One year ago today

One year ago today, we were getting ready for a day at the pumpkin patch, gearing up for Halloween that was right around the corner. I was so excited to take the girls for the first time.

That all changed when I got a phone call from my mom at 10am, she says that she has the flu and needs a ride to the ER because she's not doing so well. Nathan volunteers to go bring her, and he's there for hours. Inside, I'm bummed because we don't get to go to the pumpkin patch. But I'm also worried about my mom because when I talked to her she just didn't seem like herself.

Hours upon hours go by, and my dad shows up to relieve my husband. They have my mom in a room and are trying to figure out what's going on, but they know it's not the flu. Then the doctor mentions meningitis and we all got scared. I didn't know enough about it to know how scared I should be. After hours of confusion, frustration, and worrying, my moms pain ended at she became an angel.

Our lives changed forever that day. It's incomprehensible how much pain can be caused by losing such an amazing, loving, influential, selfless person. An immense amount of love has to be present in life to feel such an overwhelming sadness in death.

I have the best memories of my mom. Gossiping and giggling like little girls as we sip coffee in our robes. Trading stories about life and love. Shopping and hanging out like best friends, because that's what we were. The mother and daughter label fell off somewhere along our journey together, and what remained was an amazing friendship. She was the most amazing grandma to my girls, in just the short amount of time she had with them. I am thankful to have had such an amazing mom, who has taught me to love selflessly, laugh hysterically and not take the unimportant things to seriously. She taught me to be the best mom I could be and for that I am eternally grateful.

We love and miss you to the moon and back, Mom.

Trying to Make the Grade!

When I think back, it seems like Addison has been a part of Nathan and I forever... but at the same time, it seems like it hasn't been nearly long enough for her to be in preschool! But alas, she has grown up and we decided that we think she will thrive in a structured, group learning environment. Addy has been enjoying her days at home playing with her sister, taking trips to the park with Grampa Steve, reading lots of books and singing with Grammy, and of course her special Fridays where she got to spend her day with her "other mom" Krystal and Kayleigh. But she seemed to be bursting at the seams regularly. She was so sad that there were no longer kids at the park every day (because school is back in session). She's been craving more and more interaction with other kids. While we go playdates regularly with many kids, and especially her BFF Kayleigh, we thought branching out a bit would benefit her.

We absolutely fell in love with her school when we went to check it out. It's not only absolutely perfect for her age, but also has chickens and roosters, a horse, a garden, and an acre and a half for the kids to dominate. The teachers are amazing!! What sold us on the school is that there isn't just one teacher with a bunch of assistants. It's 3 certified preschool teachers at any given time. The children get such dedicated attention and praise. After the first visit, Addison was smitten as well. She didn't want to leave her new "friends".

Our big girls first day of school was on Friday, October 1st. She is going on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday's from 8:30-3pm, with two hours of that designated as quiet/nap time. The morning of her first day, she was brimming with excitement. She couldn't wait and was irritated that it was taking so long to get ready!!

When I dropped her off, she went straight to the little kitchen and started playing. With a quick hug and kiss, she wanted to be independent and left alone

At the end of the day, I was more anxious than anything to pick her up! All day I was hoping that she had a great day, and wondering what she was up to. If she was behaving, having fun, hating it, loving it, missing me, not missing me LOL It was worse for me than it was for her!! When I picked her up, Miss Michelle informed me that Addison had a great first day. She had two sad moments where she missed me and wanted to go home, but she was easily distracted bu her friends and activities. For those who know her, one thing that Addison is have particular about is where she naps. She always tells people she will only sleep in her own bed. So when Miss Michelle told her it was nap time and to lay on her mat (with a blanket and pillow from home), Addison was very unwavering in her belief that she should only sleep in her bed and her "bed isn't at school, it's at home". She ended up only sleeping for a bit that day because she woke up and exclaimed "Miss Michelle!!! Do you hear that airplane?"..... this is slightly frowned upon during "quiet time"!!! hahaha When I told her it was time to go home, she was very upset and wanted to stay longer. Thankfully the idea that she will be going back was enough to pacify her. Yay for preschool!!!

Our First Camping Trip as a Family of 4!!!

Yeah, yeah, I know it's already fall and I'm behind in updating about summer!!

So I was completely pressured into a camping trip this summer!!! Well, it's true that I did WANT to camp, but the thought of camping with a 2.5 year old and a 1 year old was seriously daunting. I envisioned running all over a dirty campsite trying to keep nasty things out of Darci's mouth and keeping Addy from falling to the fire, or the lake, or wherever she could fit (yes, she is a klutz like her Mom).

So we decided to go to Lake Hogan for one night and meet our favorite family, the Hamon's, for a camping adventure. They had already been out there a couple nights, so we were just going for their last night there to try out the whole experience. We got there on Sunday afternoon and had a GREAT surprise. Grampa Keith surprised us!!! He was out enjoying a quiet day of fishing. It made the girls day to see Grampa climbing up the (huge!!!) hill from the lake to our camping spot.

Then it was time to set up camp so that we could enjoy some time on the boat

We spent some time on the water before we headed back for dinner and s'mores!

some time was spent pretending to throw the kids overboard (classic Nathan move!)

Then Darci's "other mom" (aka Krystal) let her drive the boat!! Even though she was more concerned with what all the buttons did!

Dinner and then S'MORES!!!

After this fun (and sugar) filled event, I have to brag about how freaking cool my kids are. Both go to bed alone in the tent with minimal fussing!!! SCORE!! Darci was in the playpen and passed out in no time, and with a little reassurance Addison was a happy camper (pun intended!) in her princess blow up bed.

Rise and Shine!!

(notice the blanket wrapped monster on the left side of the pics? Yeah, that's Daddy) LMAO

Kayleigh and Addison were VERY concerned with keeping their babies clean. Krystal and I can attest to the fact that our girls babies were absolutely.unbelievably.disgusting!!! So what do the girls do? They create a baby washing station, complete with wipes! The most hilarious thing about this is that when they were done with one baby they would lay it on the ground while they finished the next one... and then wonder how the first one got dirty again so fast. Sneaky baby!!!

Overall, I'd say it was a successful attempt at our first camping trip. BUT I am so glad that we won't even consider this for another year and Darci will be much older by then! She'll have much more fun when she can wander around the campsite and explore. The three amigos enjoyed their time together and were loads of fun!

and I am happy to report that the only thing Darci put in her mouth was a dirt crusted hot dog... so it's not so bad right? I had to pat myself on the back when I intervened before she got the muddy, soggy bun in her mouth !! Super Mom!!