A family motto...

There comes a point in every family when you kind of have to choose a motto. Not individual mottos. But a special saying for your family. Something describes your very being. Something that seeps through your pores when people are around you. Something that begins in your very core and is unwavering.

Ah, yes. A family motto.

Not something to be taken lightly considering it is intended to describe your family to the roots.

So this will take some time. And thought. And prayer. Because it's important. To me at least.

Dear Cash,

You are truly a sweet boy. Ornery. But very very sweet. Our conversation tonight went something like this...

Me: What was your favorite part about today, Cash?

Cash: Spending all day with you.

Melt. My. Heart.

Love you sweet boy.

Love,
Mom

Dear Presley,

You are getting quite sassy in your old age. You are quite loud and rough as well. But you are really funny. I mean, really funny. Your smile is ridiculous. Your laugh has a little snort at the end. Your facial expressions are priceless. You are you. My sweet and precious you.

You are becoming independent with a touch of caution. You want things your way or no way and you will let us know if it is not your way. You yell and yell and yell and yell. Did I mention how loud your were? You are an gentle attitude with a touch of sass. You are slowly getting a little temper on you, might I add.

You surprise me every day with your wonder and love for your family. Nothing makes your happier than sitting in someones lap to read a book and then ending with a big kiss. You make me think that you are going to be my rowdy child and not your brother. You like to play rough and hit your big bro. It's funny, but one day he is not going to be able to hold it in and he is going to haul off and sock you. But no one can argue that you didn't deserve it.

You are showing me just how fun having a little girl can be. You are so much fun to dress and we are getting closer and closer to some serious mommy/daughter shopping sprees.

You brighten my day with your smile and excitement when I walk through the door. You quietly sing for me when you wake up from a nap and reach your arms to the stars when you want me to hold you.

You are just the apple of my eye and the song in my heart. You are my later-in-life best friend and pedicure buddy.

Love you sis...

Happy Valentines Day??

Not sure why they look so ecstatic, but other than this picture they really seemed to enjoy Valentines Day and their gift...

Newest family pictures...

These were way past due. But in the midst of Christmas, New Years, and moving into the new house, pictures just slipped our mind. So what better place to take pictures and document our newest endeavor than at home...

Presley Mae update...

You are everywhere. Into everything. Louder than everyone. But boy oh boy are you special. You are a big ball of smiles and slobbers. You are always wanting to be involved and get your feelings hurt when you aren't. (Shaping up like a typical girl if you ask me.) You are talking up a storm and trying to say all kinds of words. Here are some of the things you say...

• Mommy
• Daddy
• Bubba
• Nonni
• Grandude
• Pat
• Yaya
• Papi
• KayKay
• Auntie
• Luke
• Bady
• O
• Giff
• Book
• Dog
• Kitty cat
• Baby
• Hot
• Nack (snack... you say this one all the time)
• Bye Bye
• Lo Lo Lo (Love you)
• Peeeease
• Dat( that)

You are growing up right before our eyes and it is so rewarding to see. Keep it up big girl. Keep it up.

Funny things Cash says...

Me: Cash, get your shoes on please.

Cash: But mommy, I don't know how.

Me: Yes you do. You have done it before.

Cash: But I'm scared to put my shoes on.

Me: Cash, stop making excuses and put your shoes on.

Cash: But mommy, I don't have any more energy left to put them on.

C.O.M.P.L.I.C.A.T.E.D

Breaking some rules...

Working longer days on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mean that I don't get to see the kiddos as much those days. I get home from work to Noah cooking dinner and the kids already going crazy because they are too tired to do anything else. It is a whirlwind most days, but it's our life. This is what we have chosen.

I know that are a lot of people out there that have said to not let your children into your bed. And I completely understand. And to some extent, I completely agree. But sometimes, just sometimes, we have to break the rules a bit.

Since the day we brought them home from the hospital, neither of our kids have slept with us or in our room. I'm not saying that is right or wrong, that is just what we decided to do. And it worked for us. And it is working for us still. But I also realize that me kids will not be kids for very long. They will grow up before my eyes and before I know it they are not really going to want to hang out with me that much. So my philosophy is this...

Cuddle when they want to cuddle. Lie down with them when they ask me to lie down with them. Hold them when they want me to hold them. And every now and then, let them curl up in my bed and watch Disney with me until it's time to go to their room. Very simple.

Yet sometimes hard to do because I want to keep a healthy boundary for Noah and me. I want the kids to know that the bedroom is mommy and daddy's space and that they need to respect that. And they will. As they get older, they will understand and respect that. But for now they have no idea about personal space. So I might as well take advantage of it and spend as much time with them as I can.

P and her daddy...

There is this little something special that is happening between Noah and Presley Mae. It's not something I can really describe with words, but just a posture between the two when they are around each other. He lights up and she lights up. He starts grinning from ear to ear and she starts shrieking at the top of her lungs with excitement. Just a little something that these two are starting to have...

And it is precious. Truly precious. The wonder of where their relationship will go and what it will morph into is something I think about more and more. I think about how their first Daddy/Daughter dance will be. I think about how they will be when Noah drops her off for her first sleepover.  I think about how they will be when she comes home with her first boyfriend. Or has her first breakup.

Lots of thoughts and wonders in the future. But for now, I will just marvel in their relationship. 

Funny things Cash says...

Not sure if anyone else has this problem with their kids, but sometimes Cash is really testing my patience with his stubbornness. One week he likes green beans and broccoli and the next week he doesn't. Anyway...

Sitting at dinner last week and Cash says, "I'm not eating my broccoli because I don't like it."

Me: "Well Cash, if you don't eat your broccoli then you have to go straight to bed."

Cash: "Then I will just go to bed."

Me: "Cash, what am I going to have to do to get you to eat your broccoli?"

Cash: "Pay me."

What a little punk...