raw thoughts from the heart.

I'm not sure what it was about this weekend..

I am feeling sooo refreshed..

as a wife.

as a mother.

as a daughter.

as a sister.

Not that my love has ever so much as quivered for my husband, children, sister, or mother..

but sometimes you just see things in a brighter light.

I will start here..

Last year when we went to Disney World it was a wonderful trip.. I thought at that time it didn't get better than that-- watching my children experience something I never got to until 24 years old..

I think a lot of that trip I was [subconsciously] selfish.

I don't really know why I think that now, but it's true.

Not that I didn't loooove and appreciate our first trip there, it was just so different this time.

(remember I said this is raw from my heart so bear with me if its all over the place)

Becoming a mother really changes your heart.

I know for me it started the first time I saw the two little lines on the pregnancy test..

then again when I heard a heart beat..

then again when I met my daughter..

then all over again with my second daughter..

and it continues every day.

You realize little things that you stressed about before don't matter as much.

things you had to have you really didn't have to have.

becoming a mother has made me realize how much my mother truly loves me.

I wish I could take back anything I did or said that broke my moms heart.

I wish I could take back every attitude I had with her when I was 14.

I wish I would have embraced every wise thing she ever told me.

I have always appreicated being a mother, to the fullest; 

now I can appreciate being a daughter to the fullest too.

My husband sent me a text today that said,

"they are the luckiest, we have to make sure they recognize that"

.. he is a wise man at only 26.

He wasn't talking about going on a trip to Disney World, or to the beach..

he was talking about them having us and them having each other.

Growing up my sister and I fought like cats and dogs-- or better yet-- like sisters..

I know this is how it is for a lot of sisters,

you don't really realize how lucky you are to have a sister until you are both a little older.. out of the catty teenage years. (I know we aren't the only ones)

I look at my daughters and just even thinking about them fighting like that breaks my heart.

I hope they always realize how important a sister is when you have one.

The love they have for each other right now is so pure.

I love my sister so much, I think I can say my love for her has the 'pureness' back to it.

Not that I loved her any less when we were teenagers,

but I will honestly say I didn't appreciate what a sister could be then.

Looking at my sisters love each other is the best feeling.

Its amazing things you thought you knew all your life, or things you just didn't really think of can be changed by such small bodies.

Sometimes I can just look at my girls and start to cry with happiness.

[this really happens once a day for me, I'm such a sap.]

Seeing them experience things; whether it be the first day of school, meeting a favorite Princess, or finding a little bug outside- is truly what fules my heart.

•  

My husband is the reason I am so lucky..

and even if we have an "off day" I thank God everyday for him.

The man he was raised to be is the reason I know my children will be "alright".

The husband and father he has become is the reason I know I will be "alright".

Just felt like putting it all out there.

xo.

my Princesses.

We had a PERFECT trip to Disney World.

I just had to share one of my favorite pictures of my pretty Princesses.

We are relaxing at the condo now ..
..the view..

  

so refreshing. 

xo.

green grass & sunshine.

Well, we made it to Florida!

The girlies, my mother in law, my sister in law and myself.. who needs men to travel?! actually, I think we've decided its easier this way ;)

Although, I am missing my husband so much- pretty much as soon as I was on the plane and realized I didn't have anyone's hand to squeeze numb durring take off.

Two flights later, we made it.

Maddie and Josie both were absolute angels both flights--

hoping I will be able to say the same on the way home.

One BIG key to our easy travel were these handy attachments that wheeled around the carseats with the girlies.. Go Go Kidz travelmate.

I have seen these before, my sister in law suggested them, and we are SO thankful for that.. and that my mother in law thought it was such a good idea too and got them for us :)

I will be the first to say they made things 100x easier.. we didn't have to worry about carrying the car seats through the airport.. or carrying the girls because you know they wouldn't walk fast enough.. and who wants to take a stroller along with all that?!

Never traveling without those!!

It was amazing to look out the window this morning and see GREEN grass and the BLUE sky.. ahhh.

We are just resting in the hotel (since we got in at 12:30am) and getting ready to head to the Magic Kingdom in about 30 min!

I came across this post on one of my favorite blogs..

something about it just really stuck out to me.. it is so true and all parents need to read this and embrace it.

71 toes.

xo.

birthday blog.

Well, I am officially the mother of a THREE YEAR OLD.

That just sounds weird.

I remember it like it was yesterday when... I found out I was pregnant.

... & when she was born.

I wish I could go back to that day one more time... 

to hold her so small, just one more time.

I know one day I will be looking back saying "I wish I could go back to when she was three".

We had a little dinner at our home tonight.. in honor of our big three year old.

so we decorated a bit.

Maddie's favorites - pizza & salad- were on the menu..

and a yummy red velvet birthday cake with chocolate icing & princess sprinkles.

(of course baking a cake requires the cutest of aprons)

Maddie loved every minute of her 'happy birthday song'.

& She was a pro this year when it came to blowing her candles out.

I cannot wait to see her face when we enter the Magic Kingdom.

It will be better than the first time.

Happy Birthday to my sweet girl.

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

xo.

Madeleine's 3 year photos.

I could watch this 1,000x and then 1,000x times again.

I love this girl more than anything, I still can't believe she is going to be three years old in 24 hours.

 

 

 

xo.

weekend randoms.

I can't believe it is already Sunday night.

Started my weekend with a wedding contract signing (with my P) on Friday night followed by some appetizers & drinks with a couple girlfriends.. still in bed by 10:30pm it was a good night!

Saturday morning, bright & early we took Josie to tumbling class, she is loving it.

