Another Party This Week!

I have a great group of memory making mama friends.

We had a little party for the kiddos.

Full of sugar and a fabulous egg hunt.

 

peep cupcakes//bunny cups//punch//Raygan using her cup!

Baby girl.

These faces are my favorite.

My girls in the land of boys!



This face.

My girl.

Thanks leeann for snappin some photos!

Mamas enjoing mamas, and babies.

Future weddings being planned.

 

Im so glad we decided to do this little get together :)

Iphone Photo Shoot

I do it daily.

Take pictures of them on our mini front porch.

Even when we are in a hurry they stand there and wait for me to whip out my phone.

Big Sister has taught Remy all she knows.

Remy:Tunic:old navy//Pants:old Navy. Boots zulily//Glasses:?

Raygan:Dress:Target//Leggins: Old navy. Flats: Old Navy.

 

I love the one of Cameron opening the door like what the heck is going on!

The girls were saying "CELERRRYYY" instead of "Cheese" so loud that probably my entire neighborhood heard.

 

Yes this is how we spend our days.

 

 

Linking up with

this beautiful mama

A Sweet Celebration



This weekend I had the pleasure of taking some photos for my sister in laws baby shower. We cant wait to welcome Mr. Brody into the family. Her friends did an amazing job to say the least. They were super creative with chocolate fondue and these fancy sugar cookie fruit cups.

Happy Birthday Mr Carlin

Mr Carlin.

Today's your birthday. The big 24. SERIOUSLY? That makes me feel so old, more so then saying I have two sweet babies. Silly. Well anyway, I've known the ins and outs of you for the last 6 years and I'm thrilled for our future-i feel like we've been going Non stop for well, the last six years and honestly Ever since we've been together we've been in overdrive, every thing's fast pace right when things start to slow down that's when we decide to throw a wedding-gotta keep everyone on their toes right?

I'm so excited for this year-like 2009, 2011, 2013 will be just as grand but this one is ours.

I'm loving you more everyday and 1000 times more then when It practically flew out of my mouth at the modest mouse concert we first went to! I love how I can ask you "black or brown" and the fact that I don't need to say 'boots' in there because you already know or I when i say " I have studs on my shirt" a bit hesitantly and you give me a grin and tell me to "rock it" seriously? Rock it-yes yes I love you.

I love your being and your overall persona, you've made me a better person and you help me strive to become a better mom, wife and friend. Your the best daddy i know nothing makes me happier then seeing my girls light up in excitement every time you walk through the door-even if you were only throwing out the garbage, because yes that happens.

Happy birthday my Mr.

A Guest Post: Mesothelioma

Hello Hello! 

Today I wanted to introduce you guys to an amazing women, she has a very special story that she has chosen to share on my blog.
I hope you all enjoy her story and join us on spreading the word on mesothelioma.

 

How My Daughter Saved My Life

Most 7-year-old children don’t know anything about cancer, but my daughter knows more than she should.  When asked about this deadly disease that strikes fear into the hearts of adults, she will simply say that she saved my life.  She’s very matter-of-fact about it, and that sometimes leads people to believe that she doesn’t understand the deadly nature of cancer.  However, she understands more than most, and she is right that she saved my life.

Not wanting to rush into having children, my husband and I waited seven years before we even started talking about it.  I was 35, and Cameron and I were nervous about having a child at our age.  It only took us three months to conceive, and we were blissfully happy at the news.  I was nervous and a little scared, but the overwhelming emotion was excitement.  I couldn’t wait to become a mother and enter the next stage of my life.  I wasn’t worried about being a fun mom or even a cool mom – I just wanted to be a great mom and love my child.

I was blessed with a smooth pregnancy.  I joked that I could have gone through pregnancy about a dozen times because mine was so incredibly easy, but things got a little scary at the end.  My sweet daughter, Lily, was breech and I was rushed into surgery for an emergency C-section.  I laughed that her head would be round instead of cone-shaped because I believe in finding the positive aspect in any situation.  When they finally handed me my perfect little girl, I knew that I would do everything in my power to protect her, nourish her, love her and help her grow to be an incredible woman.  Holding her in my arms for the first time, nothing else in the world mattered to me.  She was my life, and I could spend all day just holding her and admiring her perfect little features.  During that blissful time in the hospital, I had no idea that a major life-changing storm was brewing.

