First Day Back to Work

Today was very bittersweet...my first day back to work.  I knew it was going to be a tough day but I also knew it was time to get back to the job that I love.  

The morning went smoothly.  Matt and I worked together to get ourselves ready, the girls dressed and hair done, breakfasts done, and bags packed.  I dropped off both girls; mainly because I wanted to be with them for as long as possible.  We reached daycare first and dropped off Ella.  Ella started crying as soon as we drove in the parking lot and then screaming when I handed her to her teacher.  But I understand that the crying doesn't last long.  Then we got to preschool and I dropped off Ava.  Ava is a pro with drop off already and today was a breeze as usual.  I just had a few tears on my way to work but overall was feeling good.  I think starting Ella at daycare last week helped me realize that it was time to go back to work.  One day on my own was fine but after that I was bored!!  

Walking into work I felt the tears coming again but I was able to get them controlled before I walked in.  All was good until I saw my desk and what my amazing coworkers had done to my desk.

They had each written me a welcome back card and strung them together from the ceiling over my desk.  And I had a welcome back basket on my desk with jolly ranchers, mints, and trail mix.  I seriously have the best coworkers, but at that point I couldn't stop the tears.  These were good tears though as I know how blessed I am to work for such an amazing company and alongside such amazing coworkers.  

The day went great!  I feel lost or like it's my very first day again but that will get better in time.  The girls also had a great day.  I missed them so much but I know they are happy and I know I am happy and love my job.

Preschool Open House

Tonight was an open house at Ava's School.  To be honest, today was my first day back to work after maternity leave and we were both tired and weren't sure we wanted to go.  But we also didn't want to miss anything.  So we asked Ava if she knew what was going on for open house and we immediately knew we were going.  Ava started talking about everything she wanted to show us and started listing off things that Mrs. Mittlieder had told them about the night...Ava was SO EXCITED to show us her her school!!

When we got to her classroom she had a letter that she had decorated for us of all different things to talk about and ask her to show us.  Ava barely needed the list as she quickly and thoroughly made her way around the classroom explaining all the rules, games, and areas as she went.

This is Ava's page in one of the class books they've made.  It says "A my name is Ava and I like apes" but Ava kept saying that it says grapes.  Either way, I'm not sure what she meant!  But I love it and how proud of it she was.   

Ava's school bus that she cut out and decorated.

Ava's signature (to the right and under "kindergarten) on the back of new mats in the gym.

After the gym, Ava took us to the cafeteria and showed us how she got her tray and picked her food and then where her class ate.  

It makes me so happy to see her so happy and proud to show us around.   I'm so proud of my preschooler!! 

Bedtime Snuggles

I love any time I get with my girls and try to take advantage of those times but I have to be honest that one of my favorite times of day is bedtime.  It's the time of day when everyone is winding down and (hopefully) not running around crazy.  It's the time of day when the hugs last longer and lots of snuggles happen.  I LOVE this time of day with my girls.  

Bedtime usually consists of PJs, reading a book or two together in Ava's bed, and then Matt and I usually split which girl we go with and get some bedtime hugs, kisses, and conversation and then switch to the next girl.  Can I say it again??  I love this time of day and this precious one on one time with each of our girls.

Bedtime has been a bit tougher for Ella this week after starting daycare.  I think she is just wanting a little extra time at night snuggling since she isn't getting that time during the day.  Obviously, we're happy to give her that time of snuggling, hugs, and reassuring her that even though she has to go to daycare that she will eventually love it and that we will always come back to pick her up.  

I often wish the girls would stay little like this forever!!  I'm going to soak up these snuggles for as long as I can get them.  

     

So Blessed to Call Him "My Husband"

I am so thankful for this man I get to call My Husband.  He has been by my side for 17 years ~ 4 of those years dating and 13 married.  He protects me and the girls, takes care of us financially, is never too proud to ask for advice from the wiser when needed, he loves me unconditionally, encourages me to strive for my dreams, and makes me laugh on a daily basis.  Love him more than words could describe and with every new season in life, I love him even more.   

I was looking through some of our wedding pictures and thought I would share a few.  Wow did we look like babies!!

Married:  August 10, 2002.  Thank you for walking by my side on this adventure of life.  Love you!!

