I'm a what? A real MOM!

There are moments during the day that I honestly have to stop and remind myself, Amy, you're a mom.  You really are one!  I have wanted to be a mom since I could remember.  I always had a baby doll, a stroller, carriage, baby bag, my sister and I would even make pretend baby food.  I always thought I would get married and have a baby when I was 21.  Not sure why I chose 21, but I did.  Obviously that didn't go to plan since I went to college, got a job and then married.  Just wasn't ready for it at 21 like I always had thought.  Then, it took us a while to actually get pregnant and that absolutely terrified me.  How could I want something so bad all my life and struggle to get it, but people who don't even want to have a baby can make one in one night by accident?  I still struggle with that one every once in a while-I will now move on since our prayers were answered!;)

Now, that I am one it's the hardest flipping job out there, but lord almighty it is the best one around.  When this little girl looks up at me with that beautiful smile, the smile that I had dreamt about when I was pregnant with her, it absolutely melts me.  Melts me to my core.  All is well with the world when I see that stinkin' smile:)

Moments that remind me I'm a mom:

Holding her when she is sick or hurt.  All she wants is her mom.  That's me!  I am hers, all hers.

Walking into my in laws house today when my mother in law asks, "Piper who is that?"  And her response, "MAMA!!"  Ah, be still my heart.

Having my morning coffee on the weekends and hearing her feet running around upstairs, yelling at the dog and then peeking around the corner with her sweet squeaky voice saying, "Hewwooo".

Sitting at the dinner table, saying prayers and hearing her say, "Father, Son, Holy Spirit."  And shouting, "AMEN!"  My big girl making me proud.

Saying mealtime prayer.  

Oh Piper girl, you frustrate me and challenge me every day.  But dammit, you are by far the best thing that has ever happened to me.  I love you with every ounce of my being.

Where Did the Time Go?

Oh my, I just realized that the last time I entered or wrote anything on our family blog was in the FALL!  Well, I will say that I love to write and journal what we are doing on a normal basis, but a little something came along...a little something called "life".  So at this point I shall update!  I really want to try and get back into this as it's something I enjoy, but it becomes harder to do during the school year.  Our schedule gets absolutely crazy.

UpDaTe TiMe!
Jeremy actually went back to working at the hotel.  Back to crazy hours, not having weekends off, and the list goes on.  Not my favorite career field but the man truly enjoys it.

This is how Piper poses when she says, "Pleaaaaaaase".  Lord help us.

I will be leaving first grade next year and moving with my class up to second grade.  I am super excited about the change and am excited to learn, teach and experience a new grade level.  It will be quite a transition tho since I love my current team.  I've always loved them.  I always will love them.  They aren't just teammates, they have become my friends, my "net", the ones I talk to about anything and everything and they are like family.

Piper continues to grow, challenge us, teach us and amaze us every single day.

She is officially a toddler or "big girl".  She's got the attitude of a 16 year old, fashion sense of a diva, heart of gold, loves to share and help her friends.  She is also hilarious.  This kid keeps us laughing every day.

This girl loves her doll she named, Penelope.  I love how Piper shows her love to this doll.  She is such a good "mommy".  

On the topic of Piper girl, I go through phases where I really think I'm doing something wrong.  I didn't handle a tantrum the right way, I lost my cool, I should be teaching her more manners and be more diligent with holding her to them, I should read more books to her, I should expose her to different foods, and the list goes on.  The other day, I saw a poster that said, "Behind every great kid is a mom who thinks she's doing it wrong".  Sadly enough, my eyes started to fill with tears.  Maybe I shouldn't look at all the things she is doing wrong or I am doing wrong, but look at how far she has come.  I love this girl so flipping much and I just want her to be an amazing child, young woman and lady.  Sometimes there just is a lot of pressure on us moms.  And I'm pretty sure we put that pressure on ourselves.;)

This next coming summer and school year will hold lots of new experiences for our family, and my goal is to get back into the "blogging" swing of things to record all of the crazy moments!

Tastes of Fall

So my best friend showed up a few weeks ago.  You might know her, her name is Autumn.  She's pretty darn cool.  I love her visiting and am always so sad when she leaves us.  While she is hanging out with us we make the best of it!

