My beautiful daughter!

My beautiful daughter turned 18 yesterday!  A day mixed with sadness and happiness.  She is an adult now.  And that means my baby girl is no more.  But I do know, that no matter how big my little girl gets...sometimes she still just needs me.

For those of you new to my blog, Alexys is actually my step-daughter.  I came into her life right before her 7th birthday and have been a constant ever since.  She gave me my first taste of motherhood.  She also let me know the love between a Mother and a Daughter.  She was my first.  I've always told her, she was my first child. 

It has always been important to me from the beginning that Alexys was treated the same as my boys.  If anything, I'm more over protective of her then them sometimes.  This became more so when she moved in with us a year ago.  She began introducing me to her friends as "her mom".  Now, in the world of step-momhood....that is the ULTIMATE compliment.  I've always said that I have 3 kids, her and my two boys that I gave birth to.  People often say I don't look old enough to have an 18 year old, I don't even correct them.  I just smile and say thank you.

My baby girl has given me so much more then she will ever know.  I hope she knows each and every day just how much I love her.  Without her there would be a void in my life.

I love you baby girl!  Hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Most amazing Woman

Today is/was my Grandma's birthday!  She was the most amazing woman I've ever known!  I remember going to visit her every summer since I was a little girl.  Those were wonderful summer memories.  She loved to laugh and make those around her so happy.  I think about her everyday.  I wonder what she thinks of me now, as a woman, a wife and a mom. 

I miss her so much but I know she is always close in my heart and up in Heaven looking down.

Happy Birthday Grandma!  I Love You!

Baby sister

Today is my baby sister's 28th birthday!  I've watched her grow up and I honestly get teary eyed thinking about it.  From the little girl with a boy hair cut in overalls to the cute girl with red Sally Jessie Raphael glasses.  She was always some what of a tomboy growing up.  But I've watched her become a beautiful young woman who I love with all my heart and admire in so ways.  The little girl who always thought she would have nothing has everything and more.  I was there when she was pinned in nursing school and that was a wonderful moment.  Then she was there for me when I got married.  She gave the most depressing speech in the world because she didn't think she would find love like I have with my husband.  And then shortly after she met the man of her dreams.  My most heart felt moment...when I watched my baby sister walk down the aisle to become the wife of someone that loved her as much as I did.  So baby girl, I love you so much and I hope you have a wonderful birthday!  You make me proud of the life you have made for yourself.

Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

I am a day late. Yesterday was my mother's birthday. While she was enjoying her birthday on her day off I was at work dizzy, walking into walls wishing I would just be knocked unconscious until 5.

None the less, it was her birthday! I hope to spend many more with you mom. I love you so much. You are the reason I am who I am today. Hope you had an excellent day!

A child's love

This is one of my favorite photos from Blake's first birthday party. Blake stuck his hand right in Robert's mouth. I love seeing these two together. I think having a child when we are older makes you appreciate things a little more. Don't get me wrong, we totally love our other two kids, but we were both very young. We had no idea what we were doing and were not really mentally "ready" for the family thing. We made it work though. We have three wonderful kids that are my pride and joy! You don't know love until you have a love from a child...so precious and pure. Hug your babies a little more!

One Year Old!

Just a quick post! My baby turned one today!!!! We did a photo shoot this morning. Turned out great. The party is tomorrow. I'll update soon! Enjoy the photos!!!

My weekend!

I had a very good weekend! Friday my first born turned 10! I was honestly more excited about this whole double digit birthday then he was. We went to McDonalds with a few other family members and ate and played in the playland. Then we came home and did cake and he opened our gift, Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. Guess what we played the rest of the night?

On Saturday we did Devon's birthday party with his friends at the skating ring. It was a lot of fun. He even said it was the best birthday....ever!

On our way home we stopped so all the guys could get a haircut. Blake got his first haircut and he did great. I feel like the new look "cut all the baby off" so I've thought about asking for all the hair back. But the day was going to come. Now he looks more like his brother and father.

Sunday was a lazy day and it was amazing. Alexys and I played Wii for about an hour or so and then I did some laundry. Robert and I went to the store for dinner stuff and then I came back and went through a box in the closet, slowly trying to organize.

This weekend he will be at the deer lease so I'm hoping to get a lot of things organized, we will see.

10 years old!

photo via

My oldest son, Devon, turned 10 today! Double digits baby! That's a pretty big deal. Tonight we will be dining at McDonald's and playing in the play yard. Afterwards, we will go back to the house for a super yummy ice cream cake and so he can open his gift from us! It's a Wii game he's been asking for, we will probably play that the rest of the night.

Saturday is the party! Devon has decided that this year he wanted a skate party, so that's what we are doing. I hope he enjoys himself. 10 is a big deal, at least to this momma it is.

Dalton's 1st Birthday!!

OMG! My nephew is one today! Seems like just yesterday Mindy was blowing up my phone with pregnancy questions and then with newborn questions. Dalton is my first nephew and is truly special to my heart. It's crazy when you realize you love someone else's kid as much as you love your own. He is such a ham and such a character. He loves attention. I remember when Mindy and I decided to take Dalton and Blake to the mall (what were we thinking). Blake was only about a month or so old so Dalton was about 5 months old. We were sitting at the Clinique counter when some older ladies were standing around Blake talking about how little he was. And then Mindy and I looked over at Dalton and just laughed. He's sitting there, smiling....trying to get the ladies attention. It was classic. I can't wait to see what the next year brings. Him and Blake are getting to the ages where they can start playing together more...it's going to be so much fun.

Here are a few pictures I did for Mindy for his first birthday! I think they turned out pretty good. Birthday party pics to follow another day (they are on the home computer).

Happy Birthday Grandma

Today is my wonderful Grandma's birthday. She passed on many years ago, but will forever be in so many people's hearts. She was an amazing woman, never met anyone like her. She had a contagious laugh and always tried to see the bright side of things. I remember my many summers I spent with her...so I was always with her on her birthday. Not a day goes by that she doesn't go thru my mind. I know she is looking down on me and watching over me. So here's to an amazing Grandma, mother and wife! I hope you and Alayna had a little party. Love you!