2017 and All the Things

I debated whether or not I would start up my blog again.
Start a whole new blog all together.
Do nothing.

I feel like no matter what I do I will forget the little things that my kids do that I felt were so big at the time. They were big things.
But still forgot about them. I still got busy with other things and before I knew it they were bigger and talk-ier and doing more amazing things that I will inevitably forget.

I think that is the only reason I got back on here. My mind isn't strong enough to hold all the memories. Writing seems to be the only art in which I can hold on too my kids childhood.
And obviously the pictures help. I have no problem taking a million pictures.

Also, 2016 was a major shit storm as far as life goes. We were handed more bad news and ugly people than I care to ever remember.

We began the year unemployed and ended it just the same. Corey had a couple jobs in between that pretended to pay but we never made enough to save anything. My bus driving has been our saving grace and I'm always thankful for crazy job.

We relied on our savings this year and I'll be forever thankful that we are savers. This year could have looked much different if we didn't save for this rainy shit storm of a year.

While I'd like to go on and on about how bad the year was, it was also filled with more love and more memories than I would have expected.

We went fishing more.
We spent more time as a family.
Corey found a new hobby in welding that will turn into an income soon.
Cailyn found independence in responsability.
Carly found out she is stronger and more capable if she just tries.
Keslie found her voice and place in our family.
I adjusted to the season I'm in and embraced all the change without having a total mental breakdown.

I think overall we had a good year.
Not financially.
But we made it. We're still in it too.

Each new year brings this new Hope though.
We all get so excited for this New Year, aka. New Hope.
I, for one, will hold on to the new hope like its my life jacket in a raging river.

So for good measure, here is what I want to remember about 2016.

So with that, I will sign off and chat at ya later.
Sadie

The Big Niner

Today marks 9 years that Corey and I have been married. 

Thats bananas. 

Its also very nice. 

Nice to know that we are both capable of growing and loving. 

So here's a rundown of the last 9 years. 

9 years legally married.

3 new female humans.

1 home.

1 state.

2 job changes.

Lots of laughs.

Fewer fights.

I'm not very good at these clever rundowns.

We're still happy and I guess thats all that matters.

We are still taking care of our beautiful girls and working hard everyday 

to have a great life. 

Lots of good times, hard times and everything in between. 

Its strange to think about being with the same person 

for your whole life but when it comes

easy, its not so weird. 

Thanks for making things somewhat easy for me Corey! 

Love you for many many more!

(Ha! This last one kills me.)

Girls. All. Day. Long

I've been  thinking lately
 that girls are strange creatures.
They are complex.
They are soft.
Sweet.
Moody.
Mean.
Gentle.
Kind.
Fierce.
They are all over the place.
You can do everything to make them happy and they'll still be mad.
You can ignore them and they will follow you around until they have your attention.
I was just looking at Keslie and thinking how being a girl just came totally natural to her.
She's only been here for 7months and already she has everything that makes her a girl.
Personality.
Attitude.
She's all girl. Yells when she wants something.
Smiles when she wants something.
Grabs it if she can reach it.

I mean really? You see this face and suddenly you forget that she hates to sleep at night.

You don't care that she cries if you put her down. 

Or that she's a over all little stink. 

Then there is this one. 

She is all spice and everything wild. 

She's sweet too.

Sometimes. 

She's emotional. If you ever want to see all the emotions of the rainbow, just talk to Cailyn for about 10 minutes. 

She'll set ya straight. 

But in all these things, Its so easy to mess up as a mom of girls. 

Its a delicate balance of "say something" and "shut yo mouth". 

If you get too picky about what they wear or how they dress they will 

ultimately do that to other little girls. 

You see, girls do what their mom does. 

If I pick on them, they pick on someone. 

If I lift them up with kind words and praise, they will be a good friend to others. 

I am guilty of asking Cailyn to change her clothes. 

Sometimes what she comes out in is just not appropriate for school. 

He response is always "I just want to be myself!". 

Well that cuts me up inside. 

I want her to define herself by her actions. 

By her kindness, willingness to help and character.

Her clothes should never speak for her. 

Her hair has always been a thing of pride for her.

But she hates to brush it. 

I told her we were getting hair cuts and she had to pick her own cut.

Carly girl went first and picked out this adorable pixie cut. 

Cailyn saw how much Carly liked it but also how much the other ladies in the salon liked it. 

Cailyn asked for a much longer pixie cut but still very much short for her. 

I was so proud of her for doing what she wanted and letting go of what people thought of her hair. 

She said afterwards that she only liked her long hair because some other girls at school had long hair. 

She also knows it will grow back if she doesn't like it. 

These hair cuts were also the girls time I had let them choose. 

Crazy!!

They should have always had that option. They are smart little turds and know what they like. 

 Next time I'll keep my mouth shut. 

Carly and I demonstrating some of the moods. 

This is snotty.

Sad.

Happy or as Carly says "pretty".

Bored. 

Silly. 

Our very favorite. 

Pre K is Here!

To say she is excited is a bit of an understatement.

From crying when Cailyn went to school to reminding me about every 3 minutes that she 

has school today. 

All grown up it seems. 

How funny it is to me that they go from having so many baby features to 

this. 

Sure she still has those chubby hands and toes that I love so much. 

She still has a lisp that makes my heart melt.

She even still snuggles me from time to time. 

She's my "Fluffy Wuffy". 

But she's also picking out her own clothes.

Telling me what she thinks is cool and what is not.

Asking me to leave her alone when her friends are around. 

You know, all the things girls do. 

But today she starts Pre K and I guess thats cool. 

I guess its time. 

I guess my babies are not really babies anymore. 

Thankfully I have Keslie, who reminds me that babies are not always so fun. 

Keslie tells me every day that I am ready for my babies to head off to Pre K. 

 So take it easy Carly-Girl. 

You have fun at Pre K.

You make lots of new friends and be a good friend. 

Be kind.

Be strong.

Be brave.

But always be You. 

Love, Mom