Before Miss Piper, hanging with Autumn included lots of just sitting around with adult beverages and begging and pleading my husband to go to the farms and pumpkin patches with me.  Only to go there and watch other families laugh and make memories with their precious kiddos and feel a tang of jealousy every once in a while.  Now, it was my turn!  Dude, Autumn and I have been kicking bootay this year.

 That's a whole thing filled with corn kernels.  Hello awesomeness.  Nice to meet you sensory learning activity.

 Runnin' thru the corn maze.

 Yup, she caught a corn kernel coming down the shoot.  Nice fine motor skills there, kid!

 As Piper says, "Vroom" and "Beep Beep!"

 I spy with my little eye...a Dada and Piper!

 Mommy, Piper and Auntie Christy.  In Piper words "Auntie Christy" becomes "Thchithyyy".  Loves it.

 Jeremy, where did you go!?

 Uncle Matt, Piper and Auntie.

While driving she kept waving to all the people we passed.  She also kept saying, "Come on!  Come on!" and couldn't understand why in the world they weren't on the ride, too!

Nicely played, Autumn.  A weekend to remember!

*I would also like to add that I have been noticing all the pictures I take, my child is either refusing to smile or looking away.  I seriously hope she doesn't hate the camera like her father does.  Fingers crossed it's just a phase.  I swear, she really is a happy camper!:)

FaLlin' InTo FaLl

We are now in my most favorite season in the entire year.  October and November are my favorite months in the year.  I am like a kid in a candy store right now.

Halloween.  Crisp mornings.  Turning the AC off and letting a breeze blow through the windows.  Cinnamon apple candles.  Caramel apples.  Evening strolls.  Pumpkin patches.  Roasting marshmallows.  Carving pumpkins.  Roasting pumpkin seeds.  Trips to Flag to watch the leaves change.  Sweater, boots and leg warmers.  Pie.  Candied nuts.  The colors yellow, brown and orange everywhere you turn.  Sweet blissful Autumn.

This year I decided to regularly call this beautiful season Autumn because it's just that kind of year.  The word Fall needs to be fancied up this time around.  It needs to be given the credit it deserves by being called a beautiful name.

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This picture is totally random but I love it too much to not share.  It's even framed in Piper's room.  These are a few of my students from a few years back, Jack and Jordyn.  We have become such good friends and Piper has known her all her life.  Ever since she was 3 months, she has always lOvEd Jack. She adores him and wants to do everything he does.  This picture just wraps it all up for me.  Her leaning on him for support, her hand on his shoulder while he teaches her how to drive the race car game.  Looks like Miss Piper has found her first boyfriend;)  And we approve!!!

The Bigger the Better!

As my cousins and I get older things are bound to happen.  Boyfriends, engagements, weddings, babies and a whole lot in between.  It is so interesting being the older of the cousins.  There is such a big age difference and my youngest cousin, Mary, who is now in middle school {cue gasp}.  With all the cousins, starting at me pushin' 30 to the youngest in middle school there's a lot of differences with where we are in our lives.  

I have already gotten married and had a baby, my sister has gotten married, cousins are now in college, graduating high school and generally growing up.  

Sometimes it's hard because, being the oldest, I don't feel like the "cool" cousin I sometimes felt I was-crap, I can't talk the talk anymore, it's just so "cray", hahahaha.  I feel ridiculous even writing that.  And my cousins probably have no idea or can relate to having a career and balancing a personal/family life while raising a child.  

I will say, that with all those differences there is a lot of similarities, too.  The first one I want to bring up is so corny, but honestly, it's the truth.  I feel that we will do anything for each other when all is said and done.  We all love each other.  When we finally get together, which is hard nowadays with everyones crazy lives, you can just sense the love through the laughter and silly glances...we can all have conversations with each other by just exchanging glances by the way:)  

Another thing is that we are comfortable with each other.  We have known each other our whole lives and it shows.  We are comfortable enough to snuggle on the couch while watching movies, share food off plates, say whatever comes to mind even if the possibility of offending someone may arise and comfortable with our appearances with each other.  Sweat pants to family functions?  Uh, duh!!