Then I was off to a great newborn session.

Saturday night my mom wanted to have both the girlies spend the night so Bry & I went out for an early sushi dinner before he went out to a bachelor party.

I had the whole house to myself all night! 

I rented the movie Easy A (thanks for the recommendation Jacquie) It was pretty funny!!

& I probably ate way too many No-bake cookies.

Today, Sunday, was the best day though.

We picked the girls up this morning and spent the whole day at home with everyone together.

I already know this will be a busy, but great week!

Madeleine turns 3 on Thursday!!

I just can't believe it.

We have cookies to make to take to ballet & cookies to make to take to school.

We are having a family dinner here on Friday.

& I already have THE cutest idea for her 3 year pictures-- you know I wouldn't skip out on those!

ATTENTION ALL MOMMIES OF LITTLE GIRLS!!

 you simply must check out this website I found on one of my fave blogs

:: Joy Folie Shoes :: 

how could you resist..

just one pair :)

speaking of my fave blog, Design Mom featured my blog on her popular blog 

click here to check it out.

(it is the first link!!)

10 days until Disney World!

I can't wait to feel warm sun on my skin.

I looked at the weather there today, it is saying 71 degrees so far-- I'll take it!!

Of course, I am already making mental lists of what to pack, but probably won't get any packing done until the night before! I'm hoping for one bag will do for the three of us girls.

xo.

whoopie pies.

I have been wanting to try this recipe for forever.

While Josie was napping today, Maddie and I started baking away!

Well, I say baking, but I used a box-- that counts right??

I used a box of devils food chocolate cake, a package of jello chocolate instant pudding, some marshmallow fluff and a little bit of powered sugar and.. viola!! adorable and yummy.. not to mention s-t-i-c-k-y.

{see full directions below photos}

  enjoy :)

{follow directions on bow *except only add 3/4 cup water* and *add package of chocolate instant pudding* bake 10-15 min use toothpick to check-- put a small spoonful of the marshmallow fluff in the middle- it will settle and leak over the sides so be prepared ! I individually wrapped them after I took pretty pictures}

Meanwhile--

waiting for their "cakes" to bake--

as you can see, Josie woke up to join us just in time.

& yes that is what she is wearing.

Now, it's time for the best part-

taste testing them!

lots of finger lickin'!

must be good :)

especially if its in Josie's hair.

luckily, neither of them finished theirs so I didn't have to eat a whole one.

I was really surprised how easily the fluff rinsed off too!

We have a big birthday coming up in our house.

Madeleine will be 3.

We aren't having a big birthday party this year, just a small dinner with close family.

Buuuut...

we are going to Disney World in two weeks!!

My mother-in-law is nice enough and my sister-in-law is brave enough to take the girlies and I to Florida for a long weekend. It will be so fun.

I know we just went to Disney World last year, but I think it will be better than the first time (minus the fact my hubby won't be there) because Maddie really really.. I mean really loves the Princesses.

she has seriously asked 100x a day, "mommy, are we going to Disney World today?"

Also, Josie is into all the Princesses, and Mickey & Pooh Bear .. when we went last time she was just too young to really even know what was going on. This time she will have a ball.

Plus, its only my second time ever going -- so I feel like a little girl about it too :)

I'm really just counting down to the warm weather & sunshine.. ahh.

goodnight friends!

xo.

fappies & baby blues.

What am I going to do with this girl??

Three fappies?!

.. or pacis, or nuks, or ro-ros.. what ever you call them.

These pictures are from Friday, after nap. We were watching the snow fall outside.

I wanted to throw them up real quick before this crazy week starts, as of last Friday I only had on thing planned for this week, now there are 1,000,000 things I have to do-- never ends does it?!

For some reason, I like the craziness of life.

doesn't matter to her what shape, size, or color.

I think she is thinking, "how can I fit this one?"

 I love this girl.

then sissy woke up to join us.

She doesn't have fappies, but she does have some killer baby blues.

peek a boo!

I can't imagine my life any different.

my photography blog has an adorable newborn- I know you all can't resist:: CLICK HERE.

xo.

first week of 2011.

Well, I lied, I said my next post would be the Santa pictures from Christmas with our family, but I am in bed  with my mini and those pics are on my external hard drive in the basement!

So you all will just have to deal with cute picture of the girlies instead!

This year has been a big one for us already..

Madeleine started school this week-- preschool that is.

She is only going a few 1/2 days a week, but still this is a huge step.

Since day one she has been with me all day.

Even the only babysitters we really ever have are grandmas, aunts, and other close family.

Last week, the nightmares started (for me not her).

There was one specific I knew was about her going to school-- I just couldn't find her in my dream. It was so disturbing but I knew where it stemmed from.

I was so relieved when her first day came-- she hung her coat and bag on her hook and walked right into her classroom- after she gave me the best hug ever of course.



She had a great first week at school!

One of my proudest moments so far.

While my big girl was at school, my little girl and I have been having some wonderful one on one time together. Not to mention that I have been getting sooo much done- having one child is easy peasy!

I did make some cutesy little hair clips this week too.
I will have to show the other ones I made too but they also are on my external hard drive.

I am really looking forward to this weekend.
I have a newborn session with a newborn whose mommy I took maternity pictures for.
She is only a week old!

Make sure you check out my lastest [photo] blog post 
for updated pricing & package information.

Don't forget to 'LIKE' my Facebook fan page here.

You all are the best!!

I have SO much to blog  about- I actually made a list,
so as soon as the new year settles in I will get to all of it!

xo.