meals, and helping me as I run them to/from evening activities.  My recent decisions with work have actually renewed my zest, career-wise, so I feel like it's all going to come together. 

If I am happy, then Madison and Bella will feed off that, right?  Even if I am not around 110% of the time?  I will never miss the big things, and work can come second...no worries, no sweat...

Bball starting...

Madison started her first basketball season playing for Weaver's Upward League...she had a blast and was smiling from ear to ear the whole time...

She was the first to break through the sign...didn't know quiet what to do :)

Atlanta Trip...

Between Christmas and New Years, Patrick and I took the girls to Atlanta for a family get-away...We stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead and visited the Zoo and Aquarium. 

Pics by Christmas tree at the Ritz

At the aquarium...

At the zoo...

Tough week...

On Monday morning, Patrick and I headed to two separate airports at 3am...THEN, Monday afternoon, I got a call from Mom that Bella was sick and she had to be picked up from school.  Here I am, in Wisconsin, feeling helpless and just wanting to see for myself how she is.  Mom says she is lethargic, feverish, and not eating much.....It's killing me not being there.  I am in the airport now, and I didn't get on the early flight that I was trying to go standby for....2 more hours to wait until my flight to Detroit, then home.

I keep thinking "never again"....never do I want to not be there for my sick baby...This pic says it all.....

JSU Homecoming Parade...

Saturday, Mom, Jen, and I took the girls and the pups to the homecoming parade.  Girls loved the bands and pretty girls in homecoming court riding in cars and all....Blondie and Izzy didn't know what to think with all the noise when the bands came by...the highschool bands rattled them a little, BUT when the Southerners came through, they were freaking a little.  When we got up after the Southerners passed (they closed the parade), Izzy had left Grandma Joy a "treat" in her lap, chair, and CUP HOLDER of her chair!  LOL  It was hilarious...little nuggets--she must have been really scared by the drums....and then trying to clean it up before people stepped on it, as they were leaving the parade....Fun Times....