Lily was just 3 ½-months-old when I first heard the words malignant pleural mesothelioma.  You cannot imagine how shocking it is to be in the prime of your life, entering what should be the most exciting time and discover that you could be gone in only 15 months.  That’s what the doctors told me my prognosis was if I didn’t start immediate treatment.  I remember sitting there, stunned, trying to figure out what I would do.  My daughter and I didn’t even know each other yet.  Would she even remember me?  As I was busy trying to absorb the news and struggling with the shock, Cameron was moving into survival mode.  He set his feelings on the back burner so he could do what was necessary at that moment.  While I was still trying to get my feet under me, he was listening to the doctor, digesting information on treatments and making important decisions about our next step.  It was Cameron who decided that I would have to travel to Boston to meet with one of the top mesothelioma specialists in the country.  The procedure they suggested included removing my entire left lung, the lining of my heart and my diaphragm.  The recovery period in the hospital would be 18 days, with another two weeks at a nearby outpatient facility in Boston.  Two more months would be spent at my parent’s house in South Dakota trying to recover and reclaim my life.  Finally, after months of surgery and recovery, I would return to Minnesota to start radiation and chemotherapy treatments that would allow me to beat this deadly disease.  I couldn’t have made all of those decisions if Cameron hadn’t been there focusing on the important information, but it was this course of treatment that saved my life.

Following this treatment meant turning my baby over to my parents for the first few months of her precious life, but it meant that I would be there for her later.  I was willing to sacrifice this small time of her life as an infant to be there for her on her first day of school, graduation and to eventually walk her down the aisle along with her father.  The sacrifice was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it was worth it to ensure that I could be around to see my child grow.

The sad fact about mesothelioma is that it has a 95 percent mortality rate.  The odds were not in my favor, and I consider myself incredibly blessed to have survived it.  However, I don’t think I could have done it without Lily waiting for me.  Knowing that my daughter needed me and thinking about everything I would miss is what gave me the strength to keep fighting.  This is why I give my daughter so much credit, and it’s why she can so calmly say to people, “I saved my mommy’s life.”

Long Overdue-Father Daughter Ball 2013

 I had typed this the night of the ball, and just now found the time to put the pictures together. I hope you all love them as much as I did! You can see our Last Yeas Father Daughter Ball here

 

Before I even begin filling you in on our 2013 father daughter ball experience I want to tell you all what we were dealing with. -I got a phone call from my mom the day before telling me how incredibly sick my dad was and that their was a chance that he wouldn't be able to make it. Needless to say I was crushed but he pulled through at the end like a champ I may add. Next: The day of Remy woke up with sick eyes. If your a mama you know you can see it in their eyes. I stared pumping the the Tylonal because I felt her getting warm. She took two naps and she usually doesnt even take one nap anymore and I barley woke her up in time to throw her clothes on and get out of the door. Meanwhile I turn around and big sister is out for the count, fully dressed head to toe and hair straightened. I reminded Cameron to not let me get out of hand on how the night is suppose to go rather than how the night will end up. I have a problem with perfection and timelines. It's about the girls and as long as they are having fun that's what matters.

yes both of these are five mins before we were supposed to leave the house. How I kept my cool I will never know.

I managed these ones before she passed out on us.

Hugs//Showing daddy her new shoes//daddy lovins

Loves

 

Anyway-We got their and to Raygans excitement it was a "ball with her daddy" she has been talking about it for days and carried her new patent leather white shoes every single place she went. Slept in them, and even insisted we put them in a backpack and bring them with us to the park so they dont get dirty of course. (gf knows whats up!)

 

She looks so incredibly old here.

She was a tad shy and withdrawn as she is in all big events and Remy was just kind of wondering what the hell was going on and why the hell is this person putting a wrist band on me. (Apparently a knew form of security which completely annoyed me, I'm going to have giant red wrist bands in our 40 dollar photos!)

We hung out and waited for people to hit the dance floor then both my girls scooped up a dude and took them to the dance floor like it was their job. Ah, I die.

Remy snagged papa//Raygan grabbed daddy//and three girls fighting over sprite.

niece & Raygan// me and the sickies//cameron and sicky//

Raygan and my niece again. 

