Monday, September 26, 2011

Just for you Dads!

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters {by Michael Mitchell}


***Warning, may bring tears to your eyes!***

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.

3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.

16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.

28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.

30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.

34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.

41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

(Original post can be found here.)

Sunday, September 25, 2011

My crazy kids!

I think I have shared more sleeping pictures of my kids on this blog than I have anything else...so why should today be any different ;)


This would just bug the snot out of me...Sleeping or not, I would have to move that hair!

Marissa and her village, playing so nice while her sister slept!


And I had to share my newest bag creation!  This one is mine!  
It reminds me of my mom ;)



Saturday, September 24, 2011

2011 New York State Fair!

We continued our annual tradition and met my parents at the state fair.  This year they had a lama walking at the ring in the goat/pig/lama area.  I don't think the girls have ever touched a lama let alone walked one.  They had fun.  My mom found this first and Marissa was finished walking before I got over there.  Mom hasn't posted her pictures yet so all I have is Madalyn for right now.  Madalyn's lama looks really peeved, but he/she walked really well!  LOL



Grandma and Grandpa bought the girls wristbands this year so they rode pretty much all day! 
It was their favorite part of course!  



I think this was their favorite ride, or at least it would have been mine!
The guy running the ride was really good with the kids and the ride lasted for a while.  The boats were motorized and all the kids had to do was steer.  









This was all Grandpa's doing! :)  I think he really wanted to go in one!!!  No really, the girls asked to ride this last year I think and we skipped it but this year they got the chance.  They loved it...it was a fairly warm day and I can only imagine how hot it must have been inside them!  They didn't seem to mind though!








Friday, September 23, 2011

A new little guy


 One of my best friends Heather, had this little guy a couple weeks back!  
I had to share...isn't he a doll!  I haven't seen him in over a week and it's killing me!  LOL



Friends...

We live in a smaller 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home...1360 square feet to be exact.  
2 weeks ago we welcomed a family of 6 to stay with us en route to Germany.  The first weekend they were here, we also had a friend from college staying with us.  That's right...we had 5 adults, 6 kids, 2 dogs, and 3 cats (the family of 6 brought their cat with them)!!!  We had a ton of fun, made a lot of good memories and shared in some good times.  Friendships were made stronger and I'm truly thankful for the extra time we got with them before they headed overseas.  Unfortunately in all our adventures, my camera stayed tucked away...I did however, manage to catch these...and I couldn't help myself!







Monday, September 19, 2011

Going out on a limb here...

Ok, I'm fore-warning you all that this is a personal post.  I'm not sure I have any male readers but...you have been warned!  LOL :)




For some time now I have been looking for a new way to handle my "that time of the month" needs.  I usually use tampons, can't handle pads, and have been looking for a healthy alternative.  I'm super sensitive to UTI's and it seem like every month I get that feeling like I may be starting one up.  I can't necessarily blame it on the tampons, but they can't be helping any.  So anyhow... I have been eyeing up The Diva Cup for a while, but couldn't muster up the courage to try it.  That is until a friend and I got talking and she mentioned that she uses one!  Thats all it took!  I'm such a sucker, I know.  

Well I'm happy to report that I too love it. 
It's not as gross as I anticipated.  It's handy.  It's cleaner feeling.  It's comfortable.  

I do realize it's not for everyone, but for those of you who may have been searching, who are trying to become more "green", or who may have never even considered it but are open, I just thought I would possibly give you the encouragement you needed to try something new! 

The huge plus is that it's a money saver!  
You can use it for however long you are comfortable using it before replacing but the company recommends every 1-2 years.  Even when doing that you are saving bundles!  

Be brave like me and try it...I promise you won't regret it!  :)

If you decide you want to get one of your own, you can find out more information on them at the Diva Cup website, and you can buy one the cheapest at Amazon.  (I can't give you a direct link because there are different options depending on whether or not you have had a child, your age, or whether or not you want the wash with it.)



Friday, September 9, 2011

I'm dedicating this post to my forever soul mate!

Doug and I met in 2003 and I never in a million years would have guessed that 8 years later we would be best friends for life and soul mates.  I have always known I have loved him with my whole heart, but  over the past month I have realized that our relationship is at a whole different level.  About a month ago, Doug took a new job 2 1/2 hours away from our home.  Currently we are living two different lives, reunited on the weekends.  As the weeks go on, good bye for 5 days gets harder and harder.  I was so sure it would get easier, but I was wrong.  Now I know that we are not the only ones that have done this, are doing this, nor are we the only ones that will ever do this.  Right now my sister-in-law Cristale is separated by a million miles from my brother.  Only they don't get to see each other on weekends...instead they are separated for at least 7 months solid.  When I'm having a tough day, I stop and think about them and realize I'm being selfish.  It's still hard though.  So much in our lives is changing and we don't have control on the timing.  I know that the Lord will guide and direct us, but the patience part is hard.  For now, I need to trust and wait on Him.  Knowing that so many people are lacking what we have, makes me thankful that although we may be separated by some miles for the weekdays, we have something special and no one can take that from us.  We truly are blessed and I'm just now starting to realize how much...
I love you Douglas Benedict <3  :)