So Much Has Happened

It's been months since I even thought about sitting down to blog. Kids have grown a lot, & been very active. Brooke & her boyfriend had the Fall Ball, Christmas was amazing, Brooke turned 15, Rachel turned 10, and we are ready for spring break. Ron & I couldn't be more proud of the girls. They continue to make the honor roll, and Brooke has a 3.85 GPA. Brooke is going to be driving this summer & I can't wait to take her car shopping. She is truly growing up way too fast. I remember her first steps like it was yesterday & now I will get to watch her drive away in her own car. Ron & I are so blessed. I can't imagine life without these kids. Kelsey is going away to camp soon & I am having a hard time letting her go. She is so excited but I am worried since she just recovered from breaking her arm in 2 places. Rachel & her BFF Hannah have been reminding me of how fun they were as little kids. I bought some play doh & they remembered how fun it was to be toddlers. I know someday I will have a quiet house & I will miss this. I try to cherish every second of the day I have with them.

Daughters...please don't grow up too fast!

It's been a great weekend. The kids had a blast at Ron's company picnic, and then the LaPorte Sunflower festival. I'm nervous for Kelsey's school day tomorrow. She made a short film with 6 of her friends last week to show her class about anti bullying. I'm so proud of her & her friends on the work that they have done. Brooke's boyfriend, Tyler Rose, did a super awesome job editing the film. He is very talented & made it look flawless. I can't wait to hear the feedback from the teacher & students. Kelsey & Rachel are always making little short movies with the cats & rabbits. They love my tiny Sony Webbie video recorder. It's so cool to see their creativity & hear their voices when they are just acting silly & aren't in front of Ron or I. Brooke is going to be starting Drivers Ed sooner than I was expecting. We found out that due to my medical condition & disability she can get her drivers license almost a year earlier. I hate having a brain disease that is making it hard to get around but she was very excited at the idea of getting to drive before her friends. I lived in Mississippi when I was getting my license and during that time you only had to be 15 in that state to get it & I think its kind of cool that she is going to follow in my foot steps. She really wants a Camaro, Challenger or Mustang. I'm sure since she is Daddy's Girl he would get her any one of those but I'm not ok with her having that much horse power. Plus winters in this state are like living in the North Pole. I wish she would look at SUV's but she doesn't want anything big. I just can't believe our daughter is old enough to start looking at cars. I still remember our first ultrasound pictures of her & she was just a little tiny peanut. She has made Ron & I so proud over the past 15 years. I need to have family pictures taken soon before she is graduating & off to college. Time is flying by so fast & for just awhile I wish it would slow down. When Brooke was talking about moving away for school that's when it hit me that someday the children we do everything for are going to move out. Rachel has promised to stay at home forever, lol, but she is only 9 & I'm sure that will change once she is a teenager. I am going to make a point to slow down & cherish every little thing these precious girls do because it all seems to be passing by so quickly.

Brooke's 8th Grade Dance

At the end of Brooke's 8th grade school year she went to her very first dance.  I think I was more nervous than she was.  It was so much fun taking her shopping for her dress, shoes, and jewelry.  She had decided months ago to go with her bff, Paige, because Paige's boyfriend is in high school and couldn't go. Paige's aunt was the one who did their hair & makeup. I was so excited when I saw her after everything was done. She looked like a beautiful young lady and not a little girl. I almost cried but I kept it together so Brooke didn't tease me. Brooke was so happy with the way her hair and make up turned out. She always has her hair straight and never wears make up so she couldn't believe her own eyes when she looked in the mirror and saw all the curls. She said she felt so pretty & you could tell by the way she was strutting around that she was on top of the world.  The dance was only a couple of hours long and then she saw some of her friends afterwards at Buffalo Wild Wings. I was so excited to hear all about the dance when I picked her and Paige up.  They were so full of energy I couldn't figure out what either one of them was saying because they were both talking at the same time.  All I know is that I wish Brooke could feel like that every day of her life.  I was happy that she liked the necklace I picked out for her & the bracelet.  She said it was the perfect pop of color, lol.  Now she is looking forward to the dances in high school, but I'm not sure if her father & I are.  She is growing up too fast and I can't believe she is going to be in high school in August.