My Little Brother is Married

What a fun, blessed weekend we had celebrating the wedding of my brother, Bobby (Robert) and Catherine!  What a happy, joy filled wedding it was.  I have never seen my brother so happy...happy to the point of tears at times.  I already was crying happy tears through much of the weekend but seeing my brother and dad tear up too was almost more than I could stand!  I'm so thankful that my brother found his beautiful bride and was smart enough to marry her ;)  I wish them many, many years of happiness together.

Ava was the most amazing flower girl!  She was beautiful, poised, and confident.  I was SO proud of her...leading to more tears as she threw petals down the isle ;)  There were moments when she was scared but she was able to overcome those fears and did a beautiful job.  

Enjoy some pictures from the beautiful day:

The gorgeous bride...my new sister...with my beautiful girls

Angell Family...love them all

Me and my big girl loving on each other

My family of 4!!  This picture is so special to me because for a long while we didn't think Ella would be home in time for the wedding and we so badly wanted her a part of the day.  God still works miracles and she was home long before the wedding!

Mr & Mrs Angell

Brothers and Sisters

Dancing with Lau Lau and Pappy

Chicken Dance

Dancing with Baba

Dancing with Pappy!  The girls shut down the dance floor!!  

   On our drive home from the wedding Matt and I were talking about how blessed we were to have just added more family members and friends to our lives.  Matt and I know how lucky we are to both have parents who are still happily married...almost 40 years of marriage each.  But on top of that to have families that continue to grow from marriage and babies.  It's not often that people love their in-laws as much as we do and love spending time with them.  And I think it is probably very rare to be able to blend all of these married families into one giant family and all get along and enjoy being together.  I feel like Catherine's family is now a part of my own...not just Bobby's.  They have welcomed us with open arms, they love our girls and love spending time with them, and we have so enjoyed getting to know them.  I just pray that now that the wedding is over that we still get to see them all.   We are SO BLESSED!! 

Ella's First Day of Daycare

Another big day in our home...Ella's first day of daycare!  Which means more tears for this Mama ;) There's been so many changes going on lately that I wanted to send her for her first day of day care the week before I went back to work so that we could make this change a little more gradually.   Ella only went for a few hours this morning.  Tomorrow she'll stay through nap time.  I am praying that she learns quickly that we always come back and take her home at the end of the day.  My biggest fear is that she thinks that she's going go through another major change in her life in which the people who she loves most in this world are leaving her again...My sweet girl Ella, I pray you learn so quickly that we are never leaving you again.  You are our beautiful daughter and we are yours~FOREVER!!  There will always be changes in this life but we will get through them TOGETHER!

 Ella's first day started off with meeting her new teachers; Miss Chesney, Miss Bri, and Miss Jordan.  She was all smiles through this part.  But as soon as I handed her to Miss Jordan the tears started.  I knew then that I just needed to kiss her and leave so that she could get used to her new surroundings.  I stopped to visit with Hayley, the amazing director and by the time I left I couldn't hear Ella crying anymore :)  

When I picked Ella up at 11:40am she was already laying down on her mat for nap.  No tears at all!!  Her first day report was awesome!  She settled down quickly and loved playing outside with her new friends.  She ate a good lunch of corn, peaches, and roll ups.   I am so proud of my baby girl!!

Wedding Thoughts by Our Sweet Ava

Just a few lines from Ava~the flower girl~ prior to her Uncle Robert and Aunt Catherine's wedding.  Enjoy!!

When Ava first found out that Uncle Robert and Aunt Catherine were getting married and we talking about Catherine's wedding dress.  Ava's response was, "Oh, she will be a BEAUTIFUL princess!!"

On the way to the zoo in early August we were discussing her role as the flower girl and what she would be doing in the wedding.  We talked about how she'd walk up the isle and drop rose petals.  Once she made it to the front she would go sit with Nai Nai and Grandpa.  Ava asked, "so my part in the show is over then?"  LOL!!  Me trying not to laugh answers, "yes and you can then watch Robert and Catherine get married."  "Yes, that will be the best show ever!!"  says Ava.

Riding in the Jeep on the way to school on Wednesday prior to the wedding, Ava says out of nowhere, "I'm so excited to be a flower girl princess!!!"  Along with a huge smile on her face :)

While decorating for the wedding reception, Ava informs us that she is ready to "shake-a, shake it down!!" on the dance floor!  :)