 

We danced to gang man style and my dad surprised me and busted out the dance. You haven't seen anything till you've seen dozens and dozens of 40-60 year old men move to gangman style. They played songs by Taylor swift and Justin Beiber and I love seeing all these dads (especially my man of course) take the time to set their coolness aside and hang with their girls.

We were getting ready to end the night and miss thang was simply not ready so we hung out another 15 minutes and little Remy was damn near asleep on me.

We had a great night. The girls had an amazing time and danced the night away. Raygan told us as we put her in her carseat that "her body was sore" ohh girlfriend mama too, I haven't danced or worn high heels in a very long time let alone do both at the same time.

This was mine and my dads 16 father daughter ball, Raygans 3rd and Remys 2nd. Needless to say It went smooth and I never lost my cool. I'm getting better at just rolling with it, finally after all these years.

 

16 years and counting.

Life Lately Via Iphone

1. We signed Raygan up for T-ball, and stopped to take a photo of course. Oh and your talking to the new assistant coach over hereee :) Another mama friend and myself are going to tackle a group of 3/4 year olds! woohooo

2. Sitting with a nervous nelly before dance class. NEWS She was a big girl and marched into dance class with no mama and danced like a big girl, no tears!

3. Raygan stopped the ballerina line to smile for her mama-oops

4. I created a 'home binder' for some it's pure happiness for others a tad obnoxious. i.e the part where I have a slot for take out menus, that would be the obnoxious part according to Cameron. I dont think he will ever fully understand my hate for clutter, maybe one day he'll learn to appreciate it :)

5. This is our morning, every morning.

6. I ditched the kids in search of a good pair of jeans. Thats me having zero luck inside kohls (I had kohls kash) but I did score on a pair of polka dot jeans and two tops (lc line, truly love her line) but I suppose polka dot pants arent an everyday item...

'Spur the moment family mini hike'

thats what I'm calling these photos. Long title I know, but it was so fun even if I had to grab a child for hostage just to take a damn photo with me! and yes, Raygan and myself are in flats-I said it was spur the moment.

Then we stopped for ice cream.

 

Fridays Letters

Dear cameron: your welcome for the front row concert that went on to this song, on the way to my parents. Wasn't it fab?

Dear girls: you continue to surprise me daily with your little brains. They are like sponges ya know? Raygan you mimic me, then before your even finished remy starts mimics big sister.
Dear pregnant homeless lady: I wish I would've seen your cigarette in your hand before I handed you 3 dollars for your sign that read "pregnant anything helps" that oh so snagged my attention!

Dear friends: speaking of friends I want to introduce you to this fine lady! She's a real life BFF and has decided to join the life of blogging. You should totally go check out her blog.

linking up here

Bloglovin ban wagon

I don't fully understand the reason why google is taking aways google reader or google friend connect, but I jumped on the bloglovin ban wagon and I'm slowly getting used to it! I must admit its not my favorite thing ever:) Anyway I joined today so if you want to, feel free to follow! We have until July 1st, YIKES!
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4326123/?claim=kdmypr5658y">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Dollar Store Face Lift

My girls know what they like, and its hard talking them out of it. Especially when they see these creepy ballerinas/girls at the dollar store.

The squeal of excitement was to cute to pass up.

 

Creepy Right.

Therefore we did a little face lift to these creepy dolls.

A little better.

Bird Feeder Kiddo Craft

We did a fun little spring craft today and I thought I'd share!

 

Toilet paper roll, bird seed and peanut butter.

Thats it.

 I  let my littles use a plastic leftover party knief to rub the peanut butter on the toilet paper roll.

And as for the bird seed, I filled up a tupperware bin and let them roll it in about 1/2 inch of bird seed.

 

Heres to (almost) spring!

Our Week In Review.

Fierce Raygan//Silly girls//Wooden Egg Painting//Sundae Night.

Trip to the park when Cameron was at school//Costco-to eat//Sent save the dates//Family nap//Remys new thing-undies on the head//Cupboard organization//Cameron parking the car. Studly.

Lastly. This is what happens when daddy goes grocery shoppin.

Girls are out of the carts, and candy is purchased in bulk.

 

I hope all of you had a fab week.