Soaking Up the Sun

 So far it's been a very warm spring & I've been to the beach several times. The kids even went swimming on Memorial Day with no complaints about the water being cold. If this is just a preview of what is on its way this summer then we are going to have some very hot days at the beach. I couldn't be more excited to see just what is in store for us over the next few months.

School's Out for Summer

So the children have made it through another school year with amazing grades. Rachel has had straight A's all through kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and finally 3rd grade. I can't believe my youngest will be in 4th grade in August. Kelsey will be in 7th and is excited to have Kesling Middle School all to herself as her sister Brooke will be starting high school in the fall. Time really does fly by faster and faster ever year. I have never been more proud of these 3 girls. They amaze me every day. I am so happy to spend the summer at Lake Michigan & also going on vacations with the entire family. I've told the kids that they are very lucky to spend the summer with a mom who doesn't work so they can go to the beach, the park, out for lunch, and shopping. They don't realize some kids have to go to a babysitter or are left home alone to take care of themselves since alot of parents have to work. I am so happy to have a husband who is not only a great provider but also loves to spend time with his children. So many parents work and then don't make time for their kids when they are home. They are too busy with their own sports, or running around without their children. I am so lucky that Ron enjoys doing things with all of us as a family. I thank God everyday for him & the children we have.  This summer is going to be full of adventures and traveling to places we have never been before. I can't wait, but I'm sure it will fly by so fast and before I know it it will be August. I hope everyone has a great summer no matter what you are doing and remember that the most important thing is quality time together as a family.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

I just saw the new Twilight movie with my bestie, Felicia. I am ashamed to say that at my age I have read all the books and seen all the movies. This one is just as good as the last 3, and now that I've seen it I will take my oldest daughter tomorrow. I always go first to make sure they are not going to freak out my kids. The younger 2 daughters wait to see them on dvd so I can edit the bad stuff out. I can't wait for the last part to come out next year. I never go to the midnight showing when the movie opens but the next one is the last and I'm sure I will be in line at midnight for that!

Trick -or- Treat 2011

This time of year is always tricky to know if it's going to be too cold to dress up for trick or treating with coats & gloves or if it's going to warm and sunny. This year was nice on both nights we went out with the kids. Brooke is at the age that she dresses up with friends and passes out the candy. I love that she still dresses up, and I hope she does it for a couple more years. I wish they could stay young forever.

Rachel as Flower Girl

Rachel was a flower girl a couple of months ago and the pic's are awesome! She loved every minute of it and I was so proud of her.

My Baby Is Growing Up

This is my favorite picture of Rachel from the wedding.

Half Of A Lifetime

I met my soul mate when I was only 17. I know that sounds young but it is so true. I wasn't even looking when he showed up in my life. I'm almost 34 and soon I will have been with Ron longer than I have lived without him. I have always wanted to grow old with him and have him by my side during the good times & the bad. It is so awesome that I'm living that dream. I am so happy to have 3 beautiful daughters that we get to raise together. I love having my best friend with me everyday of my life. My favorite thing is when we read each others minds and finish each others sentences. Our children think that it's so crazy when both Ron & I will say something at the same time. Like he will ask me what I want for dinner and I'll say Chinese food and he'll already have the menu in his hand without me knowing it. I can't imagine my life without him & I'm so blessed that I have such a good man to take care of me. He is an amazing father and I can't wait for next weekend to surprise him for Father's Day. The kids & I have so much in store for him.

Just Amazing!

School is out for summer and it is off to a great start. So far we've been at the beach more than we've been home. I love living so close to Lake Michigan. I'm so blessed to be able to wake up and tell the kids to pack up the beach toys & towels and hit the beach. The school year ended with Rachel having another year of all A's, and she has since she started school. Brooke had the honor roll all year and Kelsey graduated 5th grade and is off to middle school in the fall. Time is flying by, but I hope the summer doesn't go too fast. This is my favorite time of year!