As we cousins grow up, naturally, our family is growing.  Bringing spouses and babies into the picture.  Friggin' babies people!  It is still surreal that we aren't little kiddies sitting outside eating popcorn and ice cream at grandma and grandpas house while grandpa smokes his cigar and the guys grill.  Now, it's the second wave of cousins.  Piper was the first and Mr. Brayden will be the next.  Now, let me tell you, my cousins-we are all girls.  So, to have a young MAN join the cousin group is the most amazing thing ever!  We can't wait for his arrival and to love on him like crazy.  Poor guy is going to be surrounded by older lady cousins that will be fighting for his attention all the time:)

I can't wait to see the next generation of cousins grow up together and go on vacations together like we did growing up.  Make memories and even when they are separated for decent amounts of time, come together like they were never apart.  Support each other and have a good time together.  Lots o love!

 Cousins with the Grama.  Also known as, the coolest damn lady you could ever meet.:)

Happy Birthday Grampa Bill

Ok, so many of you may know that I totally believe in angels and all that jazz.  WELL, this literally just happened so I had to stop and write it down before I forgot.

Went to go change Piper's wet diaper and for some reason decided to do it on the ground in her room rather than on the changer.  For what reason?  I dont know.;)

As I'm changing her diaper, Piper looks right past me to my left and goes, "Woooooooow!"  And starts pointing.  I casually look up and see nothing so I continue on with changing her.

While changing my child's diaper, she is normally a complete wiggle worm and wants to get up and moving as soon as she can.  This time however she kept looking right past me and stayed completely still and almost in a trance.

Then it happens, I got the chills down my back and a big ass smile on my face, since it hit me what was happening.

Piper, while looking up past me says, "Bumpa".  What the hell!?!?!  This is what my sister and I call my grampa and the only time she has heard this word is when we're driving and we say hi to him when we pass the cemetery.

After she says this, she starts giggling and waving and then continues on with her, "Wooooow" and an occasional kiss to the air.

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So, I think I know exactly what was happening here today Grampa!  You are such a sneaky one sometimes:)  I miss you and think about you on the daily.  I'm so glad Piper knows your face and that you are there to guide her and all of us through life.  Love you forever and ever and Happy Freaking Birthday!!!  You are missed beyond belief and today we celebrate you and your amazing life!  Cheers to you and I think it's time to drink some Tullamoredew!:)

How Aimo Got Her Groove Back

Last Tuesday I wrote and showed a more vulnerable side of me.  A bit more gloomy, if you will.

It was a rough few weeks and transitioning back to being away from my tagalong sucked.  Real bad.  And then I got sick.  Nasty!

I felt I was just sinking and nothing was there to help pull me out.  So I prayed, meditated, made sure to get myself healthy and reflected a lot.

Then, it happened people.  Not even when I was expecting it.  I did something that got me out of this icky-i-dont-even-wanna-be-around-myself funk.  And when I realized what I had done to get me all better, my reaction was, "DUH"!

I danced.  I turned on some of my favorite Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears songs and danced until I collapsed.

If you know me at all, you know that I freaking love dancing.  At every wedding, where can you find me?  Dance floor baby!  With a drink in my hand and a smile on my face.  I love dancing because it strips everybody down of all things that make us different.  It comes from within.  Everyone has their own style or favorite move, but it all does the same thing to your soul.  It makes you laugh, feel embarrassed at times, gets you to let loose, gives you goose bumps and can even make you emotional.

It was Thursday and Piper loves music so I decided to turn on an old playlist that I hadn't listened to in a while.  Jer was watching tv on the couch.  I turned that sucker down and blasted that music as loud as we could stand.  Piper and I danced and danced and danced.  Normally I'll dance like that by myself and not in front of people, especially Jeremy, but I needed this.  I needed it in a bad way.

I remember after about an hour of full out dance moves, remembering old routines, and trying to teach Piper how to point and flex and how to do a perfect arabesque, sweat dripping down my face, my shirt clinging to my body, looking at Jeremy.  He just had this huge smile on his face and said, "Welp, that was fun!  You feel better now?  Haven't seen you that happy in a long time."

Right then and there I realized it.  Every single day of summer, Piper and I would have a dance party.  We would stretch and dance to old school music, country two steppin music and even flutter around like prima ballerinas in tutus.  I was missing this since I went back to school.  And I was miserable.

Well not anymore!!  The daily dance party is back and it feels damn good!!:)